Zero Waste - and How to Achieve it: Presentation by Professor Paul Connett

transcript

Zero Waste: Zero Waste: A Key Stepping Stone to A Key Stepping Stone to

Sustainability Sustainability

Paul Connett, PhDPaul Connett, PhDExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

American Environmental Health American Environmental Health

Studies Project (AEHSP)Studies Project (AEHSP)www.AmericanHealthStudies.orgwww.AmericanHealthStudies.org

pconnett@gmail.com

Coventry, Oct 25, 2010Coventry, Oct 25, 2010

OUTLINEOUTLINE

A. A quick word about A. A quick word about sustainabilitysustainability

B. Zero WasteB. Zero Waste C. 10 Steps to Zero WasteC. 10 Steps to Zero Waste D. The critical step forwardD. The critical step forward E. From ZW to sustainabilityE. From ZW to sustainability F. Back to the Big PictureF. Back to the Big Picture

A. A. A quick word about A quick word about

sustainabilitysustainability

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

SustainabilitySustainability We would need We would need FOUR planetsFOUR planets if if

every one consumed as much as every one consumed as much as the average the average AmericanAmerican

We would need We would need TWO planetsTWO planets if if every one consumed as much as every one consumed as much as the average the average EuropeanEuropean

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, India, China etcIndia, China etc. are . are copying our consumption patternscopying our consumption patterns

Something has got to change and Something has got to change and the best place to start is with the best place to start is with wastewaste

Our real task is to fight Our real task is to fight over-consumptionover-consumption

““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

ManMan

Modern man!Modern man!

Please note that Please note that while while waste incineration waste incineration is aggressively promoted is aggressively promoted by many companies and by many companies and

countries, it is NOT countries, it is NOT sustainablesustainable

Extraction ofExtraction ofVirginVirgin

MaterialsMaterials

Production ofProduction ofManufacturedManufactured

itemsitemsConsumptionConsumption

DiscardedDiscardedMaterialsMaterials

Solid wasteSolid waste

Air pollutionAir pollution

Water pollutionWater pollution

Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide

ENERGYENERGY ENERGYENERGY

GLOBAL WARMINGGLOBAL WARMING

THE LINEAR SOCIETYTHE LINEAR SOCIETY

MaterialsMaterials

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

MaterialsMaterials

LANDFILLSLANDFILLS

MaterialsMaterials

INCINERATION INCINERATION

MaterialsMaterials

OTHER THERMAL DESTRUCTION FACILITIES OTHER THERMAL DESTRUCTION FACILITIES

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

B. B. Zero WasteZero Waste

ZERO WASTE ZERO WASTE IS A IS A NEWNEW

DIRECTIONDIRECTION

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

ofofRESOURCE RESOURCE

The The BACK ENDBACK END

of of WASTEWASTE

NO to INCINERATORS

NO to LANDFILLS

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT&&

BETTERBETTERINDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

DESIGN DESIGN

of of WASTEWASTE

NO to INCINERATORS

NO to LANDFILLS

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT&&

BETTERBETTERINDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

DESIGN DESIGN & &

POST-POST-CONSUMERISMCONSUMERISM

of of WASTEWASTE

C. C. TEN Practical steps TEN Practical steps towards Zero Wastetowards Zero Waste

STEP 1. Zero Waste starts STEP 1. Zero Waste starts with something everyone haswith something everyone has

The ten things on the end of our The ten things on the end of our hands!hands!

These are the “magic machines” These are the “magic machines” which can make sure that we do which can make sure that we do not convert discarded resources not convert discarded resources into wasteinto waste

wastewaste ResourcesResources

1. 1. SourceSource

SeparationSeparation

1.1. SourceSource

2.2. Door to DoorDoor to Door

CollectionCollection

““The Fantastic 3”The Fantastic 3”

The San Francisco systemThe San Francisco system

1.1.SourceSource

2.2.Door to DoorDoor to Door

3.3.CompostingComposting

Composting plant for San Composting plant for San FranciscoFrancisco

4.4.RecyclingRecycling

1.1.SourceSource

at Pier 96

MATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITYMATERIALS RECOVERY FACIILITY

CompostingCompostingFacilityFacility

MaterialsMaterialsRecoveryRecovery

FacilityFacility

ResiduaResiduallFractionFraction

We have to minimize We have to minimize the residual fraction the residual fraction with…with…1) Waste reduction 1) Waste reduction

initiativesinitiatives2) Reuse, repair and 2) Reuse, repair and

deconstructiondeconstruction3) Economic incentives3) Economic incentives

5. Waste 5. Waste ReductionReductionInitiativesInitiatives

1.1.SourceSource

Undesirable packagingUndesirable packaging

THREE options:THREE options:Ban itBan itTax itTax itPut a returnable deposit Put a returnable deposit

on iton it

IrelandIreland

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

reduced use reduced use by 92%by 92% in in one year!one year!

ItalyItaly

Several supermarket chains Several supermarket chains are providing dispensers are providing dispensers which allow customers to which allow customers to refill refill shampooshampoo and and detergentdetergent bottles… bottles…

As well asAs well as wine, water wine, water andand milkmilk

ItalyItaly

EFFECORTA,EFFECORTA,

CapannoriCapannori

L’esperienza effecortaL’esperienza effecorta

a cura di Pietro Angelini, a cura di Pietro Angelini,

scio fondatore ed ideatore effecortascio fondatore ed ideatore effecorta

Capannori, 23-01-2010Capannori, 23-01-2010

95% of products come from 95% of products come from within 70 km of storewithin 70 km of store

60 dispensing systems for 60 dispensing systems for solidssolids

60 taps for liquids60 taps for liquids

No plastic used for No plastic used for shopping bagsshopping bags

In time marketing of In time marketing of supermarket food supermarket food items as they approach items as they approach sale datesale date(Professor Andrea (Professor Andrea Segre’,Segre’,U. Bologna)U. Bologna)

•Un pizzico di Un pizzico di creatività a creatività a monte può far monte può far risparmiare risparmiare milioni a vallemilioni a valle

6. Reuse, 6. Reuse, Repair &Repair &

DeconstructionDeconstruction

1.1.SourceSource

Reuse, Repair & Reuse, Repair & DeconstructionDeconstruction

Urban Ore, Berkeley, CaliforniaUrban Ore, Berkeley, California

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

Reuse and Repair Reuse and Repair CentersCenters

Can be used for:Can be used for:1. Job training (Burlington, 1. Job training (Burlington,

Vermont, see video)Vermont, see video)

2. Community building2. Community building

3. Support High St. Charity Shops3. Support High St. Charity Shops

4. Research for better industrial 4. Research for better industrial designdesign

RREEUUSSEE

REPAIRREPAIR

JOBJOBTRAININGTRAINING

COMMUNITCOMMUNITYY ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

BUILDING BUILDING MATERIALSMATERIALS

YARD YARD

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMPOST/COMPOST/COMMUNITY GARDENSCOMMUNITY GARDENS

RR EE SS EE AA RR CC HH

Reuse,Reuse,Repair, ResearchRepair, Research

&&Community CenterCommunity Center

1.1.SourceSource

7.7.EconomicEconomicIncentivesIncentives

freefree freefree

The “ Pay by bag” systemThe “ Pay by bag” system

freefree freefreeThe moreThe moreyou make,you make,the morethe moreyou pay!you pay!

The “ Pay by bag” systemThe “ Pay by bag” system

D. D. A critical step to achieveA critical step to achieve

Zero WasteZero Waste

1.1.SourceSource

8. Residual 8. Residual Separation & Separation &

ResearchResearch CenterCenter

RESIDUAL SEPARATION &RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITY RESEARCH FACILITY

1. Built at entrance to landfill1. Built at entrance to landfill 2. No material can enter landfill 2. No material can enter landfill

without it being separated and without it being separated and screenedscreened

3. Toxics removed and identified3. Toxics removed and identified 4. Dirty organics biologically 4. Dirty organics biologically

stabilizedstabilized 5. Non-recyclable materials STUDIED5. Non-recyclable materials STUDIED

Nova Scotia, CanadaNova Scotia, Canada

Has already built Residual Has already built Residual Separation Facilities in front of their Separation Facilities in front of their landfills to remove more landfills to remove more recyclables and stabilize the dirty recyclables and stabilize the dirty organic fraction before landfilling.organic fraction before landfilling.

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 SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITY

Local Local UniversityUniversity

Or Or Technical CollegeTechnical College

RESEARCH RESEARCH CENTERCENTER

RESEARCH CENTERRESEARCH CENTER ImproveImprove capture rate capture rate of reusables, of reusables,

recyclables and clean compostablesrecyclables and clean compostables Recommend improved Recommend improved waste avoidance waste avoidance

strategiesstrategies by local businesses by local businesses Develop some Develop some local useslocal uses for some for some

materials materials Recommend better industrial Recommend better industrial

designs to industry on designs to industry on packaging and productspackaging and products

Research for CLEAN ProductionResearch for CLEAN Production

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 for 1 ton of EDUCATION for SUSTAINABILITY!SUSTAINABILITY!

The Residual Separation The Residual Separation and Research Facilityand Research Facility

Is whereIs whereThe CommunityThe CommunityMust driveMust drive Industrial ResponsibilityIndustrial Responsibility

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

• We cannot become sustainable We cannot become sustainable without itwithout it

4. 4. RecyclingRecycling

1.1.SourceSource

9. Better 9. Better IndustrialIndustrial

DesignDesign

1.1.SourceSource

DesignDesign

10. Interim Landfill10. Interim Landfill

1.1.SourceSource

DesignDesign

10. Interim Landfill10. Interim Landfill 20202020

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 72% waste diverted by 200972% waste diverted by 2009 GOAL:75% waste diverted by 2010GOAL:75% waste diverted by 2010 GOAL:100% by 2020GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!) (or very close!)

ItalyItaly

Novara Novara - (a city near Turin, - (a city near Turin, population = 100,000) population = 100,000) achieved achieved 70% diversion in 70% diversion in just 18 months!just 18 months!

ItalyItaly

The The TrevisoTreviso region - 22 region - 22 communities averaging communities averaging 76% diversion76% diversion (Priula (Priula consortium)consortium)

ItalyItaly

Villafranco d’AstiVillafranco d’Asti (Piedmont) has (Piedmont) has reached reached 85% diversion85% diversion

SpainSpain

Usurbil in Basque Usurbil in Basque CountryCountry

Has gone from Has gone from 28% 28% toto 86% 86% inin 7 months 7 months

U.S.U.S.

Island of Nantucket has reached Island of Nantucket has reached 92% diversion92% diversion

Iniziative Iniziative RiduzioneRiduzione

rifiutirifiutiRiciclaggioRiciclaggio

Separazione Separazione alla alla

sorgentesorgente

RaccoltaRaccoltaPorta a PortaPorta a Porta

CompostaggioCompostaggio

8. Residual8. Residual Separation &Separation &

ResearchResearchFacilityFacility

9. Better9. BetterIndustrial Industrial

Design Design

IncentiviIncentiviEconomiciEconomici

10. INTERIM LANDFILL10. INTERIM LANDFILL20202020

RiutilizzoRiutilizzoRiparazione eRiparazione eCentro per la Centro per la

Comunita’Comunita’

70 - 80%70 - 80% COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYCOMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

Iniziative Iniziative RiduzioneRiduzione

rifiutirifiutiRiciclaggioRiciclaggio

Separazione Separazione alla alla

sorgentesorgente

RaccoltaRaccoltaPorta a PortaPorta a Porta

CompostaggioCompostaggio

Separazione Separazione del residuo edel residuo e

Centro diCentro di ricercaricerca

migliore migliore design design

industrialeindustriale

IncentiviIncentiviEconomiciEconomici

10. INTERIM LANDFILL 10. INTERIM LANDFILL 20202020

RiutilizzoRiutilizzoRiparazione eRiparazione eCentro per la Centro per la

Comunita’Comunita’

70-80%70-80%COMUNITY RESPONSIBILITYCOMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

20-30%20-30%INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIBILITY

Industrial Industrial ResponsibilityResponsibility

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

ResponsibilityResponsibility

E. E. From Zero Waste to From Zero Waste to

SustainabilitySustainability

To move from Zero Waste to To move from Zero Waste to Sustainability we must use Sustainability we must use

the wisest the wisest and brightest minds and brightest minds

in industry, academia and in industry, academia and society-at-largesociety-at-large

Research Institute forResearch Institute forZero Waste Zero Waste

andandSustainabilitySustainability

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

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

2) Linking zero waste with other key 2) Linking zero waste with other key developments needed for developments needed for

sustainabilitysustainability

Zero Waste 2020

EducationFor

Sustainability

SustainableEconomic

development

SustainableAgriculture

SustainableCommunity

development

SustainableEnergy

Sustainableindustries

& Jobs

SustainableArchitecture

F. F. Back to the Big PictureBack to the Big Picture

Consumption of materialsConsumption of materials

Standard of livingStandard of living

Current situationCurrent situation

Consumption of fossil fuelsConsumption of fossil fuels

Solar EnergySolar EnergyChange 1Change 1

Consumption of materialsConsumption of materials

Quality of LifeQuality of Life

We have to separate the We have to separate the Quality of life Quality of life from the from the material consumptionmaterial consumption

Quality of lifeQuality of life

Material consumptionMaterial consumption

We have to separate the We have to separate the Quality of life Quality of life from the from the material consumptionmaterial consumption

Quality of lifeQuality of life

Material consumptionMaterial consumption

To fight over-consumptionTo fight over-consumption

We need to swap a life We need to swap a life built around acquiring a built around acquiring a series of objects…series of objects…

To To a life built around a a life built around a series of expanding human series of expanding human relationshipsrelationships

““Make Make LoveLove, , Not Not WarWar””

In the In the 1960’s1960’s

““Make Make FriendsFriends, ,

Not Not WasteWaste””

In the In the 2000’s2000’s

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

incinerators!incinerators! There is a better alternative There is a better alternative The The ZERO WASTE strategyZERO WASTE strategy is is Better for our health (LESS TOXICS)Better for our health (LESS TOXICS) Better for the economyBetter for the economy,, Better for our children, Better for our children, andand Better for the planet (MORE Better for the planet (MORE

SUSTAINABLE)!SUSTAINABLE)!

Use of fluoridated water: Use of fluoridated water: A warning to Ontario A warning to Ontario parents neededparents needed Paul Connett, PhDPaul Connett, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Environmental Professor Emeritus of Environmental ChemistryChemistry

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

Director, Fluoride Action NetworkDirector, Fluoride Action Network

www.Fluoridewww.FluorideALERTALERT.org.orgpconnett@gmail.com

Queen’s Park, Toronto, Oct 19, 2010Queen’s Park, Toronto, Oct 19, 2010