NEW RULES NEEDED TO GET TO ZERO WASTE

R.V. Anthony

Richard Anthony Associates,

San Diego, California

GRRN Recycling and Zero Waste Conference

Devens, Massachusetts

October 18 -20 2009

1 Million Tons of Discards Sorted into 12 Market Categories. Note: Half of the Pie is Organic Material Suitable for Composting

Chemicals 0% Metals

6% Glass3%

Ceramics2%

Paper37%

Wood4%

Soils1%

Putrescibles19%

Plant Debris10%

Textiles4%

Polymers11%

Reuse3%

Revenue and Job Potential from 1,000,000 Tons of Discarded Material

Clean DozenSM

Master CategoriesJobs Tons

per YearMarket Price

$/T (est.)

Total Value of Discards ($)

1. Reuse 350 28,000 550 15,400,000

2. Paper 65 370,000 20 7,400,000

3. Plant Trimmings 30 100,000 7 700,000

4. Putrescibles 85 190,000 7 1,330,000

5. Wood 24 40,000 4 320,000

6. Ceramics 7 20,000 4 80,000

7. Soils 20 10,000 7 70,000

8. Metals 35 60,000 40 2,400,000

9. Glass 75 30,000 10 300,000

10. Polymers 1,020 110,000 100 11,000,000

11. Textiles 340 40,000 100 4,000,000

12. Chemicals 4 2,000 15 30,000

Total 2,055 1,000,000 43,030,000

RESOURCE RECOVERY PARK

LANDFILL AND TRANSFER STATIONS CAN BE REDESIGNED INTO RESOURCE RECOVERY PARKS, With:“RE-STORES”; MRFS , ORGANIC MATERIAL AND ROCK GRINDING AREAS

LOCAL ORDINANCES AND NEW RULES:

1.Require construction and demolition reuse and recycling plans;

2.Require separation at the source by the generator, of designated organics, reusable and recyclables (haulers Required to provide recycling services as a condition of their County permit);

3.Require Retailer take-back of non-recyclable, reusable or compostable products and materials

4.Local Planning and Zero Waste Plans.5.Target compostable organics out of landfill. 6.Fund training and social marketing programs

REQUIRE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION REUSE AND RECYCLING PLANS;

• Require all permits to have a plan and meet Reuse and Recycling targets

REQUIRE SOURCE SEPARATION AND SEPARATE COLLECTION OF DESIGNATED ORGANICS, RECYCLABLES AND REUSUABLES• Available and convenient opportunities

TAKE BACK ORDINANCESRequire Retailers to take back discards after use.Include: Sharps, pharmaceuticals, mercury batteries , paint, florescent lights and non recyclable and compostable products

Local PlanningRequire organics to be managed as an agricultural

commodity?– Reduce landfill pollution and long term maintenance

costs– Create sustainable local agriculture– Conserve energy and water

COMPOSTABLE ORGANICS OUT OF THE LANDFILL AND BACK TO THE SOIL COOL2012.0RG

Compost:• Sequesters carbon in the soil• Suppresses diseases and pests • Reduces or eliminates the need for

chemical fertilizers • Promotes higher yields of agricultural

crops • Improves soil structure, water holding

capacity and erosion control, drainage and permeability

• Buffers soil acidity and much more!

Feed Local Soils: Support local farmers and sustainable food production with community composting infrastructure.

Photo courtesy Washington State University

FUND TRAINING AND SOCIAL MARKETING PROGRAMS FROM

THE WASTING FEE

1.Train the trainers; technicians; and the people

2.Research and Data Banks3.Develop full signage4.Initiate social marketing programs

Rules of Engagement

• Mandatory source separation• Mandatory C&D debris recovery• Ban disposal of organics• Product and material stewardship• Zero waste policy for communities

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Our Resources Are Not Infinite