1. TESC 211 The Science of Environmental Sustainability Autumn Quarter 2011 UWT

2. In natural systems the waste of one organism is used as the nutrients for others. Detritus feeders (decomposers) In comparison how do Humans tend to operate the systems they create?

3. Traditionally industry has operated in a linear fashion: Product Waste is produced during product manufacture, use and at the products “end of life”. This an example of “open system”. ResourcesUseDisposal Waste

4. Can anyone think of any programs directed at the recycling of gases? What about their storage? Can anyone think of any programs directed at the recycling of liquids? What about their storage? In many ways solids make easier targets for recycling and storage than liquids or gases.

5. Solid waste may be divided into two broad categories. Municipal solid waste (MSW) Industrial solid waste (includes farm wastes)

6. Waste is classified as toxic or hazardous waste if it presents a danger to human health or the environment. Two important classes of toxic wastes are: “Heavy metals” lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic Toxic “organic compounds” pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, endocrine disruptors

7. Per capita developed countries produce more solid waste than less developed countries. US with 4.6% of World’s population generates ~30% of World’s solid waste. Overwhelmingly, most solid waste is produced by industry: In US 98.5% is industrial solid waste 1.5% municipal solid waste

8. US leads World in municipal waste generation. OECD Environmental Data Compendium: 2002

9. Alternatively, processing to recover valuable components from e-waste may result in release of toxic substances. Burning Use of acids Often this processing is done in less developed countries.

10. Transferring hazardous wastes from more developed to less developed countries is prohibited by the International Basel Convention. Signed by 172 countries US (largest producer of toxic waste in OECD), Haiti and Afghanistan have signed but not ratified the treaty The Basel convention does not address non-hazardous waste

11. What should we do with solid waste? Most analysts believe the best way to deal with solid waste is through “integrated waste management” which includes: Waste reduction Waste management The U.S. National Academy of Sciences suggests a series of priorities for dealing with solid waste.

12. Third Priority Waste Management Treat waste reduce toxicity Incinerate waste Bury waste in landfill Release waste into environment for dispersal and dilution

13. Estimated it is possible to reduce solid waste by 75-90% using these principles. Do you believe this is possible? “the Environment Protection Authority annual report show the rise in recycling cans and bottles, with a return rate of 80.4 per cent compared with 80.1 per cent in the 2009-10 financial year.” Bryan Littlely, Adelaide Advertiser, November 17, 2011

14. Three well known principles of waste reduction: Reduce Reuse Recycle Ways of achieving these principles include: redesigning manufacturing processes we may reduce the amount of energy and resources consumed: e.g. The mass of a typical car has been reduced by ~25% since the 1960’s (also evidence they are lasting longer).

15. If production processes can be modified to reduce waste (e.g. “pollution prevention”) considerable gains in efficiency can be achieved.

16. Waste reduction can be improved by: develop products that are easy to repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost or recycle shift towards the idea of “providing a service” rather than “providing a product” Transportation versus cars Document copying versus copiers

17. Waste reduction can be improved by: Fee-per-bag waste collection Charge per bag for non-recyclable collection As December 2011 Queensland businesses will be levied $35 per ton of non-recyclable waste. Free pick up of recyclables In Curitiba 70% of garbage is recycled under their “garbage that’s not garbage” program.

18. Waste reduction can be improved by: Establishing “cradle-to-grave” responsibility laws Require companies to be responsible for waste through the entirety of a products life cycle (production, use and disposal)

19. Beverage containers make ideal candidates for reuse, especially those made of PET and glass.

20. Many cities and countries have banned single use shopping bags, to encourage the use of reusable bags. Other districts have placed taxes on single use shopping bags.

21. Recycling can be divided into two types: Closed loop recycling materials are recycled to produce products of a similar type e.g. aluminum cans are recycled to produce aluminum cans. Secondary recycling materials are recycled to produce products of a different type e.g. plastic bottles are recycled to produce car bumpers Secondary recycling generally associated with a downgrade in the price per unit mass of the material.

22. 75% of all recyclable wastes are what is known as “pre- consumer waste” produced during manufacturing. The extent of recycling has increased enormously in the US: 1960 6.4% of MSW recycled 2010 25% of MSW recycled No reason to believe 60-75% is not achievable.

23. 75% of all recyclable wastes are what is known as “pre- consumer waste” produced during manufacturing. The extent of recycling has increased enormously in the US: 1960 6.4% of MSW recycled 2010 25% of MSW recycled No reason to believe 60-75% is not achievable.

24. Two options exist for the sorting of MSW Source separation can be encouraged by providing free pick up sorted waste Sorting at centralized “materials recovery facilities” doesn’t require sorting of waste by user dependent upon steady stream of waste to be profitable can expensive to build plants