Washington State’s Beyond Waste Plan: John Ridgway Washington State Dept. Of Ecology 25 January 2006

What is the Beyond Waste Project? 30-year plan for   decreasing solid and hazardous wastes   increasing recycling and reuse   reducing the use of toxic substances   properly managing those wastes that remain

PERCENT OF EXTRACTED MATERIALS WASTED 94% 99% Extraction Technology and Environment Robert U. Ayres

The Beyond Waste Vision We can transition to a society where wastes are viewed as inefficient and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated. This will contribute to environmental, economic and social vitality.

5 Key Initiatives 1. industry's 1. Reduce industry's toxic materials & hazardous wastes 2. (MRW 2. Reduce threats from small-volume hazardous wastes & materials (MRW) 3. green building 3. Make green building mainstream 4. organics 4. Increase organics closed-loop recycling 5. Measure 5. Measure progress regularly

How We Chose These 5 Areas   Stakeholder Priorities   Portions of waste stream   Don’t try to do it all at once!   Impacts (health & environment)   Momentum and opportunity   Interconnectedness   Enhance economic competitiveness

Recommendations are Interconnected   For example, compost in landscaping: Contributes to organics recycling Helps meet green building standards Reduces use of pesticides Expands business opportunities for industries

Aligning Efforts

Levers   Local Plans   Incentives   Tools for businesses   State government leading by example   Increase awareness and demand   Partnerships

‘Industries’   Focus on specific industry sectors Metal finishing--CPC Mercury—hospitals, schools, switches, dental offices, lamps, ‘novelty’ products’ PBDE Chemical Action Plan General government Identify additional sectors

Industries—cont’d   Work to encourage new businesses to adopt P2 and sustainability practices   Encourage waste handlers to become materials brokers   Promote sustainability in product development   Provide incentives to reduce waste & the use of toxics.

Small-Volume Hazardous Wastes & Materials (MRW)   Focus on specific products/substances   State to purchase fewer products with hazardous constituents (EPP)   Evaluate regulatory framework for long- term---base standards on risk, not amount   Fully implement local haz waste programs

Green Building   State government builds green and uses green building materials   Expand residential green building programs   Incentives to promote green building

Organics   State agencies collect & recycle organics   Increase state government use of recycled organics   Expand home composting   Develop product quality & labeling stds.   Address regulatory barriers

Measure Progress   Select major or overall indicators   Begin producing Beyond Waste progress reports (2006 Report Card)   Track specific indicators for each key initiative

Implementation has begun…   Sector projects for industries & MRW: mercury & PBDE and electronics & paint take-back infrastructure   Web sites---New Beyond Waste & green building websites with “how-to” tips for locals and others   Ecology walks its talk: Food/paper towel compost facility   Consultant study on incentives

The New Course Will Result In: The key is to use our wasted resources more efficiently