epr for what matters? upstream and downstream
TRANSCRIPT
Lifset, 1
EPR for What Matters?Upstream and Downstream
The Third Decade of EPRIIIEE Lund
October 10, 2016
Reid LifsetCenter for Industrial Ecology
School of Forestry & Environmental StudiesYale University
EPR 3rd Decade
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Some Ways to Make EPR Matter?
• Designing EPR for environmental benefits
• Anticipating waste stream changes
• Adapting EPR for developing countries
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EPR UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM
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The Environmental Rationale for EPR
• DfE (OECD):– “seldom sufficient to serve as the triggering factor” – “missing …evaluations …using methodologies that can
distinguish the impact of EPR on DfE [from other causes of] design changes”
• EPR operations:– Collection practices– Network efficiency– Life cycle impacts of EoL mgmt– Material quality
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MIT LCA: Alkaline Batteries Collection & Materials Burden
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Source: Olivetti et al. 2011
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MIT LCA: Results
• Most impacts in raw materials production
• Recycling benefits driven by Zn
• Collection: Mun drop-off > retail drop-off > curbside co-collection
• EOL impacts: – GWP, CED > LF
– ecosystem, hum health < LF
EPR 3rd Decade
CED, 1 kg of batteries
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Implications for EPR
• Environmentally marginal EPR products need
scrutiny
• EPR not just about upstream (DfE); Also
downstream (collection, processing)
• System design important for environmental
benefits
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EPR AND CHANGING WASTE STREAMS
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The Evolving Ton
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Source: S. Robinson, Waste Management, Inc.
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What is Recycled in the US
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Source: A. Johnson, Resource Recovery Systems
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EPR and the Evolving Ton
• The evolving ton motivates EPR – California• Does EPR cause material substitution?• Do EPR fees stimulate technology
development?
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PRO Packaging Fees, 2016
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Quebec
Spain
Source: EXPRO, 2016
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Eco-EmballagesModulated Packaging Fees, 2015
Source: OECD, 2016
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EPR IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
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Solid Waste is Most Problematic in Developing Countries
• Water pollution• Hygiene and disease• Groundwater
contamination• Air pollution
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EPR in Developing Countries
• Not a source for ecodesign• Funding for increased collection,
infrastructure• Challenge of informal economy
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Common Structure for EPR in Developing Countries
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Huaxin Environmental Ltd., Co
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Packaging Waste in Bulgaria
• Packaging tax, CPR physical compliance scheme with 100% responsibility for EOL packaging
• 10,000 waste pickers
• 12 years conflict over collecting HH recyclables
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Plovdiv ECO-PAK recycling bins
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CEMPRE and UAESP
• Bogotá public service company
• Diversion credit $50/tonto waste pickers selling to authorized junk shops.
• Junk shops register qty, forward info to city
• City deposits money in picker’s bank account
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• Inclusive recycling• NGO – 20 companies
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Many Challenges
• Outbiding informals• Building intermediary organizations• Managing residuals
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EPR for What?
• Downstream environmental benefits• Technology development for changing waste
streams• Improved waste management where it most
needed
EPR 3rd Decade