70% to Zero What’s it going to take? Ruth C. Abbe HDR Engineering, Inc. October 19 th, 2009

What is “waste”? Problem Materials 23% Recyclable Paper and Cardboard 18% Other Recyclable Materials 21% Potentially Recyclable Materials 4% Compostable Materials 34% Figures derived from Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, 2001

Potentially Recyclable Materials Materials that don’t have vibrant markets – Hardback books – Window glass – Some plastics – Textiles – Asphalt roofing – Clean gypsum board

Problem Materials Materials that don’t have markets – Composite materials (things stuck to other things) – Treated wood – Some plastics – Diapers – Hazardous materials and some electronics – Some plastic bags + films

What is Zero Waste? Zero Waste – Recognizes that “waste” is not inevitable – Discarded materials are potentially valuable resources – Goes beyond “end of pipe” strategies – Maximizes recycling and composting – Reduces consumption – Designs “waste” out of the system

Zero Waste Zero waste is a design framework for reducing generation of waste and maximizing diversion, not a strict tonnage goal. Zero waste is not a literal goal like “100 percent recycling”; we may always have some materials that cannot be recycled and cannot be designed out of the system. The vision of Zero waste is to strive for sustainability.

Pieces of Zero Comprehensive recycling programs – Multi-material – As convenient as trash – Available to all generators Organics diversion – Yard trimmings – Food scraps – Compostable paper C&D diversion – Generator-based – Hauler-based – Facility-based Zero Waste Policies – “New rules” – Disposal bans – Mandatory recycling – Product stewardship – Comprehensive outreach and technical assistance Zero Waste Infrastructure – Neighborhood scale – Reuse and recycling – Materials recovery – C&D processing – Organics processing Residual Waste Management – New technologies – Residual waste processing

Upstream = 71 x Municipal Solid Waste

Downstream Ensure the highest and best use of products and packaging at the end of their useful lives Reuse products and packaging, retaining their original form and function Recycle or compost materials that are not reduced or reused

Alameda Diversion Estimates by Scenario Baseline (existing programs) Optimizing voluntary programs Adding mandatory requirements Add residual waste processing Diversion (tons) 98, , , ,260 Disposal (tons) 48,323 34,231 24,376 16,170 Diversion rate 67%77%83%89%

Palo Alto Zero Waste Operational Plan Year/Term Short Term 2011 Mid Term 2021 Long Term Diversion Rate62%68%77%78 to 90% Major additional programs and facilities NA-Additional C&D debris diversion -Additional staff resources -New collection contract -Universal roll- out -Regional organics processing -Regional C&D debris processing -Use of emerging technology or other innovative approaches to materials management Estimated additional costs NA$615,000 1 $3,991,000 2 not available Approximate rate impact NA3% 3 20% 3 not available 1 Includes new staff at $450,000 and annual program costs of $165,000 2 Assumes Net Compost Facility,C&D Debris Facility and Recycling Drop-Off Center with HHW Facility costs projected to 2011 tonnage levels plus annual cost for new staff and programs 3Estimate based on Refuse Fund Customer Sales revenues of $20,641, for fiscal year

LA Policy, Program and Facility Phasing Initial Voluntary Programs Additional Voluntary plus Mandatory Programs Continue voluntary and mandatory programs Upstream AdvocacyResource Recovery Center Continue upstream advocacy Compost facilities (residential) Compost facilities (commercial) -- 1st black bin processing facility (residential) 2 more black bin processing facilities (residential and commercial) 2 more black bin processing facilities for commercial 70%87%90%93%