Michael Jessen

Michael Jessen is the president of Zero Waste Solutions.

Zero Waste Solutions helps small and medium-sized businesses and communities align long-term business strategies with enhanced social and environmental performance.

While he has worked as an economic consultant, provincial government employee, and restaurant owner, Michael began his working life as a journalist and he continues to write regularly. He is the author of more than 400 articles about waste management, sustainability, composting, waste reduction, and simple living. Many of his articles are archived on the articles page of this web site.

Michael was born in Denmark, immigrated to Canada at age four, and became a Canadian citizen in 1967. He was educated at the University of British Columbia and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. A member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Michael is a graduate of SWANA's Certified Recycling Managers course.
He has made the following keynote addresses: "Talkin' Trash" conference in Smithers (April, 2000), Annual General Meeting of the Recycling Council of Alberta in Edmonton (September 2001), By-Product Synergy conference in Castlegar (September 2001), The Sustainable Environment Network in Vernon (October 2001), and the Waste to Wealth Conference sponsored by the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology in Nelson (April 30, 2003).

A selection of the clients Michael Jessen has worked for include the Alberta Research Council, Career Development Services (Nelson), Footprint Environmental Consultants, Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, Province of BC (Greening Communities Program), the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust, and the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Society.