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Sustainable RemediationInitiative
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Green Remediation (EPA) “the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to minimize the environmental footprints of cleanup actions”.
Sustainable Remediation (SURF) “protects human health and the environment while maximizing the environmental, social, and economic benefits throughout the project life cycle.”
Green and Sustainable Remediation (ITRC) “the site-specific employment of products, processes, technologies, and procedures that mitigate contaminant risk to receptors while making decisions that are cognizant of balancing community goals, economic impacts, and net environmental effects.”
Common and aligned focus on efficiency and effectiveness
GSR Definitions
Green or Sustainable Remediation
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The Challenge of the eCurve!C
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Is: ◦ Holistic, Process Focused, Flexible & Scalable, Site
Specific, Fit for Purpose, Performance Based Is NOT:
◦ New, Technology, Excuse to do nothing (or less), Prescriptive
Benefits: ◦ Maximizes benefits & minimizes costs
(environmental, social, economic)-while still protecting human health and the environment
◦ Supports stakeholder participation & acceptance◦ Provides the best remediation
Sustainable Remediation …
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Theory
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Practice
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SURF (2009)◦ “White Paper” Remediation Journal 2009◦ “Guidance Documents” Remediation Journal 2011
Framework, Metrics, Footprint and LCA ITRC (2011)
◦ GSR-1 Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice
◦ GSR-2 Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework
ASTM (2013)◦ ASTM E2876-13 Standard Guide for Incorporating
Sustainable Objectives Into Cleanup ◦ ASTM WK35161 - New Practice for Greener Site
Assessment and Cleanup
US Frameworks: ASTM, SURF, ITRC
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1. Select appropriate stakeholder teamprocess to reach general consensus
2. Define current project status:evaluate/update conceptual site model in SR terms:
social, environmental, economic
3. Choose project goals, metrics, and tools:prioritize key issues, select boundaries, determine
appropriate evaluation level
4. Evaluate options for project:develop options fit for future use of property and
evaluate with weighted costs and benefits
5. Implement most appropriate optiondocument, monitor, optimize
Common SR Process Elements
SR Evaluation Levels
LEVEL 3Advanced Evaluation
LEVEL 2Simple Evaluation
LEVEL 1BMPs/Strategies
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Level 1 – List of BMPs• Hand Wash• no car washes nearby - have no money• use biodegradable soap• use rain water
• No Action• save: water, time, money
• Car Wash• car wash is close - have no time • stop by on way home from work• only stop when no line
Metric No Action Hand Wash Car Wash
Greenhouse gases Water Time Waste
Red = low performanceYellow = average performance Green = good performance
Level 2 – Green Remediation
Metric No Action Hand Wash Car Wash
Greenhouse gases Water Time Waste Community acceptance Cost
Red = low performanceYellow = average performance Green = good performance
Level 2 –Sustainable Remediation
Metric Weight No Action Hand Wash Car Wash
Greenhouse gases (lbs) 1 0 3 5Water (gallons) 1 0 20 5Time (hours) 0.5 0 1 0.1Waste (lbs) 1 0 5 3.5Community acceptance 4 10 2 1Cost ($) 2 0 5 10
Level 3 – values and weighting
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Set of Excel workbooks developed by EPA for conducting environmental footprint analyses at cleanup sites
Compatible with EPA’s Footprint Methodology
Incorporates data on materials, waste, water, energy, and air
Structured for inputting data, running calculations, and organizing outputs
SEFA
Use for remedy selection & optimization Two levels of detail Eight technologies Metrics:
◦ Air emissions, GHG emissions, energy, cost, accident risk, change in resource use
Stakeholder scoring matrix
Sustainable Remediation Tool (SRT) TM
http://www.afcee.af.mil/resources/technologytransfer/programsandinitiatives/sustainableremediation/srt/index.asp
Remediation lifecycle◦ Investigation◦ Construction◦ Operation ◦ Long-term monitoring
Various activities◦ Material production◦ Transportation◦ Equipment used◦ Waste handling
SiteWiseTM
http://www.ert2.org/t2gsrportal/SiteWise.aspx
Sustainable RemediationInitiative