ENABLING PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES:

Transcription

1 ENABLING PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES: 1 Case study: Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) covering ten priority / special waste types. Marty Hoffart: Waste Watchers Jonathon Hannon: ZWA, Massey University

2 Defining Stewardship vs 'Responsibility Product Stewardship (PS) Extended Product Responsibility (EPtR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPrR) Product Stewardship is the act of minimizing health, safety, environmental and social impacts, and maximizing economic benefits of a product and its packaging throughout all lifecycle stages. Greatest opportunity =s greatest responsibility EoL / Either voluntary or mandatory. The U.S. President s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) has recently altered the definition of EPR-from extended producer responsibility to extended product responsibility. EU & US views diverge on economic / political ideology & ultimately conceptual semantics Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a mandatory type of product stewardship that includes, at a minimum, the requirement that the producer s responsibility for their product extends to post-consumer management of that product and its packaging. NB: The order (left to right) does not denote development timeline

3 Product Stewardship (PS) - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) PS and EPR represents a global movement. The definitions, applications, boundaries are continuously evolving. PS and EPR represents a paradigm shift in how, in particular, special waste / resource types are managed. Conceptually PS and EPR can be seen as a relocation of responsibility for products EoL waste issues from, the normal default setting, of Central / Local Govt, to instead constraining (or at least sharing) this within the producer- consumer transactional context.

4 Figure 1: Exploring the junction between Innate Recyclability and the necessity for Product Stewardship. PRIVATE SECTOR SPACE PUBLIC / PRIVATE INTERACTION PUBLIC SECTOR SPACE Zone where Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) / Product Stewardship may be required / negotiated to Close the loop $ $ The Innate Recyclability Spectrum - from High to Low, based upon combined product component resource value mixing with available recycling industry infrastructure and knowledge & economic, environmental & social factors The Innate Anti Recyclability spectrum where the toxicity / potential for environmental harm means the costs of OSH, consent compliance and disposal make the process unlikely to proceed via a free market?? HIGH VALUE PRODUCTS: Products with sufficient intrinsic resource value relative to recovery and recycling costs that they will - self recycle, based on the private sector profit motive providing a sufficient driver NEUTRAL VALUE PRODUCTS: Products whose relative recovery / recycling cost vs benefits is based upon various economic factors is oscillating above and below the break-even point and hence whose fate will be uncertain LOW VALUE PRODUCTS: Products with low intrinsic resource value and / or high hazardous content resulting in the fact that recovery and recycling costs relative to benefits means that without intervention they are destined only for disposal Interchange along this spectrum because of the interaction of economic factors Typically products with high metal content e.g. Aluminium wheels, Copper hot water cylinders Typically products with arbitrary commodity value e.g. Glass and other forms of packaging Typically products which are technically difficult / hazardous to recycle e.g. CRT computers

5 An illustration of the spectrum of activities across the continuum from Product Stewardship (PS) through to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as viewed by differing interest groups. Figure: The spectrum of interventions which can be classified and versions/ interpretations of PS through to EPR range from weak (left) to strong (right). Totally free market / zero Government intervention and involvement around environmental objectives & material resource management National policies / strategies ID PS / EPR as an aspiration. Product information, guidance & labelling developed by NGOs, Govts & producers to support safe and effective product usage Research undertaken on behalf of & producers of issue products to support OSH and customer use and EoL handling. Individual or Assn-group self or Govt developed voluntary or binding accords, standards & initiatives designed to contribute to issue resolution Brand motivated voluntary ESD, cleaner production linked product stewardship - talkback, point of sale swap/trade in programmes which promote EoL responsibility Regulated product stewardship / EPR requirements Government accreditation, standardised QA monitoring and enforcement. Producer owned stewardship (PSO) / responsibility (PRO organisations State control of the design and production of products. Direct municipal ownership and management of the recycling process Low cost - low commitment - low impact Higher involvement higher level of regulation and outcome Carpet - Ceiling Tiles - Electronics & Cell Phones - Household packaging & difficult to recycle Items (many types of packaging, tooth brushes, cell phones, digital cameras, GPS units, Scotch Tape holders, toner cartridges, corks, and MP3 players) -Mercury Thermostats - Mercury Lighting (CFLs) - Medical Sharps (syringes) - Mercury Auto Switches - Rechargeable Batteries - Paper - Plastic Bags - Plastic Containers (# 5) - Pesticide Containers - Solar Panels - Tires - Polar fleeces - Nike shoes- Golite camping equipment, Paint, Mattresses, Phone books, Gas cylinders, Pharmaceuticals, Radioactive devices, Tyres [Cigarette butts, windmill blades, Nano-materials}.

6 Global Waste Generation / World Commodity Prices Million tonnes 1,200 1, DATE: OCED INDICATOR SERIES (2009) Global Waste Genration: 1980 to (Million tonnes / year) GLOBAL TOTAL waste generated Million tonnes OECD Total waste generated Million tonnes OTHER Total waste generated Million tonnes Globally waste generation, related pollution issues & hence the resulting management challenges are increasing. Resources are becoming scare and more costly. Urban mining is relatively cheap and environmentally friendly Reduce Reuse Recycle -here to stay! NB: equates to 2006 data or latest available. Other includes variously Brazil, Russia China India and South Africa. Overtime the increase is partially due to better monitoring and reporting, plus countries reporting where they hadn't previously. However the unadjusted drop from 2000 onwards is largely because Aust, NZ, India and Brazil did not report date where they had previously done so. In this instance 200 data was carried over New Zealand last reported to the OECD in 2000

7 38 banned items at the Heartland landfill BC, Canada. General: Aggregate Asphalt - Biomedical waste - Clean soil Concrete - Corrugated cardboard - Directories Drywall - Hazardous wastes (including empty containers) - Ignitable wastes - Lead acid batteries - liquids (except by permit) - Mixed paper (paper fibres) - Motor vehicle bodies and farm implements - Newspapers PCBs - Propane tanks - Radioactive wastes - Reactive wastes Rubble - Scrap metal - Sharps (except by permit) - Special waste, excluding waste asbestos - white goods (large appliances) - Yard and garden waste Product Stewardship Items: 1- Batteries (household) - Call2Recycle, 2- Beverage containers (excluding milk) Encorp and BDL, 3- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes (residential) Product Care, 4- Paint Product Care, 5- Pharmaceuticals Medications Return Program, 6- Solvents and Flammable Liquids, Gasoline and Pesticides Product Care, 7- Thermostats Switch the 'Stat, 8- Tyres Tyre Stewardship BC, 9- Used lubricating oil, filters, containers and antifreeze BCUOMA, 10- Televisions, computers Encorp, 11- Small appliances, vacuums Unplugged.

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10 The province of British Columbia They have the same population as New Zealand Everyone pays into the scheme They have about 4 million tyres per year or 40,000 tonnes Passenger and light truck $5.00 Medium truck tyre.$9.00 Agrilcultural drive tyre..$15.00 Logger/skidder..$35.00 More than 50 Million tyres have been recycled

11 British Columbia s Industry-led Product Stewardship programs require producers of designated products to take Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the life cycle management of their products, including collection and recycling. The Recycling Regulation, under authority of the Environmental Management Act, sets out the requirements for Product Stewardship in B.C.

12 Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) it is Child s play in Alberta, Canada.

13 UK supermarket TESCO Achieves Zero Waste The target (100% diversion of waste from landfill) was achieved a year ahead of its 2010 deadline (@ 1/2 million t/pa this equates to 1/6 of total NZ PNCC 44,000 t/pa).

14 Other - 5 to 10% Product Stewardship Class Materials (Special & Hazardous Waste)

15 Many Different Types of ewaste: The EU WEEE & Battery Directives lists 14 types

16 Resources (& other stuff) in ewaste but, lots of complex and expensive processes and infrastructure involved in getting this out in an OSH, environmentally quality assured and financially sustainable way

17 PNCC s Optimal Role & Positioning re PS Class Materials? FLTs/CFLs (Mercury containing lamps) Used / waste motor Oils / Solvents Antifreeze Coolant / Refrigerant Gasses Tyres e-waste Agricultural bale wrap & other Ag plastics Batteries Disposable Nappies Paint Polystyrene Treated timber End of Life Motor vehicles Agricultural & Household Hazardous Chemicals Plasterboard Grease trap waste Animal mortalities Glass Plastic Bags Non-symbol / Unconventional Plastics Bio-degradable Plastics Garden Plastics

18 Enabling Product Stewardship Locally. Meeting Community Expectations. Objectives: To assist the PNCC staff in understanding the current state of best practice with each of the following special waste types. So they can optimally position the City in respect of; alignment with emerging product stewardship schemes and appropriate management practices and technologies.

19 Ferguson St User Survey Finding: 85.6 % sought more recycling options / Demand indicator for expanded service Illustration of range of PS class materials identified (300+ respondents) What other items would you like to recycle here? ewaste Tyres Fluorescent lghting FLTs / CFLs Batteries Polystyrene Paint Used motor oils/ Antifreeze / Solvents Nappies Agricultural/ Garden Plastics Green Waste 2nd hand goods Other

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21 Key points: The 10 local priority waste types were selected from the national list of collective Local Govt priorities. The selected options represent the optimal user pays recycling service provider (technology vs risk) and was the best fit with local conditions. The engagement model was based on achieving cost neutrality to PNCC (i.e. market price + handling =s PNCC charges). PNCC is a service facilitator not a service provider. If any contractor fails then a new service provider can be selected. Proposal meets public demand - Ferguson St user survey tells us the public wanted these recycling options. Because the work area is so dynamic the 2012 information will soon be out of date. However through the ZWA - student research connection potentially this project can be refreshed, so that the resources can adapt to change and continue to accurately inform ongoing decision making.

22 i i Summary of Recommendations FLTs/CFLs (Mercury lamps) Used Motor Oils / Solvents Antifreeze Coolant Tyres e-waste Agricultural Plastics Polystyrene Batteries Disposable Nappies Paint?????????? Key Points: 1- Recommendations are locally specific and scenario is highly dynamic so benefits from ongoing monitoring. 2- Model aligned with NZ s user pays approach. 3- Seeks facilitation by Council of cost neutral increase in service level across wide range of PS class materials.

23 Waste Watchers Ltd Waste Minimisation Consultants support product stewardship Available to apply same / similar methodology to support Council staff in other areas to choice best fit for Product Stewardship facilitation This is a moving target good advice, shared experience and a global perspective is important! Succession planning - valuable information for councillors New staff

24 Research Massey National ewaste Survey: (now) Purpose: This research project has been designed to measure the views and activities of four key stakeholder groupings and hence to benchmark New Zealand s current status and potential future progress in dealing with the issues and opportunities relating to ewaste. Methodology: The project ID & sought perspectives of four key stakeholder groupings: 1. Local Government 2. Ewaste recyclers 3. Electronics Producers 4. The General Public National PS survey: (next) Mapping service levels and coverage, cost structures and facilitation models