charting vermonts course to waste prevention: trends in waste generation and composition natalie...

Charting Vermont’s Course Charting Vermont’s Course to Waste Prevention:to Waste Prevention:

Trends in Waste Generation Trends in Waste Generation and Compositionand Composition

Natalie Starr and Ted SieglerNatalie Starr and Ted Siegler

DSM Environmental Services, DSM Environmental Services, Inc.Inc.

www.DSMEnvironmental.comwww.DSMEnvironmental.com

DSM Environmental Services, Ascutney, VT

What is Waste Prevention?What is Waste Prevention?

►Waste “represents a stream of distinct Waste “represents a stream of distinct products and materials we use products and materials we use everyday as individual and everyday as individual and institutional consumers”institutional consumers”

►One common definition of “Waste One common definition of “Waste Prevention” is “the design, Prevention” is “the design, manufacture, purchase or use of manufacture, purchase or use of materials that reduces the amount and materials that reduces the amount and toxicity of waste generated.”toxicity of waste generated.”


The Problem With this The Problem With this DefinitionDefinition

►Assumes that we, as a society, will Assumes that we, as a society, will continue to consume the materials and continue to consume the materials and products at the same rateproducts at the same rate

►That is one of the reasons that we feel That is one of the reasons that we feel good about recycling!good about recycling!


Positive Feedback Loop Positive Feedback Loop of Recycling of Recycling

Purchase and

Consume

Generate Waste

Recycle(Recycled Content)


Are we promoting feel good purchasing?


We All Know The NumbersWe All Know The Numbers

►According to the US EPA, the average According to the US EPA, the average person generates about 4.5 pounds of person generates about 4.5 pounds of municipal solid waste every daymunicipal solid waste every day

►And the average continues to grow And the average continues to grow despite significant light weighting of despite significant light weighting of many products and packagesmany products and packages

►And that is just municipal solid waste And that is just municipal solid waste from consumption looking forwardfrom consumption looking forward


Sustainable Dartmouth?


What if we What if we were were

responsible responsible for all the for all the waste that waste that

our our lifestyle lifestyle represents?represents?


The Answer Is Simple:The Answer Is Simple:We’d Use Less StuffWe’d Use Less Stuff


Our Economy Has Depended on Our Economy Has Depended on Growth in ConsumptionGrowth in Consumption

►We measure GDP – all about growthWe measure GDP – all about growth►Economic growth translates to waste Economic growth translates to waste

growthgrowth►All indicators are that we consume All indicators are that we consume

more, not lessmore, not less


Americans Consistently Americans Consistently Use Gains in Efficiency Use Gains in Efficiency

to Increase Consumptionto Increase Consumption


A Few ExamplesA Few Examples

► ““Honda Motor Company has increased fuel Honda Motor Company has increased fuel efficiency 1.5% per year since 1987, but efficiency 1.5% per year since 1987, but allall of this has been used to increase other of this has been used to increase other attributes more highly valued by attributes more highly valued by consumers”:consumers”: Performance (speed)Performance (speed) Comfort (air conditioning, size, electronics)Comfort (air conditioning, size, electronics) Utility (size)Utility (size) SafetySafetySource: Climate Change: Near Term Actions and Strategies, John German, Source: Climate Change: Near Term Actions and Strategies, John German,

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., May 5, 2006American Honda Motor Co., Inc., May 5, 2006


More ImportantlyMore Importantly

Vehicle Miles Driven, US

2,300,000

2,350,000

2,400,000

2,450,000

2,500,000

2,550,000

2,600,000

2,650,000

2,700,000

2,750,000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Millio

n M

iles D

riven


Similar Gains In Efficiency Have Similar Gains In Efficiency Have Occurred In Home ConstructionOccurred In Home Construction

►More efficient use of materialsMore efficient use of materials

►Higher insulation valuesHigher insulation values

►More efficient heating and cooling More efficient heating and cooling systemssystems


The ResultThe Result

Average Square Footage Of New Single Family Homes

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1950 1970 1990 2004

Sq

uar

e F

eet


How Do We Compare?How Do We Compare?

► American homes are on average double the size American homes are on average double the size of those in other richest nationsof those in other richest nations

► Homes in 2002 required 890 ftHomes in 2002 required 890 ft22 per person of per person of materials as opposed to 290 ftmaterials as opposed to 290 ft22 in 1950 in 1950

► Study found 1500 sq ft home with relatively poor Study found 1500 sq ft home with relatively poor insulation characteristics still outperformed the insulation characteristics still outperformed the 3000 ft3000 ft2 2 home with good insulation home with good insulation characteristics. characteristics.

Sources: Sources: House Size MattersHouse Size Matters, Michael Horowitz, VBSR., Michael Horowitz, VBSR.Small is Beautiful: U.S. House Size, Resource Use, and Small is Beautiful: U.S. House Size, Resource Use, and

the Environmentthe Environment, Alex Wilson and Jessica Boehland. , Alex Wilson and Jessica Boehland.


What about Waste What about Waste Generation? Generation?

►Vermont’s 1989 Solid Waste Vermont’s 1989 Solid Waste Management Plan states:Management Plan states:

““We assume that during the next 13 We assume that during the next 13 years efforts by the State and regions years efforts by the State and regions resulting from Act 78, together with resulting from Act 78, together with increasing disposal costs, will stop increasing disposal costs, will stop increases in per capita generation increases in per capita generation

rates.”rates.”


Where Are We in Where Are We in Vermont 18 Years Vermont 18 Years

Later?Later?


MSW Disposed: Vermont vs. USMSW Disposed: Vermont vs. US(Thousands of tons per year)(Thousands of tons per year)


Trends in Per Capita GenerationTrends in Per Capita Generation


Per Capita Diversion and Per Capita Diversion and Disposal:Disposal:

Vermont and USVermont and US


Per Capita Diversion and Per Capita Diversion and Disposal:Disposal:

CSWD and VermontCSWD and Vermont


Previous Graphs Ignore C&D Previous Graphs Ignore C&D WasteWaste

►Add another 1 lb per capita per day to Add another 1 lb per capita per day to Vermont’s wasteVermont’s waste

►Add another 1.5 lbs per capita per day Add another 1.5 lbs per capita per day to CSWD wasteto CSWD waste

►C&D waste often includes bulky waste C&D waste often includes bulky waste masking actual growth in residential masking actual growth in residential and commercial wasteand commercial waste

►EPA estimated 2.75 lb per cap in 1996EPA estimated 2.75 lb per cap in 1996


Oregon Per Capita Waste Oregon Per Capita Waste GenerationGeneration

(Including C&D waste, Oregon DEQ)(Including C&D waste, Oregon DEQ)


Is the Green State of Vermont Is the Green State of Vermont Worse than the US Average?Worse than the US Average?

►Maybe, but we are skeptical of US EPA Maybe, but we are skeptical of US EPA (Franklin) data, especially when used (Franklin) data, especially when used at the State levelat the State level

►Our recent data from the State of Our recent data from the State of Delaware shows large discrepancies, Delaware shows large discrepancies, especially in critical materialsespecially in critical materials


Delaware ComparisonDelaware Comparison

►35% less corrugated recycled than 35% less corrugated recycled than reported by Franklinreported by Franklin

►10 10 timestimes more non-bottle plastic than more non-bottle plastic than reported by Franklinreported by Franklin

►4 4 timestimes more pallets recycled than more pallets recycled than reported by Franklinreported by Franklin

►Franklin’s estimates for asphalt and Franklin’s estimates for asphalt and concrete generation only 35% of what concrete generation only 35% of what we foundwe found


Vermont’s Waste CompositionVermont’s Waste Composition

►DSM conducted Vermont’s only DSM conducted Vermont’s only Waste Composition Study for DEC in Waste Composition Study for DEC in 20012001

►Sorted Residential and Commercial Sorted Residential and Commercial WasteWaste Urban/suburban and rural generatorsUrban/suburban and rural generators Commercial waste by sectorCommercial waste by sector


Commercial Waste By SectorCommercial Waste By Sector(Range % by weight)(Range % by weight)


Residential WasteResidential Waste(% by weight)(% by weight)


More Importantly, What Are The More Importantly, What Are The Trends in Waste Composition?Trends in Waste Composition?

► Package light-weighting continuesPackage light-weighting continues First thin walled cans, bottles and containersFirst thin walled cans, bottles and containers Flexible package replaces rigid one (milk sacks, boxed Flexible package replaces rigid one (milk sacks, boxed

wine)wine) Substitution of plastic and aseptic for glassSubstitution of plastic and aseptic for glass Substitution of boxboard for steel cansSubstitution of boxboard for steel cans

► Light-weighting of durablesLight-weighting of durables Less ferrous metal per applianceLess ferrous metal per appliance Substitution of plastics and composites for metal and Substitution of plastics and composites for metal and

wood in electronicswood in electronics

► Change in location of waste generation Change in location of waste generation More food prepared at restaurants, less organic waste at More food prepared at restaurants, less organic waste at

homehome


Plastic Plastic Volume Volume Is IncreasingIs Increasing

EPA reports plastic was 16.4% of discards by EPA reports plastic was 16.4% of discards by weight in 2005 (0.5% in 1960 and 5% in weight in 2005 (0.5% in 1960 and 5% in 1980)1980)

Recent study in Israel found plastics made up Recent study in Israel found plastics made up largest volume (nearly half at 46%) of largest volume (nearly half at 46%) of material by into landfills with paper at 15% material by into landfills with paper at 15% and corrugated at 13%and corrugated at 13%

Recent work in South Africa shows significant Recent work in South Africa shows significant differences in the compaction ratios for differences in the compaction ratios for plastic waste in landfills compared to other plastic waste in landfills compared to other materialsmaterials


Special Wastes IncreasingSpecial Wastes Increasing

► Electronics Electronics New gadgetsNew gadgets Obsolete electronics Obsolete electronics Computer and cell phone growthComputer and cell phone growth

► Compact fluorescents (and mercury)Compact fluorescents (and mercury)

► Bulky wastes with shorter product life Bulky wastes with shorter product life Desire for new furniture and appliancesDesire for new furniture and appliances Lower costs and longevity of appliancesLower costs and longevity of appliances


But we are not But we are not seeing Special seeing Special Wastes in our Wastes in our

Waste Composition Waste Composition StudiesStudies


Perhaps Most ImportantlyPerhaps Most Importantly

►Proliferation in niche productsProliferation in niche products An entire isle in the supermarket devoted An entire isle in the supermarket devoted

to paper towels and toilet paperto paper towels and toilet paper An entire isle devoted to bottled waterAn entire isle devoted to bottled water An entire isle devoted to snack foodAn entire isle devoted to snack food

►The result – huge increases in The result – huge increases in supermarket square footage and supermarket square footage and attendant carbon footprintattendant carbon footprint

►Heating, cooling, lightingHeating, cooling, lighting


Waste and Carbon EmissionsWaste and Carbon Emissions

►Same struggle we face with reducing Same struggle we face with reducing carbon outputcarbon output Kyoto – cars increased from 1.3 to 2 Kyoto – cars increased from 1.3 to 2

million from 1990 - 2002million from 1990 - 2002 Result growth in carbon 8% since 1990Result growth in carbon 8% since 1990

►American citizen averages 21 tons CE American citizen averages 21 tons CE per year vs. 4.5 average globallyper year vs. 4.5 average globally 4.5 tons for car, 6.2 for hh electricity use4.5 tons for car, 6.2 for hh electricity use US totals 6 billion tons of 25 billion US totals 6 billion tons of 25 billion

globallyglobally


Price SignalsPrice Signals

►Value of RecyclablesValue of Recyclables We believe that material prices will continue to We believe that material prices will continue to

trend upward resulting in more recyclingtrend upward resulting in more recycling►Disposal tip fees rising, but not enough to Disposal tip fees rising, but not enough to

encourage waste reductionencourage waste reduction►Disposal costs represent only about 30% Disposal costs represent only about 30%

of a PAYT bag rate of $1.50 - $2.50of a PAYT bag rate of $1.50 - $2.50 Collection/transport a large part of cost (and Collection/transport a large part of cost (and

main contribution to CE in waste industry)main contribution to CE in waste industry)


Charting the Course:Charting the Course:What should we be measuring?What should we be measuring?

►Volume vs. weight? Volume vs. weight? Per capita disposal may not be increasing Per capita disposal may not be increasing

by weight but by volumeby weight but by volume Landfill costs based on volume available – Landfill costs based on volume available –

volume charges send different price signal volume charges send different price signal

►Recovery rates instead of recycling Recovery rates instead of recycling rates?rates?


What Do We Target?What Do We Target?

►Materials (Producers)Materials (Producers)►GeneratorsGenerators►Behavior Behavior


What Is Baseline Generation?What Is Baseline Generation?

► Include materials recycling?Include materials recycling?►What should we count in disposal What should we count in disposal

With or without C&DWith or without C&D Bulky waste accurately accountedBulky waste accurately accounted

►Exclude practices such as:Exclude practices such as: Backyard compostingBackyard composting Grass clippings left on lawnGrass clippings left on lawn


What about all Other Wastes?What about all Other Wastes?(Washington Dept. of Ecology)(Washington Dept. of Ecology)


Linking waste reduction Linking waste reduction with carbon reduction strategies with carbon reduction strategies

begins to address the entire begins to address the entire wasteshed!wasteshed!


Our Suggestions for Waste Our Suggestions for Waste Prevention TrackingPrevention Tracking

►Consider volumeConsider volume► Include C&D wasteInclude C&D waste

Disaggregate bulky waste and count itDisaggregate bulky waste and count it

►Don’t rely on US EPA dataDon’t rely on US EPA data►Collect capture/recovery rate dataCollect capture/recovery rate data►Send strong economic signalsSend strong economic signals

i.e. PAYTi.e. PAYT


Most ImportantlyMost Importantly

►Use Less Stuff Use Less Stuff ►Recognize the best things in life Recognize the best things in life

aren’t things!aren’t things!►Enough is enough!Enough is enough!

charting vermonts course to waste prevention: trends in waste generation and composition natalie...

Documents

waste generation

toxicity of waste

consumption slide

waste growth economic

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institutional consumers

vt americans

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