Stop Trashing the ClimateStop Trashing the ClimateStop Trashing the ClimateStop Trashing the Climate

Brenda PlattBrenda Platt

Institute for Local Self-RelianceInstitute for Local Self-RelianceBioCycle West, San DiegoBioCycle West, San Diego

April 15th, 2008April 15th, 2008

Brenda PlattBrenda Platt

Institute for Local Self-RelianceInstitute for Local Self-RelianceBioCycle West, San DiegoBioCycle West, San Diego

April 15th, 2008April 15th, 2008

Wasting and ClimateWasting and ClimateChange: The ConnectionsChange: The Connections

Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-RelianceBrenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliancepresented at the Zero Waste Conferencepresented at the Zero Waste Conference

Devens, Massachusetts, October 19, 2009Devens, Massachusetts, October 19, 2009

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

10. 54% of waste goes to landfills, a top source of methane emissions

10. 54% of waste goes to landfills, a top source of methane emissions

Wasting Trend in U.S.Wasting Trend in U.S.Wasting Trend in U.S.Wasting Trend in U.S.

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Composting Recycling Disposal

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

10. 54% of waste is landfilled

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

10. 54% of waste is landfilled

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of total% of totalLandfill greenhouse gas emissions, Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of total% of total

Landfill Methane Emissions

1.8%

All Other98.2%

Total 2005 = 7,260 megatons CO2 equiv.

The global warming potential conceptThe global warming potential conceptThe global warming potential conceptThe global warming potential concept

CO2

Methane - 100 year time horizon, 21 times more potent than CO2

Methane - 20 yrs, 72 times more potent

CO2

Methane - 100 year time horizon, 21 times more potent than CO2

Methane - 20 yrs, 72 times more potent

Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of total, 20 yr time horizon% of total, 20 yr time horizonLandfill greenhouse gas emissions, Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of total, 20 yr time horizon% of total, 20 yr time horizon

Landfill Methane Emissions

5.2%

All Other94.8%

Total 2005 = 8,754 megatons CO2 equiv.

Disposal sector emissions, 8.1% of Disposal sector emissions, 8.1% of total, 20 yr horizontotal, 20 yr horizonDisposal sector emissions, 8.1% of Disposal sector emissions, 8.1% of total, 20 yr horizontotal, 20 yr horizon

All Other91.9%

Wastewater Trtmt1.1%

Manure Mgt1.6%

Municipal Waste Combustion

0.2%

Landfill 5.2%

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incinerators are bad for the climate

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incinerators are bad for the climate

Waste incinerators are NOT good for Waste incinerators are NOT good for the climatethe climateWaste incinerators are NOT good for Waste incinerators are NOT good for the climatethe climate

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Incinerator Coal Fired Oil Fired Natural Gas Fired

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Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incinerators are bad for the climate

7. Incinerators require wasting

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incinerators are bad for the climate

7. Incinerators require wasting

Incinerators require waste and wastingIncinerators require waste and wasting

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incineration is bad for the climate

7. Incineration requires wasting

8. Trash is not renewable

10. Landfills are a top source of methane

9. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas

8. Incineration is bad for the climate

7. Incineration requires wasting

8. Trash is not renewable

The WastebergThe Wasteberg

For every ton of municipal trash, 71 tons of waste are produced during manufacturing, mining, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and coal combustion.

For every ton of municipal trash, 71 tons of waste are produced during manufacturing, mining, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and coal combustion.

Upstream = 71 x MSW WasteUpstream = 71 x MSW Waste

Waste of Energy (WOE)Waste of Energy (WOE)

3 to 5 times more energy can be saved by recycling

Burning materials for their Btu value is a waste of resources

3 to 5 times more energy can be saved by recycling

Burning materials for their Btu value is a waste of resources

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

Biogenic emissions are not climate neutralBiogenic emissions are not climate neutral

X X

X XXX

XX

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

Unit-based Pricing Sends a Clear Message Unit-based Pricing Sends a Clear Message

Worcester, MA

Population 173,000

Worcester, MA

Population 173,000San Francisco, CA

Population 775,000

San Francisco, CA

Population 775,000

Unit based pricing is just a different way of paying for wasteUnit based pricing is just a different way of paying for waste Source: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

Worcester, MA: PAYT ResultsWorcester, MA: PAYT Results

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1986'87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 2000

'01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06

Trash Tons Collected Per Year Recycling Tons Collected Per Year

Source: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

Overall Waste Generation Decrease 20+%Overall Waste Generation Decrease 20+%

Source: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

Organics Diversion: Core Climate Organics Diversion: Core Climate Protection StrategyProtection StrategyOrganics Diversion: Core Climate Organics Diversion: Core Climate Protection StrategyProtection Strategy

Prevents landfill methane emissions

Stores carbon

Improves soil’s ability to store carbon

Substitutes for energy-intensive fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides

Improves plant growth, and thus carbon sequestration

Reduces energy use for irrigation

Anaerobic digestion offsets fossil fuel consumption

Prevents landfill methane emissions

Stores carbon

Improves soil’s ability to store carbon

Substitutes for energy-intensive fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides

Improves plant growth, and thus carbon sequestration

Reduces energy use for irrigation

Anaerobic digestion offsets fossil fuel consumption

U.S. municipal waste disposedU.S. municipal waste disposed

Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm)

169.2 million tons in 2007169.2 million tons in 2007

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

2. Unchecked consumption

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

2. Unchecked consumption

U.S. huge contributorU.S. huge contributor

4.6% of global population

Consume one-third of Earth’s timber and paper

Generate 22% of global CO2 emissions

Produce 30% of world’s waste

4.6% of global population

Consume one-third of Earth’s timber and paper

Generate 22% of global CO2 emissions

Produce 30% of world’s waste

Sectors impacted by wasting, % of total, 20 yr horizonSectors impacted by wasting, % of total, 20 yr horizon

Disposal sector8.1%

Industrial sector24.6%

Truck Transportation

4.4%

Synthetic Fertilizers

1.1%

All Other61.8%

Single use has got to goSingle use has got to go

Resource Conservation HierarchyResource Conservation Hierarchy

Most Preferable

Recycle & Compost

Treat

Avoid & Reduce

Reuse

Dispose

Least Preferable

Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?Top Ten: Why wasting = climate change?

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

2. Unchecked consumption

1. Prevents real zero waste planning

5. Biogenic emissions too often overlooked

4. Pay as you throw not widespread

3. Competes with expanding composting and anaerobic digestion systems

2. Unchecked consumption

1. Prevents real zero waste planning

Zero Waste PathZero Waste PathZero Waste PathZero Waste Path

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Aiming for zero waste is key GHG Aiming for zero waste is key GHG abatement strategyabatement strategyAiming for zero waste is key GHG Aiming for zero waste is key GHG abatement strategyabatement strategy

AbatementAbatement MegatonsMegatons % of Abatement % of AbatementStrategyStrategy COCO22 eq. eq. Needed in 2030 to Needed in 2030 to

Return to 1990Return to 1990Reducing wasteReducing wastevia prevention, reuse, via prevention, reuse, recycling, compostingrecycling, composting 406406 11.6%11.6%

LightingLighting 240240 6.9%6.9%Vehicle EfficiencyVehicle Efficiency 195195 5.6%5.6%Lower Carbon FuelsLower Carbon Fuels 100100 2.9%2.9%Forest ManagementForest Management 110110 3.1%3.1%Carbon Capture & StorageCarbon Capture & Storage 9595 2.7%2.7%WindWind 120120 3.4%3.4%NuclearNuclear 7070 2.0%2.0%

Source: ILSR, GAIA, and Eco-Cycle, Stop Trashing the Climate (2008), and McKinsey & Company, Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much and at What Cost? (2007)

Zero waste path: less coal plantsZero waste path: less coal plantsZero waste path: less coal plantsZero waste path: less coal plants

By significantly reducing waste disposal, the U.S. can take the equivalent of 21% of its coal-fired power plants off the grid by 2030.

By significantly reducing waste disposal, the U.S. can take the equivalent of 21% of its coal-fired power plants off the grid by 2030.X

Composting & Recycling Collection Composting & Recycling Collection System Designed For High DiversionSystem Designed For High Diversion

Composting & Recycling Collection Composting & Recycling Collection System Designed For High DiversionSystem Designed For High Diversion

Recycled Paper21%

Glass and Plastic BottlesAluminum and Steel Cans

5%

Construction andDemolition Waste

25%

Other15%

Food Scraps20%

Yard Trimmings5%

Compostable Paper10%

Courtesy of City of San Francisco

Easy to Understand ProgramEasy to Understand Program

Courtesy of City of San Francisco

Designed for Easy ParticipationDesigned for Easy Participation

Kitchen Pail

Labeled Lids

Wheeled Cart

Courtesy of City of San Francisco

Recology’s Jepsen Prairie Organics Recology’s Jepsen Prairie Organics Regional Composting FacilityRegional Composting FacilityRecology’s Jepsen Prairie Organics Recology’s Jepsen Prairie Organics Regional Composting FacilityRegional Composting Facility

Courtesy of City of San Francisco

TorontoToronto

Don’t Waste!Don’t Waste!

Starve a Landfill

Feed the soil

Conserve resources

Protect the climate

Create jobs

Sustain new businesses

Starve a Landfill

Feed the soil

Conserve resources

Protect the climate

Create jobs

Sustain new businesses

A Call to Action!A Call to Action!

Implement zero waste targets and plans. Stop disposing organic materials – COMPOST! Pursue recycling-based local economic

development. Make manufacturers responsible for their products. Regulate single-use plastics. Reduce junk mail. Buy recycled. Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees.

Implement zero waste targets and plans. Stop disposing organic materials – COMPOST! Pursue recycling-based local economic

development. Make manufacturers responsible for their products. Regulate single-use plastics. Reduce junk mail. Buy recycled. Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees.

ContactContactContactContact

www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org

www.ilsr.org

bplatt@ilsr.org

Brenda Platt

202-898-1610 x230

www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org

www.ilsr.org

bplatt@ilsr.org

Brenda Platt

202-898-1610 x230