Energy Recovery: Minimizing Landfill Discards Maximizing Resource Capture

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1 Energy Recovery: Minimizing Landfill Discards Maximizing Resource Capture Kristi Galus Sustainability & Business Development Packaging & Specialty Plastics The Dow Chemical Company

2 The Dow Chemical Company Founded in 1897 by Herbert H. Dow in Midland, MI Manufacture more than 6,000 products at 201 sites in 36 countries across the globe Deliver technology based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries Employ approximately 53,000 people worldwide Mission: To passionately innovate what is essential to human progress by providing sustainable solutions 2

3 It s a Good Choice! A Plastics Packaging Example Plastic Packaging provides many positive contributions to sustainability 3

4 Trends and Issues Plastics in the waste stream continues to increase Plastics have negative public image Excessive / Bad for the Environment / Waste Increased legislation Product de-selection and bans Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Increased focus on energy and waste policies Drive for more diversion of wastes from landfills Reduce, Reuse, Recycle preferred options Plastics waste destined for landfill Complimenting Energy Recovery with Mechanical Recycling keeps more material out of landfills 4

5 Landfills are Not the Answer Wasting Valuable Energy / Resources Visual Pollution Water table Contamination High $ Costs Tipping Fees Shipping Chemical Instability Limited Space Methane Emissions 5

6 Imagine a world where 100% of plastics are diverted from landfill It is possible to convert Non-Recycled Plastic (NRP) from waste to energy/fuels 6

7 Why Not Recycle It All? Mechanical Recycling for Plastics is the preferred method but it has limitations: Technical Challenges Foodservice ware Multi-layer/multi-material food packaging Logistical & Cost Challenges Collection, Sorting, Handling, Cleaning Infrastructure Challenges Inconsistent national approach Curbside vs Deposits vs Depots vs Retail stores Material codes Unsupported recycling end markets Unrealistic to expect mechanical recycling alone will allow us to reach 100% diversion goals. 7

8 A Two-Pronged Approach Source: American Chemistry Council 8

9 U.S. EPA s Integrated SOLID WASTE Management Hierarchy Energy Recovery. All options are needed to minimize disposal in landfills. RESOURCE CONSERVATION is key Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 9

10 Energy Recovery Improves Diversion from Landfills Mech. Recycling (Plastics) Energy Recovery (Plastics) Landfill (Plastics) Austria Belgium Denmark Germany Netherlands Switzerland Annual Waste per capita tons U.S.A Canada Sources: European Environmental Agency / Plastics Europe / U.S. EPA / CPIA / Covanta Energy * USA & Canada includes composting 10

11 Material Energy Values Favor Plastics Yet we tend to mine coal and bury plastics Average MSW = 12 MJ/kg PE has ~ 1.7X the energy value of coal Source: WTERT, Columbia University, CPIA, Pyromex.com 11

12 Energy Recovery Technologies INPUTS TECHNOLOGIES OUTPUTS PROS - Proven technology - Emissions well within Gov t Stds CONS - Cost to construct - Lower efficiency rating (25%-45%) - Design is heat limited - Higher ash content (10%-25%) PROS CONS - Use up to 100% plastics - Commercialization at scale - Higher efficiency rating (+75%) - Requires pre-sorting - Chemical reaction not burn - No / low O2 inherently lower emissions - Modular units lower construction costs - Closed Loop chemical recycling Recycles plastics back to its original feedstock 12

13 Energy Recovery in Action The Energy Bag Dow in collaboration with the Flexible Packaging Association, Republic Services, Agilyx Corporation, and the City of Citrus Heights - Goal: Test the viability of using emerging energy recovery technologies (pyrolysis) as part of an existing infrastructure waste management. Final results and key learnings will be released at the end of February at the following location: 13

14 Industry Involvement: Let s Work Together To: 14

15 In Summary Energy recovery when used complimentary to mechanical recycling can maximize landfill diversion and capture the energy value embedded in those materials as part of the circular economy. Doing this will not only help the environment, but also improve the public perception of plastics thus making all of our businesses successful and sustainable. 15

16 Speaker Contact Information Kristi Galus Phone: Cell Phone: Mailing address: 2030 Dow Center Midland, MI 48674, USA 16

17 NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information contained in this document are appropriate for Customer s use and for ensuring that Customer s workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other governmental enactments. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. All environmental marketing should be in compliance with FTC s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. 17