Waste Prevention as a future option Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology/KTH June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

Trends in waste and GDP June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology Gross Domestic Product (GDP), real GDP and real Gross National Income (GNI) (Sweden) Source: SCB kg MSW/Capita (Sweden) Source: Avfall Sverige

June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

What do we consume? Products! June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

How much? June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology every day 2 million every 5 min every 5 sec

What is the course of the problem? More people Consumption behaviour Economical growth Attitudes New products (“wants”, “needs”) – new materials June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

….leading to Waste of natural resources Energy consumption Hazardous compounds Landfills – landfill gas, leachate June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

Landfill-09 Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology Small scale Dumping sites On water “Safe” landfills Hazardous waste

…more problems Odour Landfill-09 Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology

Flies, birds, rats Landfill-09 Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology

Health – waste pickers Landfill-09 Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology Solution?

Incineration? Energy recovery Volume reduction – vol 1/10, weight ¼ Transformation Residues: Bottom ash – construction material Flue-gas – fly ash (hazardous waste) June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

2009 Monika Olsson, Industrial Ecology/KTH Flue gas Expensive Amount Composition Residues

2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology Recycling – YES! Recovery or reuse of products Recycling of material Energy recovery

Feb 2006Industrial Ecology/MO Problems with recycling Hazardous compounds (mercury, lead, flame retardants etc) - working environment

Feb 2006 Industrial Ecology/MO

Feb 2006Industrial Ecology/MO Problems with recycling Hazardous compounds (mercury, lead, flame retardants etc) - working environment Building up a system (the “waste” is wanted) Recycling = increased consumption? Quality of new product Not always environmentally favourable

Solutions? Prevent the Waste from being Generated!! June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology Prevention Quantity = Avoidance Quality = homogenous, non hazardous Prevention ≠ Recirculation

2009Monika Olsson/Industrial EcologyWhy? Reduces amounts of raw material input Reduces amounts of energy use Reduction in toxicity = lower costs of treatment Less waste being processed = saves: - energy costs - waste storage space - transport costs - administrative costs - lower emissions

2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology Prevention! But how? Substitution of raw material and substances – CFCs, homogenous material, biodegradable Storage – old or wrongly stored Optimizing, controlling and substitution of processes for production - effective usage of material, less wastage Education of personnel - render environmental awareness Change the product (LCA) – less waste before, during and after production, Eco-Design

10 GR material information/ structure protect housekeeping Conrad Luttropp

Don’t use TOXIC substances and arrange closed loops for necessary but toxic ones. Minimise energy and resource consumption in production phase and transport through HOUSEKEEPING. Use structural features and high quality materials to minimise WEIGHT..in products…if not interfering with necessary flexibility, impact strength or functional priorities. MINIMISE energy and resource consumption in the usage phase, especially for products with most significant aspects in the usage phase. Promote repair and upgrading, especially for SYSTEM dependent products Conrad Luttropp

Promote LONG LIFE for products….. especially for products with most significant environmental aspects OUT of usage phase. Invest in better materials, surface treatments or structural arrangements to PROTECT products from dirt, corrosion and wear, giving long life and minimised maintenance. PREARRANGE upgrading, repair and recycling trough access ability, labelling, modules, breaking points, manuals. Promote upgrading, repair and recycling by using few, SIMPLE, recycled, not blended materials and no alloys. Use as FEW joining elements as possible and use screws, adhesives, welding, snap fits, geometric locking etc. according to the life cycle scenario. Conrad Luttropp

Good examples! Companies: - Unilever - ICA (food store) - IKEA Municipalities (weight based taxes, information) Governmental policies (EU directive) Extended producer responsibility (fees) Research and help to SME June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

Monika Olsson Industrial Ecology ECOPROFIT project/Graz Attempts to offer small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) consultative and financial support in order to pursue integrated environmental management practices and to switch to cleaner production methods

System Approach of Recycling Case: Hammarby Sjöstad (Stockholm) June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

June 2009 Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

Collection of MSW June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology

Discussion What is the core problem for Waste prevention? How can it be done by you, the municipality/region/companies. What is preventing the change? Can the problems be overcome? Waste prevention: Consumption and generation What does the relationship between consumption and waste generation look like in your country -What is the trend of consumption? Who consumes what? What is the trend of waste generation? What are the major components of the waste stream? What are the factors behind the current trend of consumption? What are the factors behind the current trend of waste generation? Develop an approach for a sustainable consumption society that would result in reduction of waste generation (What issues should be included? Who are the stakeholders? What measures should be taken? What kind of conflicting interests can manifest? What are the best mechanisms to create optimal solutions? What are the challenged and opportunities?) Hammarby model Problems with this model What is needed in order to implement it – imagine you want to implement it in your living district. Stakeholders? Conflict interests June 2009Monika Olsson/Industrial Ecology