Incineration versus Zero Waste St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, 2007 Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Professor Emeritus of Chemistry St Lawrence University, Canton,

Incineration Incineration versusversus Zero Waste Zero Waste

St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, 20072007

Dr Paul ConnettDr Paul ConnettProfessor Emeritus of ChemistryProfessor Emeritus of Chemistry

St Lawrence University, Canton, NYSt Lawrence University, Canton, NY

Paul@Paul@FluorideALERTFluorideALERT.org.org

www.www.FluorideALERT.FluorideALERT.orgorg

Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)

Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy

Carbon Carbon dioxidedioxide

Sulfur Sulfur dioxiddioxidee

NOxNOx PMPM MercuryMercury

Natural Natural GasGas

11921192 0.0050.005 1.21.2 0.070.07 1 x 10-1 x 10-88

RDFRDF 58705870 1.01.0 9.69.6 0.220.22 6923 x 6923 x 10-810-8

11921192 0.0050.005 1.21.2 0.070.07 1 x 10-1 x 10-88

RDFRDF 58705870 1.01.0 9.69.6 0.220.22 6923 x 6923 x 10-810-8

BiomasBiomasss

39103910 0.60.6 8.18.1 1.361.36 1316 x 1316 x 10-810-8

ECONOMIC COSTSECONOMIC COSTS

Natural Gas Burner for ROCK-Natural Gas Burner for ROCK-TENNTENN

= $ 11.2 million= $ 11.2 million RDF/biomass BurnerRDF/biomass Burner $300 - $500 million ?????$300 - $500 million ?????

OUTLINEOUTLINE 1. Waste Management & the Big 1. Waste Management & the Big

PicturePicture 2. The arguments against 2. The arguments against

incinerationincineration 3. Incineration air emissions3. Incineration air emissions 4. Incineration & dioxins4. Incineration & dioxins 5. The alternative to landfills and 5. The alternative to landfills and

incineratorsincinerators

1.1. Waste Management Waste Management & &

the Big Picturethe Big Picture

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

We cannot run a throwaway We cannot run a throwaway society on a finite planetsociety on a finite planet

We are robbing our own children and We are robbing our own children and grandchildrengrandchildren

This is colonialism in time!This is colonialism in time!

Landfills Landfills BURYBURY the evidence the evidence

IncineratorsIncinerators BURNBURN the evidencethe evidence

We need to face the real We need to face the real problem…problem…

Our task is to fight the Our task is to fight the throwaway ethic & throwaway ethic & over-consumptionover-consumption

Not only is Not only is over-consumption over-consumption

giving us a local waste giving us a local waste crisis crisis

but also…but also…

… … a Global crisis a Global crisis

Global warming is the Global warming is the symptom, what is the symptom, what is the cause?cause?

The Global Crisis:The Global Crisis:

Since the Industrial Since the Industrial Revolution Revolution we have we have imposed a linear society imposed a linear society on a planet that on a planet that functions in circlesfunctions in circles

A LINEAR SOCIETYA LINEAR SOCIETY

Extraction Extraction

Extraction Extraction ProductionProduction

Extraction Extraction ProductionProductionConsumptionConsumption

Extraction Extraction ProductionProductionConsumptionConsumption WasteWaste

Advertising/TVAdvertising/TV

Over-advertisingOver-advertisingproducesproducesOver-consumptionOver-consumption

By the time a high schoolstudent leaves school, he or she

will have watched over350,000 TV commercials.

Paul Hawken The Ecology of Commerce.

MythMyth versus versus RealityReality

THE MYTH:THE MYTH: The more you consume the The more you consume the

happier you becomehappier you become THE REALITY:THE REALITY: The more you consume the fatter The more you consume the fatter

you become!you become!

Modern man!Modern man!

““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

Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin

MaterialsMaterials

Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured

itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption WasteWaste

MaterialsMaterials

Solid wasteSolid waste

Air pollutionAir pollution

Water pollutionWater pollution

Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide

ENERGYENERGY

MaterialsMaterials

ENERGYENERGY

MaterialsMaterials

itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption

DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials

ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY

MaterialsMaterials

INCINERATION & LANDFILLSINCINERATION & LANDFILLS

MaterialsMaterials

RECYCLING OF MATERIALSRECYCLING OF MATERIALS

MaterialsMaterials

REUSE OF OBJECTSREUSE OF OBJECTS

MaterialsMaterials

COMPOSTINGCOMPOSTING

Waste Management Options and Climate Change. AEA 2002

““Overall, Overall, source segregationsource segregation of of MSW, followed by MSW, followed by recyclingrecycling (for (for paper, metals, textiles and paper, metals, textiles and plastics) and plastics) and composting/ADcomposting/AD (for (for putrescible wastes) putrescible wastes) gives the gives the lowest net flux of greenhouse lowest net flux of greenhouse gasesgases compared to other forms of compared to other forms of treatment of bulk MSW”treatment of bulk MSW”

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

Riciclaggio e compostaggioRiciclaggio e compostaggio -461-461

Trattamento Meccanico-Trattamento Meccanico-Biologico e stoccaggioBiologico e stoccaggio -366-366

TermovalorizzazioneTermovalorizzazione -10-10

Waste Management Options and Climate Change. AEA 2002

Slide from Attilio TornavaccaSlide from Attilio Tornavacca

Incineration is a waste of Incineration is a waste of energy!energy!

3-4 times more energy3-4 times more energy can be saved can be saved by a combination of reuse, recycling by a combination of reuse, recycling and composting compared to and composting compared to incinerationincineration

Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Morris, Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Morris,

jeff.morris@zerowaste.comjeff.morris@zerowaste.com

Energy Comparison: Energy Comparison: RecyclingRecycling versus versus incinerationincineration (ICF consulting, 2005)(ICF consulting, 2005)

materialmaterial Energy Energy savings from savings from recyclingrecycling

GJ/tonneGJ/tonne

Energy Energy output from output from incinerationincineration

GJ/tonneGJ/tonne

Energy Energy savings savings recycling recycling

versus versus incinerationincineration

NewsprintNewsprint 6.336.33 2.622.62 2.42.4

Fine Fine paperpaper

15.8715.87 2.232.23 7.17.1

CardboarCardboardd

8.568.56 2.312.31 3.73.7

Other paperOther paper 9.499.49 2.252.25 4.24.2

HDPEHDPE 64.2764.27 6.306.30 10.210.2

PETPET 85.1685.16 3.223.22 26.426.4Other Other plasticplastic

52.0952.09 4.764.76 10.910.9

2. Arguments against 2. Arguments against incineratorsincinerators

They generate a toxic ash which is They generate a toxic ash which is poorly handledpoorly handled

They generate toxic air emissions, They generate toxic air emissions, which are poorly monitoredwhich are poorly monitored

They are extremely expensive and a They are extremely expensive and a poor investment for our children.poor investment for our children.

They are very unpopular with the public They are very unpopular with the public and pushed into communities and pushed into communities undemocraticallyundemocratically

Incineration is not sustainableIncineration is not sustainable There are better alternatives which areThere are better alternatives which are

Incineration is Incineration is extremely unpopularextremely unpopular

In the US over 300 In the US over 300 incinerator proposals incinerator proposals defeated since 1985defeated since 1985

US has not permitted a US has not permitted a new trash incinerator since new trash incinerator since 1995.1995.

Incineration is a poor Incineration is a poor investmentinvestment• Most of the money spent on Most of the money spent on

incinerators goes into complicated incinerators goes into complicated machinery and leaves the machinery and leaves the community, community, whereaswhereas

• The money spent on the The money spent on the alternatives goes into jobs and alternatives goes into jobs and stays in the community.stays in the community.

Think of an incinerator Think of an incinerator as three boxesas three boxes

1.1.The The FurnaceFurnace which which Converts 100’s ofConverts 100’s ofTons of trash intoTons of trash into

Trillions of tinyTrillions of tinyparticlesparticles

and gases.and gases.

2.2. The The Air PollutionAir Pollution control devicescontrol devices

Which attempt to Which attempt to capture the tiny capture the tiny

particles and some particles and some of the gasesof the gases

2.2. The The Air PollutionAir Pollution control devicescontrol devices

Which attempt to Which attempt to capture the tiny capture the tiny

particles and some particles and some of the gasesof the gases

3.3. A A depository depository forfor the tiny particlesthe tiny particles

captured captured (the fly ash) (the fly ash)

andand the bottom ashthe bottom ash

SECONDARYCHAMBER

TURBINE

BOILER

ELECTRICITY

TRASHBOTTOM ASH FLY ASH

TEMP< 200oC

SEMI-DRYSCRUBBER

FABRIC FILTER

WET SCRUBBER

DE-NOX

ACTIVATEDCHARCOAL

Ca(OH) 2 SUSPENSION

AMMONIAINJECTION

GRATES

For every three tons of trash you get about one ton of ashFor every three tons of trash you get about one ton of ash

Ash managementAsh management

In Germany & Switzerland fly ash put into In Germany & Switzerland fly ash put into nylon bags and placed in salt minesnylon bags and placed in salt mines

In Japan some incinerators vitrify the ashIn Japan some incinerators vitrify the ash In the Netherlands they put the fly ash into In the Netherlands they put the fly ash into

asphalt and the bottom ash into road bedasphalt and the bottom ash into road bed In Denmark…In Denmark… They send all the ash to NorwayThey send all the ash to Norway In the US the EPA allows the bottom ash and In the US the EPA allows the bottom ash and

fly ash to be mixed together before testingfly ash to be mixed together before testing

3. Incineration air 3. Incineration air emissionsemissions

AIR EMISSIONS

CO2 + H2O

ACID GASES:HCI, HF, SO2

TOXIC METALS:Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr etc

NEW COMPOUNDSNEW COMPOUNDS::PCB’sPCB’sPCDDs (DIOXINS)PCDDs (DIOXINS)PCDFs (FURANS)PCDFs (FURANS)ETCETC

NANONANOPARTICLESPARTICLES

Chlorinated hydrocarbons

Brominated/chlorinated

dioxins and furans

Polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons

Catalytic oxidizers

Incineration is not Incineration is not sustainablesustainable

It wastes material resourcesIt wastes material resources

It wastes energyIt wastes energy

It wastes the opportunity to fight It wastes the opportunity to fight global warming and the many global warming and the many other impacts of extracting and other impacts of extracting and processing virgin materialsprocessing virgin materials

Incineration & Incineration & nanoparticlesnanoparticles Both morbidity and mortality in large Both morbidity and mortality in large

cities can be related to particulate cities can be related to particulate matter (PM) (from traffic, power matter (PM) (from traffic, power stations and industry) stations and industry)

As the particles get smaller the As the particles get smaller the relationship gets strongerrelationship gets stronger

A modern incinerator converts A modern incinerator converts hundreds or thousands of tons of trash hundreds or thousands of tons of trash each day into trillions of nanoparticleseach day into trillions of nanoparticles

These nanoparticles are the most These nanoparticles are the most dangerous of any combustion sourcedangerous of any combustion source

Incineration & Incineration & nanoparticlesnanoparticles

Nanoparticles from incinerators Nanoparticles from incinerators contain:contain: neurotoxic metals,neurotoxic metals, stabilized free radicalsstabilized free radicals thousands of newly synthesized thousands of newly synthesized

compounds (including PCBs, dioxins and compounds (including PCBs, dioxins and furans).furans).

Any toxic element used in commerce Any toxic element used in commerce has the potential to end up in has the potential to end up in nanoparticles produced by incineratorsnanoparticles produced by incinerators

The dangers of The dangers of nanoparticlesnanoparticles

Nanoparticles are not Nanoparticles are not efficiently captured by air efficiently captured by air pollution control devices,pollution control devices,

travel long distances,travel long distances, penetrate deep into the penetrate deep into the

lungslungs

Nano PathologyNano Pathology

Nano particles can easily cross Nano particles can easily cross the cell membranes of every the cell membranes of every tissuetissue

Including the blood brain barrier Including the blood brain barrier and the nuclear membraneand the nuclear membrane

Nanoparticles can carry Nanoparticles can carry neurotoxic metals into the brainneurotoxic metals into the brain

Aggregati di PiomboAggregati di Piombo, , BarioBario, , CromoCromo, , FerroFerro e e SilicioSilicio in in CervelloCervello..

www.stefanomontanari.net

Nano PathologyNano Pathology

Nanoparticles can carry stabilized free Nanoparticles can carry stabilized free radicals (which cause oxidative stress radicals (which cause oxidative stress - inflammation - many degenerative - inflammation - many degenerative diseases) into every tissue in the bodydiseases) into every tissue in the body

also dioxins and furansalso dioxins and furans

Free Radical AttackFree Radical Attack

Aus: “Free Radicals Randox Ltd.

4. Dioxins and 4. Dioxins and IncinerationIncineration

Dioxins - major health Dioxins - major health concernsconcerns

• Dioxins accumulate in animal fat. One literDioxins accumulate in animal fat. One liter of of cows’ milk gives the same dose of dioxin as cows’ milk gives the same dose of dioxin as breathing air next to the cows for breathing air next to the cows for EIGHT MONTHSEIGHT MONTHS (Connett and Webster, 1987). (Connett and Webster, 1987).

• In In one dayone day a grazing cow puts as much dioxin a grazing cow puts as much dioxin into its body as a human being would get in into its body as a human being would get in 14 14 yearsyears of breathing (McLachlan, 1995)! of breathing (McLachlan, 1995)!

• Dioxins steadily accumulate in human body fat.Dioxins steadily accumulate in human body fat. The man cannot get rid of them BUT A woman The man cannot get rid of them BUT A woman can…can…

• ……by having a baby!by having a baby!• Thus the Thus the highest dosehighest dose of dioxin goes to the of dioxin goes to the fetus fetus

and then to the and then to the new born infant via new born infant via breastfeeding…breastfeeding…

Dioxins interfere with fetal Dioxins interfere with fetal and infant devlopmentand infant devlopment

Dioxins act like fat soluble hormonesDioxins act like fat soluble hormones Disrupt at least six different hormonal Disrupt at least six different hormonal

systems: systems: male and female sex male and female sex hormones; thyroid hormones; insulin; hormones; thyroid hormones; insulin; gastrin and gluocorticoid.gastrin and gluocorticoid.

Linda S. Birnbaum (Linda S. Birnbaum (Health Effects Health Effects Research Laboratory, US EPA) Research Laboratory, US EPA) Developmental Effects of DioxinsDevelopmental Effects of Dioxins Environmental Health PerspectivesEnvironmental Health Perspectives, , 103103: 89-94, 1995: 89-94, 1995

Effects of dioxins on thyroid Effects of dioxins on thyroid function of new born babiesfunction of new born babies

H.J. Pluim et al., H.J. Pluim et al., The LancetThe Lancet, May 23, 1992. , May 23, 1992. (Volume 339, 1303)(Volume 339, 1303)

Examined 38 new born babies, divided them Examined 38 new born babies, divided them into 2 groups:into 2 groups:

Low-exposedLow-exposed (mothers had average (mothers had average 18.618.6 pptppt dioxins in milk fat, range 8.7 - 28)dioxins in milk fat, range 8.7 - 28)

High-exposedHigh-exposed (mothers had average (mothers had average 37.537.5 pptppt dioxins in milk fat, range 29 - 63)dioxins in milk fat, range 29 - 63)

Effect of Dioxins on Neonatal Thyroid Function Effect of Dioxins on Neonatal Thyroid Function after Low-exposure and High-exposure at various after Low-exposure and High-exposure at various agesages

nLow-Low-exposureexposuren(mean)(mean)

nHigh-High-exposureexposuren(mean)(mean)

nAt birthAt birth nT4T4 n122.5122.5 n134.3134.3 n0.0710.071

nT4/TBGT4/TBG n0.2400.240 n0.2320.232 n0.450.45

nTSHTSH n10.410.4 n11.911.9 n0.580.58

n1 week1 week nT4T4 n154.5154.5 n178.7178.7 n0.006*0.006*

nT4/TBGT4/TBG n0.2910.291 n0.3320.332 n0.006*0.006*

nTSHTSH n2.932.93 n2.562.56 n0.510.51

n11weeks11weeks nT4T4 n111.1111.1 n122.2122.2 n0.033*0.033*

nT4/TBGT4/TBG n0.2200.220 n0.2470.247 n0.040*0.040*

nTSHTSH n1.811.81 n2.502.50 n0.044*0.044*

Our Stolen FutureOur Stolen FutureHow Man-made Chemicals are How Man-made Chemicals are Threatening our Fertility, Threatening our Fertility,

Intelligence and SurvivalIntelligence and Survival

Theo ColbornTheo Colborn

John Peterson MyersJohn Peterson Myers

Dianne DumanoskiDianne Dumanoski

19941994

IQ and populationIQ and population

Number of KidsWith a

Specific IQ

Very BrightMentallyhandicapped

Specific IQ

Very BrightMentallyhandicapped

95 100

Specific IQ

OUT OF OUR BABIES!OUT OF OUR BABIES!

WE WANT DIOXINWE WANT DIOXIN

Institute of Medicine, Institute of Medicine, 20032003

Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds in the Food Supplyin the Food Supply

Strategies to Decrease ExposureStrategies to Decrease Exposure

July 1, 2003July 1, 2003

Institute of Medicine, Institute of Medicine, 20032003 Fetuses and breastfeeding infants Fetuses and breastfeeding infants

may be at particular risk from may be at particular risk from exposure to dioxin like compounds exposure to dioxin like compounds (DLCs) due to their potential to cause (DLCs) due to their potential to cause adverse neurodevelopmental, adverse neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, and immune neurobehavioral, and immune system effectssystem effects in developing in developing systems…systems…

Institute of Medicine, Institute of Medicine, 20032003 ……The committee recommends that The committee recommends that

the government place a the government place a high public high public health priorityhealth priority on reducing DLC on reducing DLC intakes by girls and young women intakes by girls and young women in in the years well before pregnancy is the years well before pregnancy is likely to occur.likely to occur.

(by) (by) Substituting low-fat or skim milk, Substituting low-fat or skim milk, for whole milk, for whole milk, (and)…(and)… foods lower in foods lower in animal fat…animal fat…

WE WANT DIOXINWE WANT DIOXIN

OUT OF OUR FOOD!OUT OF OUR FOOD!

Do not build Do not build incinerators within 50 incinerators within 50 km of food production km of food production - particularly grazing - particularly grazing animalsanimals

Promoters say that Promoters say that modern incinerators modern incinerators have solved the dioxin have solved the dioxin problem, but have problem, but have they?they?

Yang & Kim (2004).Yang & Kim (2004). Characteristics of dioxins Characteristics of dioxins and metals emission from radwaste plasma and metals emission from radwaste plasma arc melter system. arc melter system. Chemosphere 57: 421-428Chemosphere 57: 421-428

When PVC was fed into the high-temperature When PVC was fed into the high-temperature melter, a significant quantity of PCDD/Fs, melter, a significant quantity of PCDD/Fs, cadmium and lead was emitted.cadmium and lead was emitted.

Wet scrubbing with rapid quenching, as well Wet scrubbing with rapid quenching, as well as a low temperature two-step fine filtration, as a low temperature two-step fine filtration, or both of them together or both of them together cannot cannot effectively effectively control the volatile metal species and gas-control the volatile metal species and gas-phase PCDD/Fs.phase PCDD/Fs.

The removal of PVC from the feed waste The removal of PVC from the feed waste stream must also be effective to reduce the stream must also be effective to reduce the emissions of the PCDD/Fs, cadmium and lead emissions of the PCDD/Fs, cadmium and lead species.species.

While modern While modern incinerators have incinerators have reduced dioxin emissionsreduced dioxin emissionsthere is no real there is no real accountabilityaccountabilityin most countriesin most countries

YOU NEED THREE THINGS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC EMISSIONS.

STRONG REGULATIONS

ADEQUATEMONITORING

STRONG REGULATIONS

ADEQUATEMONITORING

TOUGHENFORCEMENT

STRONG REGULATIONS

ADEQUATEMONITORING

TOUGHENFORCEMENT

IF ANY LINK IS WEAK THE PUBLIC IS NOT PROTECTED

“Even if we made incineration safe we would never make it sensible.It simply does not make sense tospend so much money destroying resources we should be sharing with the future.” (PC)

Incineration is not Incineration is not sustainablesustainable

DIFFERENT TIMES DIFFERENT TIMES DIFFERENT QUESTIONSDIFFERENT QUESTIONS

2020thth CENTURY CENTURY

WASTE WASTE MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

“ “ How do we get rid How do we get rid of our waste of our waste

efficiently with efficiently with minimum damage to minimum damage to our health and the our health and the

environment ?”environment ?”

2121stst CENTURY CENTURY

RESOURCE RESOURCE MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

“ “ How do we handle our How do we handle our discarded resources in discarded resources in

ways which do not ways which do not deprive future deprive future

generations of some, if generations of some, if not all, of their value ?”not all, of their value ?”

Incineration: Incineration: Perfecting a bad ideaPerfecting a bad idea Our task in the 21st Century is Our task in the 21st Century is

not to find better ways to destroy not to find better ways to destroy discarded materialsdiscarded materials

But to stop making packaging and But to stop making packaging and products that have to be products that have to be destroyed!destroyed!

5. The Sustainable 5. The Sustainable Alternative to landfills Alternative to landfills

and incinerationand incineration= =

the ZERO WASTE 2020 the ZERO WASTE 2020 strategystrategy

Zero Waste 2020Zero Waste 2020 No to incineratorsNo to incinerators No to landfillsNo to landfills No to a throwaway societyNo to a throwaway society Yes to a sustainable societyYes to a sustainable society Zero Waste is an idealistic goal, butZero Waste is an idealistic goal, but Zero Waste Zero Waste 20202020 puts it into a realistic timeframe puts it into a realistic timeframe Zero Waste is a new directionZero Waste is a new direction It’s moving from the It’s moving from the back endback end of of waste disposalwaste disposal to the to the front endfront end of of resource managementresource management and and industrial industrial

design for sustainabilitydesign for sustainability

Waste is not Waste is not a a technical problem technical problem butbut

a problem ofa problem of

organization, organization,

education education andand

industrial designindustrial design

To achieve Zero Waste To achieve Zero Waste

We need three things:

1) INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY (at the front end)

2) COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY (at the back end)

3) GOOD LEADERSHIP (in both places)

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

gary@garyliss.comgary@garyliss.com For more information on EPR For more information on EPR

initiatives contact Bill Sheehan atinitiatives contact Bill Sheehan at Bill@productpolicy.orgBill@productpolicy.org

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY

Community responsibility begins Community responsibility begins with with Source SeparationSource Separation

One container for compostables One container for compostables (i.e.the organic fraction)(i.e.the organic fraction)

One (or more) containers for the One (or more) containers for the recyclablesrecyclables

One container for the residualsOne container for the residuals

CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility

Slides from Enzo FavoinoSlides from Enzo Favoino

Aerazione forzataAerazione forzata

Aerazione ForzataAerazione Forzata

Composting Facility for Composting Facility for San FranciscoSan Francisco

MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery

FacilityFacility

at Pier 96

MATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITYMATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITY

FacilityFacility

We have to minimize We have to minimize what goes into what goes into container 3 - the container 3 - the residualsresiduals

FacilityFacility

Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair

FacilityFacility

& Deconstruction& Deconstruction

Burlington, VermontBurlington, Vermont

Recycle North (27 employees, gross income Recycle North (27 employees, gross income over $700,000) offers an excellent model of over $700,000) offers an excellent model of reuse, repair, reuse, repair, job trainingjob training and deconstruction and deconstruction - - see videosee video..

www.recyclenorth.orgwww.recyclenorth.org See also Urban Ore, BerkeleySee also Urban Ore, Berkeley Revolve, Canberra, AustraliaRevolve, Canberra, Australia Waste Wise, Georgetown, OntarioWaste Wise, Georgetown, Ontario EcoCycle, Boulder, ColoradoEcoCycle, Boulder, Colorado Eureka Recycling, St. Paul, MNEureka Recycling, St. Paul, MN

FacilityFacility

CommunityCommunityInitiatives to Initiatives to

ReduceReducewastewaste

ItalyItaly

A supermarket chain near A supermarket chain near Florence is providing dispensers Florence is providing dispensers which allow customers to refill which allow customers to refill shampooshampoo and and detergentdetergent bottles… bottles…

OthersOthers wine, water wine, water andand milk milk

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

IrelandIreland

Has a 15 cent tax on plastic Has a 15 cent tax on plastic shopping bags - reduced use by shopping bags - reduced use by over 90% in one yearover 90% in one year

80 towns in Australia have 80 towns in Australia have banned plastic shopping bags banned plastic shopping bags completelycompletely

FacilityFacility

ResidualsResiduals??

The residual fraction is the key The residual fraction is the key difference between incineration difference between incineration and the Zero Waste strategyand the Zero Waste strategy Incineration attempts to make the residuals Incineration attempts to make the residuals

disappeardisappear Zero Waste 2020Zero Waste 2020 needs to make the needs to make the

residuals VERY VISIBLE, because…residuals VERY VISIBLE, because… Residual Fraction Residual Fraction = bad industrial design = bad industrial design

and poor purchasing decisionsand poor purchasing decisions We need better industrial design, We need better industrial design,

community organization and individual community organization and individual responsibility to move towards responsibility to move towards sustainabilitysustainability

The Key Step ForwardThe Key Step Forward

MORE TOXICS

RESIDUAL SCREENING FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

DIRTYDIRTYORGANIC ORGANIC FRACTIONFRACTION

INTERIM LANDFILL

BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION

Operating inOperating in Nova ScotiaNova Scotia

What we needWhat we need

MORE TOXICS

RESIDUAL SCREENING FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

INTERIM LANDFILL

Operating inOperating in Nova ScotiaNova Scotia

MORE TOXICS

NON-TOXIC, NON-BIODEGRADABLE FRACTION

RESIDUAL SCREENING & RESEARCH& RESEARCH FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

INTERIM LANDFILL

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

NON-RECYCABLE MATERIALS

RESIDUAL SCREENING & RESEARCH FACILITY

Local Local UniversityUniversity

Or Or Technical CollegeTechnical College

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

RESEARCH CENTERRESEARCH CENTER

Improve capture rate of reusables, Improve capture rate of reusables, recyclables and clean compostables recyclables and clean compostables (Captain Garbage - make it fun!)(Captain Garbage - make it fun!)

Recommend waste avoidance strategies for Recommend waste avoidance strategies for local businesseslocal businesses

Develop some local uses for some Develop some local uses for some materials materials

Recommend better industrial designs to Recommend better industrial designs to industry on packaging etcindustry on packaging etc

Develop alternatives to some of the toxics Develop alternatives to some of the toxics in products (batteries, paint, solvents etc) in products (batteries, paint, solvents etc)

FacilityFacilityResidual Residual ScreeningScreening

&& ReseachFacilityFacility

Household toxicsHousehold toxics

The Residual The Residual Screening & Screening & ResearchResearch FacilityFacility Is the key link between Is the key link between

Community Responsibility and Community Responsibility and Industrial ResponsibilityIndustrial Responsibility

Networking for Networking for SustainabilitySustainability

Need a network of local research Need a network of local research centers linked to state, regional centers linked to state, regional and federal research institutes and federal research institutes working on a SUSTAINABLE working on a SUSTAINABLE FUTUREFUTURE

WITH INCINERATIONWITH INCINERATION

WE CONVERT WE CONVERT 3 TONS OF TRASH3 TONS OF TRASH

intointo: :

1 ton of ASH1 ton of ASH

That nobody wants!That nobody wants!

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!1 ton of EDUCATION!

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 and Industry shouldn’t be making it and

• we shouldn’t be buying it!!!we shouldn’t be buying it!!!

Another three reasons why Another three reasons why ZW 2020 is better than ZW 2020 is better than incinerationincineration

Jobs!Jobs!

Jobs !!Jobs !!

Jobs !!!Jobs !!!

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.

Zero waste Initiatives Zero waste Initiatives around the worldaround the world

www.GRRN.orgwww.GRRN.org www.ZWIA.orgwww.ZWIA.org www.CRRA.orgwww.CRRA.org www.ecocycle.orgwww.ecocycle.org

Canberra, AustraliaCanberra, Australia

Passed law “No Waste by 2010”Passed law “No Waste by 2010” Currently over 70% diversionCurrently over 70% diversion Setting up a “Resource Recovery Setting up a “Resource Recovery

Park” to locate all the industries Park” to locate all the industries which can make products out of which can make products out of separated materialsseparated materials

OntarioOntario

The city of Markham (north of The city of Markham (north of Toronto) has diverted 70% from Toronto) has diverted 70% from landfill in 2 years.landfill in 2 years.

Contact: Councillor Erin ShapiroContact: Councillor Erin Shapiro eshapero@markam.caeshapero@markam.ca www.Markham.cawww.Markham.ca

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

New ZealandNew Zealand

Over 50% of communities Over 50% of communities have declared a Zero have declared a Zero Waste strategyWaste strategy

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 75% waste diverted by 2010 75% waste diverted by 2010

(goal)(goal) 100% (or very close!) by 2020 100% (or very close!) by 2020

– Zero Waste– Zero Waste

The “Fantastic 3”The “Fantastic 3”

ALL FOOD SCRAPS, YARD TRIMMINGS AND ALL FOOD SCRAPS, YARD TRIMMINGS AND COMPOSTABLE PAPER GO IN THE COMPOSTABLE PAPER GO IN THE GREENGREEN CARTCART

The source separated The source separated organics go to a composting organics go to a composting faciolityfaciolity

THE COMPOST IS SOLD TO LOCAL THE COMPOST IS SOLD TO LOCAL FARMERSFARMERS

THE FOOD PRODUCED GOES BACK THE FOOD PRODUCED GOES BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN FRANCISCO

ALL BOTTLES, CANS AND ALL BOTTLES, CANS AND RECYCLABLE PAPER GO IN THERECYCLABLE PAPER GO IN THE BLUE BLUE CARTCART

at Pier 96

MATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITYMATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITY

ItalyItaly

Italy has pioneered new “door to Italy has pioneered new “door to door” collection systems to door” collection systems to maximize the collection of clean maximize the collection of clean organic materialorganic material

Important work done by Enzo Important work done by Enzo Favorino from the Agricultural Favorino from the Agricultural School in the Parco Monza, near School in the Parco Monza, near Milan.Milan.

Comunità in Lazio che hanno Comunità in Lazio che hanno riciclato più del 50% dei rifiuti riciclato più del 50% dei rifiuti attraverso il sistema di raccolta attraverso il sistema di raccolta porta-a-portaporta-a-porta in un solo anno! in un solo anno!

ComuneComune PopulazionePopulazione % rifiuto % rifiuto

differenziatodifferenziato

Sonnino Sonnino

7,1547,154 54%54%

SermonetaSermoneta 7,0007,000 64%64%

LenolaLenola 4,2004,200 65%65%

MonterosiMonterosi 3,0293,029 54%54%

BassianoBassiano 1,6701,670 50%50%

CastelforteCastelforte 4,7004,700 52%52%

ItalyItaly

Over 600 communities in Italy are Over 600 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection using “door to door” collection systemssystems

In the NorthIn the North, Novara - (population , Novara - (population = 100,000) at 70% diversion in = 100,000) at 70% diversion in 18 months18 months

In the SouthIn the South, Near Salerno 4 , Near Salerno 4 communities over 70%communities over 70%

ItalyItaly

The Treviso region - 22 The Treviso region - 22 communities averaging 76% communities averaging 76% diversiondiversion

RISULTATI QUANTITATIVIRISULTATI QUANTITATIVIAUMENTO % RACCOLTA DIFFERENZIATAAUMENTO % RACCOLTA DIFFERENZIATA

27,18%33,64%

65,64% 70,42% 73,82% 75,63%

CONSORZIO ANNO 2000(14 COMUNI)

RISULTATI QUANTITATIVIRISULTATI QUANTITATIVIAUMENTO % RACCOLTA AUMENTO % RACCOLTA

DIFFERENZIATADIFFERENZIATA42

10,00%

20,00%

30,00%

40,00%

50,00%

60,00%

70,00%

80,00%

90,00%

Villorb

ANNO 2000

ANNO 2005

DIFFERENZIATA COSTA DI PIU?DIFFERENZIATA COSTA DI PIU?ANDAMENTO DEI COSTI DI GESTIONE OPERATIVA

CON E SENZA RACCOLTA DIFFERENZIATA

€ 91,64

€ 67,68

€ 73,92

€ 60,58

€ 65,69

€ 30,00

€ 40,00

€ 50,00

€ 60,00

€ 70,00

€ 80,00

€ 90,00

€ 100,00

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Costi di gestione senza raccolta differenziata

Costi di gestione con raccolta differenziata

La gestione dei rifiutiLa gestione dei rifiuti

nei Comuni del Consorzio nei Comuni del Consorzio PriulaPriula

Paolo ContòPaolo ContòConsorzio Intercomunale Priula - Villorba (TVConsorzio Intercomunale Priula - Villorba (TV))

consorzio@priula.itconsorzio@priula.it

VIDEOSVIDEOS

On the Road to Zero Waste:On the Road to Zero Waste:Part 1: Nova Scotia, CanadaPart 1: Nova Scotia, Canada

Part 2: Burlington, Vermont, USPart 2: Burlington, Vermont, US

Part 3: Canberra, AustraliaPart 3: Canberra, Australia

Part 4: San FranciscoPart 4: San Francisco

ZERO WASTE:ZERO WASTE: Idealistic Dream or Realistic Goal? Idealistic Dream or Realistic Goal?

GOOD LEADERSHIPGOOD LEADERSHIP

We need leaders with

Big vision

imagination

and …

WHO ARE NOT BORING!

HUMAN “BORINGS”HUMAN “BORINGS” Have no imaginationHave no imagination have no visionhave no vision have no sense of humorhave no sense of humor are obsessively tidyare obsessively tidy confuse being clever with being wiseconfuse being clever with being wise have more faith in machines than peoplehave more faith in machines than people believe science and technology can fix believe science and technology can fix

every problemevery problem believe man is the centre of the universebelieve man is the centre of the universe And a woman’s place is in the kitchen!And a woman’s place is in the kitchen!

Boring experts think Boring experts think with the wrong end with the wrong end of their bodies !of their bodies !

A BACK END THINKER…

1. A CUP2. A BUCKET3. A FOOT PUMP4. AN ELECTRIC PUMP

A FRONT END THINKER…

The waste problemThe waste problem

Is too important to be left to Is too important to be left to “waste experts”“waste experts”

We need all sectors involved if we We need all sectors involved if we are to move towards a are to move towards a sustainable societysustainable society

As far as sustainability is As far as sustainability is concerned the waste problem is a concerned the waste problem is a fabulous place to startfabulous place to start

Zero Waste 2020

Education

SustainableEconomic

Development

Sustainableagriculture

Communitydevelopment

SustainableEnergy

Industrial Design &

Labor Unions

Architecture

“When you build an incinerator, you are advertising to the world the you are not clever enough - either politically or technically - to recover your discarded resources”

THIS COMMUNITY

IS NOT READY

FOR THE DEMANDS

OF THE 21ST

CENTURY.

TAX PAYERS $DOLLARS JOBS ENERGY SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

FLEXIBILITY VISION RESOURCES IMAGINATION CREATIVITY COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY

SUSTAINABILITY

Three final messagesThree final messages

To Citizens:To Citizens: Don’t let the “experts” take your common Don’t let the “experts” take your common

sense awaysense away To Politicians:To Politicians: Put your faith back in people - stop trying to Put your faith back in people - stop trying to

solve all your problems with overpaid solve all your problems with overpaid consultants and magic machinesconsultants and magic machines

To Activists:To Activists: Have Fun!Have Fun!

Dio Dio ricicla,ricicla,

il diavoloil diavolobruciabrucia

The Battle Hymn of The Battle Hymn of GarbageGarbage

(Chorus)(Chorus)

We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration

We know there’s a better We know there’s a better way!way!

While we recognize our While we recognize our landfillslandfills

All are swelling with the wasteAll are swelling with the waste

This doesn’t justifyThis doesn’t justify

A bad decision made in haste!A bad decision made in haste!

Let us put our heads together Let us put our heads together

So the problem may be facedSo the problem may be faced

And we must do it now!And we must do it now!

(Chorus)(Chorus)

Mine eyes have seen the Mine eyes have seen the garbagegarbage

That’s a smoldering on the That’s a smoldering on the grategrate

We must stop incinerationWe must stop incineration

Before it is too lateBefore it is too late

Unless we wish the dangersUnless we wish the dangers

We had better separateWe had better separate

And we must do it now!And we must do it now!

(Chorus)(Chorus)

Incineration versus Zero Waste St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, 2007 Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Professor Emeritus of Chemistry St Lawrence University, Canton,

xcel energy slide

big picture slide

real problem slide

incineration air emissions

linear society

fuel pounds

kwh leaflet

waste management

Documents

Slides Connett 2011 - Italiano

Paul connett fluoride in drinking water compressed

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