Topic 8: Human Systems and Resource Use Topic 8.3: Solid Domestic Waste Starter: The USA produced 3.5kg of SDW per capita per day, in the EU it is 1.4kg. LEDCs tend to have much lower values, why is this?

What is SDW? Also known as MDW (municipal solid waste) What we commonly call rubbish. Paper, packaging, organic materials (food), glass, dust, metals, plastic, textiles, paint, batteries, electronic waste etc.

When is something waste? One man’s rubbish is another man's treasure Waste is material that has no value to its producer. In LEDCs there are whole industries set up to collect SDW. “Useful” stuff is taken from bins and landfills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ZNSC1bF6-pg

The problem with plastic Plastic is not biodegradable (doesn’t rot) This has lead to hundreds of environmental issues: Landfill space Building up in ocean filter feeders Birds mistaking it for food Toxins released during production Made from fossil fuels Many more This is an environmental issue where individual behavioural change can make a real difference: you can make a change

Changes are happening 5¢ bag charge – our culture is changing. France has banned disposable plastic cutlery, cups and plates. A report on recycling plastic over producing new plastic found the following: Reduction of energy consumption by 66% Produces half the NOx and a third of the SOx. 90% less water used Reduces CO2 production by two and half times.

Linear vs Circular Economy

Linear economy – “take, make, dump” Natural capital is obtained. Goods are produced from this, which required energy. Redundant or broken goods are discarded. Our current global economy has been build on this unsustainable premise.

Circular economy – sustainable alternative Instead of wasting goods they are recycled. Aims: Restore the environment Use renewable energy Eliminate toxic waste Eradicate waste through careful design Producers never loose ownership of products. Take products back once consumer has finished using them. Image every company kind of acts like its own CEX/mazuma mobile. https://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/

Applying the principles of a circular economy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd_isKtGaf8 Principle Circular Economy Practice Design out waste Recycle plastics/metals Build for resilience through diversity Build for connections and reuse of components Use renewable energy sources Shift taxation away from labour to non-renewable energy Think in systems Increase effectiveness and interconnectedness in manufacturing Think in cascades Do not produce waste. Use it to produce more products

Managing SDW We have a choice: minimising waste or dispose of it responsibly. Minimising waste is the best option.

Reduce Maintain possessions so they last longer. Buy things that will last Less packaging Buy recycled products Choose energy efficient products Avoid imported goods Be aware of “unseen” resources: energy, water etc.

Reuse Bottles can be reused personally, or returned to the company for refilling. Compost food waste Use old clothes for rags E-books

Recycle Most people in Canada have personal recycling bins. Street bins are heading in the right direction too. Charge/fine people for not recycling? In China/India there is very little food waste, used for composting or fed to animals. In MEDCs up to 50% is food waste! Economics of recycling varies: If goods are cheap to make little incentive. If recycling is cheaper than extraction of raw material then high incentive e.g. aluminium cans.

Use The Following Scale To Rank Yourself On The “Rs” Of Sustainable Living Reduce 1 2 3 4 5 I could do better Hardly Sometimes Frequently Always Reuse Recycle Repair Rebuy Repurpose