- WHAT
Managing Resources for Reduced Emissions
Recycling of “waste” resources, complementing waste reduction, not only conserves valuable landfill space, but can significantly reduce overall solid waste-related emissions, e.g. emissions generated from raw materials processing, manufacturing, hauling of waste, and potentially from incineration.
Waste as an Emissions Source
Waste reduction and recycling can reduce solid waste greenhouse gas emissions by both lowering the demand for new materials and products (referred to as “upstream impacts”) and by minimizing “downstream impacts” such as transporting waste over long distances and disposing of it in landfills.
Upstream Emissions
When materials such as metals and plastics are discarded rather than recycled, new materials must be used to make replacement products. The energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions related to producing new materials is usually higher than that of recycled or recovered materials.
Downstream Emissions
Downstream emissions include emissions resulting from managing the waste materials, such as from hauling waste, and methane emissions from landfills. As landfills close and new locations become more difficult to find, transportation-related emissions are intensifying from increased hauling distances. However, landfill emissions, due primarily to methane production from organic materials, are typically much larger than hauling related emissions. Organics management is a key action to address these landfill emissions.
Local Government Role
Regional District of North Okanagan has upgraded recycling services at the Greater Vernon Landfill, increasing the amount of solid waste diverted from the landfill. / UBCM.Most local governments provide waste management services, such as waste collection, transportation, and landfill management. Often, solid waste management involves partnerships with private businesses, including haulers and materials processers. Whether services are delivered by government operations or by private business, waste reduction and recycling has the potential to address emissions associated with these services.The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) increased their solid waste diversion rate from 45% in 1998 to 57% in 2003.
The Carbon Neutral framework for local government operations will not likely take into account upstream emissions reductions associated with solid waste, nor downstream landfill emission reductions. There may be some potential for local governments to reduce vehicle fleet emissions for hauling, depending on the location of materials processing facilities.
Although reducing waste and diverting materials from the landfill for recovery is dependent on public behaviour patterns, local governments can play a key role in shaping waste reduction and diversion through the provision of services and policies.
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- HOW
Implementing Waste Management Strategies
Actions
Kamloops has developed an innovative curbside recycling program to make the collection of recyclables and waste more efficient. / UBCM.Set diversion and disposal targets for solid waste – these may be part of resource management plans, zero waste strategies or other policies- Promote waste reduction and reuse – for example, through public education and promotion of materials exchange facilities and programs (see the BC Materials Exchanges)
- Provide educational resources on recycling practices and services
- Work to expand and enhance collection services
- Work with private waste management services/community groups to provide collection and/or processing services. An example is Pacific Mobile Depots.
- Work with adjacent/regional governments to develop shared solutions
- Ban recyclable wastes from the landfill, in conjunction with enhancing recycling services
- Create/enhance strategies for Demolition, Land clearing and Construction (DLC) waste
- Encourage product stewardship activities, and work with all levels of government on producer responsibility and “cradle-to-grave” or “cradle-to-cradle” waste management.
Other Considerations
In taking action, consider:
- Targeting the high-reward products. Different materials have different payoffs in terms of how recycling saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [1], recycling aluminum cans results in the largest net energy and greenhouse gas benefit.
* Assumes recycled materials would otherwise have been landfilled. Includes embedded energy. / IFC Consulting, EPA, 2005
- The ease of recycling – e.g. the proximity of processing facilities. Convenience is key to public participation.
- The market value of the materials.
- Other environmental costs and benefits for different materials.
Examples
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary [2] banned a range of materials, including yard and garden debris and recyclable materials, from the landfill in 2001.
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) increased their solid waste diversion rate from 45% in 1998 to 57% in 2003. [3] Programs included:
- Zero waste and composting education and promotion programs
- Materials disposal bans including commercial organics
- Illegal dumping program
- Yard waste composting
- Residential curbside and drop-off recycling programs
In 2002 the RDN adopted a “zero waste” diversion target. The Zero Waste Plan includes:
- Single family residential organics collection and composting
- DLC market study
- A review of the potential for a “pay as you throw” fee system
- Development of an internal zero waste policy
The projected overall diversion rate with implementation of the above programs is 76%.
[1], Waste Management and Energy Savings: Benefits by the Numbers, September 2005, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
[2], RDKB materials banned from the landfill, September 2001, City of Grand Forks
[3], RDN Zero Waste Plan, Regional District of Nanaimo