Zero Waste 2020 A Key Step towards Sustainability Zero Waste 2020 A Key Step towards Sustainability Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Emeritus Professor.

Zero Waste 2020Zero Waste 2020 A Key Step towards A Key Step towards

SustainabilitySustainability

Dr Paul ConnettDr Paul ConnettEmeritus Professor of Environmental ChemistryEmeritus Professor of Environmental Chemistry

DirectorDirector

Zero Waste for Sustainability Project Zero Waste for Sustainability Project (AEHSP)(AEHSP)

www.www.AmericanHealthStudiesAmericanHealthStudies.org.org

[email protected]@fluorideALERT.orgPortland, March 2, 2009Portland, March 2, 2009

OutlineOutline

1. Waste managment and the BIG 1. Waste managment and the BIG PICTUREPICTURE

2. The Zero waste 2020 strategy 2. The Zero waste 2020 strategy 3. Concluding remarks3. Concluding remarks 4. Postscript4. Postscript

1.1. Introduction.Introduction.

Waste management Waste management and the Big Pictureand the Big Picture

DIFFERENT TIMES DEMAND DIFFERENT TIMES DEMAND 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 ?”

DIFFERENT TIMES DEMAND DIFFERENT TIMES DEMAND 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 ?”

The key issueThe key issuewas SAFETYwas SAFETY

The key issue isThe key issue isSUSTAINABILIYSUSTAINABILIY

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

We are living on this planet asWe 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 We cannot run a throwaway society on a throwaway society on a

finite planetfinite planet

Waste is the evidence that we Waste is the evidence that we are doing something wrongare doing something wrong

Landfills Landfills BURYBURY the evidence the evidence

IncineratorsIncinerators BURNBURN the evidencethe evidence

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

Our task is to fight Our task is to fight 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

The Global Crisis:The Global Crisis:

Since the Industrial Since the Industrial Revolution Revolution we have we have imposed a imposed a linearlinear society society on a planet that on a planet that functions in functions in circlescircles

A LINEAR SOCIETYA LINEAR SOCIETY

Extraction Extraction


Extraction Extraction ProductionProduction


Extraction Extraction ProductionProductionConsumptionConsumption


Extraction Extraction ProductionProductionConsumptionConsumption WasteWaste



A LINEAR SOCIETYA LINEAR SOCIETYSeeSee www.StoryofStuff.org www.StoryofStuff.org


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!

From Ape to...From Ape to...

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

Solid wasteSolid waste

Air pollutionAir pollution

Water pollutionWater pollution

Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide

ENERGYENERGY



MaterialsMaterials


itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption

DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials









ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY


MaterialsMaterials













GLOBAL WARMINGGLOBAL WARMING


MaterialsMaterials














How do waste management How do waste management practices affect this picture?practices affect this picture?


MaterialsMaterials













LANDFILLSLANDFILLS



MaterialsMaterials













INCINERATION INCINERATION



MaterialsMaterials














RECYCLING OF MATERIALSRECYCLING OF MATERIALS


MaterialsMaterials














REUSE OF OBJECTSREUSE OF OBJECTS


MaterialsMaterials














COMPOSTINGCOMPOSTING

COMPOSTCOMPOST

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

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

About 4 X more energy saved by About 4 X more energy saved by reusing, recycling and composting the reusing, recycling and composting the various components in the discard various components in the discard streamstream

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

[email protected]@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

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

Arguments against Arguments against incinerationincineration

It is a bad economic investment and very bad It is a bad economic investment and very bad for the local economyfor the local economy

It wastes valuable material resourcesIt wastes valuable material resources It wastes energyIt wastes energy It wastes the opportunity to really fight global It wastes the opportunity to really fight global

warmingwarming It produces a toxic ashIt produces a toxic ash It produces toxic air emissionsIt produces toxic air emissions It is extremely unpopular with the publicIt is extremely unpopular with the public It is not sustainableIt is not sustainable It is very very BORINGIt is very very BORING

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 alternatives goes into JOBSJOBS and and stays in the community.stays in the community.

Incinerator in Brescia, ItalyIncinerator in Brescia, Italy

The incinerator cost The incinerator cost $400,000,000$400,000,000 and only produced 80 jobs!and only produced 80 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.

Incineration is Incineration is extremely unpopularextremely unpopular

In the US over 300 In the US over 300 incinerator proposals incinerator proposals defeated between 1985 and defeated between 1985 and 19951995

US has not permitted a new US has not permitted a new trash incinerator since 1995.trash incinerator since 1995.

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.

1.1.

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



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

$$$$$$$$$$1.1.

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




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






which attempt to which attempt to capture the tiny capture the tiny


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










Incinerators don’t Incinerators don’t get rid of Landfillsget rid of Landfills










For every three - four tons of trashFor every three - four tons of trash you get one ton of toxic ash!you get one ton of toxic ash!

“Even if we made incineration safe we would never make it sensible -

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

The modern incinerator is The modern incinerator is attempting to perfect a bad attempting to perfect a bad ideaidea

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!

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

a problem ofa problem of

organization, organization,

education, education,

industrial design and responsibilityindustrial design and responsibility

Eliminating waste, Eliminating waste, is the key stepping is the key stepping stone in moving from a throwaway stone in moving from a throwaway society to a sustainable society.society to a sustainable society.

2. The 2. The Zero waste 2020Zero waste 2020

strategy strategy

The Zero Waste 2020 The Zero Waste 2020 strategystrategy

Says NO to Says NO to incinerationincineration andand

NO to NO to mega-landfillsmega-landfills

To move towards zero To move towards zero waste & sustainability waste & sustainability

We need three things:

1) INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY (at the front end)

2) COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY (at the back end)

3) GOOD LEADERSHIP (to link the two together)

Industrial Industrial ResponsibilityResponsibility

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

Responsibility (EPR)Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Extended Producer Responsibilty - Responsibilty - packagingpackaging

• The Ontario Beer industry has been using refillable glass bottles for over 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!!!!

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY

Community responsibility begins Community responsibility begins with with Source SeparationSource Separation

SourceSourceSeparationSeparation


Door to DoorDoor to DoorCollectionCollection

““The Fantastic 3”The Fantastic 3”

The San Francisco systemThe San Francisco system

1 2 3

CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility

1 2 3

Composting FacilityComposting Facility

Near San FranciscoNear San Francisco


MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery

FacilityFacility

1 2 3

Materials Recovery Materials Recovery FacilityFacility



FacilityFacility

1 2 3



FacilityFacility

1 2 3

We have toWe have to minimizeminimize

the quantity ofthe quantity of thethe

residualsresidualsgoing into the going into the

third third containercontainer

Three ways to minimize Three ways to minimize the residual fraction the residual fraction with…with…

1) Waste reduction initiatives1) Waste reduction initiatives 2) Reuse, repair and 2) Reuse, repair and

deconstructiondeconstruction 3) Economic incentives3) Economic incentives

Waste Waste ReductionReductionInitiativesInitiatives

IrelandIreland

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

This reduced use by This reduced use by 92%92% in one yearin one year

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

•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

Reuse, Repair & Reuse, Repair & DeconstructionDeconstruction

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

reusereuse

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

EconomicEconomicIncentivesIncentives

The “pay by bag” systemThe “pay by bag” system

1


FreeFree

1 2


FreeFree FreeFree

1 2 $


FreeFree FreeFree The more you The more you make make

The more you The more you Pay!Pay!


RecyclingRecyclingFacilityFacility

??Reuse Reuse and Repair Centersand Repair Centers

1 2 $

DeconstructionDeconstruction

WasteWasteReductionReductioninitiativesinitiatives



FacilityFacility

ResidualsResiduals==

Our CurrentOur CurrentFailuresFailuresReuse & RepairReuse & Repair

1 2 3

& Deconstruction& Deconstruction

WasteWasteReductionReductioninitiativesinitiatives

Landfills & Incinerators Landfills & Incinerators attempt to make the attempt to make the residualsresiduals disappeardisappear

To move towardsTo move towards zero waste zero waste & & sustainabilitysustainability

we need to make the we need to make the remaining residualsremaining residuals

very visible very visible

ResidualResidualSeparation Separation

FacilityFacility

Residuals must not go Residuals must not go directly to a landfilldirectly to a landfill

but to a but to a residual separation residual separation facilityfacility built built

in front of the landfillin front of the landfill

MORE TOXICS

RESIDUAL SEPARATION FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

DIRTYDIRTYORGANIC ORGANIC FRACTIONFRACTION

INTERIM LANDFILL

BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION

Operating inOperating in Nova ScotiaNova Scotia

Built in front of landfillBuilt in front of landfill

Two improvements on Two improvements on the Nova Scotia the Nova Scotia systemsystem

DIRTY ORGANIC FRACTION

DIRTYDIRTYORGANICORGANICFRACTIONFRACTION

HYDROHYDROPULPERPULPER

HEAVY HEAVY ITEMSITEMS

ANAEROBICANAEROBICDIGESTIONDIGESTION

METHANEMETHANEPLASTICSPLASTICS

INTERIM LANDFILL

SOLID SOLID RESIDUERESIDUE

MORE TOXICS

NON-TOXIC, NON-BIODEGRADABLE FRACTION

RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH& RESEARCH FACILITY

MORE RECYCLABLES

DIRTYDIRTYORGANIC ORGANIC FRACTIONFRACTION

INTERIM LANDFILL

HYDROPULPER

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

NON-RECYCABLE MATERIALS

RESIDUAL SCREENING & RESEARCHRESEARCH FACILITY

Local Local UniversityUniversity

Or Or Technical CollegeTechnical College

RESEARCHRESEARCHCENTERCENTER

RESEARCH CENTERRESEARCH CENTER Maximize capture rateMaximize capture rate Research and promote waste Research and promote waste

reduction initiativesreduction initiatives Look for local uses of some materialLook for local uses of some material Recommend better industrial design to Recommend better industrial design to

industryindustry Link zero waste research to other Link zero waste research to other

aspects of sustainabilityaspects of sustainability

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 We need better industrial design for the 21st Centurydesign for the 21st Century

The Research Center is The Research Center is the“laboratory for the“laboratory for

sustainability”sustainability”

Institute forInstitute forZero Waste &Zero Waste &SustainabilitySustainability

Research centersResearch centers

Institute forInstitute forZero Waste &Zero Waste &SustainabilitySustainability

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

2) Link Zero Waste with other 2) Link Zero Waste with other aspectsof sustainabilityaspectsof sustainability

Zero Waste & Zero Waste & SustainabilitySustainability

Too important to be left to “waste Too important to be left to “waste experts”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

Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development

SustainableAgriculture

SustainableCommunity

development

SustainableEnergy

Sustainableindustries

& Jobs

SustainableArchitecture

Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs


BetterBetterIndustrialIndustrialDesignDesign

Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs


CompostingComposting


Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs


CompostingComposting Research CenterResearch Center


Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs





Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs




AnaerobicAnaerobicDigestionDigestion


Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs



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




Rifiuti Zero 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development



development

SustainableEnergy


& Jobs



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




The antidote to over-The antidote to over-consumption consumption (a life built (a life built around the accumulation of around the accumulation of objects)…objects)…

Is community developmentIs community development (a life built around the (a life built around the expansion of human expansion of human relationships).relationships).

““Make Friends,Make Friends,Not Waste”Not Waste”

Reuse &Reuse &Repair CenterRepair Center

Reuse, RepairReuse, Repair& Community& Community

CenterCenter

Material consumptionMaterial consumption

Standard of LivingStandard of Living

Current SituationCurrent Situation

Solar PowerSolar Power



Change 1Change 1

Zero WasteZero Waste

Solar PowerSolar Power


Change 2Change 2

Zero WasteZero Waste

Quality of lifeQuality of life

Solar PowerSolar PowerChange 3Change 3

We have decouple quality of We have decouple quality of life from material life from material consumptionconsumption

Quality of lifeQuality of life


Summary of theSummary of the Zero Waste 2020 Zero Waste 2020

strategystrategy







RecyclingRecycling





RecyclingRecycling





RecyclingRecycling




Reuse, Repair Reuse, Repair & Community& Community

CenterCenter


RecyclingRecycling






CenterCenter


RecyclingRecycling






CenterCenter

Residual Residual Separation, Separation,

& & Research CenterResearch Center


RecyclingRecycling






CenterCenter

Better Better IndustrialIndustrial

DesignDesign




RecyclingRecycling





Temporary LandfillTemporary Landfill


CenterCenter


DesignDesign




RecyclingRecyclingReuse, Repair Reuse, Repair & Community& Community

CenterCenter





DesignDesign


Temporary LandfillTemporary Landfill 20202020



Zero Waste 2020 is an Zero Waste 2020 is an idealistic goalidealistic goal which which can be approached can be approached through a through a series of series of simple and practical simple and practical stepssteps

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 GOAL: 75% waste diverted by 2010GOAL: 75% waste diverted by 2010 GOAL: 100% waste diverted by GOAL: 100% waste diverted by

20202020 Zero Waste or darn close!Zero Waste or darn close!

ItalyItaly 2000 communities have achieved 2000 communities have achieved

over 50% diversion using “porta a over 50% diversion using “porta a porta” collection systemsporta” collection systems

Treviso (pop. = 860,000) > 66% Treviso (pop. = 860,000) > 66% diversiondiversion

Novarra (pop. = 100,000) 70% Novarra (pop. = 100,000) 70% diversion in 18 months.diversion in 18 months.

Villafranca d’Asti (pop. 30,000) Villafranca d’Asti (pop. 30,000) 85% diversion85% diversion

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

3. Concluding Remarks3. Concluding Remarks

Moving towards Moving towards sustainability is going sustainability is going to be the greatest to be the greatest challenge of the 21 St challenge of the 21 St Century and it is going Century and it is going to take to take good good leadershipleadership

• We need leaders who have

• A big vision

• Imagination

• Creativity

• Perseverence

• and

• WHO ARE NOT BORING!

GOOD LEADERSHIP GOOD LEADERSHIP

HUMAN BORINGSHUMAN BORINGS Have no visionHave no vision Have no imaginationHave no imagination 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 Think that technology can solve every Think that technology can solve every

problemproblem Think that man is the center of the Think that man is the center of the

universeuniverse And a woman’s place is in the kitchen!And a woman’s place is in the kitchen!

BORING EXPERTSBORING EXPERTS

Think with the wrong Think with the wrong end of their bodiesend of their bodies

A BACK END THINKER…

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

A FRONT END THINKER…

Our only hope to move Our only hope to move towards sustainability towards sustainability in time, is to move to in time, is to move to the front end of the the front end of the problemproblem

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

OF OF RESOURCERESOURCE

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT&&

BETTERBETTERINDUSTRIALINDUSTRIAL

DESIGNDESIGN

THE THE BACK ENDBACK END

OF OF WASTEWASTE

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

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!

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

incinerators!incinerators! There is a better strategy which is There is a better strategy which is Better for our healthBetter for our health,, Better for the local and national Better for the local and national

economyeconomy,, Better for our children, andBetter for our children, and Better for the planet!Better for the planet!

Three final messagesThree final messages 1. 1. To citizensTo citizens - don’t let the - don’t let the

experts take your common experts take your common sense awaysense away

2. 2. To politiciansTo politicians - put your - put your faith back in peoplefaith back in people

3. 3. To activistsTo activists - - HAVE HAVE FFUUNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GodGodrecycles,recycles,The devilThe devil

burnsburns

PostscriptPostscript

Detoxifying our livesDetoxifying our lives Get lead out of gasolineGet lead out of gasoline Get mercury out of products, vaccines Get mercury out of products, vaccines

and our mouthsand our mouths Get PVC out of commerceGet PVC out of commerce Get incineration out of waste Get incineration out of waste

managementmanagement Get “waste” out of the dictionaryGet “waste” out of the dictionary Get aspartame out of soft drinksGet aspartame out of soft drinks Get soft drinks out of our schoolsGet soft drinks out of our schools Get scientific integrity back into our Get scientific integrity back into our

regulatory agenciesregulatory agencies Get fluoride out of our waterGet fluoride out of our water

wwwwww.Fluoride.FluorideALERTALERT.or.orgg

Staying in contact:Staying in contact:

Staying in contact:Staying in contact:

www.AmericanHealthStudies.orgwww.AmericanHealthStudies.org www.FluorideALERT.orgwww.FluorideALERT.org [email protected]@gmail.com And on the Second Sunday of each And on the Second Sunday of each

month 7-8 pm PT (4-5 pm EST)month 7-8 pm PT (4-5 pm EST) SECOND SUNDAY CLASSICS atSECOND SUNDAY CLASSICS at www.NCPR.orgwww.NCPR.org

Zero Waste 2020 A Key Step towards Sustainability Zero Waste 2020 A Key Step towards Sustainability Dr Paul Connett Dr Paul Connett Emeritus Professor.

Documents

postscript slide

sustainabiliy slide

overconsumption slide

big picture slide

real problem slide

waste managment

linear society

finite planet waste