Industrial Metabolism: Theory and Policy Robert U. Ayres Summary: Patrick Wilkinson Critique: James Silva

Overview Introduction to Industrial Metabolism The Materials Cycle Measures of Industrial Metabolism Policy Implications of the Industrial Metabolism Perspective

Introduction to Industrial Metabolism Definition: “the whole integrated collection of physical processes that convert raw materials and energy, plus labor, into finished products and wastes in a (more or less) steady-state condition.” Metabolism: Analogous to the process of a living organism Takes in food for self/storage and excretes wastes. Takes in food for self/storage and excretes wastes. Differences: Organisms reproduce themselves, specialized, change over long period of time. Organisms reproduce themselves, specialized, change over long period of time. Firms produce products or services, not specialized, can change quickly Firms produce products or services, not specialized, can change quickly

The Materials Cycle Closed cycles are self- sustaining with no external sources or sinks and are in steady state. Open cycles are unsustainable, using materials without replenishing sources. Must stabilize or will ultimately fail Must stabilize or will ultimately fail The Biological cycle is a closed cycle, while our industrial cycle is an open cycle.

The Material Cycle “Industrial system of today”: Unsustainable Can this stabilization be obtained with a “technological ‘fix’”? Can this stabilization be obtained with a “technological ‘fix’”? If so, how? If so, how? If not, how long will the current system last? If not, how long will the current system last? Biological system Has not always been a closed system Has not always been a closed system “Responded to inherently unstable situations (open cycles) by ‘inventing’ new processes (organisms) to stabilize the system by closing the cycles.” “Responded to inherently unstable situations (open cycles) by ‘inventing’ new processes (organisms) to stabilize the system by closing the cycles.” Time scales Biological system took billions of years Biological system took billions of years Industrial system does not have that much time Industrial system does not have that much time

Measures of Industrial Metabolism Recycling and dissipative loss are the “fates” of all waste materials There are 3 classes of materials use Those that are recyclable under present technology and cost Those that are recyclable under present technology and cost Those that are recyclable, but not under present tech. and cost Those that are recyclable, but not under present tech. and cost Those that are not recyclable Those that are not recyclable For the industrial system to function as a closed cycle, it must recycle or reuse nearly all materials

Measures of Industrial Metabolism Examples of dissipative use: Class 3 materials Sulfur Sulfur CFC’s CFC’s Ammonia Ammonia Phosphoric acid Phosphoric acid Chlorine Chlorine Although can be classified as class 2 when used in plastics and solvents

Measures of Industrial Metabolism Potentially recyclable materials Are they being recycled and reused? Recycle (reuse) vs. Dissipation of a material shows how far sustainability is from being reached

Policy Implications of the Industrial Metabolism Perspective Industrial metabolism is “holistic” in theory All interactions are considered together resulting in the best for the system as a whole All interactions are considered together resulting in the best for the system as a whole Short term solutions and policies, however, are being enforced Such policies are usually more harmful and costly in the long run Such policies are usually more harmful and costly in the long run Ex.’s Pollution and coal as a fuel Ex.’s Pollution and coal as a fuel Air and water pollution reduced, but land disposal increased Clean coal technology could extend coal as fuel, but effects of byproducts extended as well

Critique Sulfur Example Comparison: human vs. natural Material Source vs. Material Path A more “holistic view”

Sulfur Example Example of Dissipative use Nearly all sulfur mined is dissipated or discarded Mostly used for sulfuric acid – used in non-recyclable chemicals Thus sulfur mainly falls into the third category But… plaster-of Paris

Comparison: human vs. natural Where is the natural to compare with the anthropogenic? What are the percentages referring to? “In all cases, with the possible exception of nitrogen, the anthropogenic contributions exceed the natural flows by a considerable margin.” Really? Really?

Comparison: human vs. natural (Can you interpret this?)

Material Source vs. Material Path Should be less concerned with how much of something is left than with what path used material takes How much oil/steel/etc. is left to be extracted from natural sources is not a good measure of evaluation for industrial processes How much oil/steel/etc. is left to be extracted from natural sources is not a good measure of evaluation for industrial processes A better way is to quantify how much recycling of material is going on: What do we do with what we use? A better way is to quantify how much recycling of material is going on: What do we do with what we use?

A more “holistic view” Defines it more by what it is not Contrasts with “narrowly conceived or short- run (myopic) ‘quick fix’ policies” Contrasts with “narrowly conceived or short- run (myopic) ‘quick fix’ policies” Longer pipelines for sewage Air vs. water vs. land Not an in-depth application paper Less than 15 pages Less than 15 pages The industrial system of tomorrow…?

Questions?