A Conceptual Framework forA Conceptual Framework for

Sustainable Integrated Sustainable Integrated Waste Management Waste Management

TREN 3P14: TREN 3P14: Sustainable Integrated Waste ManagementSustainable Integrated Waste Management

David T. Brown David T. Brown Dept. of Tourism and Environment, Brock UniversityDept. of Tourism and Environment, Brock University

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2S 3A1St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2S 3A1

dbrown@brocku.cadbrown@brocku.ca

http://www.brocku.ca/tren/courses/tren3P14/2006/

Further information and course Further information and course outline available through outline available through

WebCTWebCT or ator at

A Conceptual Framework for A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Integrated Waste Sustainable Integrated Waste

ManagementManagement

OutlineOutline Sustainability: Sustainability: principles principles ->->policy policy -> -> practicepractice Implications for Waste ManagementImplications for Waste Management Waste Management PrinciplesWaste Management Principles Policy ImplicationsPolicy Implications

SustainabilitySustainabilityPutting principles into Putting principles into

practice practice

......How do we move from How do we move from rhetoric to reality?rhetoric to reality?

Proximate Issues:Proximate Issues:Waste management problems Waste management problems at any scale or jurisdictional levelat any scale or jurisdictional level

Challenge:Challenge:To effect positive change by To effect positive change by

applying generalized applying generalized principles of sustainabilityprinciples of sustainability

Proximate Issues:Proximate Issues:Waste management problems Waste management problems at any scale or jurisdictional levelat any scale or jurisdictional level

principlesprinciples

principlesprinciples

policypolicy

principlesprinciples

policypolicy

practicepractice

SomeSome

Principles of Sustainability Principles of Sustainability in the literature:in the literature:

Our Common Future (WCED 1987)Our Common Future (WCED 1987) Principles defining sustainable development Principles defining sustainable development (OSEM 1989)(OSEM 1989) Defining a sustainable society Defining a sustainable society (Robinson (Robinson et et alal . 1990,1996) . 1990,1996) Agenda 21 (1992)Agenda 21 (1992) Six principles of sustainable development Six principles of sustainable development (ORTEE 1992)(ORTEE 1992) Guideposts for a sustainable future Guideposts for a sustainable future (Nickerson 1993)(Nickerson 1993) Framework for Sustainable Development Framework for Sustainable Development (CIDA 1994)(CIDA 1994) The Natural Step The Natural Step (Robert (Robert et et alal . 1994) . 1994) Sustainability Principles Sustainability Principles (ORTEE 1994), etc.(ORTEE 1994), etc.

Recent compilation of Recent compilation of Principles of SustainabilityPrinciples of Sustainability

http://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asphttp://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asp

-IISD (Winnipeg)-IISD (Winnipeg)

Sustainable development:Sustainable development:

meeting the needs of the meeting the needs of the present without compromising present without compromising the ability of future generations the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.to meet their own needs.

– World Commission on Environment and World Commission on Environment and Development (1987): Development (1987): Our Common FutureOur Common Future

the concept of the concept of needsneeds, particularly the , particularly the essential needs of the world’s pooressential needs of the world’s poor

EQUITYEQUITY the idea of the idea of limitations limitations (ecological, (ecological,

technological, and social) which affect the technological, and social) which affect the environment’s ability to meet present and environment’s ability to meet present and future needsfuture needs

LIMITS TO GROWTH LIMITS TO GROWTH (quantitative (quantitative andand qualitative) qualitative)

-> -> living within the regenerative and living within the regenerative and assimilative capacities of the planetassimilative capacities of the planet

Two key sustainable development concepts:Two key sustainable development concepts:

Sustainable development...Sustainable development...

considers future and present considers future and present needs when needs when making decisions making decisions about:about:– resource useresource use

– technological developmenttechnological development

– direction of investmentsdirection of investments

– political & institutional changepolitical & institutional change

ECONOMYECONOMY

ENV’TENV’T

SOCIETYSOCIETY

TRADITIONALDECISION MAKING

ECONOMYECONOMY

ENV’TENV’T

SOCIETYSOCIETY

TRADITIONALDECISION MAKING

• NON-PARTICIPATORYNON-PARTICIPATORY

•FRAGMENTEDFRAGMENTED

SOCIETYSOCIETY

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT

ECONOMYECONOMY

ECONOMYECONOMY

ENV’TENV’T

SOCIETYSOCIETY

TRADITIONALDECISION MAKING

ECOSYSTEM-BASEDDECISION MAKING

‘‘ECO-ECO-

SYSTEMSYSTEM

HEALTH’HEALTH’

SOCIETYSOCIETY

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT

ECONOMYECONOMY

ECOSYSTEM-BASEDDECISION MAKING

• PARTICIPATORYPARTICIPATORY

• INTEGRATEDINTEGRATED

‘‘ECO-ECO-

SYSTEMSYSTEM

HEALTH’HEALTH’

To be useful, principles of To be useful, principles of sustainability must:sustainability must:

be easily understoodbe easily understood be applicable in many contextsbe applicable in many contexts be transferrable across scalesbe transferrable across scales translate well into applied policy and translate well into applied policy and

practical actionpractical action identify possibilities for radical identify possibilities for radical

transformative change transformative change

AND AND positive incremental changepositive incremental change

Sustainability: PROBLEMSSustainability: PROBLEMS Depletion of finite resourcesDepletion of finite resources

– fuels, soil, minerals, speciesfuels, soil, minerals, species Over-use of renewable resourcesOver-use of renewable resources

– forests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public fundsforests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public funds PollutionPollution

– air, water, soilair, water, soil InequityInequity

– economic, political, social, gendereconomic, political, social, gender Species lossSpecies loss

– endangered species and spacesendangered species and spaces

Sustainability: SOLUTIONSSustainability: SOLUTIONS Cyclical material useCyclical material use

– emulate natural cycles; 3 R’semulate natural cycles; 3 R’s Safe reliable energySafe reliable energy

– conservation, renewable energy, conservation, renewable energy, substitution, interim measuressubstitution, interim measures

Life-based interestsLife-based interests– health, creativity, communication, health, creativity, communication,

coordination, appreciation, learning, coordination, appreciation, learning, intellectual and spiritual developmentintellectual and spiritual development

Implications for Implications for Waste ManagementWaste Management

Guideposts for SustainabilityGuideposts for Sustainability(after Nickerson, 1993)(after Nickerson, 1993)

Activities are Activities are sustainable sustainable when they:when they:

1.1. Use materials in continuous cycles.Use materials in continuous cycles.

2.2. Use continuously reliable sources of Use continuously reliable sources of energy.energy.

3.3. Encourage desirable human traitsEncourage desirable human traits(equity; creativity; communication; (equity; creativity; communication; coordination; appreciation; intellectual coordination; appreciation; intellectual and and spiritual development).spiritual development).

One example of a set of principles:One example of a set of principles:

Guideposts for SustainabilityGuideposts for SustainabilityActivities are Activities are not sustainable not sustainable when they:when they:

4.4. Require continual inputs of non-renewable Require continual inputs of non-renewable resources.resources.

5.5. Use renewable resources faster than their Use renewable resources faster than their rate of renewal. rate of renewal.

6. 6. Cause cumulative degradation of the Cause cumulative degradation of the environment.environment.

7. 7. Require resources in quantities that could Require resources in quantities that could never be available for people everywhere.never be available for people everywhere.

8. 8. Lead to the extinction of other life forms.Lead to the extinction of other life forms.

Obsolescent “frontier” civilization:Obsolescent “frontier” civilization:

ENERGYENERGY

CONVENTIONALCONVENTIONALURBAN SYSTEMURBAN SYSTEM

MATERIALSMATERIALS

HEATHEAT

WASTE &WASTE &TOXINSTOXINS

One-way flow of materials and energyOne-way flow of materials and energy

CONSUMERCONSUMERSOCIETYSOCIETY

NON-RENEWABLENON-RENEWABLEand RENEWABLEand RENEWABLE

HIGHHIGHTHROUGHPUTTHROUGHPUT

Current waste management Current waste management practices are unsustainable practices are unsustainable

due to:due to: waste of energy and materialswaste of energy and materials environmental degradationenvironmental degradation

– poor disposal practicespoor disposal practices– toxic, hazardous, infectious wastetoxic, hazardous, infectious waste

=> health and safety implications=> health and safety implications poor institutional integrationpoor institutional integration lack of accountability for waste lack of accountability for waste

producersproducers

Sustainable Sustainable IntegratedIntegrated Waste ManagementWaste Management

Sustainable - Sustainable - consistent with principles of consistent with principles of

sustainabilitysustainability

Integrated -Integrated - functionallyfunctionally across spatial and across spatial and

temporal scalestemporal scales across jurisdictionsacross jurisdictions

Local Policy

National Policy

NATIONAL

PROVINCIAL

REGIONALMUNICIPALLOCAL

Sustainable integrated waste Sustainable integrated waste management practices must:management practices must:

reduce material and energy wastagereduce material and energy wastage protect environmental qualityprotect environmental quality

– minimize impacts of disposal minimize impacts of disposal – eliminate or treat toxic, hazardous, and eliminate or treat toxic, hazardous, and

infectious wastesinfectious wastes improve institutional integrationimprove institutional integration increase accountabilityincrease accountability

CONSERVERCONSERVERSOCIETYSOCIETY

Sustainable civilization:Sustainable civilization:

•Cyclical flows of materials Cyclical flows of materials •Appropriate energy usageAppropriate energy usage

Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency

RENEWABLERENEWABLE

Waste MinimizationWaste MinimizationToxics controlToxics control

LOWLOWTHROUGHPUTTHROUGHPUT

ENERGYENERGY

MATERIALSMATERIALS

Low-qualityLow-qualityHeat EnergyHeat Energy

Low-volumeLow-volumeNontoxic Nontoxic Waste Waste MaterialsMaterials

Sustainable integrated Sustainable integrated waste managementwaste management

is is proactiveproactive, not reactive, not reactive aims to minimize waste aims to minimize waste throughout the life throughout the life

cycle cycle of a product, from resource of a product, from resource extraction to ultimate disposalextraction to ultimate disposal

requires requires cooperationcooperation amongst individuals, amongst individuals, jurisdictions, disciplines, and sectorsjurisdictions, disciplines, and sectors

is based upon emerging is based upon emerging principles of principles of sustainabilitysustainability

SustainableSustainableIntegratedIntegrated

WasteWasteManagementManagement

Source Source ReductionReduction

SourceSourceSeparationSeparation

CompostingComposting

Waste toWaste toEnergy?Energy?

TransferTransferStationsStations

LandfillLandfill

WasteWasteExchangesExchanges

RecyclingRecycling

Incineration?Incineration?

WasteWasteAudits Audits

ReuseReuse

Waste Waste Management Management

PrinciplesPrinciples

What is GARBAGE?What is GARBAGE?

the inevitable byproduct of human the inevitable byproduct of human activity and endeavouractivity and endeavour

a a relativerelative concept: concept: “One person’s “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”trash is another person’s treasure”

materials not valued by a given materials not valued by a given individual, culture, or societyindividual, culture, or society

changes with resource availabilitychanges with resource availability

Three basic methods of Three basic methods of garbage disposalgarbage disposal open dumpingopen dumping

– on land, in inland waters, or at seaon land, in inland waters, or at sea

burningburning– open fires to modern incinerationopen fires to modern incineration

burialburial– garbage pits to engineered sanitary garbage pits to engineered sanitary

landfillslandfills

The The 3 Rs:3 Rs:A framework for responsible A framework for responsible

waste managementwaste management

1. REDUCE1. REDUCE

2. REUSE 2. REUSE

3. RECYCLE3. RECYCLE

Waste Management HierarchyWaste Management Hierarchy

The debated The debated 4th R:4th R:

4. RECOVER4. RECOVER

1. REDUCE1. REDUCEAvoid unnecessary waste generation in Avoid unnecessary waste generation in

the first placethe first place eliminate unnecessary consumptioneliminate unnecessary consumption refine industrial and commercial refine industrial and commercial

processes to reduce wasteprocesses to reduce waste avoid unnecessary packagingavoid unnecessary packaging substitute reusables for disposablessubstitute reusables for disposables buy durable, long-lasting itemsbuy durable, long-lasting items

2. REUSE2. REUSEUse objects, devices, or substances Use objects, devices, or substances

againagain refillable containersrefillable containers durables instead of disposablesdurables instead of disposables reusable packagingreusable packaging

3. RECYCLE3. RECYCLEUse “waste” materials in place of Use “waste” materials in place of

virgin materials to create a new virgin materials to create a new productproduct

many recycling variantsmany recycling variants to be an appropriate strategy, the net to be an appropriate strategy, the net

environmental impacts must be environmental impacts must be lower than the impacts of using lower than the impacts of using virgin materialsvirgin materials

The debated 4th “R”:The debated 4th “R”:

4. RECOVER4. RECOVER Extracting energy or material resourcesExtracting energy or material resources

(usually fuels) from waste(usually fuels) from waste energy-recovering incineratorsenergy-recovering incinerators refuse-derived fuel facilitiesrefuse-derived fuel facilities materials recovery facilitiesmaterials recovery facilities

debated because recovery is perceived debated because recovery is perceived to be contrary to the first 3 R’s, and to to be contrary to the first 3 R’s, and to produce toxic emissionsproduce toxic emissions

Sectoral Sources of WasteSectoral Sources of Waste

Major waste generating sectors:Major waste generating sectors:

RESIDENTIALRESIDENTIAL SECTOR SECTOR– private homes and dwellingsprivate homes and dwellings

commingled; many materialscommingled; many materials overall composition quite predictableoverall composition quite predictable

ICIICI SECTOR SECTOR– IIndustrial, ndustrial, CCommercial, ommercial, IInstitutionalnstitutional

many large volume waste generatorsmany large volume waste generators specialized waste streamsspecialized waste streams excellent materials exchange possibilitiesexcellent materials exchange possibilities

What’s in the waste stream?What’s in the waste stream?

PAPERPAPER GLASSGLASS FERROUS METALFERROUS METAL NON-FERROUS NON-FERROUS

METALMETAL PLASTICSPLASTICS TEXTILESTEXTILES LEATHERLEATHER RUBBERRUBBER

WOODWOOD RUBBLERUBBLE DIAPERSDIAPERS ORGANICSORGANICS ASHESASHES CERAMICSCERAMICS FIBERGLASSFIBERGLASS APPLIANCESAPPLIANCES TIRESTIRES

• Residential waste is typically classified into Residential waste is typically classified into several major categories (e.g. Ontario MOEE)several major categories (e.g. Ontario MOEE)• Local classifications may be used to better Local classifications may be used to better

reflect local waste generation patternsreflect local waste generation patterns

Major categories may be Major categories may be further subdivided:further subdivided:

PLASTICS:PLASTICS: PETPET HDPEHDPE PVCPVC LDPELDPE PPPP PSPS NylonNylon

PAPER:PAPER: NewsprintNewsprint Fine paperFine paper Glossy magazinesGlossy magazines Waxed / coatedWaxed / coated BoxboardBoxboard Kraft paperKraft paper CorrugatedCorrugated TissuesTissues

Finer categories may reflect Finer categories may reflect local marketslocal markets

LAEM CHABANGLAEM CHABANG::

GlassGlass clear containersclear containers

– Misc. clear glassMisc. clear glass– Flat / round whiskeyFlat / round whiskey– Soda bottlesSoda bottles

brown containersbrown containers– Misc. brown glassMisc. brown glass– Lipovitan D bottlesLipovitan D bottles

ONTARIOONTARIO::

GlassGlass clear containersclear containers

– Misc. clear glassMisc. clear glass– Deposit soda bottles Deposit soda bottles

brown containersbrown containers– Misc. brown glassMisc. brown glass– deposit beer bottlesdeposit beer bottles

REDUCEREDUCE... Source ... Source ReductionReduction

OptionsOptions

Source reduction:Source reduction:

front-end, preventative approach front-end, preventative approach to managing wastesto managing wastes

targets reduced waste volumetargets reduced waste volume targets reduced waste toxicitytargets reduced waste toxicity proactive, not reactiveproactive, not reactive

Source reduction initiatives Source reduction initiatives may target:may target:

Design, production, and Design, production, and marketing of productsmarketing of products

Manufacturing of productsManufacturing of products Consumer behaviourConsumer behaviour

Source reduction objectives inSource reduction objectives in design, production and design, production and marketing of productsmarketing of products

minimize materials useminimize materials use minimize use of toxic substancesminimize use of toxic substances increase product life spanincrease product life span improve repairability, reusability, and improve repairability, reusability, and

remanufacturabilityremanufacturability market the above attributesmarket the above attributes

Source reduction objectives in Source reduction objectives in manufacturing processesmanufacturing processes

improved production efficienciesimproved production efficiencies in-house reuse of materials and in-house reuse of materials and

packagingpackaging in-house recycling of plant scrapin-house recycling of plant scrap reduction / elimination of toxicsreduction / elimination of toxics

Source reduction objectives in Source reduction objectives in consumer behaviourconsumer behaviour

altered purchasing patterns to favour altered purchasing patterns to favour longer lasting, reuseable, longer lasting, reuseable, remanufacturable, repairable itemsremanufacturable, repairable items

avoidance of excessive packagingavoidance of excessive packaging avoidance of products with toxic or avoidance of products with toxic or

environmentally harmful effectsenvironmentally harmful effects

Source reduction policy Source reduction policy alternativesalternatives

educationeducation voluntary compliance voluntary compliance

programsprograms economic instrumentseconomic instruments regulation and legislationregulation and legislation

Source reduction policy Source reduction policy alternatives...alternatives...

educationeducation– seminars, conferencesseminars, conferences

– formal educationformal education

– media awareness campaignsmedia awareness campaigns

– waste audit programswaste audit programs

Source reduction policy Source reduction policy alternatives...alternatives...

voluntary compliance programs:voluntary compliance programs:– industry source reduction task forcesindustry source reduction task forces

– corporate procurement policiescorporate procurement policies

– proactive waste auditingproactive waste auditing

– awards of recognitionawards of recognition

– logos and labelslogos and labels

Source reduction policy Source reduction policy alternatives...alternatives...

economic instrumentseconomic instruments– taxestaxes

– tax rebatestax rebates

– subsidies for research, training, subsidies for research, training, developmentdevelopment

– seed money / grantsseed money / grants

– increased tipping feesincreased tipping fees

Source reduction policy Source reduction policy alternatives...alternatives...

regulations and legislationregulations and legislation– material or product bansmaterial or product bans

– disposal bansdisposal bans

– product constituent regulationproduct constituent regulation

– mandated source reduction targets mandated source reduction targets and timelinesand timelines

RecyclingRecycling

Recycling...Recycling...

conserves material resourcesconserves material resources conserves energyconserves energy provides economic opportunitiesprovides economic opportunities

– new jobs, economic developmentnew jobs, economic development reduces impacts on the environmentreduces impacts on the environment

– extraction; manufacturing; disposalextraction; manufacturing; disposal reduces disposal problems / costsreduces disposal problems / costs

– prolongs landfill life; protects environmentprolongs landfill life; protects environment

Conserves materials Conserves materials and energy...and energy...

every tonne of newspaper recycled every tonne of newspaper recycled saves 17- 19 pulp treessaves 17- 19 pulp trees

there is a 95% energy savings when there is a 95% energy savings when aluminum cans are recycled rather aluminum cans are recycled rather than manufactured from virgin than manufactured from virgin materialsmaterials

Savings from products manufactured using recycled materials

Paper Glass Steel Aluminium

Energy 23-70% 4-22% 47-74% 92-97%

Air pollution 74% 20% 86% 95%

Water pollution 35% -- 76% 97%

Mining wastes -- 80% 97% --

Water use 58% 50% 40% --- Source: O’Leary and Walsh, 1988

Recycling variantsRecycling variants

Recycling can take several forms:Recycling can take several forms: Closed-loop recyclingClosed-loop recycling

– recycling over and over into the same type of recycling over and over into the same type of product (product (e.g.e.g., steel cans, glass bottles), steel cans, glass bottles)

Cascade recyclingCascade recycling– recycling into a different product which is of recycling into a different product which is of

lower material quality, but still recyclable itself lower material quality, but still recyclable itself ((e.g.e.g., fine office paper into boxboard), fine office paper into boxboard)

Open-loop recyclingOpen-loop recycling– recycling into another product which is recycling into another product which is

not recyclable, or difficult to recycle not recyclable, or difficult to recycle ((e.g., e.g., PETPET soda bottles into carpeting)soda bottles into carpeting)

““Showpiece” recyclingShowpiece” recycling– recycling into an economically recycling into an economically

unfeasible or impractical product, unfeasible or impractical product, usually for advertising purposesusually for advertising purposes

Recycling variants...Recycling variants...

Recycling’s Recycling’s Golden RuleGolden Rule::

“ “Recycling growth is usually Recycling growth is usually limited by demand rather limited by demand rather

than supply”than supply” Market for materials must be assured Market for materials must be assured

before collection beginsbefore collection begins

Economics of RecyclingEconomics of Recycling

--O’Leary and Walsh, 1988--O’Leary and Walsh, 1988

Factors affecting the economicFactors affecting the economic success of a recycling program success of a recycling program::

Proximity to end marketsProximity to end markets Potential recovery volumesPotential recovery volumes Collection methods usedCollection methods used Processing methods employedProcessing methods employed End market stability and prices paidEnd market stability and prices paid Inherent value of materialsInherent value of materials

MAJOR OBSTACLES:MAJOR OBSTACLES:– subsidies to extractive and virgin materials subsidies to extractive and virgin materials

industriesindustries– environmentally inappropriate cost accountingenvironmentally inappropriate cost accounting

Value of recyclable Value of recyclable materialsmaterials

May be highly variable, especially in new May be highly variable, especially in new markets. Affected by:markets. Affected by:

supply and demand forcessupply and demand forces location of collection sitelocation of collection site quality of material (clean, pure)quality of material (clean, pure) volume of materialvolume of material pre-sale treatment or processing pre-sale treatment or processing

(sorting, crushing, baling, etc.)(sorting, crushing, baling, etc.)

Historical Example:Historical Example:

Aluminum cans Aluminum cans(U.S. domestic prices circa mid-1996)(U.S. domestic prices circa mid-1996)

Unprocessed:Unprocessed: $0.45 / kg$0.45 / kg

Shredded & baled:Shredded & baled: $0.90 / kg$0.90 / kg

Melted into ingots:Melted into ingots: $1.32 / kg$1.32 / kg

Spot price Sept 2006:Spot price Sept 2006: $2.38 / kg$2.38 / kg

Methods of collecting Methods of collecting recyclablesrecyclables

Curbside pickupCurbside pickup– unseparated (mixed with municipal refuse)unseparated (mixed with municipal refuse)– source separated (bundled / Blue Box)source separated (bundled / Blue Box)

Buy-back centresBuy-back centres– purchase recyclable commoditiespurchase recyclable commodities

Drop-off depotDrop-off depot– materials dropped off at central facility by materials dropped off at central facility by

residentsresidents

Historical costs of recycling: Historical costs of recycling: USAUSA

Average revenues Average revenues from a ton of from a ton of commingled commingled recyclable recyclable materials from a materials from a materials recovery materials recovery facility in facility in 1992:1992:

$US 25.00$US 25.00

Average cost to Average cost to process a ton of process a ton of commingled commingled recyclable recyclable materials at a materials at a materials recovery materials recovery facility in facility in 1992:1992:

$US 50.30$US 50.30

Net cost: $US 24.70 per tonNet cost: $US 24.70 per ton(CONVENTIONAL accounting)(CONVENTIONAL accounting)