Sustainable Materials Management in MN: Getting off the ground floor. Madalyn Cioci Environmental Specialist October 2018

Transcription

1 Sustainable Materials Management in MN: Getting off the ground floor Madalyn Cioci Environmental Specialist October 2018

2 Sustainable Materials Management An approach to serving human needs by using/reusing resources most productively and sustainably throughout their life cycles, generally minimizing the amount of materials involved and all the associated environmental impacts - US EPA The Road Ahead, EPA, /26/2018 2

3 Un-sustainable Materials Management An approach to serving human needs by using resources most wastefully throughout their life cycles, generally maximizing the amount of materials involved and the associated environmental impacts. 3

4 Sustainable Materials Management An approach to serving human needs by using/reusing resources most productively and sustainably throughout their life cycles, generally minimizing the amount of materials involved and all the associated environmental impacts - US EPA The Road Ahead, EPA, /26/2018 4

5 2009: EPA reports 2016: SMM in MPCA Solid Waste Policy Report 2008: OR DEQ keynotes RAM 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 5

6 SMM and the Waste Hierarchy SMM is a perspective, not a specific methodology. More emphasis up the hierarchy. Going beyond the hierarchy: Recognition that not all materials are equal, that the hierarchy has limitations, and even errors. 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 6

7 Often the hierarchy holds. Materials may vary. Tons Baseline Mt CO2e from disposal Change from baseline (Mt CO2e saved) Recycled Source Reduced HDPE 30,900 17,395-44,596-62,801 Office Paper 33,500 22, , ,555 Electronics / Personal Computers 31,500-1,558-77,612-1,598,690 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 7

8 Buying better beats reusing (in this case) Emissions by Phase in Thousand metric tonnes (K mt CO2e) Total GHG Emissions Producer Pre-Purchase Transportation Wholesale+ Retail Use Post-Consumer Disposal Commodity Appliances 22, , Heating and cooling appliances 13, ,594.5 Ranges and microwaves Refrigerators and freezers 3, ,010.9 Washers and dryers 1, ,098.8 Other appliances 2, ,728.8 Production + Disposal < 5% Efficiency Gain 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 8

9 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 9

10 SW Policy Report Recommendations Proposes several policies including: Set goals for all levels Measure/report all waste Determine priority materials based on life cycle impacts Measure capture rates for recyclables Require waste comp at all disposal facilities Reform waste deposit disclosure Reform SWMT structure to dis-incentivize land disposal 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 10

11 From Metropolitan SW Policy Plan Prioritize solid waste materials for and best action based on life cycle analysis. Quantify environmental impacts from the materials/products that are targeted. Counties and MPCA work together to implement strategies for the priority materials. Allocate staff time on reduction and reuse; ensure grant funding eligibility includes reduction, reuse, as well as recycling (including organics). Create standard measurements for SMM. This could include a capture rate for materials/products. MPCA and stakeholders determine key environmental indicators important for SMM. MPCA and stakeholders determine which tools, models, and calculators will be acceptable for SMM. Increase the partners involved; SMM needs to include organizations with upstream impact. 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 11

12 New partners, levers & systems protecting 10/26/2018 the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 12

13 Program efforts Increased reuse SMM approach to purchasing Preventing wasting of food Reducing impacts of built environment Consumption-based emissions inventory SMM team established to carry out SW Policy Report recommendations 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 13

14 SW Policy Report Recommendations Proposes several policies including: Set goals for all levels Measure/report all waste Determine priority materials based on life cycle impacts Measure capture rates for recyclables Require waste comp at all disposal facilities Reform waste deposit disclosure Reform SWMT structure to dis-incentivize land disposal 10/26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 14

15 Recognizing that Earth s resources are limited, we design, make and use materials and products to last as long as possible, to obtain the maximum use from them, and then to recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. We decrease the total amount of materials used, and the concept of disposal fades as an increasingly circular economy emerges. 10/26/

16 Thank you! Questions? Madalyn Cioci /26/2018 protecting the environment and human health pca.state.mn.us 16