Incineration versus the Alternatives

Transcription

1 Incineration versus the Alternatives Paul Connett, PhD Executive Director AmericanHealthStudies.org (AEHSP) Oxfordshire, October 8, 2009

2 OUTLINE 1. Waste and the Big Picture 2. The arguments against incineration 3. The Zero Waste 2020 strategy 4. The Key Step Forward 5. Zero Waste Initiatives Around the World 6. Back to the Big Picture

3 4. The key step forward

4 Landfills & Incinerators attempt to make the residuals disappear

5 To move towards zero waste & sustainability we need to make the remaining residuals very visible

6 Residuals must not go directly to a landfill but to a residual separation facility built in front of the landfill

7 Residual Separation Facility

8 RESIDUAL SCREENING FACILITY MORE RECYCLABLES MORE TOXICS DIRTY ORGANIC FRACTION BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION INTERIM LANDFILL

9 RESIDUAL SCREENING FACILITY Built in front of landfill Operating in Nova Scotia MORE RECYCLABLES MORE TOXICS DIRTY ORGANIC FRACTION BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION INTERIM LANDFILL

10 A critical improvement on Nova Scotia

11 Insertion of a Research center

12 RESIDUAL SCREENING & RESEARCH FACILITY MORE RECYCLABLES MORE TOXICS DIRTY ORGANIC FRACTION NON-TOXIC, NON-BIODEGRADABLE FRACTION RESEARCH CENTER BIOLOGICAL STABILIZATION INTERIM LANDFILL

13 RESIDUAL SEPARATION & RESEARCH FACILITY NON-RECYCABLE MATERIALS Local University Or Technical College RESEARCH CENTER

14 Residual Separation & Research Facility

15 RESEARCH CENTER Improve capture rate of reusables, recyclables and clean compostables Recommend improved waste avoidance strategies by local businesses Develop some local uses for some materials Recommend better industrial designs to industry on packaging and products

16 The Message to Industry: If we can t reuse it, recycle it or compost it, Industry shouldn t be making it We need better industrial design for the 21st Century We cannot become sustainable without it

17 Nature makes no waste Because she uses FEEDBACK mechanisms A--B C D E F If F builds up because not being used then F will switch off the first enzyme controlling the first step of this process

18 Nature makes no waste Because she uses FEEDBACK mechanisms A--B C D E F

19 Nel Feb 24, 2007 Capannori (vicino Lucca) e` diventata la prima citta` a dichiarare una strategia rifiuti zero 2020 Rossano Ercolini Ambientefuturo@interfree.it

20 FRAZIONE RESIDUA - Capannori Porta a Porta 1. Tessili e cuolo % 2. Pannolini % 3. Materiale organico da cucina % 4. Altra plastica: non imballo 9.98 % 5. Imballaggi cellulosici poliaccopiati 8.05 % 6. Imballaggi poliaccopiati in plastica 7.45 % 7. Imballaggi flessibili in plastica 6.81 % 8. Materiale organico da giardino 4.64 % 9. Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (non bottiglie) 3.23 % 10 Giornali (quotidiani e riviste) 2.54 %

21 FRAZIONE RESIDUA Capannori Tessili e cuoio Pannolini Materiale organico da cucina Altra plastica: non imballo Questa e l analisi del Imballaggi cellulosici poliaccopiati Imballaggi poliaccopiati in plastica Imballaggi flessibili in plastica Materiale organico da giardino ( bottiglie Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (non Giornali (quotidiani e riviste) % % % 9.98 % 8.05 % 17% che rimane dopo la separazione dell 83% del materiale 7.45 % 6.81 % 4.64 % 3.23 % raccolto porta a porta 2.54 %

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23 The waste problem Is too important to be left to waste experts (which are usually engineers) We need all sectors involved if we are to move towards a sustainable society

24 Sustainability As far as sustainability is concerned the waste problem is a fabulous place to start Because everyone makes waste!

25 Research Institute for Zero Waste and Sustainability

26 Research Institute for Zero Waste and Sustainability 1) Research for better industrial design

27 Research Institute for Zero Waste and Sustainability 1) Research for better industrial design 2) Linking zero waste with other key developments needed for sustainability

28 Agriculture Education For Sustainability industries & Jobs Zero Waste 2020 Architecture Community development Economic development Energy

29 Better Industrial Design Agriculture Education For Sustainability industries & Jobs Zero Waste 2020 Architecture Community development Economic development Energy

30 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Education For Sustainability industries & Jobs Zero Waste 2020 Architecture Community development Economic development Energy

31 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Education For Sustainability Research Center industries & Jobs Zero Waste 2020 Architecture Community development Economic development Energy

32 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Research Center Education For Sustainability Deconstruction industries & Jobs Zero Waste 2020 Architecture Community development Economic development Energy

33 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Research Center Education For Sustainability Deconstruction industries & Jobs Community development Zero Waste 2020 Economic development Architecture Energy Anaerobic Digestion

34 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Research Center Education For Sustainability Deconstruction industries & Jobs Community development Zero Waste 2020 Economic development Architecture Energy Anaerobic Digestion Incineration is not sustainable energy!

35 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Research Center Education For Sustainability Deconstruction industries & Jobs Community development Zero Waste 2020 Economic development Architecture Energy Anaerobic Digestion 100 s of green boxes

36 Better Industrial Design Composting Agriculture Research Center Education For Sustainability Deconstruction industries & Jobs Reuse & Repair Centers Community development Zero Waste 2020 Economic development Architecture Energy Anaerobic Digestion 100 s of green boxes

37 A summary of the steps towards zero waste

38 Source Separation

39 Source Separation Door to Door Collection

40 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting

41 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling

42 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Waste Reduction Initiatives

43 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Waste Reduction Initiatives Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction

44 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Waste Reduction Initiatives Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction Economic Incentives

45 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Economic Incentives Waste Reduction Initiatives Residual Separation & Research Center Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction

46 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Economic Incentives Waste Reduction Initiatives Residual Separation & Research Center Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction Better Industrial Design

47 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Economic Incentives Waste Reduction Initiatives Residual Separation & Research Center Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction Better Industrial Design Temporary Landfill

48 Source Separation Door to Door Collection Composting Recycling Economic Incentives Waste Reduction Initiatives Residual Separation & Research Center Reuse, Repair & Deconstruction Better Industrial Design Temporary Landfill 2020

49 San Francisco Population = 850,000 Very little space 50% waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by % waste diverted by 2010 (goal) 100% by 2020 Zero Waste (or very close!)

50 Separazione alla sorgente Riciclaggio Raccolta Porta a Porta 70-80% Iniziative Riduzione rifiuti Compostaggio Riutilizzo Riparazione e Centro per la Comunita COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Incentivi Economici Residual Separation & Research Facility Better Industrial Design INTERIM LANDFILL 2020

51 Separazione alla sorgente Riciclaggio Raccolta Porta a Porta 70-80% Iniziative Riduzione rifiuti COMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Compostaggio Riutilizzo Riparazione e Centro per la Comunita Incentivi Economici 20-30% Separazione del residuo e Centro di ricerca INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY migliore design industriale INTERIM LANDFILL 2020

52 Industrial Responsibility 1. Design for sustainability 2. Clean production 3. Extended Producer Responsibility

53 Extended Producer Responsibilty - packaging The Ontario (Canada) Beer industry has been using refillable glass bottles for 50 years 98% recovered Each bottle reused 18 times It saves the company money 2000 jobs in collection and cleaning No cost to municipality

54 Extended Producer Responsibilty - products XEROX CORPORATION EUROPE Recovers copying machines from 16 different countries Takes them to huge warehouses in the Netherlands, where the machines are stripped down for parts and materials 95% of materials recovered for reuse or recycling! This is saving Xerox $76 millions a year!!

55 Solid waste is the visible face of inefficiency!

56 For more examples of Industrial Responsibility Contact Gary Liss at For more information on EPR initiatives contact Bill Sheehan at

57 Separazione alla sorgente Riciclaggio Raccolta Porta a Porta 70-80% Iniziative Riduzione rifiuti COMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Compostaggio Riutilizzo Riparazione e Centro per la Comunita Incentivi Economici 20-30% Separazione del residuo e Centro di ricerca INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY migliore design industriale INTERIM LANDFILL 2020

58 Community Responsibility 70%

59 Community Responsibility 70% Residual Separation & Research Facility

60 Community Responsibility Industrial Responsibility 70% Residual Separation & Research Facility

61 Community Responsibility Industrial Responsibility 70% 80% Residual Separation & Research Facility

62 Community Responsibility Industrial Responsibility 90% 70% 80% Residual Separation & Research Facility

63 The other model

64 Separazione alla sorgente Riciclaggio Raccolta Porta a Porta 60-70% Iniziative Riduzione rifiuti COMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Compostaggio Riutilizzo Riparazione e Centro per la Comunita Incentivi Economici 30-40% Separazione del residuo e Centro di ricerca migliore design industriale INCINERATION

65 Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Compare

66 Compare Residuals Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce

67 Compare Residuals? Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce

68 Compare Incineration Residuals? Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce

69 Compare Incineration Ash landfill Residuals? Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce

70 Compare Incineration Ash landfill Residuals? Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Residual Separation Facility

71 Compare Incinerator Ash landfill Residuals? Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Residual Separation Facility Research Facility

72 Compare Incinerator Ash landfill Residuals Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Residual Separation Facility? Research Facility Biologically Stabilized Landfill

73 Compare Incinerator Ash landfill Residuals Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Residual Separation Facility? Research Facility Biologically Stabilized Landfill

74 Compare Incinerator Ash landfill Compost Recycle Reuse Repair Reduce Residuals Residual Separation Facility? Research Facility Pressure on The front end Biologically Stabilized Landfill

75 GOOD LEADERSHIP We need leaders who have A big vision Imagination Creativity Perseverence and WHO ARE NOT BORING!

76 BORING EXPERTS Think with the wrong end of their bodies

77 A BACK END THINKER 1. A CUP 2. A BUCKET 3. A FOOT PUMP 4. AN ELECTRIC PUMP

78 A FRONT END THINKER

79 Our only hope to move towards sustainability in time, is to move to the front end of the problem

80 THE BACK END NO to INCINERATORS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT NO to LANDFILLS

81 THE BACK END NO to INCINERATORS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT NO to LANDFILLS THE FRONT END OF BETTER INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

82 5. Progress towards Zero Waste around the world (GAIA)