Stop Trashing the Climate Stop Trashing the Climate Brenda Platt Brenda Platt Institute for Local Self-Reliance Institute for Local Self-Reliance BioCycle West, San Diego BioCycle West, San Diego April 15th, 2008 April 15th, 2008 Stop Trashing the Climate Stop Trashing the Climate Brenda Platt Brenda Platt Institute for Local Self-Reliance Institute for Local Self-Reliance presented at the presented at the 16th Annual Maine Recycling & Solid Waste Conference 16th Annual Maine Recycling & Solid Waste Conference Bar Harbor, Maine, May 5, 2009 Bar Harbor, Maine, May 5, 2009
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Stop Trashing the ClimateStop Trashing the Climate
Brenda PlattBrenda Platt
Institute for Local Self-RelianceInstitute for Local Self-Reliance
BioCycle West, San DiegoBioCycle West, San Diego
April 15th, 2008April 15th, 2008
Stop Trashing the ClimateStop Trashing the ClimateBrenda PlattBrenda Platt
Institute for Local Self-RelianceInstitute for Local Self-Reliance
presented at thepresented at the 16th Annual Maine Recycling & Solid Waste Conference16th Annual Maine Recycling & Solid Waste Conference
Bar Harbor, Maine, May 5, 2009Bar Harbor, Maine, May 5, 2009
U.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
Wasting Trend in U.S.Wasting Trend in U.S.
LandfillLandfill greenhouse gas emissions,greenhouse gas emissions,
% of total% of total
Total 2005 = 7,260 megatons CO2 equiv.
The 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 morepotent
Climate ChangeClimate Change Tipping PointTipping Point
! Global emissions must peak and decline over thenext 10 to 15 years in order to limit global warming to2oC above pre-industrial limits.
! Uncontrolled climate change will lead to widespreaddevastation, economically and environmentally.
! A short window of opportunity exists to radicallyreduce GHGs and stabilize atmospheric CO2
concentrations before our climate reaches a “tippingpoint.”
LandfillLandfill greenhouse gas emissions,greenhouse gas emissions,
% of total, 20 yr time horizon% of total, 20 yr time horizon
Total 2005 = 8,754 megatons CO2 equiv.
Disposal sector emissions,Disposal sector emissions, 8.1% of8.1% of
total, 20 yr horizontotal, 20 yr horizon
The Wasteberg
For every ton ofmunicipal trash, 71tons of waste areproduced duringmanufacturing, mining,oil and gas
exploration,agriculture, and coalcombustion.
Upstream = 71 x MSW Waste
Sectors impacted by wasting, % of
total, 20 yr horizon
Impact of Waste Reduction
X XX XX
X
Landfill Gas Capture Systems Band-Landfill Gas Capture Systems Band-
Aid Approach at BestAid Approach at Best
! Rules do not require gas collection for the first 5years.
! Rules allow removal of gas collection systems 20years after landfill closes.
! All landfill barriers will ultimately fail during post-closure period, after which precipitation will re-enterthe landfill and in time cause second wave ofdecomposition without any controls.
! Gas generated inside landfills escapes all day,everyday from every landfill in America.
! Over lifetime of landfill, gas capture could be as lowas 20%.
Waste incinerators are NOT good forWaste incinerators are NOT good for
the climatethe climate
Zero Waste PathZero Waste Path
Aiming for zero waste is key GHGAiming for zero waste is key GHG
abatement strategyabatement strategy
AbatementAbatement MegatonsMegatons % of% of AbatementAbatement
StrategyStrategy COCO22 eqeq.. Needed in 2030 toNeeded in 2030 to