Pathway to Sustainable Waste Management

Mitch KesslerKessler Consulting, Inc.

FL APWA ConferenceJuly 9, 2014

Charting a Path toward Sustainable Waste

Management

• A fundamental shift: “solid waste” to “valued resources”

• Not landfilling

• A real world recycling/diversion rate

2

What is Sustainable Waste Management?

• Downstream resource recovery– maximize recycling and composting

• Mid-stream product longevity – reuse and repair

• Upstream waste reduction – product redesign, producer responsibility

What is Sustainable Waste Management?

3

Solid Waste Managemen

t Act

30%

4%

FL Goal:

FL Rate:

• Residential curbside

• Yard waste

30%

27%

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A Brief History of Recycling in Florida

• Commercial recycling

• Multi-family recycling

30%

29%

• Single stream recycling

• Collection changes (1-1-1)

• Organics recovery

• Mixed waste and C&D 75%

38%/49%

1988 1990s 2000s 2010s

How To Get There:

5

NOT

• Public Policy driven by sustainability and wise stewardship

• Political Champion

How To Get There

6

7

Status Quo vs. Change

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Where to start…

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Necessary Elements

• Policies

• Programs

• Facilities

• Funding

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1. Policies … The Foundation

• Policies support program objectives

• Public-private partnerships to carry out the policies

• Recycling goals – phased

• Recycling Program Manager

• Green the government25%

40%

75%

10%

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2. Programs … The Nuts and Bolts

• Single stream carts

• 1-1-1 collection

• Pay-as-you-throw

• Organics composting

• Commercial and MF technical assistance and incentives

• C&D incentives

• Mandates, bans, and enforcement

• Education/Outreach

25%

40%

75%

10%

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3. Facilities … The Infrastructure

• Single stream MRF

• Organics processing

• Construction & Demolition processing

• Mixed waste processing

• Renewable energy25%

40%

75%

10%

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4. Funding… The Means

• Primary funding can no longer be disposal-based

• Alternative revenue sources

• New business model25%

40%

75%

10%

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4. Funding… The Policies

• Who is responsible?

• Who controls the material

flow?

• Follow the $$$

• Control material flow25%

40%

75%

10%

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Pathway to Sustainable Waste Management

• Understand the materials you manage

• Target sectors and programs for diversion

• Identify processing systems

• Sustainable Waste Management funding model

• Implement sustainable public policy

• Political Champion

Mitch Kessler813-971-8333

[email protected]

Questions?There is no one path to Sustainable

Waste Management

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