presented at the june 27th, 2009 4th annual cool cities workshop, annapolis, md by: heeral bhalala...
TRANSCRIPT
Presented at the June 27th, 20094th Annual Cool Cities Workshop, Annapolis, MD
By: Heeral Bhalala
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
www.ilsr.org
Composting’sComposting’s Role in Role in Reducing Our EmissionsReducing Our Emissions
Wasting Trend in U.S.Wasting Trend in U.S.
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
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2006
Th
ou
san
ds
of
ton
s
U.S. Municipal Waste Disposed
Source: US EPA, 2007 data (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm)
169.2 million tons in 2007169.2 million tons in 2007
Zero Waste PathZero Waste Path
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
1960
1963
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1,0
00
To
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Pe
r Y
ea
r
Landfill greenhouse gas Landfill greenhouse gas emissions, % of totalemissions, % of total
Total 2007 = 7,150 teragrams CO2 equiv.
• CO2
Methane - 100 year time horizon, 21 times more potent than CO2
Methane - 20 yrs, 72 times more potent
The Global Warming Potential ConceptThe Global Warming Potential Concept
Landfill Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Landfill Greenhouse Gas Emissions, % of total, 20 year time span% of total, 20 year time span
Landfill Methane Emissions
5.2%
All Other94.8%
Total 2007 = 7,150 teragrams CO2 equiv.
A Call to Action!A Call to Action!
• Implement zero waste targets and plans.
• Stop disposing organic materials – COMPOST!
• Pursue recycling-based local economic development.
• Make manufacturers responsible for their products.
• Regulate single-use plastics.
• Reduce junk mail.
• Buy recycled.
• Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees.
Top Ten: Why Compost?
10. Create black gold
9. Protect and revitalize soil
8. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Organics Diversion: Core Climate Organics Diversion: Core Climate Protection StrategyProtection Strategy
• Prevents landfill methane emissions
• Stores carbon
• Improves soil’s ability to store carbon
• Substitutes for energy-intensive fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides
• Improves plant growth, and thus carbon sequestration
• Reduces energy use for irrigation
• Anaerobic digestion offsets fossil fuel consumption
Top Ten: Why Compost?
10. Create black gold
9. Protect and revitalize soil
8. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
7. Proven technology
8. Many successful models
Composting, lots of models
Royersford, PARoyersford, PA
Composting & Recycling Collection System Designed for High Diversion
Recycled Paper21%
Glass and Plastic BottlesAluminum and Steel Cans
5%
Construction andDemolition Waste
25%
Other15%
Food Scraps20%
Yard Trimmings5%
Compostable Paper10%
Courtesy of City of San Francisco
San Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA• Recology’s Jepsen Prairie Organics Regional Composting
Facility
Courtesy of City of San Francisco
Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington• Cedar Grove Composting
Olney, MD• Pogo Organics
Toronto
Top Ten: Why Compost?
5. Save money on solid waste management
4. Increase diversion levels
Composting Key to High DiversionComposting Key to High Diversion Waste % %
Reduction Composted Recycled
Ann Arbor, MI 52% 23% 30Bellevue, WA 60% 34% 26Chatham, NJ 65% 43% 22Crockett, TX 52% 32% 20Dover, NH 52% 17% 35Falls Church, VA 65% 40% 25Loveland, CO 56% 37% 19Madison, WI 49% 33% 16San Jose, CA 45% 26% 45Worcester, MA 52% 28% 27
Community
Top Ten: Why Compost?
5. Save money on solid waste management
4. Increase diversion levels
3. Take advantage of growing markets
Compost Applications
• landscape and nursery • agricultural and horticultural • vegetable and flower gardens• tree and shrub planting • sod production and roadside projects • wetlands creation• soil remediation and land reclamation• sports fields and golf courses • sediment and erosion control
Top Ten: Why Compost?
5. Save money on solid waste management
4. Increase diversion levels
3. Take advantage of growing markets
2. Promote the local and regional economy
Composting = Local
• Organics do not ship well
• Composting is small-scale
• Compost products are used locally
• Jobs are local
• Dollars circulate within local economies
• Local = good for local economies
• Organics do not ship well
• Composting is small-scale
• Compost products are used locally
• Jobs are local
• Dollars circulate within local economies
• Local = good for local economies
Top Ten: Why Compost?
5. Save money on solid waste management
4. Increase diversion levels
3. Take advantage of growing markets
2. Promote the local and regional economy
1. Increase your sex appeal
