it’s all about diversion. started in 1987 recycling rate has flattened source: biocycle april 2006
TRANSCRIPT
It’s all about Diversion
Started in 1987
Recycling rate has flattened
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
Source: BioCycle April 2006
“Cradle to Cradle” Product Design
SANITARY LANDFILL
SANITARY LANDFILL
RECYCLING FACILITY
RECYCLING FACILITY
MATERIALREDESIGN
MATERIALREDESIGN
RECYCLABLE BIODEGRADABLE
RECYCLED PRODUCTS
BURNABLE
WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY
WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY
ENERGY TOXIC RESIDUALS (ASH)
?
COMPOSTING FACILITY
COMPOSTING FACILITY
LAND APPLICATIONrecycling polymeric carbon back to
soil
METHANE
• Designed to be arid tombs– “Self-Storage” facility
• W. Rathje, “Garbologist” found – Newspapers in good condition
after 40 years.
– 5 year old lettuce
– 15 year old hot dogs
Thoughts on Landfills
Diversion is Key
What is Landfilled in the US
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Alum Packaging
Steel Packaging
Wood Packaging
Glass Packaging
Plastics Packaging
Yard Trimmings
Paper Packaging
Paper (Non Dur.)
Food Scraps
Tons (000's)Source: EPA 2003 Data
Food Scraps 26.9 Million
Tons
• ~50% of the food scraps come from commercial establishments.– Restaurants
– Fast Food Outlets
– Grocery Stores
– Colleges & Schools
– Large Hotels
– Food Warehouses
Waste Generation Overview (after recycling)
Source: Cascadia Consulting Group
• Full Service– Generate 4,400 lbs waste/yr/employee
(after recycling)– 66% are food scraps– 5% “compostable paper”– 6% “plastics”
• Fast Food– 4,250 lbs. waste/yr/employee (after
recycling)– 52% food scraps– 12% “compostable paper”– 10% plastics
Restaurants
Source: Cascadia Consulting Group
• “YUCK” Factor with Food Scraps– Messy & Wet
– Sometimes smelly
• Plastic Contamination– Plastic Collection Bags
– Cutlery & Containers
– Impossible to Separate
– Costs Composters $$
• Compostable plastics improve participation
Problems with Organics Collection
Plastic Fragments #1 Problem for Composters
• 3000 Leaf & Yard Waste Sites– 56% of yard trimmings
• 100-300 sites capable of handling food scraps– www.findacomposter.com
• Food scrap programs concentrated in SF-Seattle, Eastern Canadian Pr., colleges
Compost Infrastructure in North America