1. Presented at the June 27th, 2009 4th Annual Cool Cities Workshop, Annapolis, MD By: Heeral Bhalala Institute for Local Self-Reliance www.ilsr.org Compostings Role in Reducing Our Emissions

2. Wasting Trend in U.S.

3. U.S. Municipal Waste Disposed Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm) 169.2 million tons in 2007

4. Zero Waste Path

5. Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of total Total 2007 = 7,150 teragrams CO 2 equiv.

6. CO 2 Methane - 100 year time horizon, 21 times more potent than CO 2 Methane - 20 yrs, 72 times more potent The Global Warming Potential Concept

7. Landfill Greenhouse Gas Emissions, % of total, 20 year time span Total 2007 = 7,150 teragrams CO2 equiv.

8. A Call to Action! Implement zero waste targets and plans. Stop disposing organic materials – COMPOST! Pursue recycling-based local economic development. Make manufacturers responsible for their products. Regulate single-use plastics. Reduce junk mail. Buy recycled. Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees.

9. Top Ten: Why Compost? 10. Create black gold 9. Protect and revitalize soil 8. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

10. Organics Diversion: Core Climate Protection Strategy Prevents landfill methane emissions Stores carbon Improves soils ability to store carbon Substitutes for energy-intensive fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides Improves plant growth, and thus carbon sequestration Reduces energy use for irrigation Anaerobic digestion offsets fossil fuel consumption

11. Top Ten: Why Compost? 10. Create black gold 9. Protect and revitalize soil 8. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 7. Proven technology 6. Many successful models

12. Composting, lots of models

13. Royersford, PA

14. Composting & Recycling Collection System Designed for High Diversion Recycled Paper 21% Glass and Plastic Bottles Aluminum and Steel Cans 5% Construction and Demolition Waste 25% Other 15% Food Scraps 20% Yard Trimmings 5% Compostable Paper 10% Courtesy of City of San Francisco

15. San Francisco, CA Recologys Jepsen Prairie Organics Regional Composting Facility Courtesy of City of San Francisco

16. Seattle, Washington Cedar Grove Composting

17. Olney, MD Pogo Organics

18. Toronto

19. Top Ten: Why Compost? 5. Save money on solid waste management 4. Increase diversion levels

20. Composting Key to High Diversion

21. Top Ten: Why Compost? 5. Save money on solid waste management 4. Increase diversion levels 3. Take advantage of growing markets

22. Compost Applications landscape and nursery agricultural and horticultural vegetable and flower gardens tree and shrub planting sod production and roadside projects wetlands creation soil remediation and land reclamation sports fields and golf courses sediment and erosion control

23. Top Ten: Why Compost? 5. Save money on solid waste management 4. Increase diversion levels 3. Take advantage of growing markets 2. Promote the local and regional economy

24. Composting = Local Organics do not ship well Composting is small-scale Compost products are used locally Jobs are local Dollars circulate within local economies Local = good for local economies Organics do not ship well Composting is small-scale Compost products are used locally Jobs are local Dollars circulate within local economies Local = good for local economies

25. Top Ten: Why Compost? 5. Save money on solid waste management 4. Increase diversion levels 3. Take advantage of growing markets 2. Promote the local and regional economy 1. Increase your sex appeal

27. CONTACT Heeral Bhalala hbhalala@ilsr.org www.ilsr.org www.sustainableplastics.org