Incorporating Certified Compostable Plastics in Municipal Organic Recycling Programs

Transcription

1 Incorporating Certified Compostable Plastics in Municipal Organic Recycling Programs Presented in collaboration with the Compost Council of Canada & Canadian Plastics Industry Association by Isaul Lopez

2 Fundamental Truths Returning organics to the soil: Our Soils benefit from the ongoing addition of COMPOST for enhanced fertility and health 2

3 Soil & Plant Benefits Organic Matter Improved Soil Structure Moisture Retention Erosion Control Disease Suppression Plant Available Nutrients & Micro- Nutrients 3

4 Today s Truthful Reality in Waste Management Make the System Convenient & Pleasant to enhance participation 4

5 Fundamental Truths Garbage In = Garbage Out 5

6 The Composting Process Organics & contaminants in > Composting process > End product > 6

7 Our Common Purpose Support the sustainable advancement of organics recycling to address: - Waste Diversion - Build Healthy Soils + Conserve Water - Improved Environmental Culture - Sustainable Industrial & Household Practices 7

8 DIVERSION BENEFITS Waste is produced every day Up to 60% of waste material generated is compostable Diversion saves decreasing landfill space Landfills release methane into the atmosphere which has a greater short-term environmental impact than that of carbon dioxide. More compostable consumer packaging entering the market Our Soils benefit from the ongoing addition of COMPOST: Increased Soil Carbon Storage Decreased Water Use Decreased Soil Erosion Reduced Fertilizer Use Reduced Herbicide Use Biogas generation + composting generation benefits 8

9 About Compostable Plastics Certified compostable products are biodegraded during composting by microorganisms. Oxo-degradables and PE resins do not biodegrade during composting. Compostable resins can be petroleum-based and/or have renewable content (varies depending on supplier and grade). Compostable resin manufacturers support BNQ certifications in Canada. Other certifications BPI, EN 13432, Japan GeenPLA and others 9

10 When discussing compostable products, emphasis will be on CERTIFIED COMPOSTABLE 10

11 Standards Exist Canadian BNQ (CAN/BNQ ) and ASTM 6400 Standards for Certified Compostable Bags and Products: Disintegrate during composting such is not readily distinguishable from the other organic materials in the finished compost. No adverse effect on the ability of the compost to support plant growth after 84 days no more than 10% of tis original dry mass remains after sieving through a 2.0 mm sieve (safely biodegrade in 180 days or less leaving no visible or toxic residues). 11

12 CAN/BNQ Certified Compostable Products Compostable Products Bags & Packaging Materials (CAN/BNQ ) ng=en&p_id_prog_certif=622&p_id_prog_certif2= 10 compostable products certified by BNQ Canadian Certification Program Criteria 12

13 Two Agencies Certify for Conformity with Standard Certification is done by two North American independent third party organizations BNQ & BPI Getting certified provides proof that manufacturers conform to accepted composting standards When certified, manufacturers are licensed to use the composting Mark of Certification on bags & outer packaging Municipalities, citizens and commercial operations can look for the Mark of Certification when purchasing compostable bags CAN/BNQ Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) 13

14 Significant Resources Invested in Certified Compostable Bags Compostable resin producers have invested in research and development to create resins that meet composting standards 30 plus companies have compostable bags certified by both BNQ & BPI Commercial organics recycling facilities have invested in advanced technology to process and manage incoming organics in certified compostable bags and paper bags o Certification Programs o Technical Support Programs Bag Manufacturers and Compost Operators o Compost Technology bag breakers and ongoing research o Municipal & Commercial collection programs invested in communication & education programs 14

15 Benefits of Certified Compostable Bags To Citizens Certified compostable bags encourage participation by containing liquids, reduces odours, insects & pests and clumping of organics independent of the compost technology used: Contributes to the success and convenience of SSO programs Offering choice contributes to improved organics recovery Easily identifiable by their certified compost Printed Mark of Certification and appearance Puncture and tear resistant Safe, hygienic, and convenient to use Fits and conforms to regular organic collection containers Sustainable choice, saves on water usage and less detergents for bins cleaning. 15

16 Benefits of Certified Compostable Bags To Waste Collectors Translucent to view contents Bag breathes, allows oxygen (O 2 ) in and permits water vapor to leave the bag reducing moisture content up to 25% - 50% in five days - reducing odorous anaerobic conditions Weather resistant Hygienic, safer (less direct contact with employees), and collection efficient Recognized with CAN/BNQ & BPI Mark of Certification at curb/in the bin from other plastic bags 16

17 Certified Compostable Bags are Economical Providing citizens the choice of Certified Compostable bags can translate into savings to an average family, when compared to other options 16 x17 Cert. Compostable Bags 20 bags = $4.40 Cost per bag = $ bags/week = $0.44/wk. 52 weeks = $22.88/yr. Sources: Usage based Region of Halton Report PPW07-06 & W. Ralston (Canada) Inc. and updated pricing as of Jan by Hruska & Associates & CPIA (based on avg. retail pricing per bag) 17

18 Certified Compostable Bag Applications Certified Compostable Bags Used Successfully In: Kitchen Bin Liners Brown Bin Liners Leaf & Yard Waste 18

19 Million Canadian s Using Certified Compostable Bags and Growing Growth of Certified Compostable Bag Use in Canada: Population Certified Compostable Bags Population: 6.9 Million Total Population Access to SSO Curbside Collection Population (Million) No - Cert. Compostable Bag Use Curbside Yes - Cert. Compostable Bags Curbside 0.0 Year Sources: 1. Canadian Plastics Industry Association 2. Composting by Households in Canada, Statistics Canada July

20 Choice - Citizens Use Certified Compostable Bags Organic Material Set-out method (inside curbside bin) % 8% 8% 7% Certified Compostable Paper Bags No Liner Plastic 77% Source: Region of Halton, Waste Management Dept. Sept 18, 09 20

21 Diversion Benefits Giving Citizens a Choice 200 Municipal SSO (Food) Program Capture Rate Comparison SSO (food) Collected - HHLD / Yr (kg s) Waterloo Kingston Peel Simcoe Dufferin Durham Halton Paper Bag Liners only Choice of Cert. Compostable Polymer & Paper Liner Bags Capture rates are also affected by levels of C&E, bag limits on garbage, program maturity and other factors Waterloo recently added bag choices July 1, 2013 and has experienced more diversion of organics due to an aggressive C&E program and a choice of bags. Comparison Source: VisionQuest Environmental Strategies Corp. at US Composting Council AGM January 26th,

22 PROCESSING BENEFITS Certified compostable products: Biodegrade in aerobic composting process Do not disturb high solids anaerobic digestion biodegrade at the digestate composting stage 22

23 Benefits of Certified Compostable Bags Can be treated the same as organic contents for efficiency in feedstock preparation Becomes part of the compost produced (aerobic) Halton Region Report PPW82-05 on All Treat Farms, a major organics compost operator testimonial: with the introduction of the compostable plastic bags, there has been no increase in contamination levels and they are breaking down effectively in their system. 23

24 Processing Issues to Overcome About 183 total compost facilities listed in Canada Approximately 35 accept compostable service-ware & bags (19% of total) Improve visual differentiation of CCB s versus non- CCB s and PE bags for citizens and composters Use the proper grinding equipment that is able to handle film without clogging at pre-processing Continuous education of population on SSO programs and proper use (and recycling/separation) of certified compostable products entering the market 24

25 Certified Compostable Products help advance Compost Market Quality Direct Linkages in helping to address Compost Producers need to: Minimize foreign matter content Stay within Trace Elements criteria for Category A and/or B Compost 25

26 Update on Certified Compostable Committee Formed by MWA, CCC and CPIA members To share best practices on organics collection and processing of Certified Compostable bags Make recommendations on introduction of compostable products 26

27 Future Action & Collaboration Needed National Standard on certified compostable bags guidelines for differentiation vs non compostable bags. Guidelines on labelling and differentiation of new compostable products. Regulation reinforcement on unsubstantiated biodegradable claims according to National Standard of Canada CAN/CSA-ISO Self Declared Environmental Claims and Labels Prevent products with false claims to contaminate compost. 27

28 Additional Information & Links to Certified Compostable Bag & Resin Suppliers Independent Third Party Organizations The BNQ The Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ) is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) as a Standards Development Organization and a Certification Body: Link: The BPI The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is a professional association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). Link: 28

29 Thank you Questions?