EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge & Organics Projects 1/16/2019 11:31 AM EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge & Organics Projects PROP Composting Training Dec 6, 2006 David Iacono, P.E. Iacono

Overview EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge Organics components 4 focus areas Organics components EPA/Regional Activities Questions

Unfinished Business of RCRA (Resource Conservation & Recovery Act) 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Unfinished Business of RCRA (Resource Conservation & Recovery Act) Hazardous waste Nonhazardous waste Regulations Voluntary programs “Cradle to grave” “Cradle to cradle” Iacono

What is the Resource Conservation Challenge? 1/16/2019 11:31 AM What is the Resource Conservation Challenge? EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) is a national effort to find more flexible, yet protective ways to conserve natural resources and energy. www.epa.gov/rcc Iacono

Framework for the RCC Voluntary, non-regulated projects Partnering with state/local govts, federal facilities, industry and others R3 has created a Municipal Solid Waste Team with its States Iacono

RCC Goals Conservation of energy/resources 1/16/2019 11:31 AM RCC Goals Conservation of energy/resources Prevention of pollution and promoting of reuse and recycling of materials Reduction of toxic chemicals through product substitution Iacono

MSW Management in US How MSW is Managed: Land Disposal 54.3% 1/16/2019 11:31 AM MSW Management in US How MSW is Managed: Land Disposal 54.3% Combustion 13.6% Recovery 32.1% Source http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/pubs/mswchar05.pdf (EPA data) Iacono

1/16/2019 11:31 AM Total MSW Generation Iacono

4 National RCC Priorities 1/16/2019 11:31 AM 4 National RCC Priorities Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials Priority and Toxic Chemical Reduction Green Initiatives – Electronics Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Iacono

RCC National Priority Area: Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials 1/16/2019 11:31 AM RCC National Priority Area: Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials Iacono

Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials Definition: Use or reuse of a material that would otherwise become waste Use instead of virgin materials Coal Combustion Byproducts Foundry Sands Construction & Demolition Debris Iacono

RCC National Priority Area: Priority and Toxic Chemical Reduction 1/16/2019 11:31 AM RCC National Priority Area: Priority and Toxic Chemical Reduction Iacono

National Partnership For Environmental Priorities (NPEP) Goal: Achieve 10% reduction of 31 priority chemicals by 2008 Sector Strategies Naphthalene Lead Mercury (Implement the Mercury Challenge) Petroleum Federal Facilities

NPEP Recognition Events 1/16/2019 11:31 AM NPEP Recognition Events Baldwin Hardware Iacono

RCC National Priority Area: Green Initiatives-Electronics 1/16/2019 11:31 AM RCC National Priority Area: Green Initiatives-Electronics Iacono

1/16/2019 11:31 AM Electronics Programs Reduce/Eliminate higher risk materials at the source Plug-In To eCycling EPEAT Federal Electronics Challenge Iacono

RCC National Priority Area: Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Iacono

Specific Municipal Solid Waste Goals of the RCC: 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Specific Municipal Solid Waste Goals of the RCC: By 2008: Increase the national recycling rate to 35% (32% in ’05) Maintain the national average MSW generation rate <4.5 lbs/person/day Iacono

EPA Region 3/States Municipal Solid Waste Team Focused on waste streams with greatest additional diversion potential: Food: 12% of solid waste stream (26 million tons destined for landfills each year) Paper: 34% of the solid waste stream Iacono

Reduce/Recover Surplus Food 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Reduce/Recover Surplus Food Food facts: almost half of US food goes to waste (50M tons & $100B in value) < 3% food waste is recovered Ref http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/organics/pubs/food-guide.pdf Iacono

Surplus Food Hierarchy 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Surplus Food Hierarchy Ref http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/organics/pubs/food-guide.pdf Iacono

EPA Region 3 Municipal Solid Waste Team Primary Functions: Network Promotion/Outreach EPA R3/State MSW Team 2) Grant Initiatives Special Projects w measurable results 3) Showcasing of State/local program successes Iacono

Region 3/State Activities Promote networking MACREDO/ILSR Organics Summits Beltsville MD, 11/30/06 Spring 2007 in PA, details TBD Others Urban Recycling Conference, 2007

Region 3/State Activities EPA Project Grants <$60K per year on average Available to nonprofits/govt Examples: $5k to Philabundance for food waste diversion to feed hungry Funds for recycling education at community level Grants to MACREDO for network support, program tools, research, etc. Funds to USDA for in-vessel composter

Region 3/State Activities Projects: Midatlantic Food & Paper Waste Diversion Team Targeting largest waste generators Seeking diversion accomplishments Examples: Partnering w Trammell Crowe property managers Partnering w Aramark (U Penn) GIS plotting of PA composters? RecycleMania challenge for colleges

Region 3/State Activities 1/16/2019 11:31 AM Region 3/State Activities Competition among colleges & universities to collect most recyclables over a 10-week period Jan 28, 07 to April 7, 07 “Keystone Cup” challenge from Villanova for PA schools www.recyclemaniacs.org Some 2005 participants: Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon Chestnut Hill College Dickinson College Juniata College Millersville University Old Dominion University Villanova University http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/targeted/colleges/recycmania.htm http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/ 2005 Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon Chestnut Hill College Dickinson College Goucher College Juniata College Millersville University Old Dominion University Towson University University of Richmond Villanova University Iacono

Region 3 Resources Region 3 composting facility directory Technical support Recognition from EPA State & network contacts www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/solidwastecomposting.htm Interested in working with EPA?

Questions? Contacts EPA Region 3 Municipal Solid Waste Program: www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/solidwaste.htm David Iacono, iacono.david@epa.gov 215-814-3231 Donna McGowan, mcgowan.donna@epa.gov 215-814-5197 Questions? Iacono