regional solid waste management plan 2008 2018 midterm review · 21-04-2015 · craig dirksen,...

Regional Solid Waste Management Plan2008‐2018

Midterm Review

April 2015

RSWMP MIDTERM REVIEW 2

AboutMetroCleanairandcleanwaterdonotstopatcitylimitsorcountylines.Neitherdoestheneedforjobs,athrivingeconomy,andsustainabletransportationandlivingchoicesforpeopleandbusinessesintheregion.VotershaveaskedMetrotohelpwiththechallengesandopportunitiesthataffectthe25citiesandthreecountiesinthePortlandmetropolitanarea.Aregionalapproachsimplymakessensewhenitcomestomakingdecisionsabouthowtheregiongrows.Metroworkswithcommunitiestosupportaresilienteconomy,keepnatureclosebyandrespondtoachangingclimate.Togetherwe’remakingagreatplace,nowandforgenerationstocome.Stayintouchwithnews,storiesandthingstodo.

oregonmetro.govMetroCouncilPresidentTomHughes

MetroCouncilorsShirleyCraddick,District1CarlottaCollette,District2CraigDirksen,District3KathrynHarrington,District4SamChase,District5BobStacey,District6

AuditorBrianEvans


TABLEOFCONTENTSSection1:Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Section2:ScopeandMethodology.………………………………………………………………………………………5 Section3:RegionalProgress.……………………………………………………………………………………………….5Section4:Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Section5:Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………………..18AppendicesAppendixA:WasteReductionGoalsandObjectives…………………………………………………………….19AppendixB:SustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectives…………………………………………………..21AppendixC:SystemImprovementsWorkPlan…………………………………………………………….……..22


SECTION1: BACKGROUND

The2008‐2018RegionalSolidWasteManagementPlan(RSWMP):

Servesasaregionalframeworkforthecoordinationofwastereductionprograms Providesaprioritizedprogramofsolidwastesystemimprovements Establishesregionalgoalsandobjectives,includingawasterecoverygoal Satisfiesstatelawrequiringthedevelopmentandimplementationofawastereduction

programfortheMetroregion TheRSWMPenvisionsanevolutionfromtoday’ssolidwastemanagementpracticestothosethatmoreholisticallycontributetothesustainableuseofnaturalresources.Implementationofthegoalsandobjectivesoutlinedintheplanwillenabletheregiontocontinueprogressinthreekeyareas:

WasteReduction Reducingtheamountand toxicityofwastegeneratedanddisposedandattainingthewasteshed’s64percentstatutorywasterecoverygoal.

SustainableOperations

Advancingsustainablepracticesthroughouttheregion’ssolidwasteoperations.

SolidWasteDisposalSystem

Ensuringthedisposalsystemcontinuestoservethebestinterestsoftheregion.

Theplanusesthesolidwastehierarchyastheframeworkforguidingsolidwastemanagementdecisionsandprogramdevelopmentintheseareas.Thesolidwastehierarchyprovidesanorderofpreferenceforactiontoreduceandmanagewasterepresentedinthefigurebelow.

Source:OregonRevisedStatutes459.015;OregonDEQ;RSWMP2008‐18,2008.

Figure1.Solidwastehierarchy


Waste reduction rate

SECTION2: SCOPEANDMETHODLOGYThisreportfulfillstherequirementforafive‐yearreviewoftheRSWMPtoevaluatetheneedforplanrevisions.Theobjectivesofthereviewwereto:

1. Determineiftheplanisbeingimplementeduniformlyandconsistentlyacrosstheregion.2. Assessplaneffectivenessinmeetingprogramgoalsandobjectives.3. Determineifmajormid‐coursecorrectionsareneeded.

Toaccomplishtheseobjectives,Metroassessedeachprogramareaintheplantoevaluateperformanceandidentifyareasformonitoringorimprovement.ThequantitativeprogressoftheplanwasevaluatedusingthemostcurrentrecoverydataprovidedbyOregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(DEQ).Metroalsoconductedahigh‐levelreviewofprogressontheSustainableOperationsandSolidWasteSystemelementsoftheplan.

SECTION3: REGIONALPROGRESSIn2001,theOregonlegislaturesetstateandwasteshedgoalsforrecoveryandastategoalforwastegeneration.ThewasteshedgoalfortheMetroregion,comprisingMultnomah,WashingtonandClackamascounties,is64percentrecoveryby2009.Therecoverygoalincludesanallowanceforuptosixpercentcreditsintherecoveryratecalculationsfortheimplementationofprogramsthattargetwasteprevention,reuseandcomposting.Thestatewidegoalsforwastegenerationarenoincreaseinpercapitawastegenerationby2005andnoincreaseintotalwastegenerationby2009andinsubsequentyears.In2013,theMetroregionachievedthewasteshedrecoverygoalwitha64.2percentrecoveryrate,recoveringmorethan1.3milliontonsofmaterial.Thisincludessixpercentincreditsfromwasteprevention,reuseandcompostingprograms,andacalculated58.2percentrecoveryratefromrecycling,compostingandenergyrecovery(primarilyfromwoodwaste).Figure2.MetroRegionRecoveryRate2008‐2013

Source:OregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality,2014.

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

55.0%

60.0%

65.0%

70.0%

1 2 3 4 5 6 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ‘13

64.2 percent

58.2 percent without credits


Theregionsawincreasesinrecoveryforsomecommonly‐recycledmaterials,suchaspaper,butalsogrowthinneweritemssuchasfoodscrapsandelectronics.AsignificantboostinelectronicwasterecoverycanbeattributedtoOregonE‐Cycles,astatewideprogramthatrequireselectronicsmanufacturerstoprovidefreerecyclingofcomputers,monitorsandtelevisions.Theper‐capitawastegenerationinOregonduring2013was2,469poundsandMetro’sper‐capitawastegenerationwasslightlyhigherat2,640pounds.Overall,per‐capitawastegenerationintheregionhasdecreased23percentsince2005.PartofthisdecreasecanbeattributedtotheGreatRecessionthatbeganinapproximatelyin2007. Figure3.Per‐CapitaWasteGenerationinMetroRegion2013


Metro’stotalwastegenerationduring2013wasmorethan2.2milliontons.Totalwastegenerationhasdecreased16percentsince2005.

Figure4.TotalWasteGenerationinMetroRegion2013



Recyclingeffortsoftheregion'sresidentsandbusinesseshaveresultedinsignificantenvironmentalbenefits,includingconservationofnaturalresources,energysavingsandgreenhousegasreductions.Greenhousegasreductionsin2013fromrecycling,compostingandenergyrecoverytotaledapproximately1.9millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalents–equaltotailpipeemissionsfromnearly420,000passengervehicles.

SECTION4: FINDINGS

TheRSWMPidentifiespolicies,goalsandobjectivestoguidetheprograminthekeyareasforaction:wastereduction,sustainableoperationsandthesolidwastedisposalsystem.Theplanidentifiesthewasterecoveryrateastheprimarymeasureofplanperformance.Themidtermreviewidentifiedsixkeyfindingsbasedontheimplementationoftheplantodatethataredetailedinthefollowingpages.

1.0Progresstowardregionalwastereductiongoalsandobjectiveshasbeenachievedthroughlong‐standingandnewprograms.WasteReductionGoalandObjectivesTheWasteReductioncomponentoftheRSWMPincludesfourgoalsand45objectivestoguideprogramsandregionalrequirementstoreachthe64percentrecoverygoal.ThefourgoalsarelistedbelowandtheobjectivescanbefoundinAppendixA.ProgramAreaGoals

WasteReduction: Increasethesustainableuseofnaturalresourcesbyachievingthewastereductiongoalof64percent.

Education: Increasetheadoptionofsustainablepracticesthroughincreasedknowledge,motivationandcommitment.

HazardousWaste: Reducetheuseandimproperdisposalofproductsgeneratinghazardouswasteinordertoprotecttheenvironmentandhumanhealth.

ProductStewardship: Shiftresponsibilitytomanufacturers,distributorsandretailers forensuringthatproductsaredesignedtobenontoxicandrecyclable,andincorporatethecostoftheproduct’send‐of‐lifemanagementinthepurchaseprice.

Boththegoalsandobjectivesprovidehigh‐leveldirectiontoallowforprogramstoadaptwiththeevolvingwastestream.Themidtermreviewfoundthattheregionhasmadeconsistentprogresstowardthegoalsandmeetingtheplan’sobjectivesthrough:

Maintenanceofkeylong‐standingprograms Newandexpandedprogramstoincreaserecoveryintargetedsectors Requiredprograms

Themidtermreviewevaluatedeachoftheseprogramsareasandidentifiedtwoareasforpotentialimprovementandfurtherprogramexpansion.Asummaryofthereviewisdetailedinthefollowingpages.


Long‐StandingProgramsEachyear,Metroanditslocalgovernmentpartnersdevelopcooperativeplanstoimplementtheregion’swastepreventionandrecyclingprograms.Thecreationofregionallycoordinatedplansandservicesaccessibletoallisthebasisofeachprogramarea.Asaresult,eachgoalissupportedbycoreprogramsthatensurebasicwastereductionservicesandprogramstailoredtospecificaudiences.Examplesoftheseprogramsarehighlightedbelow. AnnualWasteReductionGrantProgram

Per‐capitagrantsallocatedtolocalgovernmentshaveplayedaninstrumentalroleinhelpinglocaljurisdictionsimplementwastepreventionandrecyclingactivities,provideregularoutreachtocitizensandbusinesses,maintainrecoveryprogressandparticipateinregionalwastereductionworkgroups.

RecycleatWork TheRecycleatWorkprogramisacooperativeprogramdeliveredbyMetroandlocalgovernmentstoprovidetechnicalassistancetobusinessesintheregionthroughon‐sitewasteevaluations,recommendationstothebusinessesaroundkeypracticesandfollow‐upevaluationstoassessprogress.Theprogramisdesignedtoaddresstheindividualneeds,barriersandparticularcircumstancesaffectingthebusinesssectorwithregardtowasteprevention,recyclingandtoxicsreduction.GrantsareprovidedtolocalgovernmentsfortheRecycleatWorkprogrambasedonnumberofemployeesineachjurisdiction.

SchoolEducation

Metroprovidestargetededucationinschools,includingelementaryandsecondaryprograms,toprovideage‐appropriateinformationandconceptsaroundresourceconservationandenvironmentalawareness.Theguidingapproachistodevelopcurriculumsthatareappropriateforeachagegroupandthatcumulativelyhelpbuildanenvironmentalstewardshipethic.

AdultEducation Inadditiontoconductingannualeducationandoutreachcampaignstosupportresidentawarenessofrecycling,reuseandwasteprevention,Metroprovidesbothphoneandweb‐basedinformationreferralservicesthroughtheRecyclingInformationCenter(RIC)resourcelistings.Inaddition,Metro’swebsiteprovidesacomprehensiveclearinghousethatincludestheFind‐A‐Recyclertoolanda“toolsforliving”sectionthatprovidesinformationaboutalternativestotoxicproductsusedathomeandintheyardandgarden.

ToxicsReductionandNaturalGardening

Educationonalternativestohouseholdchemicalsisprovidedthroughgeneralandtargetedaudienceefforts.Naturalgardeningeducationisprovidedthroughpartneroutreach,ane‐newsletter,twolearninggardens,robustonlineinformationandinformationalbrochures.

HazardousWasteCollectionServices

Theregionhaslong‐standingservicestopreventimproperdisposalthroughcollectionofhouseholdhazardouswasteatMetro’stwotransferstationsandatneighborhoodcollectioneventsheldbyMetrofromspringtofalleachyear.Asapartofthedisposalservices,educationisprovidedon‐siteonalternativestohouseholdchemicalsandpesticides.


NewandExpandedPrograms

Anumberofneworexpandedrecoveryprogramshavebeenimplementedsinceapprovalofthe2008RSWMP.Theseprogramsarefocusedonthesectorsthatofferthemostpotentialforadditionalrecovery.Examplesofneworexpandedprogramsarehighlightedinthetablebelow. ProductStewardshipInitiatives

InpartnershipwithDEQandmanypublicandprivatesectorstakeholders,Metroinvestedconsiderableeffortinbuildingtheregion’sunderstandingofproductstewardshipandtheopportunitiesitpresents.Theregiondevelopedtechnicalresourcestoinformfutureinitiatives,andprovidedassistancetostatelegislatorsandothersincraftingspecificlegislativeproposals.SinceadoptionoftheRSWMP,therehavebeenthreemajorsuccessesinadvancingproductstewardship:implementationoftheOregonE‐Cycleslegislation(2009);expansionoftheOregonBottleBill(2011);andpassageandimplementationofthePaintCareprogram(2009pilot,2013permanent).

ChemicalsPolicyInitiatives

MetrohastakenamoreactiveroleinworkingwithDEQ,localgovernments andnon‐governmentalorganizationstoadvancechemicalpolicyreformandtoxicsreductioninitiatives.

BuildingIndustry TheEnhancedDryWasteRecoveryProgramwasimplementedin2009.Itrequiresthatallmixednon‐putresciblewastegeneratedintheregionmustbedeliveredtoamaterialrecoveryfacilityforprocessingpriortodisposaltorecovercardboard,woodandmetals.A2012progressreportshowedthattheprogramresultedina20,000‐tonincreaseinrecovereddrywastefromthetimetheprogramwasimplemented.

CommercialOrganics

Projectsintheorganicsprogramareahave focused onexpandingfoodwastecompostingandusablefooddonation.Metroandlocalgovernmentstaffcontinuetoofferapeer‐to‐peerfooddonationoutreachprogram.TheForkitOver!programplaysanimportantroleinlinkingdonorswithfoodrescueagenciesinthecommunityusingonlinetoolsandon‐siteassistancefromlocalgovernmentRecycleatWorkstaff.

RequiredProgramsAlthoughtheRSWMPisimplementedprimarilythroughcooperativeworkingrelationships,theplanalsocontainsrequiredprograms.Bothrequirements,theRegionalServiceStandardandtheBusinessRecyclingRequirement,aredesignedtosupporttheimplementationofotherRSWMPprogramsandhelptheregionmeetstatematerialrecoverygoals.Theserequiredelementsaresummarizedbelow.RegionalServiceStandardTheRegionalServiceStandard(RSS)addressesrecyclingcollectionservicesinthesingle‐familyresidential,multi‐familyresidentialandbusinesssectors,aswellaseducationandoutreacheffortstargetingeachofthesesectors.Thepurposeofthestandardistoensureacomprehensiveandconsistentlevelofrecyclingservicesacrosstheregion.Localgovernmentsarerequiredtoeithercertifythattheirprogrammeetstheservicestandard,orsubmitanapplicationtoMetroforapprovalofanalternativeprogram.TheRSShasbeeneffectiveoverallinensuringthattheregion’shouseholdsandbusinesseshaveequitableaccesstothewastereductionprogramsthatwillallowtheregiontomeetitsrecoverygoals.


SincetheRSSwasadoptedin2008,tworevisionshavebeenmadetothestandard:

In2011,MetroadoptedadministrativeprocedurestorespondtodifferencesinherentintheurbanandruralareasoftheMetroregionandallowforvariationsinlevelofserviceundercertainconditions.Theadoptedadministrativeproceduresincludedexemptionsforthecollectionofmotoroilandyarddebrisfrommulti‐familycommunitiesandcurbsideyarddebriscollectionforruralcustomers.

In2013,MetroamendedtheRSStorequirethatglassbottlesandjarscontinuetobecollectedinaseparatecontainerfromotherrecyclables.Thispracticelimitscontaminationofpaperandotherrecyclablesandprovideshigherqualitymaterialtoendmarkets.

MetroisintheprocessofreviewingtheRegionalServiceStandardtoimproveitseffectiveness.AhouseholdrecyclingandwastecompositionstudytobecompletedinFebruary2015willbeusedtohelpdeterminewhetheramendmentstotheRegionalServiceStandardshouldbeconsideredtoaddressrecyclingcollectionservicefrequencyandcontaminationlevelsinrecyclables.BusinessRecyclingRequirementTheregionalBusinessRecyclingRequirement(BRR)wasimplementedin2009.Itrequiredlocalgovernmentstoestablishrecyclingrequirementsforbusinesses.TherequirementsupportstheRSWMPgoalstoreducebusinesssectorwastethatisgeneratedanddisposedintheregion.ThegoalofBRRwastocapture90percentofthepaperandcontainersdisposedofbybusinessesintheregion.Inthefirstcoupleofyearsafterprogramadoption,localgovernmentsfocusedonnotifyingbusinessesofthenewrequirementsandprovidingbusinesseswithassistanceinsettinguptheirrecyclingprograms.AnevaluationofBRRcompletedbyMetroin2012indicatedthatnearlyallbusinesseshavebeennotifiedoftherecyclingrequirementsandhaverecyclingcollectionsystemsinplace.Awastecompositionstudyconductedasapartoftheevaluationindicatedthattheamountofrecyclablesdisposeddecreasedsincetheadoptionoftherequirements,asshowninthefiguresbelow.In2012,thebusinesssectorcapturedmorethan83percentofthedesiredmaterials.Overall,theprogramhasbeeneffectiveinestablishingastandardizedlevelofrecyclingservicesforbusinessesandtheiremployeesandcontributingtothishighcapturerate.

Source:Metro,2007.Source:Metro,2012.

20.48%

50.67%

28.85%

Figure 5. 2007 Business Recycling Baseline Waste Composition Study

BRR recyclables total

Other waste total

Other recyclables total

14.07%

63.35%

22.58%

Figure 6. 2012 Business Recycling Waste Composition Study

BRR recyclables total

Other waste total

Other recyclables total

Paper and

containers

Paper and

containers


PotentialAreasforProgramEnhancement

Althoughboththeexistingandnewprogramshavebeenconsistentlyimplementedunderthegoalsandobjectives,threeareaswereidentifiedformonitoringandpotentialprogramenhancement.SchoolEducationOneoftheschooleducationobjectivesistoprovideeducationprogramsthathelpteachersincorporateresourceconservationconcepts,includingwastepreventionandtoxicityreduction,intotheirteaching.Metro’swastereductionyoutheducationprogramservesadiverseaudienceofapproximately26,000K‐12studentseachyear.Thereishighdemandforitsclassroomservicesbecausethepresentationsarespecificallydesignedtofitintoteachers’curricula,meetstatestandardsforsubjectmatterandinstructionaltime,andprovideage‐appropriatewastereduction‐relatedprogramming.EvaluationoftheprogramshowsthatthepresentationsareeffectiveatmeetingMetroobjectivesandsatisfyingteachers’needs.Whileitisevidentthatthereisunmetdemandfortheclassroomservices,staffingcapacitylimitsMetrointhenumberofschoolsitisabletoreach.ExpandingtheprogramwillincreasethenumberofstudentsreachedandhelpmakeadditionalprogresstowardtheRSWMP’seducationgoalandschooleducationobjectives.MultifamilyThemultifamilyprogramincludesanobjectivetoimplementaprogramthatissuitedtotheneedsofmultifamilyhousingthatisuniformandconsistentacrosstheregion.Whiletherehasbeenrelativelyconsistentimplementationofeducationprogramstargetedatthissector,therecontinuestobeinconsistencyintheprovisionofcollectionservices,asindicatedbyinequitableaccesstoconvenientrecyclingcontainers.CommercialFoodScrapsThecommercialorganicsprogramincludesobjectivestoincreaseorganicwastediversionandenhanceaccesstorecoveryservicesthroughouttheregion.MetrohasprovidedfundingassistanceforcollectionprogramdevelopmentandhascontinuedtoprovidetransferandprocessingservicesforcommercialfoodscrapsthroughMetroCentralStation.Thedevelopmentofalternativestoincreasetheregion’scapacityforprocessingfoodscrapstoboostrecoveryisacriticalnextsteptoprovidemorestableandequitableaccesstoservicesthroughouttheregion.

Metrowastereductioneducatorteachingprimaryschoolstudentsaboutcompost


2.0Metrocannoteffectivelyenforcerequirementsonjurisdictionsoutsideofitsgeographicareaofauthority.UnderOregonstatute,thewastereductioncomponentoftheRSWMPappliestotheentiretyofClackamas,MultnomahandWashingtoncounties(the“wasteshed”).However,MetrocannoteffectivelyenforceRSWMPrequirementsonjurisdictionsoutsideofitsboundarybecauseithaslimitedlegalauthoritytodoso.Thereareeightjurisdictions,highlightedinthefigurebelow,whichareoutsidetheMetroboundarythatfallunderRSWMPguidance.Mostofthesecitiesareinruralareaswithpopulationsunder3,000anddefersolidwasteplanningtotheircountyauthority.PriortobeginningworkonthenextRSWMP,MetroshouldworkwithDEQtomoreeffectivelyalignMetro’splanimplementationresponsibilitieswithitsgeographicareaofauthority.ThismayincludeMetromaintainingcoordinationforsolidwasteplanningfortheregionalwasteshed,butnotbeingresponsibleforenforcingtheplanrequirementsonjurisdictionsnotsubjecttoMetro’slegalauthority.Figure7.MetroWasteshedMap


3.0Considerableprogresshasbeenmadetowardsustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectives.SustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectivesThesustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectiveswereanewadditiontothe2008RSWMPthatfocusedonhowsustainabilityprinciplescouldbeappliedtosolidwasteoperationsthatareregulatedbygovernment.Theplanprovidesninegoalsand23objectivestoaddressairandwateremissions,energyuse,employeeworklifeandinstitutionalizingsustainabilityinsolidwasteoperations(SeeAppendixB).

In2009,abaselinestudywasperformedtodeterminewhat,ifanyofthesustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectivesalreadyexistedatsolidwastefacilitiesintheregion.Thestudyconcludedthatmanyofthefacilities,includingMetro‐ownedfacilities,hadenergyandwaterconservationpracticesinplace.Inaddition,manyofthecompaniesexploredorhadprogramsinplacethataddresswork‐lifebalance,workersafetyandcommunityserviceprograms.Asaresult,theregionprioritizedworkonthefirstgoalwhichistoreducegreenhousegasanddieselparticulateairemissions.Worktowardthisgoalfocusedon:1)reducingdieselparticulatesemittedbyregionalrefuseandrecyclingcollectionfleetsand2)transitioningtocleanfuels.DieselParticulateReductionThroughapartnershipwithDEQ’sAirQualityDivision,theregionreceivedfundingfromaStateCleanDieselGrantissuedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).Thegrantretrofitsolidwastefleetvehicleswithemissioncontroldevices.Thepurposeoftheretrofitswastoeliminate25‐95percentofalldieselparticulatematteremittedbythesevehicles.Withitsownfundingcontribution,Metrowasabletoretrofit119vehiclesatatotalcostof$653,190.BasedonanEPAvaluationforMultnomahCounty,amonetizationofthedirectandindirecthumanhealthandenvironmentalimpact benefitsofthisprojectareestimatedatover$1.4millionpertonofparticulatemattermitigated.Accordingtothe2013CleanFleetRefuseVehicleRetrofitProjectreportbyMetro,thefullreturnoninvestmentforthisprojectoverthefourtofive‐yearlifeexpectancyofthevehiclesandthedevicesisapproximately$7.2millionto$9.1million.

SustainableOperationsGoals

Goal1.0 Reducegreenhousegasanddieselparticulateairemissions.

Goal2.0 Reducestormwaterrunoff.

Goal3.0 Reducenaturalresourceuse.

Goal4.0 Reduceuseanddischargeoftoxicmaterials.

Goal5.0 Implementsustainabilitystandardsforfacilityconstructionandoperation.

Goal6.0 Adoptbestpracticesforcustomer and employeehealthandsafety.

Goal7.0 Providetrainingandeducationnonimplementingsustainabilitypractices.

Goal8.0 Supportaqualityworklife.

Goal9.0 Employsustainabilityvaluesinseekingvendorsandcontractors.


CleanFuelsCleanfuels,suchascompressednaturalgas,producelesspollutionthandiesel.Theregion’ssolidwastesystemhasstartedtransitioningitsvehiclestousecleanfuelsanddevelopingthesupportinginfrastructure.Forexample,WasteManagementinstalledtwoCNGfuelingstationsandisreplacingitsentirefleetofapproximately150diesel‐fueledvehicleswithCNG‐fueledvehicles.Asaresultofthedieselparticulatereductionandcleanfuelsefforts,theregionhasmadesignificantprogresstowardreducingtheenvironmentalimpactsofsolidwasteoperations.Metrowillcontinuetoworkonprogresstowardthefirstgoalandserveasaresourceforthesolidwasteindustryonadoptionoftheothersustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectives.

Compressed Natural Gas Benefits Compared to Diesel

Sulfur Dioxide 99% less

Particulate Matter 90% less

Nitrogen Dioxide 75‐95% less

Carbon Monoxide 70‐90% less

Carbon Dioxide 20‐30%less

Source: NGV America, Environmental Protection Agency.


4.0TheSolidWasteRoadmapwillfurtherdeveloplong‐termguidanceforthedisposalsystem.Theregionhasaneffectiveandcomplexsolidwastesystem,withpublicfacilitiesownedbyMetro,privatefacilitiesregulatedbyMetroandprivatehaulingcompaniesregulatedbylocaljurisdictions.Duringthe2008RSWMPdevelopment,thedisposalsystemwasevaluatedtodeterminethebestwaytodeliversafe,environmentallysoundandcost‐effectivewastetransferanddisposalservicestothepublicandprivateusersoftheregion.Thedisposalsystemevaluationincludedananalysisoftransferstationownershipoptions:public,private,orpublic‐privatehybrid.TheMetroCouncilconcludedcontinuationofthehybridmodelofpublicandprivatetransferstationownershipwouldbestservetheregion.Followingthetransferstationanalysis,severalothersystemissuesneededfurtheranalysis.Toaddressthis,theRSWMPincludesaSystemsImprovementsWorkPlan(seeAppendixC)thatidentifiesseveralspecificareasforfutureevaluationincludingwetwasteallocation,systemfinancing,provisionofself‐haulservicesandfacilityregulation.MetroCouncildirectedthedevelopmentofsystemmanagementpolicies,goalsandobjectivestoguidedecisionsintheseareas.ThisworkisbeingaddressedinpartthroughtheSolidWasteRoadmapplanningeffort.In2015and2016,theMetroCouncilwillbeaskedtoidentifyapreferredapproachforthefutureofdisposalthatwillprovideasetofprinciplestoguidefuturedecisionsonthesolidwastesystem.Bytheendof2015,theMetroCouncilwillneedtoadoptnewtermsforprivatefacilityauthorizations,whileconsideringthetransitionofprivateandpublicoperationstosupportthevisionforthefuturesystem.KeyoperationalcontractsassociatedwiththemanagementofwasteatandfromMetrotransferstationswillexpirebytheendof2019andworkonwhatfollowsthemneedstobeinitiatedby2017.Thisworkwillresultinkeyguidanceforthelongtermmanagementoftheregion’sdisposalsystemandshouldbeincorporatedintothenextRSWMP.

SolidWasteRoadmapKeyQuestions

1. Long‐term Management. Over the long run, what does the region want to do with materials that aren’t reused, recycled or composted?

2. Metro South Station. What service alternatives should Metro pursue at Metro South and in the vicinity to provide for the full suite of needed services?

3. Foundational Work. What is the amount and nature of waste that might be discarded in the future, and how will various alternatives perform in managing it?

4. Food Scraps Capacity. What actions should Metro take to ensure adequate and reasonably proximate capacity to transfer and process food scraps collected from the region’s businesses and residents?

5. Transfer System Configuration. What model of the public‐private transfer system (e.g., service levels, tonnage allocations, rates, etc.) best provides for the public interest?

6. Fee & Tax Policies. How should Metro recover the cost of solid waste services and programs, and of general government, to improve stability, equity and predictability?


5.0Discardsmanagementisshiftingtomaterialsmanagement.

TheRSWMPhasprovidedsufficientguidanceoverthelastfiveyearsforcoordinatingwastereductionprogramefforts.However,sincetheadoptionoftheplan,theframeworkformanagingsolidwasteinOregonhasshiftedtoamorecomprehensiveapproachthataddressestheintegratednatureofmaterialsfromproductiontodisposal.ThisisconsistentwiththeRSWMPpolicyguidance,butprovidesnewopportunitiesforactionstheregioncantaketoreduceenvironmentalandhumanhealthimpactsofthegenerationanddisposalofwaste.In2012,theOregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(DEQ)adoptedanewframework,Oregon2050 VisionandFrameworkforAction,reflectingthisshiftandformalizingtheapproachforregionalapplication.

AsdescribedintheOregon2050Vision,thematerialsmanagementapproachincludeswastepreventionanddiscardmanagement,whilealsoseekingtoreduceenvironmentalimpactsbymanagingmaterialsineachstageoftheirlife.Thisapproachidentifiesimpactsandactionstoaddressthoseimpactsacrossthefullcycleofmaterialsandproductsastheymovethroughtheeconomyfromrawmaterialextractiontoproductdesignandmanufacture,transport,consumption,use,reuse,recyclinganddisposal.ThisapproachprovidesnewareasofopportunityforthedevelopmentofbothgoalsandactionstoprotecttheenvironmentandhumanhealthandshouldbeusedasframeworkforthenextRSWMP.

Oregon2050VisionandFrameworkforAction

Inthe2050Vision,Oregonianslivewithinthelimitsoftheirsustainableshareoftheworld’snaturalresources.Materialsandproductssupporthumanhealth,well‐beingandhealthy,resilientenvironmentsandcommunities—whetherthosegoodsaremadeinOregon,usedinOregon,orboth.Sustainableuseofresourcesallowsallpeopletoenjoyaprosperous,cleaneconomyandfulfillinglives,nowandinthefuture.Thedesiredoutcomesfor2050:

Producersmakeproductssustainably.Everyoptionisasustainableoption. Peoplelivewellandconsumesustainably. Materialshavethemostusefullifepossiblebeforeandafterdiscard.

Figure 8. Life Cycle Materials and Products


6.0Newandupdatedgoalsareneededtotrackenvironmentalprogress.

Theregionalwasterecoveryratehasbeentheprimarybenchmarkforplanperformance.Thisgoalandassociatedsectortonnagetargetsreflectatraditionalfocusonmeasuringlandfilldisposalfromrecycling,compostingandrecyclingprograms.Theexistingstatewideandwasteshedrecoverygoalswerelastrevisedin2001andweresetthrough2009.TheRSWMPdirectsthedevelopmentofanewsetofnumericalgoalsbeyondthelastbenchmarkof2009.AsapartoftheimplementationoftheOregon2050VisionandFramework,DEQisintheprocessofupdatingstatutorygoalsandmeasuresforallwastesheds,makingittimelyfortheregiontobeginworkonnewgoals.DEQisconsideringtwomeasurementareaswithbothstatutorygoalsandadministrativemeasures.Thestatutorygoalsarehighlightedinthetablebelowandwillbeconsideredforadoptioninthe2015legislativesession.

Oregon Wasteshed Goals and Measurement Areas

Focus Area Statutory Goals

Material Recovery

Statewide recovery rate Statewide material‐specific recovery rates for food,

plastics and carpet Wasteshed recovery rate by tonnage Wasteshed recovery rate by environmental outcomes

Waste Generation Statewide goals

Theproposedstatutorygoalsfallintotwoareas:wasteshedrecoveryandwastegeneration.Incontrasttotheexistingmeasures,thenewrecoverygoalswillincludeonlyrecyclingandenergyrecoveryintheratecalculations,excludingcreditforwasteprevention,on‐sitecompostingandreuseactivities.Thenewmeasuresaroundindividualmaterialsandenvironmentaloutcomesareintendedtobroadenthescopeofthegoalsandconsiderthelife‐cycleenvironmentalimpactsofmaterials.Ifthe2015OregonLegislatureapprovestheseproposedstatewideandwasteshedgoals,RSWMPwillneedtoreflectthesechangestostatelaw,andinturn,theregionwillneedtoadoptnewgoals.ThesenewgoalswillserveasanimportantfirststeptowardthedevelopmentofthenextRSWMP.MetrowillcontinuetoworkcloselywithDEQonthedevelopmentandcoordinationofgoals,measuresanddatasources.

2015 Oregon Legislature‐ Senate Bill 263

This legislation is one of two proposals by DEQ that emerged from the Environmental Quality Commission’s adoption of the Oregon 2050 Vision and Framework for Action. This proposal includes the removal of the six percent credits allowed for waste prevention, reuse and home composting activities in calculation of recovery rates and updates recovery goals. Without credits, the state recovery rate was 49.7 and the Metro region’s recovery rate was 58.2 percent in 2013. The new goals include: New statewide recovery goals of 52 percent by 2020 and 55 percent by 2025

Metro regional wasteshed recovery goal of 64 percent by 2025


SECTION4: RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation1:Continueworkonkeyprogramsandincreaseprogressonschool‐basededucation,multifamilyservicesandtheregionalfoodscrapscollectionsystem.Overall,theregionhasbeenconsistentintheimplementationoftheRSWMP’swastereductionstrategiesandmeetingtheplan’sobjectivesthroughthemaintenanceofkeylong‐standingprogramsandthedevelopmentofnewandexpandedprograms.Tocontinueprogresstowardreducingtheamountofwastedisposed,theregionshouldcontinuetomaintainkeyprograms,evaluatepotentialexpansioninschooleducationandmultifamilyprogramareasandfurtherdeveloptheregion’sfoodscrapcollectionsystem.Recommendation2:CompletedevelopmentofdisposalsystempoliciesandguidancethroughtheSolidWasteRoadmap.

The2008RSWMPidentifiesanumberofimportantareasforimprovementsinthedisposalsystem,butlacksbroadersystemobjectivestoframethoseimprovements.WorkisunderwayintheSolidWasteRoadmapprojectstoformulatebothbroadpoliciesandmorespecificfixestothoseareas.ThiskeyguidanceshouldbeincorporatedintothenextRSWMP.Recommendation3:AspartoftheprocessofputtingtogetherthenextRSWMP,developnewandupdatedgoalstotrackenvironmentalprogressthatconsiderthelifecycleimpactsofproductsandmaterials.Thedevelopmentofnewgoalsbeyondthosecurrentlyinplaceiscriticaltosupportcontinuedprogressinreducingtheamountandtoxicityofwastegeneratedintheregion.ThisworkshouldbealignedcloselywithDEQ’sproposednewmeasuresandOregon2050VisionandFrameworkforAction.Thesemeasuresshouldincludebothlongtermgoalsandindicatorsthatcanmonitorprogressovertimeandtakeintoaccountenvironmentalbenefitsbeyondquantitiesrecovered.Recommendation4:In2016,initiatetheplanningprocessforthenextRSWMP,informedbymaterialsmanagementconcepts.Sincetheadoptionofthe2008plan,theframeworkformanagingsolidwasteinOregonandotherleadingcommunitiesandstateshasshiftedtoamorecomprehensiveapproachthataddressesthelifecycleimpactsofmaterials.TheOregon2050VisionandFrameworkforActionisanimportantguidancedocumentforregionalwork.ThecurrentRSWMPincludessomeelementsofmaterialsmanagement,butneedstobeupdatedtobetterreflectthestatedirection,thedesiredregionaloutcomesandamoresystemsbasedapproach.


AppendixA:RSWMPWasteReductionGoalsandObjectives


AppendixA(continued):RSWMPWasteReductionGoalsandObjectives


AppendixB:RSWMPSustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectives


AppendixC:RSWMPSystemImprovementsWorkPlan

regional solid waste management plan 2008 2018 midterm review · 21-04-2015 · craig dirksen,...

Documents