1. 1 1 The Port of Virginia Trash Free Water Projects at U.S. Port January 20, 2015 Heather Wood Director, Sustainability

2. 2 2 U.S. Trash Free Waters Pilot Projects In collaboration with U.S. EPA, port tenants and community stakeholders, Ports are working to address the universal issue of trash, litter and debris and to prevent it from reaching our waterways.

3. 3 3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Trash Free Waters Program A strategic approach to reduce trash in aquatic ecosystems 3 EPA Goal Statement: Significantly reduce the amount of trash entering U.S. water bodies and the ocean through actions taken by government (at all levels), the business community, and individual citizens, approaching zero loadings of trash into aquatic ecosystems within 10 years.

4. 4 4 Aquatic Trash Marine Impacts from Land Sources 4 Growing Attention and Momentum for Action: International – State Dept. ‘One Ocean’ conference highlighted the growing marine trash problem; White House follow-up seeks a comprehensive Federal role; UNEP interest in EPA playing a leadership role on land-based prevention strategies and serving as a model for other nations. Public opinion – Recent press and public attention on marine trash, especially microplastics. EPA programs – EPA Administrator endorsement of Trash Free Waters; strong HQ and regional office involvement with the issue; tie in geographic programs (e.g., Urban Waters, National Estuaries). States & cities – Strong interest in TFWater strategies that address land-based trash reduction goals. Private sector – Increased corporate interest in public/private partnerships for trash prevention. Trash Free Seas Alliance – Ocean Conservancy initiative for global business responsibility. Approximately 80% of aquatic trash comes from land-based sources. Plastic is estimated to make up 60-80% of ocean trash. Highly durable plastic containers and packaging are used for short-term, single-use purposes. Plastic aquatic trash appears to be a vector for the transfer of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic chemicals from the water to the food web, increasing risk to all animals in the marine food web, including humans.

5. 5 5 EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program A strategic approach to reduce trash and debris in U.S. aquatic ecosystems 5 National Projects Address Essential Leverage Points Identified by Stakeholders: Calculating the direct and indirect costs of trash to society. Assessing ecological and human health effects from microplastics in the marine food chain. Exploring public/private partnerships for litter prevention and behavior modification. Defining credible metrics to assess the success of aquatic trash reduction programs. Regional Strategies Enhance State and Local Trash Prevention Programs: Serve as catalyst/facilitator of strategic planning. Consult with government, business, NGO, and citizen stakeholders. Identify collective actions that enhance trash prevention “drivers” and remove “barriers.” Facilitate project implementation. Measure results. California/Pacific Islands – Mature aquatic trash/marine debris program led by EPA Region 9. Mid-Atlantic (VA/MD/DE) – Implementing “great practices” tool and municipal partnership pilots. Gulf of Mexico – Scoping effort identified “value-add” projects; possible RESTORE funding. Puerto Rico – New TFW initiative tied to R2 solid waste reduction program and San Juan NEP. Mid-Atlantic (NY/NJ) – New planning dialogue underway.

6. 6 6 Evaluation & Monitoring Technology & Innovation Outreach & Education Policy & Enforcement Cleanup Strategies INTENSIVE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS FOCUSED ON FEASIBLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

7. 7 7 Environmental management Systems Solid Waste Master Planning – Operations and Maintenance associates Field Observations and Interview Watching the gates – observing the operation and behaviors Labor requirements/jurisdictions within the terminal – areas they maintain versus areas they don’t Activity Areas – Parking areas, breakrooms, paths to work locations, employee transport vehicles. Strategies for Evaluation and Monitoring

8. 8 8 Technology and Innovation

9. 9 9 Standards for New Storm Drain Grates Must maintain current weight loading standards Must allow for adequate flow of stormwater Hole size must be smaller than 2” square; 1.25” width maximum if rectangular slots Standards based on Research from current drain grates available foundry catalogs Measurements of common waste items that currently pass through grates on CHT

10. 10 Outreach & Education: What works? What we have: 1.Traffic signs 2.Stencils 3.Drain markers 4.AM Radio 5.Port Record 6.Award Incentives Other strategies? 1.Banners 2.Flyers 3.Branded cans 4.Warning tickets? 5.What else?

11. 11 Outreach & Education: what works? What we have: 1.Traffic signs 2.Stencils 3.Drain markers 4.AM Radio 5.Port Record 6.Award Incentives Other strategies? 1.Banners 2.Flyers 3.Branded cans 4.Warning tickets? 5.What else? A Global Reach, A Greener Future

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13. 13 Communications Strategies Goals: increase “water literacy” and change behavior at the Port and beyond. Audience: 1) Port users, tenants, operators and stakeholders, 2) Publicly accessible port locations 3) Link to community outreach efforts Media: Banners, trash can signage, print and social media. Key messaging: Port is a public asset, so are our waterways. Ownership is collective – take pride and responsibility.

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15. 15 Fleet bumper stickers Truck mud flaps Safety vest printing Launch with focus on enforcement and peer to peer communications Fleet bumper stickers Truck mud flaps Safety vest printing Launch with focus on enforcement and peer to peer communications Port user, tenant and stakeholder input: Local, Direct and Simple

16. 16 Storm Drain Community Art Installation Program Proposal Emily A. Federer Environmental Scientist Port of New Orleans 504.528.3344 office 504.710.3128 cell

17. 17 Tuesday, March 31, 201517

18. 18 Tuesday, March 31, 201518

19. 19 Policy and Enforcement 1.Holistic approach to land-based and water-based litter and debris 2.Embraces the vision of Trash Free Waters 3.Acknowledges existing ordinances and enforcement limitations 4.Relies on community participation and collective efforts 5.Multiple lines of action: technologies, prevention, communications, and behavioral changes 6.Feasible and replicable

20. 20 Discussion & Questions: How can TFW benefit other ports, partners and customers? Catalogue of strategies In depth case studies A programmatic framework Pilot testing technology