Incineration Incineration versus versus Zero Zero Waste Waste St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, 2007 2007 Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Professor Emeritus of Chemistry St Lawrence University, Canton, NY St Lawrence University, Canton, NY Paul@ Paul@ FluorideALERT FluorideALERT .org .org www. www. FluorideALERT. FluorideALERT. org org
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Incineration versus Zero Waste St. Paul, MN, Nov 14, 2007 Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Professor Emeritus of Chemistry St Lawrence University, Canton,
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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
Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)
Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy
Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)
Carbon Carbon dioxidedioxide
Sulfur Sulfur dioxiddioxidee
NOxNOx PMPM MercuryMercury
Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy
Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)
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
Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy
Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)
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
Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy
Air emissions versus Air emissions versus fuelfuel(pounds per thousand kwh)(pounds per thousand kwh)
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
BiomasBiomasss
39103910 0.60.6 8.18.1 1.361.36 1316 x 1316 x 10-810-8
Leaflet from Xcel EnergyLeaflet from Xcel Energy
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
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
A LINEAR SOCIETYA LINEAR SOCIETY
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption WasteWaste
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY
A LINEAR SOCIETYA LINEAR SOCIETY
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption WasteWaste
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
INCINERATION & LANDFILLSINCINERATION & LANDFILLS
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
RECYCLING OF MATERIALSRECYCLING OF MATERIALS
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
REUSE OF OBJECTSREUSE OF OBJECTS
Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin
MaterialsMaterials
Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured
itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption
DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Solid wasteSolid waste
Air pollutionAir pollution
Water pollutionWater pollution
Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY
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,
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
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.
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
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
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
CHUTE
SECONDARYCHAMBER
TURBINE
BOILER
ELECTRICITY
STEAM
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
NOx
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
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
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
100
Number of KidsWith a
Specific IQ
IQ
IQ and populationIQ and population
Very BrightMentallyhandicapped
100
Number of KidsWith a
Specific IQ
IQ
IQ and populationIQ and population
Very BrightMentallyhandicapped
95 100
Number of KidsWith a
Specific IQ
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.
YOU NEED THREE THINGS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC EMISSIONS.
STRONG REGULATIONS
YOU NEED THREE THINGS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC EMISSIONS.
STRONG REGULATIONS
ADEQUATEMONITORING
YOU NEED THREE THINGS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC EMISSIONS.
STRONG REGULATIONS
ADEQUATEMONITORING
TOUGHENFORCEMENT
YOU NEED THREE THINGS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM TOXIC EMISSIONS.
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
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]@garyliss.com For more information on EPR For more information on EPR
initiatives contact Bill Sheehan atinitiatives contact Bill Sheehan at [email protected]@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
1 2 3
CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility
1 2 3
Slides from Enzo FavoinoSlides from Enzo Favoino
Aerazione forzataAerazione forzata
Aerazione ForzataAerazione Forzata
Composting Facility for Composting Facility for San FranciscoSan Francisco
We have to minimize We have to minimize what goes into what goes into container 3 - the container 3 - the residualsresiduals
CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility
MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery
FacilityFacility
Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair
1 2 3
CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility
MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery
FacilityFacility
Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair
1 2 3
& 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
CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility
MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery
FacilityFacility
Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair
1 2 3
& Deconstruction& Deconstruction
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
CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility
MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery
FacilityFacility
ResidualsResiduals??
Reuse & RepairReuse & Repair
1 2 3
& Deconstruction& Deconstruction
CommunityCommunityInitiatives to Initiatives to
ReduceReducewastewaste
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
DIRTYDIRTYORGANIC ORGANIC FRACTIONFRACTION
INTERIM LANDFILL
BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION
Operating inOperating in Nova ScotiaNova Scotia
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 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)
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
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.
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
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!
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
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”
“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 don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We know there’s a better We know there’s a better way!way!
The Battle Hymn of The Battle Hymn of GarbageGarbage
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!
The Battle Hymn of The Battle Hymn of GarbageGarbage
(Chorus)(Chorus)
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We know there’s a better We know there’s a better way!way!
The Battle Hymn of The Battle Hymn of GarbageGarbage
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!
The Battle Hymn of The Battle Hymn of GarbageGarbage
(Chorus)(Chorus)
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We don’t want incinerationWe don’t want incineration
We know there’s a better We know there’s a better way!way!