Zero Waste Approach to Resource ManagementZero Waste SymposiumSteps Toward A Sustainable FutureRichard AnthonyFebruary 2015San Diego, California

Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. Definition of Zero Waste** www.zwia.org/standards.html

Landfills are one of the largest sources of human generated Methane, which is a Greenhouse Gas (GHG)Methane is 21-72x more potent as a green house gas than Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Climate and Zero Waste For Every Ton of Municipal Solid Waste discarded to Landfill, 71 Tons of materials and energy are wasted. Recycling & Composting all discards in California is equal to eliminating the equivalent of all CA auto CO2 emissions

Priula, ItalyPopulation: 500,000 people from a total of 49 municipalitiesPolicy Statement: “To manage waste in a way effective, efficient, economical   ensuring high protection to the environment and man.”Solutions: 1. door to door. 2. information campaigns and education. 3. Paying according to the production of waste, Key strategies: Priula has adopted a Zero Waste Strategy.Current diversion: 83.5% Collection system: Materials are collected door to door for paper and cardboard, glass, plastic packaging, metallic packaging, organic (kitchen waste), vegetable, residual unsorted waste.

Cost: The typical annual household , is $152.54 EurosFacilities: recycling center, transfer stations, and a composting facility.Public education: A magazine, education directed at elementary and middle schools, involving: Students, Teachers, and Staff.

South Australia, Australia: 1.6 million peoplePolicy:... legislation created Zero Waste SA Goal : The Goal of Zero Waste is linked to reducing the impacts of climate … Current diversion: Over 70% recycled

Program: To avoid or reduce the amount of overall waste; and maximize the useful life of materials by making them last longer through re-use and recycling.” Capture rate: 70% - 90% by 2015.$/ton cost and base: The Waste to Resources Fund is made up primarily of 50% of the levy paid by waste depot license holders under the Environment Protection Act 1993. The solid waste fee in Adelaide is $42 a ton.Public education: “The recently established Zero Waste SA Research,”

Vancouver, Canada  Vancouver, BC, Canada: 603,502 Policy Statement: “Sending recyclable or compostable materials to the landfill or incinerator increases climate-altering greenhouse gases. At the same time, throwing away reusable materials means we need to continue mining and harvesting more raw materials from the planet. A zero waste future is not only possible, it’s also critical to solving today’s climate crisis and other environmental challenges. Target: Reduce Solid Waste going to the landfill or incinerator by 50% from 2008 levels.

Priority: “Collect all compostables …and food scraps; develop education and enforcement programs; develop multi-family food scraps diversion strategy,$/ton cost: The disposal rate is $107.00 per ton   

San Francisco Zero Waste StrategyJack MacyZero Waste Program Department of the Environment City and County of San Francisco

Zero Waste Goal and Metrics75% diversion by 2010 and Zero Waste to landfill or incineration by 2020 Highest and Best Use: Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (compost/anaerobic digestion) Producer and Consumer Responsibility80% diversion in 2010Landfilling halved in 10 years to least on record

Highest and Best Use Food Example

Source Separated Recyclables and Compostables Collection For Highest and Best DiversionRecyclable Paper25%Glass and PlasticAluminum and Steel 5%Construction andDemolition Waste25%Other 10%All % numbers by weight or tonsFood Scraps20%Plant Trimmings5%Compostable Paper& Fiber 10%

What’s Left for Landfill

City Department & Commercial AssistanceMonitoring Multi-lingual trainingWaste auditsPresentationsContainers, Signs and Stickers

Back-of-the-House 3 Stream Color-coded Sorting

Burger Kings’ Custom Front-of-the-House Signage

Event Collection – Signage, Monitoring, Sorting

On-going Outreach Campaigns

Zero Waste Requires Many Sectors to Work TogetherPrivate Haulers and Material Processors:Collecting & Recycling Multi-Family and Commercial DiscardsMayor & City Council:Policy DirectionEnvironmental Services:Residential Collection, Landfill & Greenery, Enforcement, Education & Outreach,Planning & ImplementationBusinesses:Green product design,Reduced packaging,Waste reduction,Increased recyclingConsumers:Product decisions,Reuse & donate,Waste reduction,Increased recyclingNon-Profits:Thrift/Charity Donations,Reuse & Distribution,Community Outreach

Discards Sorted into the 12 Market Categories

Collection of DiscardsPaper and Containers/Blue BinPaper, metals, glass, polymersOrganics/Green BinFood, vegetative debris, food dirty paper, paper, plant debris, putrescibles, woodDiscarded Items/Bulky or Charity PickupFurniture, appliances, clothing, toys, tools, reusable goods, textilesSpecial Discards Resource Recovery ParkChemicals, construction and demolition materials, wood, ceramics, soils

Provide Incentives Before Ban or MandateEliminate Waste by Designing Out of Products and ProcessesFoster Sustainable and Green BusinessesRetailers Take Back Difficult to Recycle MaterialsResource Recovery ParkProducer ResponsibilityExpand City Outreach & Technical Assistance and Lead by ExampleJobs from Design & Discards© Copyright Eco-Cycle, 2004 with text modifications by permission.www.ecocycle.org/zerowaste/zwsystem Empowered ConsumerZero Waste System (Replace with Oakland version)

If you’re not for Zero Waste, how much waste are you for?Now its up to you.