zero waste: theory & practice around the world paul connett, phd paul connett, phd executive...

Zero Waste: Zero Waste: Theory & Practice Theory & Practice Around the WorldAround the World

Paul Connett, PhDPaul Connett, PhDExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

American Environmental Health American Environmental Health

Studies Project (AEHSP)Studies Project (AEHSP)www.AmericanHealthStudies.orgwww.AmericanHealthStudies.org

[email protected]

United Nations, Jan 12, 2010United Nations, Jan 12, 2010

OUTLINEOUTLINE

A. A quick word about sustainabilityA. A quick word about sustainability B. Zero Waste the Springboard to B. Zero Waste the Springboard to

SustainabilitySustainability C. The critical step forwardC. The critical step forward D. From ZW to sustainabilityD. From ZW to sustainability E. ZW around the worldE. ZW around the world E. Back to the Big PictureE. Back to the Big Picture

A. A quick word about A. A quick word about sustainabilitysustainability

We are living on this We are living on this planet as if we had planet as if we had another one to go toanother one to go to

SustainabilitySustainability We would need We would need FOUR planetsFOUR planets if if

every one consumed as much as every one consumed as much as the average the average AmericanAmerican

We would need We would need TWO planetsTWO planets if if every one consumed as much as every one consumed as much as the average the average EuropeanEuropean

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, India, China etcIndia, China etc. are . are copying our consumption patternscopying our consumption patterns

Something has got to change and Something has got to change and the best place to start is with the best place to start is with wastewaste

““The world has enough The world has enough for everyone’s for everyone’s needneedbut not for everyone’s but not for everyone’s greedgreed””

Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi

Our real task is to fight Our real task is to fight over-consumptionover-consumption

Please note that Please note that while while waste incineration waste incineration is aggressively promoted is aggressively promoted by many companies and by many companies and

countries, it is NOT countries, it is NOT sustainablesustainable

Kg Greenhouse gas/tonne Kg Greenhouse gas/tonne Municipal WasteMunicipal Waste

A combination of recycling A combination of recycling and composting and composting is 46 times is 46 times betterbetter

-461-461

at reducing greenhouse at reducing greenhouse gases thangases than X 46X 46Incineration generating Incineration generating electrictyelectricty -10-10

Waste Management Options and Climate Change. AEA 2001

B. Zero Waste is the B. Zero Waste is the SpringboardSpringboard

to SUSTAINABILITYto SUSTAINABILITY

ZERO WASTE ZERO WASTE IS A IS A NEWNEW

DIRECTIONDIRECTION

NO to INCINERATORS

NO to LANDFILLS

THE THE BACK ENDBACK END

OF OF WASTEWASTE

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

NO to INCINERATORS

NO to LANDFILLS

THE THE FRONT ENDFRONT END

OFOFINDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

DESIGNDESIGN

THE THE BACK ENDBACK END

OF OF WASTEWASTE

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

THE KEY

is to find a way to use

COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

At the back end to drive

INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY

At the front end

FOUR STEPS FROM ZERO FOUR STEPS FROM ZERO WASTE TO SUSTAINABILITYWASTE TO SUSTAINABILITY

1) THE FIRST STEP.1) THE FIRST STEP.

2) THE OTHER PRACTICAL STEPS.2) THE OTHER PRACTICAL STEPS.

3) THE KEY STEP TO GET TO ZW.3) THE KEY STEP TO GET TO ZW.

4) USING ZW TO GET TO 4) USING ZW TO GET TO SUSTAINABILITY.SUSTAINABILITY.

1. Zero Waste starts with 1. Zero Waste starts with something everyone hassomething everyone has

The ten things on the end of our The ten things on the end of our hands!hands!

These are the “magic machines” These are the “magic machines” which can make sure that we do which can make sure that we do not convert discarded resources not convert discarded resources into wasteinto waste

wastewaste ResourcesResources

SourceSourceSeparationSeparation

2. Zero Waste continues with 2. Zero Waste continues with a series of a series of simplesimple steps steps

which arewhich arePracticalPracticalCost effective Cost effective andandPolitically acceptablePolitically acceptable


Door to DoorDoor to DoorCollectionCollection



CompostingComposting

RecyclingRecycling




Waste Waste ReductionReductionInitiativesInitiatives

RecyclingRecycling





RecyclingRecyclingReuse, Reuse,

Repair &Repair &DeconstructionDeconstruction










EconomicEconomicIncentivesIncentives

3. The critical step forward to 3. The critical step forward to achieve Zero wasteachieve Zero waste

This is whereThis is whereCommunity Community

ResponsibilityResponsibilityMust be used to driveMust be used to drive Industrial ResponsibilityIndustrial Responsibility

ResidualResidualSeparation &Separation &

ResearchResearchFacilityFacility







Residual Residual Separation & Separation &

ResearchResearch CenterCenter


RESIDUAL SEPARATION &RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITY RESEARCH FACILITY

1. Built at entrance to landfill1. Built at entrance to landfill 2. No material can enter landfill 2. No material can enter landfill

without it being separated and without it being separated and screenedscreened

3. Toxics removed and identified3. Toxics removed and identified 4. Dirty organics biologically 4. Dirty organics biologically

stabilizedstabilized 5. Non-recyclable materials STUDIED5. Non-recyclable materials STUDIED

MORE TOXICS

NON-TOXIC, NON-BIODEGRADABLE FRACTION

RESIDUAL SCREENING & RESEARCH& RESEARCH FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

DIRTYDIRTYORGANIC ORGANIC FRACTIONFRACTION

INTERIM LANDFILL

BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

NON-RECYCABLE MATERIALS

RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITY

Local Local UniversityUniversity

Or Or Technical CollegeTechnical College

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

RESEARCH CENTERRESEARCH CENTER ImproveImprove capture rate capture rate of reusables, of reusables,

recyclables and clean compostablesrecyclables and clean compostables Recommend improved Recommend improved waste avoidance waste avoidance

strategiesstrategies by local businesses by local businesses Develop some Develop some local useslocal uses for some for some

materials materials Recommend better industrial Recommend better industrial

designs to industry on designs to industry on packaging and productspackaging and products

Research for CLEAN ProductionResearch for CLEAN Production

The Message to The Message to Industry:Industry:

• If we can’t If we can’t reuse itreuse it, , recycle itrecycle it or or compost itcompost it,,

• Industry shouldn’t be making it Industry shouldn’t be making it

• We need better industrial design for We need better industrial design for the 21st Centurythe 21st Century

• We cannot become sustainable We cannot become sustainable without itwithout it

WITH THE ZERO WITH THE ZERO WASTE 2020 WASTE 2020 STRATEGYSTRATEGY

WE CONVERT WE CONVERT 3 TONS OF TRASH3 TONS OF TRASH

intointo: :

1 ton of compostables1 ton of compostables

1 ton of recyclables1 ton of recyclables

andand

1 ton of EDUCATION for 1 ton of EDUCATION for SUSTAINABILITY!SUSTAINABILITY!









Better Better IndustrialIndustrial

DesignDesign











DesignDesign


Temporary LandfillTemporary Landfill










DesignDesign


Temporary LandfillTemporary Landfill 20202020

San FranciscoSan Francisco Population = 850,000Population = 850,000 Very little space Very little space 50% waste diverted by 200050% waste diverted by 2000 63% waste diverted by 200463% waste diverted by 2004 70% waste diverted by 200870% waste diverted by 2008 72% waste diverted by 200972% waste diverted by 2009 GOAL:75% waste diverted by 2010GOAL:75% waste diverted by 2010 GOAL:100% by 2020GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!) (or very close!)

Iniziative Iniziative RiduzioneRiduzione

rifiutirifiutiRiciclaggioRiciclaggio

Separazione Separazione alla alla

sorgentesorgente

RaccoltaRaccoltaPorta a PortaPorta a Porta

CompostaggioCompostaggio

ResidualResidual Separation &Separation &


BetterBetterIndustrial Industrial

Design Design

IncentiviIncentiviEconomiciEconomici

INTERIM LANDFILLINTERIM LANDFILL20202020

RiutilizzoRiutilizzoRiparazione eRiparazione eCentro per la Centro per la

Comunita’Comunita’

70 - 80%70 - 80% COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYCOMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

Iniziative Iniziative RiduzioneRiduzione

rifiutirifiutiRiciclaggioRiciclaggio

Separazione Separazione alla alla

sorgentesorgente

RaccoltaRaccoltaPorta a PortaPorta a Porta

CompostaggioCompostaggio

Separazione Separazione del residuo edel residuo e

Centro diCentro di ricercaricerca

migliore migliore design design

industrialeindustriale

IncentiviIncentiviEconomiciEconomici

INTERIM LANDFILL INTERIM LANDFILL 20202020

RiutilizzoRiutilizzoRiparazione eRiparazione eCentro per la Centro per la

Comunita’Comunita’

70-80%70-80%COMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYCOMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

20-30%20-30%INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIBILITY

Industrial Industrial ResponsibilityResponsibility

1. 1. Design for sustainabilityDesign for sustainability 2. 2. Clean productionClean production 3. 3. Extended Producer Extended Producer

ResponsibilityResponsibility

Extended Producer Extended Producer Responsibilty - Responsibilty - packagingpackaging

• The Ontario (Canada) Beer industry has been using refillable glass bottles for 50 years

• 98% recovered

• Each bottle reused 18 times

• It saves the company money

• 2000 jobs in collection and cleaning

• No cost to municipality

Extended Producer Extended Producer Responsibilty - Responsibilty - productsproducts

XEROX CORPORATION EUROPEXEROX CORPORATION EUROPE

Recovers copying machines from 16 Recovers copying machines from 16 different countriesdifferent countries

Takes them to huge warehouses in the Takes them to huge warehouses in the Netherlands, where the machines are Netherlands, where the machines are stripped down for parts and materialsstripped down for parts and materials

95% of materials recovered for reuse or 95% of materials recovered for reuse or recycling!recycling!

This is saving Xerox This is saving Xerox $76 millions a year$76 millions a year!!!!

Solid waste is the Solid waste is the visible face of visible face of inefficiency!inefficiency!

For more examples of For more examples of Industrial Industrial ResponsibilityResponsibility Contact Gary Liss at Contact Gary Liss at

[email protected] For more information on EPR For more information on EPR

initiatives contact Bill Sheehan atinitiatives contact Bill Sheehan at [email protected]@productpolicy.org

4. To move from Zero Waste 4. To move from Zero Waste to Sustainability we must use to Sustainability we must use

the wisest the wisest and brightest minds and brightest minds

in our societyin our society

Research Institute forResearch Institute forZero Waste Zero Waste

andandSustainabilitySustainability



1)1)Research for better industrial Research for better industrial designdesign



1) Research for better industrial 1) Research for better industrial designdesign

2) Linking zero waste with other key 2) Linking zero waste with other key developments needed for developments needed for

sustainabilitysustainability

Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development

SustainableAgriculture

SustainableCommunity

development

SustainableEnergy

Sustainableindustries

& Jobs

SustainableArchitecture

Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs


BetterBetterIndustrialIndustrialDesignDesign

Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs




Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs


CompostingComposting Research CenterResearch Center


Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs



DeconstructionDeconstruction


Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs




AnaerobicAnaerobicDigestionDigestion


Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs






Incineration is Incineration is not not sustainable sustainable energy!energy!

Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs



100’s of “green boxes”100’s of “green boxes”




Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs



Reuse &Reuse &RepairRepairCentersCenters 100’s of “green boxes”100’s of “green boxes”




D. Progress towards D. Progress towards Zero Waste around the Zero Waste around the worldworldwww.zwia.orgwww.GRRN.orgwww.no-burn.org (GAIA) (GAIA)

CaliforniaCalifornia

As a result of a state law passed As a result of a state law passed in the early 1990’s hundreds of in the early 1990’s hundreds of California cities exceeded over California cities exceeded over 50% diversion from landfills and 50% diversion from landfills and incinerators by 2000incinerators by 2000

Some communities said why stop Some communities said why stop at 50%, why not 60%, 70%…at 50%, why not 60%, 70%…

Why not aim for Zero Waste?Why not aim for Zero Waste?

NEW ZEALANDNEW ZEALAND

Over 70%Over 70% of communities of communities have declared have declared a Zero Waste a Zero Waste

strategystrategy

Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island, CanadaCanada Whole island has door to door Whole island has door to door

collection of recyclables and collection of recyclables and compostablescompostables

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia

50% diversion in 5 years 50% diversion in 5 years (Halifax ~ (Halifax ~ 60%)60%)

10001000 jobs created collecting and jobs created collecting and treating discarded materialstreating discarded materials

Another Another 20002000 jobs created in the jobs created in the industries handling the collected industries handling the collected materialmaterial

Nearly all the separated materials are Nearly all the separated materials are re-used in Nova Scotia’s own re-used in Nova Scotia’s own industries.industries.

ItalyItaly

Over 2000 communities in Italy Over 2000 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion are achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection using “door to door” collection systemssystems

Over 200 communities achieving Over 200 communities achieving over 70% diversionover 70% diversion

ItalyItaly

Novara Novara - (a city near Turin, - (a city near Turin, population = 100,000) population = 100,000) achieved achieved 70% diversion in 70% diversion in just 18 months!just 18 months!

ItalyItaly

The The TrevisoTreviso region - 22 region - 22 communities averaging communities averaging 76% diversion76% diversion (Priula (Priula consortium)consortium)

ItalyItaly

Villafranco d’AstiVillafranco d’Asti (Piedmont) has (Piedmont) has reached reached 85% diversion85% diversion

Some other developmentsSome other developments

Canberra, AustraliaCanberra, AustraliaKovalam, IndiaKovalam, IndiaThe Philippines andThe Philippines andThe UKThe UK

E. Some practicalitiesE. Some practicalities

““The Fantastic 3”The Fantastic 3”

The San Francisco systemThe San Francisco system

I “Fantastici 4”I “Fantastici 4”

Capannori, ItaliaCapannori, Italia

CapannoriCapannori

LUNEDILUNEDI ORGANICOORGANICO

MARTEDIMARTEDI MULTIMATERIALEMULTIMATERIALE

MERCOLEDIMERCOLEDI CARTACARTA

GIOVEDIGIOVEDI FRAZIONE FRAZIONE RESIDUARESIDUA

VENERDIVENERDI ORGANICOORGANICO

SABATOSABATO MULTIMATERIALEMULTIMATERIALE

CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility

1 2 3

Composting plant for San Composting plant for San FranciscoFrancisco


1 2 3


MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery

FacilityFacility

1 2 3

at Pier 96

MATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITYMATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITY

RecyclingRecyclingPlantsPlants

CompostingCompostingPlantsPlants

CitiesCities Rural areasRural areas



FacilityFacility

1 2 3

ResiduaResiduallFractionFraction

ResiduaResiduallFractionFraction

We have to minimize We have to minimize the residual fraction the residual fraction with…with…1) Waste reduction 1) Waste reduction

initiativesinitiatives2) Reuse, repair and 2) Reuse, repair and

deconstructiondeconstruction3) Economic incentives3) Economic incentives

Undesirable packagingUndesirable packaging

Four options:Four options:Ban itBan itTax itTax itPut a returnable deposit on Put a returnable deposit on

ititAvoid itAvoid it

IrelandIreland

Government put a 15 Government put a 15 cent tax on plastic cent tax on plastic shopping bags shopping bags

reduced use reduced use by 92%by 92% in in one year!one year!

ItalyItaly

Several supermarket chains Several supermarket chains are providing dispensers are providing dispensers which allow customers to which allow customers to refill refill shampooshampoo and and detergentdetergent bottles… bottles…

As well asAs well as wine, water wine, water andand milkmilk

Alcune iniziative italiane per la Alcune iniziative italiane per la riduzioneriduzione

•Un pizzico di Un pizzico di creatività a creatività a monte può far monte può far risparmiare risparmiare milioni a vallemilioni a valle

Reuse,Reuse,RepairRepair

andandDeconstructionDeconstruction

reusereuse

Reuse, Repair & Reuse, Repair & DeconstructionDeconstruction

Urban Ore, Berkeley, CaliforniaUrban Ore, Berkeley, California

““Economically, incineration Economically, incineration represents ONE BIG BLACK BOXrepresents ONE BIG BLACK BOX

The Zero Waste strategy The Zero Waste strategy represents 100’s of LITTLE GREEN represents 100’s of LITTLE GREEN BOXES” BOXES”

(Ted Ward, Zero Waste, Del Norte (Ted Ward, Zero Waste, Del Norte County, California)County, California)

DeconstructionDeconstructionReuse &Reuse &Repair CenterRepair Center

DeconstructionDeconstructionReuse &Reuse &Repair CenterRepair Center

Furniture,Furniture,Flooring, Flooring, etcetc

VIDEOSVIDEOS ““On the Road to Zero Waste”On the Road to Zero Waste” Part 1: Nova ScotiaPart 1: Nova Scotia Part 2: Burlington, VermontPart 2: Burlington, Vermont Part 3: Canberra, AustraliaPart 3: Canberra, Australia Part 4: San FranciscoPart 4: San Francisco Zero Waste: Idealistic Dream or Realistic Goal?Zero Waste: Idealistic Dream or Realistic Goal? Pieces of Zero: Creativity versus WastePieces of Zero: Creativity versus Waste

www.www.AmericanAmericanHealthHealthStudies.Studies.orgorg

1 2 3

The “ Pay by bag” systemThe “ Pay by bag” system

1 2 3

freefree


1 2 3

freefree freefree


1 2 $

freefree freefreeThe moreThe moreyou make,you make,the morethe moreyou pay!you pay!


1 2 $

NoNosurchargesurcharge

NoNosurchargesurchargeSurcharge!Surcharge!


1 2 $

NoNosurchargesurcharge

NoNosurchargesurchargeSurcharge!Surcharge!


Total cost of program comes out of local taxesTotal cost of program comes out of local taxes



FacilityFacility

ResidualsResiduals??

Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair

1 2 $

& Deconstruction& Deconstruction

CommunityCommunityInitiatives to Initiatives to

ReduceReducewastewaste

One stop shopping!One stop shopping!

The Resource Recovery ParkThe Resource Recovery Park


MaterialsRecovery

Facility (MRF)


Center for Hard-to-RecycleMaterials (CHARM)


Reuse & Repair Center


CompostingFacility

The Resource Recovery ParkThe Resource Recovery ParkComposting

Facility


C & D


Residual Screening&

Research Center

Eric Lombardi, Eco-CycleEric Lombardi, Eco-Cyclewww.ecocycle.orgwww.ecocycle.org

F. Back to the Big F. Back to the Big PicturePicture

Consumption of materialsConsumption of materials

Standard of livingStandard of living

Current situationCurrent situation

Consumption of fossil fuelsConsumption of fossil fuels

Solar EnergySolar EnergyChange 1Change 1

Consumption of materialsConsumption of materials


Zero WasteZero Waste



Zero WasteZero Waste

Quality of LifeQuality of Life


We have to separate the We have to separate the Quality of life Quality of life from the from the material consumptionmaterial consumption

We have to separate the We have to separate the Quality of life Quality of life from the from the material consumptionmaterial consumption

Quality of lifeQuality of life

Material consumptionMaterial consumption

To fight over-consumptionTo fight over-consumption

We need to swap a life We need to swap a life built around acquiring a built around acquiring a series of objects…series of objects…

To To a life built around a a life built around a series of expanding human series of expanding human relationshipsrelationships

““Make Make LoveLove, , Not Not WarWar””

In the In the 1960’s1960’s

““Make Make LoveLove, , Not Not WasteWaste””


““Make Make FriendsFriends, ,

Not Not WasteWaste””


ConclusionsConclusions We do not need mega-landfills or We do not need mega-landfills or

incinerators!incinerators! There is a better alternative There is a better alternative The The ZERO WASTE strategyZERO WASTE strategy is is Better for our health (LESS TOXICS)Better for our health (LESS TOXICS) Better for the economyBetter for the economy,, Better for our children, Better for our children, andand Better for the planet (MORE Better for the planet (MORE

SUSTAINABLE)!SUSTAINABLE)!

zero waste: theory & practice around the world paul connett, phd paul connett, phd executive...

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