The Link Between Recycling and Climate Change How we can help reduce Global Warming through reducing, reusing, and recycling

Agenda

Overview of how to link recycling with climate change – Jessica Schwartz, NC DPPEA Communications and Marketing Intern

Understanding the role of methane gas in climate change – Geof Little, NC Division of Waste Management

Agenda

Composting, one more way to combat climate change – Brian Rosa, NC DPPEA Organics Specialist

Local government resources for linking recycling with climate change – Kelley Dennings, NC DPPEA Education and Outreach Project Manager

The Case of Climate Change

Recycling Can… Save energy

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Decrease human impact on Global Warming

Recycling Saves Energy

New products made from recycled aluminum use 95% less energy

Recycled steel products use 75% less energy

Less energy fewer fossil fuels burned reduction of CO2

(greenhouse gas) emissions into the atmosphere

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagonovus/3172387540/

Recycling Reduces Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Energy-related activities account for the majority of CO2 emissions

Landfills account for the largest human-made contribution to methane emissions, a gas 72 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years

Composting is the best method to reduce methane buildup in landfills, allowing aerobic conditions to break down organic waste without producing methane

dbTM - http://www.flickr.com/photos/d-b/393457154/ http://www.ecopro.co.uk/uploaded_images/landfill_gulls.jpg

Why Now?

Do not wait until the potential effects are irreversible

Negative effects can be: Migration of insect and animal species, potentially introducing new diseases Extinction or change of species and ecosystems Sea level rise – loss of wildlife, islands, beaches; dangers of flooding and storm

surges More extreme weather conditions Droughts and heat waves, effecting water supply

and crops Poorer air quality

Limiting waste production can limit individual contribution to climate change

http://www.spacetoday.org/images/SolSys/Earth/EarthBlueMarbleWestTerra.jpg

How to link recycling with climate change

Understanding the role of methane gas in climate change

Geof Little

NC DENR, DWM

Landfill Working Face

Landfill Methane Extraction Well

Landfill Methane Extraction Well

Landfill Methane Flare

Questions/Comments

From Flickr, Lesather,Greenwich

How to link recycling with climate change

Composting – one more way to combat climate change

Brian Rosa, Organic Recycling SpecialistNC DENR, DPPEA

Methane, a greenhouse gas, is 20 times more potent than CO2, over a one hundred year period and 72 times more potent in a 20 year period.

Responsible for almost a quarter of man-made global warming.

For the first time in a decade, scientists reported dramatic increases in levels of methane. ~ Sources for methane gas: animal waste, organic/ food waste….

CO2 vs Methane Gas Emission

Anaerobic Conditions:

Microorganism in the absence of oxygen

Byproduct: Methane gas Alcohol, phenols …

Methane & Landfills

Landfills constructed to reduce: Air (oxygen) Water Sunlight

All necessary components for biodegradation

Methane & Landfills

Michigan Tech, WUPC, and MDEQ

Organics & Methane Organic (Food) Residuals

Issues: NC generates 800,000 tons

food residuals per year

Sanitary issues: vermin, odor, smell, liquid…

Methane gas related to food scraps

High cost of CO2 generation related to pickup, transfer and to landfills.

Grit

Organic Assessment Feed-stocks & Generation Sources

Organic Residuals:

Wherever Food is grown, produced, prepared and served

Grass clippings, yard trash, brush

Plus animal waste…

Produce Fruit Wineries Meat, FOG Bones,

Fish, Grease Cheese Wood chips Food scraps Kitchen waste … Farm residuals, plant

& animal

Organics & Compost The aerobic (oxygen-

demanding) decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms under controlled conditions

Inputs: organic matter, oxygen, moisture

Outputs: carbon dioxide, heat, water vapor, humus

Sustainable Organic Solutions

Organics & Compost Compost Benefits:• Improved waste handling• Pathogen destruction • Saleable useful product • Replenishes soils organic

component• Nutrients for soil and plants• Conserves water• Reduced fertilizers• Reduced pesticides

Green Daily Blog

Stop Trashing the Climate

Compost

http://www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org/

Questions/Comments

From Flickr, Lesather,Greenwich

How to link recycling with climate change

Local government resources for linking recycling with climate change

Kelley Dennings, Education and Outreach Project ManagerNC DENR, DPPEA

What do NC residents think about climate change?

Respondents were divided on the causes of climate change: Is climate change the result of human activity or of

natural patterns in the earth's environment?Result of human activity: 35 percentResult of natural patterns: 44 percentBoth: 18 percent

Are statements about climate change generally exaggerated, underestimated or correct?Generally exaggerated: 42 percentGenerally correct: 31 percentGenerally underestimated: 21 percent

Resources

p2pays.org/climatechange

www.p2pays.org/climatechange

Statistics Page

WARM Model

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/Warm_home.html

NERC Model

http://www.nerc.org/documents/environmental_benefits_calculator.html

Ecoville

http://nc.myecoville.com/recycling-reports-pages

Top 10 NC Counties – Energy Saved in Million BTUs

MECKLENBURG COUNTY 1,008,284 GUILFORD COUNTY 833,736 WAKE COUNTY 792,794 PITT COUNTY 328,001 BUNCOMBE COUNTY 304,432 FORSYTH COUNTY 279,417 ORANGE COUNTY 250,877 DARE COUNTY 248,943 CRAVEN COUNTY 241,539

Resources Page

Other DPPEA GHG webinars for facilities

May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - GHG Reduction Projects at N.C. Facilities - Successes and Lessons Learned ESI members will present on projects implemented at N.C. facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Eaton, and EMC2 and Novozymes NA. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WY8HMM6

June (date TBD) - Energy Management - A Pathway to GHG Reduction Saving energy can help to reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Energy management systems are one important tool to help you manage your energy savings. Not sure how to pay for your energy reduction projects? Performance contracting can help you install now and pay through the resulting savings over time. Also, N.C. utility companies will discuss current incentive programs to help facilities implement energy saving projects now.

Thank you

Kelley Dennings, 919-355-8102 Kelley.Dennings@ncdenr.gov Resources –

http://www.p2pays.org/climatechange Slidedeck - http://www.slideshare.net/ncdenr

*Recording of webinar will be posted soon.