Introduction to Introduction to Zero WasteZero Waste

Glendale, California

Zero Waste AssociatesGary Liss, 916-652-7850

gary@garyliss.com; www.garyliss.com

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Zero Waste =

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 WasteDefinition of Zero Waste

Source; www.zwia.org/standards.html

Landfills are one of the largest sources of Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

Methane is 21-105x more potent than CO2

Zero Waste & Global WarmingZero Waste & Global Warming

71 Tons “Upstream” For Every Ton MSWRecycling & composting all

discards in CA = eliminating all auto exhaust in CA

Wasteberg

Landfill methane is from rotting organics

GLASS6.9%

METALS9.0%

PLASTICS19.0%

ORGANICS62.6%

OTHER2.5%

All Materials

Paper45.2%

Food36.9%

Yard14.0%

Other3.9%

Organics Only

Disposed of in the U.S. After Recycling - 2007

Muncipal Solid Waste Composition

Percentages for

10

10,000 tons of SW = Landfill - 1 job Composting – 4 jobs Recycling – 10 jobs Reuse – 75 –250 jobs

Source: www.ilsr.org

Zero Waste and Green JobsZero Waste and Green JobsRecycling Industry = Size of Auto Industry

Zero Waste OpportunitiesZero Waste Opportunities Zero Waste Programs are fastest and

most cost effective ways that local governments can contribute to: Reducing climate change Promote local sustainability Protect health Create green jobs

Source: Global Principles for Zero Waste Communities, www.zwia.org

Nature Is The ModelZero Waste, Or Darn

CloseBusinesses Have

Achieved Over 90%

Waste Reduction

Is Zero Waste Attainable ?Is Zero Waste Attainable ?

Picture: Methane Earth; Credit: GISS, NASA

Zero Waste Businesses are Leading the Way (>90% diversion)

Anheuser-Busch, Fairfield, CA Apple Computer, Elk Grove,

CA Epson, OR Fetzer Vineyards Frankie’s Bohemian Café, SF Greens Restaurant, SF Hewlett-Packard, Roseville, CA Honda Mad River Brewery New Belgium Brewery

Pillsbury Playa Vista, LA, CA Ricoh Electronics San Diego Wild Animal Park Scoma’s Restaurant, SF Subaru Toyota Vons-Safeway Xerox Corp 2800 Businesses in Japan

See www.earthresource.org

Saves Money

Reduces Liability

Increases Efficiency

Reduces GHG and emissions

Marketing Edge

“Right Thing To Do”

Why would a business DO this?

Source: Gil Friend, Natural Logic

Zero Waste CommunitiesZero Waste Communities

Canberra, Australia NZ – Entire Country Over 66% of NZ Cities Seattle, WA Chicago, IL Central Vermont Waste

Mgt.District Austin, TX Toronto, Ontario Buenos Aires, Argentina

Telluride, CO Boulder City & County, CO Summit County, CO Nelson, British Columbia (BC) Regional Districts BC

Kootenay Boundary Central Kootenay Cowichan Valley Sunshine Coast

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Source: www. ZWIA.org

CA Zero Waste CommunitiesCA Zero Waste Communities Del Norte County San Luis Obispo Co. Rancho Cucomonga Culver City

(Sustainability Plan) Sacramento (in General

Plan) El Cajon Fresno Burbank Working on ZW Plan:

City of Los Angeles Glendale, CA

SF Bay Area San Francisco Oakland San Jose Santa Cruz County & all

cities in County Berkeley Palo Alto Marin County Novato Fairfax Sunnyvale

Upstream

Downstream

Green Businesses & Jobs

Pillars of Zero Waste

0

50

100

150

200

250

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Mill

ion

s o

f T

on

s

Organics

US MunicipalUS Municipal DiscardsDiscards 1960- 1960-20002000

Products

TotalWeight

Source: Bill Sheehan, Product Policy Project

CA 20-Year History of EPR(Extended Producer Responsibility)

EPR Programs in CA Responsibility

Beverage Containers Govt.–Producers – Retail

Tires Government – Retailers

Used Oil Government – Retailers

Monitors Govt.–Producers – Retail

Cell Phones Retailers Takeback

Rechargeable Batteries Retailers Takeback

Downstream Reduce - “Waste” is not

inevitable Reuse products and

packaging, retaining their original form and function

Recycle or compost the rest for their highest and best use

Policies & Programs Focus first on Reducing and Reusing Extended Producer Responsibility for

products & packaging & ban problems Improve Ease and Quality of Recycling Compostables out of Landfill / Incinerator New rules & incentives (e.g. mandatory

recycling ordinance) Lead by Example and Educate and

promote Zero Waste

Glendale Discards Sorted into the 12 Market Categories

Note: Half of the Materials are Suitable for Compost

Revenue Potential from Glendale Discards

Market % Tons Value ($/ton) Total Value

1.   Reuse 2.0 3,240 $550 $1,782,000

2.   Paper 27.0 43,740 $50 $2,187,000

3.   Plant Debris 5.5 8,910 $ 7 $62,370

4.   Putrescibles 17.0 27,540 $7 $2,187,000

5.   Wood 4.0 6,480 $8 $51,840

6.   Ceramics 8.0 12,960 $4 $51,840

7.   Soils 10.0 16,200 $7 $113,400

8.   Metals 4.0 6,480 $50 $324,000

9.   Glass 2.0 3,240 $10 $32,400

10.   Polymers 8.0 12,960 $100 $1,296,000

11.   Textiles 2.0 3,240 $100 $324,000

12.   Chemicals 0.5 810 $15 $12,150

No market 10.0 16,200 0 0

Total 100.0 162,000 - $ 8,424,000

Green Businesses and Jobs Expand, attract, and support green

businesses and green collar jobs Reserve sufficient land for Zero Waste

infrastructure and encourage new developments to develop on-site reuse, recycling & composting)

Buy green goods and services Use recovered materials locally Support local foods and organics back to

farmers and soils

Zero Waste Resources Los Angeles ZW Planning:

http://www.zerowaste.lacity.org/home/index.html

Oakland Adopted ZW Plan: http://www.zerowasteoakland.com/AssetFactory.aspx?did=2123

Burbank ZW Plan: http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3117

GrassRoots Recycling Network: www.grrn.org

Zero Waste International Alliance: www.zwia.org

Earth Resource Foundation: www.earthresource.org

If you’re not for Zero Waste,

how much waste are you for?