Beyond Collection: Washington State’s Beyond Waste Strategy for Reducing Hazardous Materials and Wastes Cheryl Smith Washington State Dept of Ecology NAHMMA Conference September 23, 2005

What is the Beyond Waste Project? 30-year statewide plan for   Decreasing solid and hazardous wastes   Increasing recycling and reuse   Reducing the use of toxic substances   Properly managing those wastes that remain

Five Myths √ If a product is on the shelf, it is safe √ Existing laws and regulations provide adequate protection from toxics √ Landfills solve the waste problem √ Recycling solves the waste problem √ Eliminating waste and toxics will be bad for the economy

State Law Priorities Solid Waste Priorities Waste reduction Recycling (source separated) Then, Disposal Hazardous Waste Priorities Waste reduction Recycling Treatment (physical, chemical, biological) Incineration Solidification/stabilization treatment Landfill

PERCENT OF EXTRACTED MATERIALS WASTED 94% 99% Extraction

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

Portions of waste stream INDUSTRIES: 1.1 million tons solid waste 0.2 million tons haz waste 16,000 tons of toxic chemicals HAZ WASTES FROM HOUSEHOLDS AND SMALL GENERATOR BUSINESSES (MRW) HHW estimated 1% of MSW by volume SQG estimate=???

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

Strategies   Align signals & resources   Find levers   Look “upstream”   Measure progress regularly

Beyond Collection…   Existing system is not sustainable   We have not yet created the system that will sustain us into the future   Beyond Waste lays out long-term goals for MRW that mean moving beyond collection

  Safer Products and Services: Most threats to human health and the environment have been eliminated by minimizing chemical hazards associated with the life cycles of products and services.

  Efficient Materials Management: Reuse and recycling are optimized for any remaining hazardous materials still in use as a collaborative system has been developed for safely and responsibly managing hazardous materials.

  Greater Economic Vitality: Economic sectors in Washington thrive in the domestic and global marketplace as hazardous materials are systematically eliminated from products and services. Consumer confidence has increased, risks and liabilities have decreased, and costs for managing wastes are reduced.

MRW---In 5 Years   Product stewardship programs for paint and electronics   Environmentally preferable purchasing for several classes of products   Sales of mercury-containing products will decrease

MRW 5-Yr Actions   Focus on Priority substances & Products First   State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing   Product Stewardship efforts   Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount   Full implementation of MRW Plans

Priority Products & Substances   For first 5 years: Mercury Electronics PBDE Paints Selected Pesticides AND, determine future priorities Don’t try to do it all at once!

MRW 5-Yr Actions   Focus on Priority substances & Products First   State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing   Product Stewardship efforts   Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount   Full implementation of MRW Plans

Govt Environmentally Preferable Purchasing   State govt EPP in the following areas: Automotive products and vehicles Grounds maintenance Electronic products Building materials Cleaning products Products with flame retardants

MRW 5-Yr Actions   Focus on Priority substances & Products First   State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing   Product Stewardship efforts   Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount   Full implementation of MRW Plans

Product Stewardship Efforts   Electronics product stewardship infrastructure   Paint product stewardship infrastructure   Take-back system for banned pesticides (non- ag)   Support legislation requiring mfrs of mercury- containing products to fund a collection & recycling infrastructure

MRW 5-Yr Actions   Focus on Priority substances & Products First   State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing   Product Stewardship efforts   Evaluate regulatory framework for long- term---base standards on risk, not amount   Full implementation of MRW Plans

Evaluate Regulatory Framework Develop long-term proposal to revise state laws and regs in 3 areas: Graduated regulatory system based less on quantity and more on risk factors Comprehensive regulatory system that removes barriers and provides incentives to reduce risk factors Shift from waste-based focus to hazardous substance use and handling

MRW 5-Yr Actions   Focus on Priority substances & Products First   State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing   Product Stewardship efforts   Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term--- base standards on risk, not amount   Full implementation of MRW Plans

Implementation of Local MRW Plans   Develop strategy to update any out-of-date plans   Project future infrastructure needs in line with closed-loop recycling system   Provide assistance with plan update and implementation