Reuse Metrics and Policies in

Zero Waste

Presentation to ReuseConex

October 18, 2016, Boston, MA

By Gary Liss & Associates

916-652-7850 gary@garyliss.com; www.garyliss.com

www.uszwbc.org; www.zerowasteusa.org

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Zero Waste =

Focus first on reducing and reusing,

then recycle, compost, digest and

redesign the rest

90% is Goal

Zero Waste Cost Savings

➢ All ZW Businesses have saved money

➢ Save most money Reducing Waste

➢ Save next most by Reuse Systems (value Reuse by price, not tons, or

multiple credits vs. recycling)

➢ Save some $ through recycling and

composting IF rates are structured

right

USZWBC Scorecard

4

Reuse

Credit 1 Develop reuse systems

Credit 2 Document reused pallets and shipping containers

Credit 3 Implement reusable transportation options

Credit 4 Reusing office supplies or other materials

Credit 5 Reusable/durable service ware in common areas

Credit 6 Donate food for human consumption

Credit 7 Donate food for animal feed

5 © 2016 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council

Reuse Credit 1: Development of Systems That Emphasize Reuse

ID materials used one time & potential to replace with

durable or reusable products

Identify discarded materials that could be reused

Resources: Organizations or systems that connect

generators with those in need (e.g. eBay, Craig’s List,

Reuse Institute, Building Materials Reuse Association,

Food Banks, FoodToDonate.org)

6 © 2016 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council

Reuse Credit 3: Implement Reusable

Transportation

Implement reusable transportation options

through an assessment tool or formulas to

document savings in volume and cost

savings

Documentation is key to knowing if a

reusable item makes fiscal sense

Keep data for each product

© 2016 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 7

Reuse Credit 3: Implement Reusable

Transportation

Example:

Toyota North America replaced cardboard &

wood crates with metal reusable shipping

containers which could be used at least 500

times

Reduced 27.93 pounds per use

From 2002 – 2013, Toyota saved over $1 billion

from this & other reuse packaging systems

© 2016 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 8

© 2016 U.S. Zero Waste Business Council 9

Food donations to people

Food donations to animals

Collect Reusables/Reuse Bulky Goods

Reuse Warehouse

Reuse Collaboratives

Museum of Bad Design

ZW Community Reuse Policies & Programs

Bargain Basements at Department Stores

Materials Exchanges & Marketplaces

Deconstruction before Demolition

Building Materials Reuse Center

Wood Reuse (dimensional lumber, pallets)

Pay Reuse Landfill Fees

ZW Community Reuse Policies & Programs

Reuse, Recycling & Composting, Processing,

Manufacturing and Sales

Like Airports or Shopping Centers

Resource Recovery Parks

Drop & Shop Convenience

for Public

Lower Waste Fees

Buy @ Discounts

New Manufacturers

Resource Recovery Park, U.K.

Key Lessons for Pursuing ZW & Reuse

Someone Has to ASK to Adopt ZW & Reuse Environmental Group, Staff, Elected, State

Connect to Other Problems

Jobs, Economy, Facility Siting, Hungry People,

Sustainability, Climate Change

Educate and Build Support

ID & Promote Local ZW & Reuse Businesses

Zero Waste Resources

➢Zero Waste International Alliance:

www.zwia.org

➢U.S. Zero Waste Business Council:

www.uszwbc.org

➢Zero Waste USA: www.zerowasteusa.org

Zero Waste Resources

USEPA, Managing and Transforming Waste

Streams – A Tool for Communities Charting a Path Towards Zero Waste

100 policies and programs communities can implement to

reduce waste and promote waste prevention and materials

reuse across waste generation sectors.

http://www2.epa.gov/managing-and-transforming-

waste-streams-tool-communities

NRC, Sustainable Materials Management

http://nrcrecycles.org/smm-resources/

Zero Waste Resources

The Zero Waste Solution http://www.chelseagreen.com/the-zero-waste-solution

WasteWise Resource Management www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise/wrr/rm.htm

Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Stop

Trashing the Climate www.ilsr.org/stop-

trashing-the-climate-2

Story of Stuff www.storyofstuff.com

Introduction to Zero Waste

Zero Waste USA Certified Training at

USEPA Office, October 19, 2016,

5 Post Office Square, Boston

9 - 3:45 pm, by Gary Liss

If you’re not for Zero Waste,

how much waste are you for?