Building Zero Waste Communities Tools to take home Rob Howe Sustainnovation Consult ing October 20, 2009 National Zero Waste Recycling Conference

Principles of Sustainability 1.What we take from the earth – Minerals, metals, natural resources – Fossil fuels 2.What we make from the earth – Pesticides, plastics, chemicals 3.What we do to the earth – Alter eco systems and reduce living species 4.Meeting fundamental needs – Food, shelter, clothing - basic human needs 1.What we take from the earth – Minerals, metals, natural resources – Fossil fuels 2.What we make from the earth – Pesticides, plastics, chemicals 3.What we do to the earth – Alter eco systems and reduce living species 4.Meeting fundamental needs – Food, shelter, clothing - basic human needs The Natural Step

Life Cycle Analysis “Hidden History” case study 1 ton of finished product comes from 71 tons of energy and materials to produce The Myth of “Away” Source: Gary Liss & Associates, Natural Capitalism, Lean Thinking, Womack and Jones, google images

Islands of Plastic Sources: Across the Pacific Ocean, Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere, CHARLES MOORE / Natural History v.112, n.9, Nov03. Kathy Marks and Daniel Howden, The Independent, Tuesday, 5 February Google images,

Definition of Zero Waste Zero Waste is a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. Source:

What does Zero Waste mean? "If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production. The goal is to combine aggressive resource recovery and industrial redesign to eliminate the very concept of waste. Eventually, the community’s resource-use system will emulate natural cyclical processes, where no waste exists." Source: Martin Bourque, Berkeley, CA Ecology Action at the GRRN Zero Waste Conference in NYC in 2005

Urban Environmental Accords United Nations Environment Program Establish a policy to achieve zero waste to landfills and incinerators by Adopt a citywide law that reduces the use of a disposable, toxic, or non-renewable product category by at least fifty percent in seven years. Implement "user-friendly" recycling and composting programs, with the goal of reducing by twenty percent per capita solid waste disposal to landfill and incineration in seven years. Source:

Product Stewardship through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Voluntary product design changes: Design for Environment Biomimicry Industrial Ecology GOAL ZERO WASTE In response to legislation : Home Appliance Recycling Law (Japan) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (Europe) Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (Europe) End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (Europe) Source: Product change resulting from EPR, Pledger, L.,

Current Waste Reduction Programs Recycle on the Go Electronics Take Back Beverage Take Back Clean Car Campaign Mercury Policy Project Clean Production Action COOL 2012 Campaign

City of Austin, TX Achieve UN Urban Environmental Accords Goals – Reduce per capita solid waste disposal to landfills by 20% by 2012 – Zero Waste by 2040 = waste reduction of 90% sent to landfills Lead by example Commercial and Multi-family Recycling regulations Conduct extensive outreach Focus on Composting enDistrict400.swf enDistrict400.swf Source::

Zero Waste Communities Austin, TX Alaminos City, Philippines Canberra, Australia New Zealand – with over 66% of NZ Cities Buenos Aires, Argentina Seattle, WA Boulder, CO Central Vermont Waste Mgt. District San Luis Obispo, CA Fresno, CA San Francisco, CA Del Norte County CA Oakland, CA Santa Cruz County, CA Berkeley, CA Palo Alto, CA Marin County Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Halifax, Nova Scotia Toronto, Ontario Nelson, British Columbia and other Regional Districts Source:

EPA Record-setting Recycling Programs Compost Yard trimmings Target a wide range of materials Require resident participation Institute economic incentives Design programs for convenience Source:

Setting up a Recycling Program Step 1 – Identify funding at community or state level Step 2 – Select a Recycling Coordinator Step 3 – Determine the Waste Stream Step 4 – Practice Waste Prevention Step 5 – Include Concessionaires, Staff, Volunteers Step 6 – Select a contractor/hauler Step 7 – Establish a collection program Step 8 – Facilitate Outreach and Education Step 9 – Monitor and Evaluate the program Source:

References to help you make Zero Waste a reality Who What Web link Zero Waste International AllianceZero Waste Resourceshttp:// GRRNZero Waste Resourceshttp:// GAIAZero Waste for Zero Warminghttp:// ZERIZero Emissions Research Initiativeshttp:// Eco-cycleZero Waste Resourceshttp:// Earth Resource FoundationZero Waste Business Conferenceshttp://earthresource.org ILSRStop Trashing the Climate Reporthttp:// Zero Waste CommunitiesList of ZW Communitieshttp:// ZW Business PrinciplesZW Business Principleshttp://zeroheroes.biz Zero Waste San DiegoCity websitehttp://zerowastesandiego.org/ Zero Waste British ColumbiaRecycling Council of BChttp:// Zero Waste New York City NYC ZW program Zero Waste BusinessesZW reference list References for Climate Change and Recycling Who What Web link U.S. EPAClimate change and environment Earth 911 Environmental and recycling info Environmental Literacy Council Climate and environment infohttp:// IPCC Climate changehttp:// Nat Resources Defense CouncilEnvironmental info and resources Stopglobalwarming.org Climate change, global warminghttp:// UN Environment ProgramClimate change and environment World Health Organization Climate change and environment World Resources InstituteClimate change and environmenthttp:// Pew Center for Climate Change Info-conservation and environment

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“Every choice we make creates the world we live in” -Phyllis Ballata