A Sustainable & Cost-Effective Solution to Guernsey’s Waste Problem Paul Connett, PhD Paul Connett, PhD Executive Director AmericanHealthStudies.org Guernsey, Sept 20, 2010
In 2010 I was invited to give two presentations on waste and sustainability to the Division for Sustainable Development at the United Nations In 2010 I was invited to give two presentations on waste and sustainability to the Division for Sustainable Development at the United Nations
We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to
Sustainability We would need FOUR planets if every one consumed as much as the average American We would need FOUR planets if every one consumed as much as the average American We would need TWO planets if every one consumed as much as the average European We would need TWO planets if every one consumed as much as the average European Meanwhile, India, China etc. are copying our consumption patterns Meanwhile, India, China etc. are copying our consumption patterns Something has got to change and the best place to start is with waste Something has got to change and the best place to start is with waste
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY GLOBAL WARMING THE LINEAR SOCIETY
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY GLOBAL WARMING How do waste management practices affect this picture?
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY LANDFILLS GLOBAL WARMING
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY INCINERATION GLOBAL WARMING
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY OTHER THERMAL DESTRUCTION FACILITIES GLOBAL WARMING
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY GLOBAL WARMING RECYCLING OF MATERIALS
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY GLOBAL WARMING REUSE OF OBJECTS
Extraction of VirginMaterials Production of ManufactureditemsConsumptionDiscardedMaterials Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide Solid waste Air pollution Water pollution Carbon dioxide ENERGY ENERGY GLOBAL WARMING COMPOSTING
COMPOST
I have tried to devise a waste plan for Guernsey, which 1) Is positive 2) Brings people together not drive them apart 3) Challenges the creativity of both citizens and decision makers 4) Is cost-effective 5) Is sustainable, and 6) Offers more hope to our our children about the future
This plan 1) Is low tech - most of the facilities can be designed and built by local companies 2) Keeps most of the money spent on the system on the island, creating jobs and small business opportunities 3) Builds on existing measures 4) Every single component is working somewhere in the world 5) Gives every one a role to play
This plan fit well into the island’s stated objectives of Prioritizing waste minimization Prioritizing waste minimization Following the waste hierarchy – reduction, reuse, composting/recycling, energy recovery, landfill Following the waste hierarchy – reduction, reuse, composting/recycling, energy recovery, landfill Considering anaerobic digestion Considering anaerobic digestion
An observation Based on my experience around the world Based on my experience around the world Despite frequent claims to the contrary Despite frequent claims to the contrary People are seldom the problem – if systems are laid on that are simple, make sense, save money and People are seldom the problem – if systems are laid on that are simple, make sense, save money and The new habits involved are communicated to them as a way of protecting their children’s future The new habits involved are communicated to them as a way of protecting their children’s future
In Italy Politicians frequently tell me, The Italians won’t recycle” that it is “a cultural problem.” Politicians frequently tell me, The Italians won’t recycle” that it is “a cultural problem.” I tell them I can prove it is not a cultural problem because I can point two towns 3 km apart – one is getting 10% recycling and the other 70% I tell them I can prove it is not a cultural problem because I can point two towns 3 km apart – one is getting 10% recycling and the other 70% The Italian culture doesn’t change in 3 km! The Italian culture doesn’t change in 3 km! It is a “political leadership” problem. It is a “political leadership” problem.
We need good leadership We need leaders with vision, persistence, creativity and a sense of urgency We need leaders with vision, persistence, creativity and a sense of urgency Who see getting citizens involved in solving this problem as a key step in moving our society towards sustainability. Who see getting citizens involved in solving this problem as a key step in moving our society towards sustainability.
Where to start? We must begin with source separation We must begin with source separation Mixing makes waste – there is no rational or sustainable solution once things are mixed together Mixing makes waste – there is no rational or sustainable solution once things are mixed together If things are kept separate there are sensible and sustainable solutions to nearly every object in the discard stream, including the recognition that If things are kept separate there are sensible and sustainable solutions to nearly every object in the discard stream, including the recognition that We shouldn’t have made or bought some things in the first place! We shouldn’t have made or bought some things in the first place!
Low Tech Community Plan
Recycling
Recycling
Recycling Yard Waste Composting
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Kitchen waste collection
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Kitchen waste collection
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Kitchen waste collection
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection Communities around the world are already getting 70-86% reduction to landfill using these steps.
San Francisco Population = 850,000 Population = 850,000 Very little space Very little space 50% waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted in % waste diverted in 2010 GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!) GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!)
San Francisco Population = 850,000 Population = 850,000 Very little space Very little space 50% waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted in % waste diverted in 2010 GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!) GOAL:100% by 2020 (or very close!)
Italy Over 2000 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection systems Over 2000 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection systems Over 200 communities achieving over 70% diversion Over 200 communities achieving over 70% diversion
Italy Over 2000 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection systems Over 2000 communities in Italy are achieving over 50% diversion using “door to door” collection systems Over 200 communities achieving over 70% diversion (amount kept out of landfill using recycling, composting and reduction efforts) Over 200 communities achieving over 70% diversion (amount kept out of landfill using recycling, composting and reduction efforts)
Italy Novara - (a city near Turin, population = 100,000) achieved 70% diversion in just 18 months! Novara - (a city near Turin, population = 100,000) achieved 70% diversion in just 18 months!
Italy Salerno (near Naples, pop 145,000) 18% to 72% in one year! Salerno (near Naples, pop 145,000) 18% to 72% in one year!
Italy Villafranco d’Asti (Piedmont, population = 30,000) has reached 85% diversion Villafranco d’Asti (Piedmont, population = 30,000) has reached 85% diversion
Spain Usurbil in Basque Country Usurbil in Basque Country Has gone from 28% to 86% in 7 months Has gone from 28% to 86% in 7 months
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection Communities around the world are already getting 70-86% reduction to landfill using these steps.
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection Communities around the world are already getting 70-86% reduction to landfill using these steps. What about the stuff that’s left over?
Low Tech Community Plan Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection Communities around the world are already getting 70-86% reduction to landfill using these steps. What about the stuff that’s left over? We call the stuff left over “the residuals” or the “ residual fraction”
Recycling Yard Waste Composting Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection AT THE EXISTING LANDFILL
Recycling Yard Waste Composting Residual Separation, Stabilization & Program Monitoring Facility Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection AT THE EXISTING LANDFILL
Recycling Yard Waste Composting Residual Separation, Stabilization & Program Monitoring Facility DIRTY A.D. Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection AT THE EXISTING LANDFILL
Recycling Yard Waste Composting Residual Separation, Stabilization & Program Monitoring Facility DIRTY A.D. CLEAN A.D. Reuse, Repair & Community Center Pay by bag for residuals Waste Reduction initiatives Kitchen waste collection AT THE EXISTING LANDFILL
Reuse, Reuse,Repair& Community Center
Reusable items Reusable items Value of Los Angeles discarded materials Value of Los Angeles discarded materials
Urban Ore, Berkeley, California
Grossing $3 million per year Grossing $3 million per year 27 full-time well-paid jobs 27 full-time well-paid jobs Urban Ore operating for 30 years Urban Ore operating for 30 years
VIDEOS available online Which give examples of Reuse and Repair Centers from California, Vermont, Nova Scotia and Australia Which give examples of Reuse and Repair Centers from California, Vermont, Nova Scotia and Australia
Reuse and Repair Centers Can be used for: 1. Job training (Burlington, Vermont, see video) 2. Community building 3. Support High St. Charity Shops
REUSEREPAIR JOBTRAINING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES BUILDINGMATERIALSYARD COMMUNITY COMPOST/ COMMUNITY GARDENS
Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling
Guernsey Resource Recovery Park Reuse, Repair & Community Center Community Center Building deconstruction businesses Materials Recovery Facility for both domestic waste and commercial and non- hazardous industrial waste Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling Businesses using recovered secondary materials to make new products
Economics “Economically, incineration represents ONE BIG BLACK BOX “Economically, incineration represents ONE BIG BLACK BOX The Zero Waste strategy represents 100’s of LITTLE GREEN BOXES” The Zero Waste strategy represents 100’s of LITTLE GREEN BOXES” (Ted Ward, Zero Waste, Del Norte County, California) (Ted Ward, Zero Waste, Del Norte County, California)
Deconstruction
Deconstruction Reuse & Repair Center
Deconstruction Reuse & Repair Center Furniture, Flooring, etc
1 2 3 RESOURCE RECOVERY RECOVERYPARK Anaerobic Digestion & Composting Still can do more to reduce the residual fraction
We have to further reduce the residual fraction with… 1) Waste reduction initiatives 2) Economic incentives
WasteReductionInitiatives
Ireland Government put a 15 cent tax on plastic shopping bags Government put a 15 cent tax on plastic shopping bags reduced use by 92% in one year! reduced use by 92% in one year!
Italy Several supermarket chains are providing dispensers which allow customers to refill shampoo and detergent bottles… Several supermarket chains are providing dispensers which allow customers to refill shampoo and detergent bottles… As well as wine, water and milk As well as wine, water and milk
Italy EFFECORTA,Capannori
95% of products come from within 70 km of store
60 dispensing systems for solids
60 taps for liquids
No plastic used for shopping bags
L’esperienza effecorta a cura di Pietro Angelini, a cura di Pietro Angelini, scio fondatore ed ideatore effecorta Capannori,
Un pizzico di creatività a monte può far risparmiare milioni a valle Un pizzico di creatività a monte può far risparmiare milioni a valle
- Capannori Porta a Porta FRAZIONE RESIDUA - Capannori Porta a Porta 1. Tessili e cuolo % 2.Pannolini % 3. Materiale organico da cucina % 4. Altra plastica: non imballo 9.98 % 9.98 % 5. Imballaggi cellulosici poliaccopiati 8.05 % 8.05 % 6. Imballaggi poliaccopiati in plastica 7.45 % 7.45 % 7. Imballaggi flessibili in plastica 6.81 % 6.81 % 8. Materiale organico da giardino 4.64 % 4.64 % 9. Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (non bottiglie) 3.23 % 3.23 % 10 Giornali (quotidiani e riviste) 2.54 % 2.54 %
– Capannori FRAZIONE RESIDUA – Capannori Questa e’ l’analisi del 17% che rimane dopo la separazione dell’ separazione dell’ 83% del materiale raccolto porta a porta raccolto porta a porta
Pay by bag for the Pay by bag for the Residual fraction
1 2 3 The “ Pay by bag” system
1 2 3 Also called “Pay as you throw” system
1 2 3 free The “ Pay by bag” system
1 2 3 freefree
1 2 $ freefree The more you make, the more you pay! The “ Pay by bag” system
Recyclables The Guernsey Proposal Drop Off Drop Off Yard Waste Yard Waste Drop Off Drop Off 1.
The Guernsey Proposal 2. Weekly pick-up Kitchen Kitchen Waste Waste Dirty Dirty Organics Organics
The Guernsey Proposal 3. Every other week –The Residual Fraction $ The more you make, the more you pay!
Italy Villafranco d’Asti (Piedmont, population = 30,000) has reached 85% diversion Villafranco d’Asti (Piedmont, population = 30,000) has reached 85% diversion
Spain Usurbil in Basque Country Usurbil in Basque Country Has gone from 28% to 86% in 7 months Has gone from 28% to 86% in 7 months
Remember There is no penalty to pay if you reduce the supply of residuals to a landfill There is no penalty to pay if you reduce the supply of residuals to a landfill But there is if you build an incinerator – (or some other magic machine) once built you have to feed the monster to pay of the massive loan involved. But there is if you build an incinerator – (or some other magic machine) once built you have to feed the monster to pay of the massive loan involved.
CompostingFacilityMaterialsRecoveryFacility Residuals? Reuse & Repair 1 2 $ & Deconstruction WasteReductionInitiatives
Residual ResidualSeparation, Stabilization & Program Monitoring Facility
RESIDUAL SEPARATION & STABILIZATION FACILITY RESIDUAL SEPARATION & STABILIZATION FACILITY 1. Built at entrance to landfill 1. Built at entrance to landfill 2. No material can enter landfill without it being separated and screened 2. No material can enter landfill without it being separated and screened 3. More material recycled 3. More material recycled 4. Toxics removed and identified 4. Toxics removed and identified 5. Dirty organics biologically stabilized with Anaerobic Digestion 5. Dirty organics biologically stabilized with Anaerobic Digestion
MORE TOXICS RESIDUAL SCREENING & STABILIZATION FACILITY MORE RECYCLABLES DIRTYORGANICFRACTION INTERIM LANDFILL for non-recyclable and stabilized organic fraction DIRTY COMPOSTING This type of facility is currently running in NOVA SCOTIA, Canada
An interim landfill for biologically An interim landfill for biologically stabilized dirty organic fraction An interim landfill for biologically An interim landfill for biologically stabilized dirty organic fraction
MORE TOXICS & PROGRAM MONITORING RESIDUAL SCREENING, STABILIZATION & PROGRAM MONITORING FACILITY MORE RECYCLABLES DIRTYORGANICFRACTION INTERIM LANDFILL DIRTY AD MONITORING & RESEARCH CENTER
MONITORING & RESEARCH CENTER TASKS: TASKS: Improve capture rate of reusables, recyclables and clean compostables Improve capture rate of reusables, recyclables and clean compostables Recommend improved waste avoidance strategies for local citizens and businesses Recommend improved waste avoidance strategies for local citizens and businesses Develop local uses for some materials Develop local uses for some materials Recommend better industrial designs to industry on packaging and products (part of a global effort). Recommend better industrial designs to industry on packaging and products (part of a global effort).
NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIAL 1) CAN IT BE AVOIDED? 2) CAN IT BE USED LOCALLY? 3) CAN IT BE RE-DESIGNED?
The Message to Industry: If we can’t reuse it, recycle it or compost it, If we can’t reuse it, recycle it or compost it, Industry shouldn’t be making it Industry shouldn’t be making it We need better industrial design for the 21st Century We need better industrial design for the 21st Century We need to design for sustainability We need to design for sustainability
WITH THE ZERO WASTE 2020 STRATEGY WE CONVERT 3 TONS OF TRASH into : into : 1 ton of compostables 1 ton of recyclables 1 ton of recyclablesand 1 ton of EDUCATION for SUSTAINABILITY!
RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITIES. Progress Report: RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITIES. Progress Report: 1. Residual separation facilities operating in Nova Scotia (see video) 2. Zero Waste Research Center announced for Capannori, Italy Jan 23, 2010
THE KEY is to find a way to use COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY at the back end to drive INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY at the front end
- Capannori Porta a Porta FRAZIONE RESIDUA - Capannori Porta a Porta 1. Tessili e cuolo % 2.Pannolini % 3. Materiale organico da cucina % 4. Altra plastica: non imballo 9.98 % 9.98 % 5. Imballaggi cellulosici poliaccopiati 8.05 % 8.05 % 6. Imballaggi poliaccopiati in plastica 7.45 % 7.45 % 7. Imballaggi flessibili in plastica 6.81 % 6.81 % 8. Materiale organico da giardino 4.64 % 4.64 % 9. Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (non bottiglie) 3.23 % 3.23 % 10 Giornali (quotidiani e riviste) 2.54 % 2.54 %
– Capannori FRAZIONE RESIDUA – Capannori Questa e’ l’analisi del 17% che rimane dopo la separazione dell’ separazione dell’ 83% del materiale raccolto porta a porta raccolto porta a porta
BetterIndustrialDesign
Industrial Responsibility 1. Design for sustainability 2. Clean production 3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR- packaging The Ontario (Canada) Beer industry has used refillable glass bottles for 50 years 98% recovered Each bottle reused 18 times It saves the company money 2000 jobs in collection and cleaning No cost to municipality
EPR- products XEROX CORPORATION EUROPE XEROX CORPORATION EUROPE Recovers copying machines from 16 different countries Recovers copying machines from 16 different countries Takes them to huge warehouses in the Netherlands, where the machines are stripped down for re-useable parts and recyclable materials Takes them to huge warehouses in the Netherlands, where the machines are stripped down for re-useable parts and recyclable materials 95% of materials recovered! AND 95% of materials recovered! AND This is saving Xerox $76 millions a year!! This is saving Xerox $76 millions a year!!
EPR legislation “…the European Union, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea — and next year, China — have enacted producer-responsibility laws requiring that anything with a cord or battery — from an electric toothbrush to a laptop to a washing machine — has to be collected and recycled at the manufacturers’ cost.” Op-Ed by Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times, Sept 18, 2010 “…the European Union, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea — and next year, China — have enacted producer-responsibility laws requiring that anything with a cord or battery — from an electric toothbrush to a laptop to a washing machine — has to be collected and recycled at the manufacturers’ cost.” Op-Ed by Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times, Sept 18, 2010
ZERO WASTE IS A NEW DIRECTION DIRECTION
NO to INCINERATORS NO to LANDFILLS THE BACK END OFWASTEMANAGEMENT
NO to INCINERATORS NO to LANDFILLS THE FRONT END OFRESOURCEMANAGEMENT,INDUSTRIALDESIGN&POST-CONSUMERISM THE BACK END OFWASTEMANAGEMENT
Linking Zero Waste to Sustainability Linking Zero Waste to Sustainability
GUERNSEY GUERNSEY Institute for Institute for Zero Waste & Sustainability
1) Research for better industrial design White Rose White Rose Institute for Institute for Zero Waste & Sustainability
GUERNSEY GUERNSEY Institute for Institute for Zero Waste & Sustainability
1) Research for better industrial design GUERNSEY GUERNSEY Institute for Institute for Zero Waste & Sustainability
1) Research for better industrial design 2) Linking zero waste with other key developments needed for sustainability GUERNSEY GUERNSEY Institute for Institute for Zero Waste & Sustainability
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center Deconstruction BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center Deconstruction Anaerobic AnaerobicDigestion BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center Deconstruction Anaerobic AnaerobicDigestion BetterIndustrialDesign Incineration is not sustainable energy!
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center 100’s of “green boxes” Deconstruction Anaerobic AnaerobicDigestion BetterIndustrialDesign
Zero Waste 2020 Education For Sustainability Sustainable Economic development Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Community development Sustainable Energy Sustainable industries & Jobs Sustainable Architecture Composting Research Center Reuse & RepairCenters 100’s of “green boxes” Deconstruction Anaerobic AnaerobicDigestion BetterIndustrialDesign
Arguments against incineration 1) It is NOT sustainable and wastes valuable time 2) It is a waste of energy 3) It wastes the genuine opportunity to fight global warming 4) It a poor economic investment 5) Very few jobs created for the money spent
Arguments against incineration (continued) 6) It is very inflexible and stifles innovation 7) It generates a toxic ash (i.e. it doesn’t get rid of landfills) 8) It produces toxic air emissions 9) Incineration is extremely unpopular with the public 10) There are better alternatives
The modern incinerator is attempting to perfect a bad idea At the industrial level our task in the 21st Century is not to find better ways to destroy discarded materials At the industrial level our task in the 21st Century is not to find better ways to destroy discarded materials But to stop making packaging and products that have to be destroyed! But to stop making packaging and products that have to be destroyed! And at the personal level to search for a lifestyle beyond consumerism And at the personal level to search for a lifestyle beyond consumerism
To fight over-consumption We need to swap a life built around acquiring a series of objects…
To a life built around a series of expanding human relationships
Consume less Enjoy more!
Less money More meaning!
“Make Love, Not War” In the 1960’s
“Make Love, Not Waste” In the 2000’s
“Make Friends, Not Waste” In the 2000’s
A threatened community is a strengthened community if people work together.
EFFECTING CHANGE Is like driving a nail through a piece of wood
EFFECTING CHANGE Experts may sharpen the point
EFFECTING CHANGE Experts may sharpen the point But you need the hammer of public opinion to drive the nail home
Suggestion for Guernsey Stop trying to solve your waste problems with magic machines and consultants from engineering companies Stop trying to solve your waste problems with magic machines and consultants from engineering companies Set up a joint task force (Sustainable Guernsey) of local government officials with concerned citizens and look for practical things you can do together Set up a joint task force (Sustainable Guernsey) of local government officials with concerned citizens and look for practical things you can do together
Three final messages 1. To citizens - don’t let the experts take your common sense away 1. To citizens - don’t let the experts take your common sense away 2. To politicians - put your faith back in people 2. To politicians - put your faith back in people 3. To activists - 3. To activists - HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!