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1995 Generated Recycled– Food waste 14.1 M tons 3.4%– Yard waste 30.6 M tons 22.9%

• Began focused attention on yard waste across the nation

• States considering landfill yard waste bans• Began research, outreach & education on the

environmental & economic benefits of compost to stimulate demand for end product

Organic Wastes

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1995 Generated Recycled– Food waste 14.1 M tons 3.4%– Yard waste 30.6 M tons 22.9%

2006 – Food waste 31.3 M tons 2.2%– Yard waste 32.4 M tons 62.0%

We’ve made huge strides, BUT there are still millions of tons still being landfilled.

Need to establish extensive yard waste composting operations to help support the development of food waste composting operations.

Organic Wastes

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Building Sustainability Building Sustainability From the Ground UpFrom the Ground Up

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GreenScapes is:• Multi-media EPA Partnership

Program designed to promote a wide variety of environmentally beneficial landscaping and land management practices.

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GreenScapes is:• Designed to help preserve natural

resources and prevent waste and pollution by encouraging more holistic decisions regarding waste, water, chemicals, energy, and land use.

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GreenScapes is:• Designed to provide cost-efficient

and environmentally friendlysolutions - improving both an organization’s bottom-line and the environment.

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Think Big:• Roads & Highways• Commercial Buildings• Industrial Sites• Military Installations• Brownfields• Colleges & Universities• Recreation areas - parks, golf courses, ski

resorts, amusement parks, …

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Think about:• Millions of tons of waste materials that are

– Hauled away to a landfill,– Buried, or– BurnedEach and every day from landscaping construction

and maintenance operations:• Trees• Shrubs,• Brush• Lumber• Asphalt• Concrete, etc…

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Also, consider the millions of gallons of:

• Water• Pesticides• Fertilizers• Fuels• Oil Used each & every day in building and

maintaining these lands.

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Make more holistic and sustainable decisions regarding and the impact each of these has on the other:

– Waste generation & disposal– Use of

• Water• Chemicals• Air• Plants• Energy• Land & Wetlands

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The GreenScapes Solution Focus on the 4 Rs

• Reduce• Reuse• Recycle• Rebuy

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Reduce:

• The first and most important step towards efficient use of resources & pollution prevention.

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Reduce:

• Waste generation by utilizing slow-growing, low maintenance plant materials.

• Water use - Incorporate compost into the soil to help improve water absorption and retention.

• Pesticide use - Implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

• Energy - Strategically plant vegetation outside and around buildings to reduce indoor heating and cooling needs

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• Avoid landscaping products that require frequent replacement or maintenance to reduce future waste.

• Durable products will long outlast those of lesser quality, reducing future waste generation and the need to purchase new or replacement products.

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Consider:• Reduce or eliminate

plastic silt fencing... and worse

–Substitute with blankets, berms, and filter-socks made of compost.

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Compost provides: • Superior filtration & erosion prevention/control

• More easily installed & maintained

• Control & reduction of non-point source pollution.

• Does not require removal or disposal from site once job is complete

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A few additional ways to reduce:• Reduce nonpermeable hardscape to minimize

rainwater runoff & erosion.• Switch from benches, boardwalks & bridges

made from wood to long-lived plastic lumber.• Conserve water and reduce maintenance by

Xeriscaping.• Reduce chemical use by using native plants

and organic biobased fertilizers.

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Reuse:• Key to effective management

by making the most of your valuable resources -–Financial–Materials

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Reuse:• Waste - Chip woody waste and tree clippings

into mulch for use on-site.• Reuse soils within the work site; create

mounds or berms to serve as wind breaks or to add visual interest.

• Water - Use collected rainwater for irrigation and water features.

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Ways to reuse:• Chip trees and wood

waste into mulch.– Saves money on

disposal costs and commercial mulch purchases

– Provides benefits of mulch:

• Moisture retention• Weed prevention• Erosion control

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Additional reuse options:• Disassemble and use structural wood elsewhere,

sell or grind into mulch. Return wooden pallets to your supplier whenever possible.

• Donate healthy plants to community gardens, schools, churches, or other local local non-profit organizations when updating or removing trees & shrubs from landscape.

• Use alternative sources of irrigation water such as gray water, reclaimed water, and collected rain water.

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Recycle:

• Save money on disposal costs, by recycling waste materials

– you may even be able to get a few dollars for them.

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Recycle:

• Waste - Send green waste and food waste that cannot be composted on site to a local composting facility.

• Waste - Provide recycling receptacles next to trash receptacles.

• Water - Recycle gray water for irrigation and equipment wash downs.

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Consider: • Recycle plastic fencing, barriers, plant & pesticide containers.

• Collect and recycle used oil & tires from your vehicles and equipment.

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Rebuy:• Rebuying means re-thinking

your purchasing habits.

• Look for products that meet your needs but have a better environmental profile than your current product purchases.

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Consider:• Recycled content• Biobased products (incl. fuels & lubricants)

• Renewable energy & products• Energy & water efficient

Rebuying is key to sustainability by putting valuable materials back to work .

Change your thinking:It’s not waste – it’s another resource.

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Rebuy:

• Waste - Select long-lived durable products such as composite lumber.

• Water - Install a green vegetated roof to reduce or eliminate stormwater and "heat island" effect.

• Fertilizers - Purchase organic, biobased, or slow-release fertilizers

• Energy - Use high efficiency lighting for roadways, parking lots, security, and landscaping.

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For example:

• Use compost to minimize / eliminate:– Soil erosion– Runoff– Nonpoint source

pollution– Irrigation– Fertilizers– Pesticides It’s both a recycled &

biobased product.

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A Proven Technique

• Compost blankets, berms, and filter socks have been added to the US EPA menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water management - NPDES.

• State DoT’s are specifying compost for roadside erosion control.(http://www.dot.state.tx.us/des/landscape/compost/topsoil.htm)

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Did You Know?:• For every 1% of organic matter, the

soil can hold 16,000 gallons of plant-available water per acre of soil down to one foot deep!

• Most soils average approx. 1% organic content

• Healthy soils average 5-6%(5 x 16,000 = 80,000 gallons water holding capacity)

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Better, Faster, Cheaper Cleanups

• Provides an inexpensive & straightforward solution to managing hazardous industrial waste streams & remediating soils contaminated with toxic organic and inorganic compounds.

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Proven effective for:

• Chlorinated & nonchlorinated hydrocarbons• Wood-preserving chemicals• Solvents• Heavy metals• Pesticides• Petroleum products• Explosives

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Returns site to precontamination condition

• Provides soil conditioning• Nutrients• Water retention• Erosion control• Micro-organisms essential for healthy soil

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• Select plastic lumbermade from recycled bottles & bags.– Extremely durable– Lasts longer than wood– Requires less

maintenance than wood

• Labor• Paint / solvents• Repairs

– Significant long-term savings.

Rebuy

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• Specify rubberized asphalt (made from recycled tires) for:– Walking paths– Bike paths– Cart paths– Parking lots

Extends the life of the trails and reduces frequency of repairs.

Rebuy

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Benefits of just these 3 products:

CompostPlastic lumber

Rubberized asphalt

Every scrap of organics, plastics (LDPE, HDPE, PET),

and tires generated in the entire U.S could be put to use by the landscaping industry alone.

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Benefits:

• Equal or better performance• Material cost savings• Labor cost savings

• All of this means money in your pocket.

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The Economic & Environmental Benefits of GreenScaping:• Reduced water use• Reduced irrigation costs

– water & energy• Reduced plant growth• Reduced plant

maintenance• Reduced waste

generation• Reduced labor – time &

cost (maint. & disposal)• Reduced equipment

operating times

• Reduced equip. maint. –labor & supplies

• Reduced fuel use• Reduced emissions• Reduced fertilizer use –

material & labor savings• Reduced pesticide use –

material & labor savings• Reduced nonpoint

source pollution• Reduced exposure to

hazardous materials• Reduce insurance costs

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Additional Benefits of GreenScaping:• Reduced exposure to your customers, employees, and yourself from potentially harmful chemicals, solvents, fuels, and pesticides.

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Additional Benefits of GreenScaping:

• Improved competitive edge with reduced costs and improved materials & energy efficiency.

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Additional Benefits of GreenScaping:

• Improved public perception of your business.

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Additional Benefits of GreenScaping:

• Knowledge that you are making a difference by helping prevent pollution, curb climate change, and reduce your “environmental footprint” on the Earth.

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GreenScapes EPA Partnership program to implement &

promote “green” landscaping practices�Partners & Allies

� Provides state-of-the-art recommendations�Web-based cost calculators & resources

�Multi-media … continually updated�Large & Small scale

�National Recognition Program & Case Studies

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GreenScapes:GreenScapes:

• A growing group of organizations, large and small, coming together to promote green landscaping practices.

• Currently 185+ including: –– US Green Building CouncilUS Green Building Council–– American Society of Landscape ArchitectsAmerican Society of Landscape Architects–– American Nursery & Landscape AssociationAmerican Nursery & Landscape Association–– Home DepotHome Depot

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Coordination with other national efforts:• GreenScapes and EPA is actively involved in the

Sustainable Sites InitiativeSustainable Sites Initiative

• Many site features are not fully addressed under the current Green Building LEED® standards, but are essential to the sustainability of green spaces

• Establish a standard for sustainable site design, construction, and maintenance with clearly defined metrics

• In late 2007, the USGBC announced they will incorporate SSI into the next version of LEED – a “bookshelf” system

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GreenScapes is also working with:

• EMS guidance to enhance and amplify green landscaping www.fedcenter.gov

• The Federal “Green Highways” initiative

• Both encourage more “sustainable”construction & maintenance practices

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GreenScapes now includes information & recommendations for HomeownersHomeowners

Commercial business Homeowner guide& industry guide

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… educating homeowners by• Working with local governments, homeowner

associations, county extension agents

• Working with large retail organizations such as Home Depot & Walmart

• Working with and supporting our 180+ GreenScapes Partners & Allies

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The Future is Now –Get Ahead of the Game

• More Federal, State, and local gov’ts will specify “sustainable” & “low impact development” techniques.

• Businesses and industry are focusing on sustainability.

• Homeowners are seeking out a growing number of “green” practices and products.

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Continue to Think Holistically• Waste & materials management practices

impact water, soil & air quality plus green house gas emissions.

• Chemical, water, vegetation & land management practices impact waste and materials management.

• We’re all in this together!

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GreenScapes involves:

• Waste• Water• Pesticides• Air quality• Energy• Chemicals • CPG / EPP

• Green Buildings• Brownfields• Smart Growth• Low Impact

Development• Green

Infrastructure

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EPA Regional GreenScapes contacts:• R1 – Myra Schwartz

(Cynthia Greene)• R2 – Rabi Kiebler

(Heather Barnhart)• R3 – Lorna Rosenberg

(Michael Dunn, John Butler)

• R4 - Thornell Cheeks(Jay Bassett, Jon Johnston)

• R5 – Donna Twickler(Chris Newman)

• R6 – David Bond(Robbie Snowbarger)

• R7 – Gayle Hubert• R8 – Ron Lillich (Kim

Bartels)• R9 – Cara Peck &

Andre Villasenor• R10 – Elaine Somers

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Thank You

Questions?

For more info …www.epa.gov/greenscapeswww.epa.gov/greenscapes

Jean Schwabschwab.jean@epa.gov(703) 308-8669

Join Us!

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WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

Sustainable development meetsthe needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, 1987

EnvironmentProtect and restore ecosystem services

EconomyProvide a secure and self-sustaining economy without jeopardizing the health of ecosystems

EquityRecognize that the well-being of individuals and the larger community are interdependent

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SUCCESS of GREEN BUILDING

Over 12,000 registered LEEDprojects since 2000 and 37,045 LEED accredited professionals.

The value of green building construction is expected to exceed $12 billion in 2007.

McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics

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LOOKS GREEN BUT IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

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LINKING LANDSCAPES TO SUSTAINABILITY…

National patterns of water use indicate that the largest demand for waterwithdrawals is for:

• thermoelectric generation 47%

• irrigation 34%• public supply 9%

• industrial 6%

• mining, 1%

• livestock 1%

• domestic 1%

• commercial uses 1 %

Solley, W. B., R. R. Pierce, and H. A. Perlman. 1993.Estimated use of water in the United States in 1990. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1081

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78 million households in the U.S. use home and garden pesticides.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2004. Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage: 2000 and 2001 Market Estimates. EPA-733-R-04-001

Soils that are compacted during site preparation and construction lose the ability to absorb storm water and supply plant roots with air and water

Breland and Hansen, 1996

LINKING LANDSCAPES TO SUSTAINABILITY…

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LINKING LANDSCAPES TO SUSTAINABILITY…

Disposing of organic materials in Texas landfills costs more than $150 million a year and consumes more than 15 million cubic yards of space.

TCEQ Yardwise - Green Guide to Yard Care

Yard and landscape trimmings contribute approximately 32 million tons to the municipal waste stream, representing over 13 percent of total municipal waste in the U.S.

U.S. EPA, "Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2005

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Scientists estimate that strategicallyplanting vegetation reduces coolingenergy consumption by up to 25%.

U.S. EPA – Heat Island Effect

LINKING LANDSCAPES TO SUSTAINABILITY…

A study of street trees in New York City found that the climate moderating benefits provided by trees resulted in annual energy savings of $27.8 million, or $47.63 per tree.

Peper, P.J., McPherson, E.G., Simpson, J.R. et al., "New York City, New York: Municipal Forest Resource Analysis," Technical Report, USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research, Pacific Southwest Research Station (2007).

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SO WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE SITE?

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SUSTAINABLESITES INITIATIVE

VISIONAll site-related design, construction, operations and maintenance practices link natural and built systems to achieve balanced environmental, social and economic outcomes, with the goal of improving the quality of life and the long-term health of communities and the environment.

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BENEFITS OFSUSTAINABLE SITES

• Conserve natural resources

• Reduce pollution and waste

• Protect & restore ecosystem services

• Protect & enhance biodiversity

• Minimize carbon footprint

• Reduce operating costs

• Reconnect humans with nature

• Improve quality of life

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POTENTIAL PROJECTS TYPES

• parks, trails, campgrounds• industrial and office parks • govt. & medical complexes• conservation easements

• botanical gardens• university campuses• residential sites• streetscapes & plazas

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CURRENT FOCUS OF RESEARCH

HUMANWELL-BEINGVEGETATION

SOILS MATERIALS

HYDROLOGY

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HYDROLOGY

• Value all water on the site

• Maintain or regenerate healthy hydrologic processes

• Promote water quality and healthy aquatic habitats

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SOILS

• Maintain and/or improve soil health so that on-site and surrounding ecosystem services are sustained or enhanced

• Avoid the use of pollutants, chemicals or soil amendments that could harm human and ecological health

• Create a net zero waste site

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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VEGETATION

• Design and maintain vegetation

so that on-site and surrounding

ecosystem services are

sustained or enhanced

• Reduce resource consumption

and waste

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MATERIALS

• Manage resources and materials efficiently

• Select and use sustainable landscape materials

• Reduce energy use, both embodied and operational

• During all phases, avoid materials, products and practices that are harmful to humans and the environment.

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HUMAN WELL-BEING

• Design and maintain conditions to promote physiological health

• Enhance human cognitive function

• Promote positive social dynamics

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PRODUCTS TO BEDEVELOPED

Standards and GuidelinesA compilation of current technology, and practices that provide technical guidance and solicit feedback.

Rating SystemA sustainable landscape metric associated with weighed credits and a recognition system.

Reference GuideA user guide containing knowledge derived from pilot studies to further explain credit requirements and provide guidance and resources to aid in creative problem-solving.

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UPCOMING REPORTS

• Preliminary reports of the Standards and Guidelines to be released November 2007 and 2008

• Final draft of the Standards and Guidelines released May 2009

– Goals and Strategies to achieve site sustainability

– Suggested tools to improve unsatisfactory conditions

– Quantitative evaluation of the triple bottom line

– Measurement of site performance in a variety of site and regional contexts

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PARTICIPANTS

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

American Society of Landscape Architects

United States Botanic Garden

U.S. Green Building Council

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GreenScapes Program

National Recreation and Park Association

National Association of County and City Health Officials

The Nature Conservancy, Global Invasive Species Team

University of Texas at Austin, Center for Sustainable Development

American Society of Civil Engineers, Environment and Water Resources Institute

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FOR MORE INFORMATION or TO GET INVOLVED:

www.sustainablesites.org

info@sustainablesites.org