Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2008 2018 Midterm Review · 21-04-2015 · Craig Dirksen,...
Transcript of Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2008 2018 Midterm Review · 21-04-2015 · Craig Dirksen,...
Regional Solid Waste Management Plan2008‐2018
Midterm Review
April 2015
RSWMP MIDTERM REVIEW 2
AboutMetroCleanairandcleanwaterdonotstopatcitylimitsorcountylines.Neitherdoestheneedforjobs,athrivingeconomy,andsustainabletransportationandlivingchoicesforpeopleandbusinessesintheregion.VotershaveaskedMetrotohelpwiththechallengesandopportunitiesthataffectthe25citiesandthreecountiesinthePortlandmetropolitanarea.Aregionalapproachsimplymakessensewhenitcomestomakingdecisionsabouthowtheregiongrows.Metroworkswithcommunitiestosupportaresilienteconomy,keepnatureclosebyandrespondtoachangingclimate.Togetherwe’remakingagreatplace,nowandforgenerationstocome.Stayintouchwithnews,storiesandthingstodo.
oregonmetro.govMetroCouncilPresidentTomHughes
MetroCouncilorsShirleyCraddick,District1CarlottaCollette,District2CraigDirksen,District3KathrynHarrington,District4SamChase,District5BobStacey,District6
AuditorBrianEvans
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TABLEOFCONTENTSSection1:Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Section2:ScopeandMethodology.………………………………………………………………………………………5 Section3:RegionalProgress.……………………………………………………………………………………………….5Section4:Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Section5:Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………………..18AppendicesAppendixA:WasteReductionGoalsandObjectives…………………………………………………………….19AppendixB:SustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectives…………………………………………………..21AppendixC:SystemImprovementsWorkPlan…………………………………………………………….……..22
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SECTION1: BACKGROUND
The2008‐2018RegionalSolidWasteManagementPlan(RSWMP):
Servesasaregionalframeworkforthecoordinationofwastereductionprograms Providesaprioritizedprogramofsolidwastesystemimprovements Establishesregionalgoalsandobjectives,includingawasterecoverygoal Satisfiesstatelawrequiringthedevelopmentandimplementationofawastereduction
programfortheMetroregion TheRSWMPenvisionsanevolutionfromtoday’ssolidwastemanagementpracticestothosethatmoreholisticallycontributetothesustainableuseofnaturalresources.Implementationofthegoalsandobjectivesoutlinedintheplanwillenabletheregiontocontinueprogressinthreekeyareas:
WasteReduction Reducingtheamountand toxicityofwastegeneratedanddisposedandattainingthewasteshed’s64percentstatutorywasterecoverygoal.
SustainableOperations
Advancingsustainablepracticesthroughouttheregion’ssolidwasteoperations.
SolidWasteDisposalSystem
Ensuringthedisposalsystemcontinuestoservethebestinterestsoftheregion.
Theplanusesthesolidwastehierarchyastheframeworkforguidingsolidwastemanagementdecisionsandprogramdevelopmentintheseareas.Thesolidwastehierarchyprovidesanorderofpreferenceforactiontoreduceandmanagewasterepresentedinthefigurebelow.
Source:OregonRevisedStatutes459.015;OregonDEQ;RSWMP2008‐18,2008.
Figure1.Solidwastehierarchy
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Waste reduction rate
SECTION2: SCOPEANDMETHODLOGYThisreportfulfillstherequirementforafive‐yearreviewoftheRSWMPtoevaluatetheneedforplanrevisions.Theobjectivesofthereviewwereto:
1. Determineiftheplanisbeingimplementeduniformlyandconsistentlyacrosstheregion.2. Assessplaneffectivenessinmeetingprogramgoalsandobjectives.3. Determineifmajormid‐coursecorrectionsareneeded.
Toaccomplishtheseobjectives,Metroassessedeachprogramareaintheplantoevaluateperformanceandidentifyareasformonitoringorimprovement.ThequantitativeprogressoftheplanwasevaluatedusingthemostcurrentrecoverydataprovidedbyOregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(DEQ).Metroalsoconductedahigh‐levelreviewofprogressontheSustainableOperationsandSolidWasteSystemelementsoftheplan.
SECTION3: REGIONALPROGRESSIn2001,theOregonlegislaturesetstateandwasteshedgoalsforrecoveryandastategoalforwastegeneration.ThewasteshedgoalfortheMetroregion,comprisingMultnomah,WashingtonandClackamascounties,is64percentrecoveryby2009.Therecoverygoalincludesanallowanceforuptosixpercentcreditsintherecoveryratecalculationsfortheimplementationofprogramsthattargetwasteprevention,reuseandcomposting.Thestatewidegoalsforwastegenerationarenoincreaseinpercapitawastegenerationby2005andnoincreaseintotalwastegenerationby2009andinsubsequentyears.In2013,theMetroregionachievedthewasteshedrecoverygoalwitha64.2percentrecoveryrate,recoveringmorethan1.3milliontonsofmaterial.Thisincludessixpercentincreditsfromwasteprevention,reuseandcompostingprograms,andacalculated58.2percentrecoveryratefromrecycling,compostingandenergyrecovery(primarilyfromwoodwaste).Figure2.MetroRegionRecoveryRate2008‐2013
Source:OregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality,2014.
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
50.0%
55.0%
60.0%
65.0%
70.0%
1 2 3 4 5 6 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ‘13
64.2 percent
58.2 percent without credits
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Theregionsawincreasesinrecoveryforsomecommonly‐recycledmaterials,suchaspaper,butalsogrowthinneweritemssuchasfoodscrapsandelectronics.AsignificantboostinelectronicwasterecoverycanbeattributedtoOregonE‐Cycles,astatewideprogramthatrequireselectronicsmanufacturerstoprovidefreerecyclingofcomputers,monitorsandtelevisions.Theper‐capitawastegenerationinOregonduring2013was2,469poundsandMetro’sper‐capitawastegenerationwasslightlyhigherat2,640pounds.Overall,per‐capitawastegenerationintheregionhasdecreased23percentsince2005.PartofthisdecreasecanbeattributedtotheGreatRecessionthatbeganinapproximatelyin2007. Figure3.Per‐CapitaWasteGenerationinMetroRegion2013
Source:OregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality,2014.
Metro’stotalwastegenerationduring2013wasmorethan2.2milliontons.Totalwastegenerationhasdecreased16percentsince2005.
Figure4.TotalWasteGenerationinMetroRegion2013
Source:OregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality,2014.
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Recyclingeffortsoftheregion'sresidentsandbusinesseshaveresultedinsignificantenvironmentalbenefits,includingconservationofnaturalresources,energysavingsandgreenhousegasreductions.Greenhousegasreductionsin2013fromrecycling,compostingandenergyrecoverytotaledapproximately1.9millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalents–equaltotailpipeemissionsfromnearly420,000passengervehicles.
SECTION4: FINDINGS
TheRSWMPidentifiespolicies,goalsandobjectivestoguidetheprograminthekeyareasforaction:wastereduction,sustainableoperationsandthesolidwastedisposalsystem.Theplanidentifiesthewasterecoveryrateastheprimarymeasureofplanperformance.Themidtermreviewidentifiedsixkeyfindingsbasedontheimplementationoftheplantodatethataredetailedinthefollowingpages.
1.0Progresstowardregionalwastereductiongoalsandobjectiveshasbeenachievedthroughlong‐standingandnewprograms.WasteReductionGoalandObjectivesTheWasteReductioncomponentoftheRSWMPincludesfourgoalsand45objectivestoguideprogramsandregionalrequirementstoreachthe64percentrecoverygoal.ThefourgoalsarelistedbelowandtheobjectivescanbefoundinAppendixA.ProgramAreaGoals
WasteReduction: Increasethesustainableuseofnaturalresourcesbyachievingthewastereductiongoalof64percent.
Education: Increasetheadoptionofsustainablepracticesthroughincreasedknowledge,motivationandcommitment.
HazardousWaste: Reducetheuseandimproperdisposalofproductsgeneratinghazardouswasteinordertoprotecttheenvironmentandhumanhealth.
ProductStewardship: Shiftresponsibilitytomanufacturers,distributorsandretailers forensuringthatproductsaredesignedtobenontoxicandrecyclable,andincorporatethecostoftheproduct’send‐of‐lifemanagementinthepurchaseprice.
Boththegoalsandobjectivesprovidehigh‐leveldirectiontoallowforprogramstoadaptwiththeevolvingwastestream.Themidtermreviewfoundthattheregionhasmadeconsistentprogresstowardthegoalsandmeetingtheplan’sobjectivesthrough:
Maintenanceofkeylong‐standingprograms Newandexpandedprogramstoincreaserecoveryintargetedsectors Requiredprograms
Themidtermreviewevaluatedeachoftheseprogramsareasandidentifiedtwoareasforpotentialimprovementandfurtherprogramexpansion.Asummaryofthereviewisdetailedinthefollowingpages.
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Long‐StandingProgramsEachyear,Metroanditslocalgovernmentpartnersdevelopcooperativeplanstoimplementtheregion’swastepreventionandrecyclingprograms.Thecreationofregionallycoordinatedplansandservicesaccessibletoallisthebasisofeachprogramarea.Asaresult,eachgoalissupportedbycoreprogramsthatensurebasicwastereductionservicesandprogramstailoredtospecificaudiences.Examplesoftheseprogramsarehighlightedbelow. AnnualWasteReductionGrantProgram
Per‐capitagrantsallocatedtolocalgovernmentshaveplayedaninstrumentalroleinhelpinglocaljurisdictionsimplementwastepreventionandrecyclingactivities,provideregularoutreachtocitizensandbusinesses,maintainrecoveryprogressandparticipateinregionalwastereductionworkgroups.
RecycleatWork TheRecycleatWorkprogramisacooperativeprogramdeliveredbyMetroandlocalgovernmentstoprovidetechnicalassistancetobusinessesintheregionthroughon‐sitewasteevaluations,recommendationstothebusinessesaroundkeypracticesandfollow‐upevaluationstoassessprogress.Theprogramisdesignedtoaddresstheindividualneeds,barriersandparticularcircumstancesaffectingthebusinesssectorwithregardtowasteprevention,recyclingandtoxicsreduction.GrantsareprovidedtolocalgovernmentsfortheRecycleatWorkprogrambasedonnumberofemployeesineachjurisdiction.
SchoolEducation
Metroprovidestargetededucationinschools,includingelementaryandsecondaryprograms,toprovideage‐appropriateinformationandconceptsaroundresourceconservationandenvironmentalawareness.Theguidingapproachistodevelopcurriculumsthatareappropriateforeachagegroupandthatcumulativelyhelpbuildanenvironmentalstewardshipethic.
AdultEducation Inadditiontoconductingannualeducationandoutreachcampaignstosupportresidentawarenessofrecycling,reuseandwasteprevention,Metroprovidesbothphoneandweb‐basedinformationreferralservicesthroughtheRecyclingInformationCenter(RIC)resourcelistings.Inaddition,Metro’swebsiteprovidesacomprehensiveclearinghousethatincludestheFind‐A‐Recyclertoolanda“toolsforliving”sectionthatprovidesinformationaboutalternativestotoxicproductsusedathomeandintheyardandgarden.
ToxicsReductionandNaturalGardening
Educationonalternativestohouseholdchemicalsisprovidedthroughgeneralandtargetedaudienceefforts.Naturalgardeningeducationisprovidedthroughpartneroutreach,ane‐newsletter,twolearninggardens,robustonlineinformationandinformationalbrochures.
HazardousWasteCollectionServices
Theregionhaslong‐standingservicestopreventimproperdisposalthroughcollectionofhouseholdhazardouswasteatMetro’stwotransferstationsandatneighborhoodcollectioneventsheldbyMetrofromspringtofalleachyear.Asapartofthedisposalservices,educationisprovidedon‐siteonalternativestohouseholdchemicalsandpesticides.
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NewandExpandedPrograms
Anumberofneworexpandedrecoveryprogramshavebeenimplementedsinceapprovalofthe2008RSWMP.Theseprogramsarefocusedonthesectorsthatofferthemostpotentialforadditionalrecovery.Examplesofneworexpandedprogramsarehighlightedinthetablebelow. ProductStewardshipInitiatives
InpartnershipwithDEQandmanypublicandprivatesectorstakeholders,Metroinvestedconsiderableeffortinbuildingtheregion’sunderstandingofproductstewardshipandtheopportunitiesitpresents.Theregiondevelopedtechnicalresourcestoinformfutureinitiatives,andprovidedassistancetostatelegislatorsandothersincraftingspecificlegislativeproposals.SinceadoptionoftheRSWMP,therehavebeenthreemajorsuccessesinadvancingproductstewardship:implementationoftheOregonE‐Cycleslegislation(2009);expansionoftheOregonBottleBill(2011);andpassageandimplementationofthePaintCareprogram(2009pilot,2013permanent).
ChemicalsPolicyInitiatives
MetrohastakenamoreactiveroleinworkingwithDEQ,localgovernments andnon‐governmentalorganizationstoadvancechemicalpolicyreformandtoxicsreductioninitiatives.
BuildingIndustry TheEnhancedDryWasteRecoveryProgramwasimplementedin2009.Itrequiresthatallmixednon‐putresciblewastegeneratedintheregionmustbedeliveredtoamaterialrecoveryfacilityforprocessingpriortodisposaltorecovercardboard,woodandmetals.A2012progressreportshowedthattheprogramresultedina20,000‐tonincreaseinrecovereddrywastefromthetimetheprogramwasimplemented.
CommercialOrganics
Projectsintheorganicsprogramareahave focused onexpandingfoodwastecompostingandusablefooddonation.Metroandlocalgovernmentstaffcontinuetoofferapeer‐to‐peerfooddonationoutreachprogram.TheForkitOver!programplaysanimportantroleinlinkingdonorswithfoodrescueagenciesinthecommunityusingonlinetoolsandon‐siteassistancefromlocalgovernmentRecycleatWorkstaff.
RequiredProgramsAlthoughtheRSWMPisimplementedprimarilythroughcooperativeworkingrelationships,theplanalsocontainsrequiredprograms.Bothrequirements,theRegionalServiceStandardandtheBusinessRecyclingRequirement,aredesignedtosupporttheimplementationofotherRSWMPprogramsandhelptheregionmeetstatematerialrecoverygoals.Theserequiredelementsaresummarizedbelow.RegionalServiceStandardTheRegionalServiceStandard(RSS)addressesrecyclingcollectionservicesinthesingle‐familyresidential,multi‐familyresidentialandbusinesssectors,aswellaseducationandoutreacheffortstargetingeachofthesesectors.Thepurposeofthestandardistoensureacomprehensiveandconsistentlevelofrecyclingservicesacrosstheregion.Localgovernmentsarerequiredtoeithercertifythattheirprogrammeetstheservicestandard,orsubmitanapplicationtoMetroforapprovalofanalternativeprogram.TheRSShasbeeneffectiveoverallinensuringthattheregion’shouseholdsandbusinesseshaveequitableaccesstothewastereductionprogramsthatwillallowtheregiontomeetitsrecoverygoals.
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SincetheRSSwasadoptedin2008,tworevisionshavebeenmadetothestandard:
In2011,MetroadoptedadministrativeprocedurestorespondtodifferencesinherentintheurbanandruralareasoftheMetroregionandallowforvariationsinlevelofserviceundercertainconditions.Theadoptedadministrativeproceduresincludedexemptionsforthecollectionofmotoroilandyarddebrisfrommulti‐familycommunitiesandcurbsideyarddebriscollectionforruralcustomers.
In2013,MetroamendedtheRSStorequirethatglassbottlesandjarscontinuetobecollectedinaseparatecontainerfromotherrecyclables.Thispracticelimitscontaminationofpaperandotherrecyclablesandprovideshigherqualitymaterialtoendmarkets.
MetroisintheprocessofreviewingtheRegionalServiceStandardtoimproveitseffectiveness.AhouseholdrecyclingandwastecompositionstudytobecompletedinFebruary2015willbeusedtohelpdeterminewhetheramendmentstotheRegionalServiceStandardshouldbeconsideredtoaddressrecyclingcollectionservicefrequencyandcontaminationlevelsinrecyclables.BusinessRecyclingRequirementTheregionalBusinessRecyclingRequirement(BRR)wasimplementedin2009.Itrequiredlocalgovernmentstoestablishrecyclingrequirementsforbusinesses.TherequirementsupportstheRSWMPgoalstoreducebusinesssectorwastethatisgeneratedanddisposedintheregion.ThegoalofBRRwastocapture90percentofthepaperandcontainersdisposedofbybusinessesintheregion.Inthefirstcoupleofyearsafterprogramadoption,localgovernmentsfocusedonnotifyingbusinessesofthenewrequirementsandprovidingbusinesseswithassistanceinsettinguptheirrecyclingprograms.AnevaluationofBRRcompletedbyMetroin2012indicatedthatnearlyallbusinesseshavebeennotifiedoftherecyclingrequirementsandhaverecyclingcollectionsystemsinplace.Awastecompositionstudyconductedasapartoftheevaluationindicatedthattheamountofrecyclablesdisposeddecreasedsincetheadoptionoftherequirements,asshowninthefiguresbelow.In2012,thebusinesssectorcapturedmorethan83percentofthedesiredmaterials.Overall,theprogramhasbeeneffectiveinestablishingastandardizedlevelofrecyclingservicesforbusinessesandtheiremployeesandcontributingtothishighcapturerate.
Source:Metro,2007.Source:Metro,2012.
20.48%
50.67%
28.85%
Figure 5. 2007 Business Recycling Baseline Waste Composition Study
BRR recyclables total
Other waste total
Other recyclables total
14.07%
63.35%
22.58%
Figure 6. 2012 Business Recycling Waste Composition Study
BRR recyclables total
Other waste total
Other recyclables total
Paper and
containers
Paper and
containers
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PotentialAreasforProgramEnhancement
Althoughboththeexistingandnewprogramshavebeenconsistentlyimplementedunderthegoalsandobjectives,threeareaswereidentifiedformonitoringandpotentialprogramenhancement.SchoolEducationOneoftheschooleducationobjectivesistoprovideeducationprogramsthathelpteachersincorporateresourceconservationconcepts,includingwastepreventionandtoxicityreduction,intotheirteaching.Metro’swastereductionyoutheducationprogramservesadiverseaudienceofapproximately26,000K‐12studentseachyear.Thereishighdemandforitsclassroomservicesbecausethepresentationsarespecificallydesignedtofitintoteachers’curricula,meetstatestandardsforsubjectmatterandinstructionaltime,andprovideage‐appropriatewastereduction‐relatedprogramming.EvaluationoftheprogramshowsthatthepresentationsareeffectiveatmeetingMetroobjectivesandsatisfyingteachers’needs.Whileitisevidentthatthereisunmetdemandfortheclassroomservices,staffingcapacitylimitsMetrointhenumberofschoolsitisabletoreach.ExpandingtheprogramwillincreasethenumberofstudentsreachedandhelpmakeadditionalprogresstowardtheRSWMP’seducationgoalandschooleducationobjectives.MultifamilyThemultifamilyprogramincludesanobjectivetoimplementaprogramthatissuitedtotheneedsofmultifamilyhousingthatisuniformandconsistentacrosstheregion.Whiletherehasbeenrelativelyconsistentimplementationofeducationprogramstargetedatthissector,therecontinuestobeinconsistencyintheprovisionofcollectionservices,asindicatedbyinequitableaccesstoconvenientrecyclingcontainers.CommercialFoodScrapsThecommercialorganicsprogramincludesobjectivestoincreaseorganicwastediversionandenhanceaccesstorecoveryservicesthroughouttheregion.MetrohasprovidedfundingassistanceforcollectionprogramdevelopmentandhascontinuedtoprovidetransferandprocessingservicesforcommercialfoodscrapsthroughMetroCentralStation.Thedevelopmentofalternativestoincreasetheregion’scapacityforprocessingfoodscrapstoboostrecoveryisacriticalnextsteptoprovidemorestableandequitableaccesstoservicesthroughouttheregion.
Metrowastereductioneducatorteachingprimaryschoolstudentsaboutcompost
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2.0Metrocannoteffectivelyenforcerequirementsonjurisdictionsoutsideofitsgeographicareaofauthority.UnderOregonstatute,thewastereductioncomponentoftheRSWMPappliestotheentiretyofClackamas,MultnomahandWashingtoncounties(the“wasteshed”).However,MetrocannoteffectivelyenforceRSWMPrequirementsonjurisdictionsoutsideofitsboundarybecauseithaslimitedlegalauthoritytodoso.Thereareeightjurisdictions,highlightedinthefigurebelow,whichareoutsidetheMetroboundarythatfallunderRSWMPguidance.Mostofthesecitiesareinruralareaswithpopulationsunder3,000anddefersolidwasteplanningtotheircountyauthority.PriortobeginningworkonthenextRSWMP,MetroshouldworkwithDEQtomoreeffectivelyalignMetro’splanimplementationresponsibilitieswithitsgeographicareaofauthority.ThismayincludeMetromaintainingcoordinationforsolidwasteplanningfortheregionalwasteshed,butnotbeingresponsibleforenforcingtheplanrequirementsonjurisdictionsnotsubjecttoMetro’slegalauthority.Figure7.MetroWasteshedMap
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3.0Considerableprogresshasbeenmadetowardsustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectives.SustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectivesThesustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectiveswereanewadditiontothe2008RSWMPthatfocusedonhowsustainabilityprinciplescouldbeappliedtosolidwasteoperationsthatareregulatedbygovernment.Theplanprovidesninegoalsand23objectivestoaddressairandwateremissions,energyuse,employeeworklifeandinstitutionalizingsustainabilityinsolidwasteoperations(SeeAppendixB).
In2009,abaselinestudywasperformedtodeterminewhat,ifanyofthesustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectivesalreadyexistedatsolidwastefacilitiesintheregion.Thestudyconcludedthatmanyofthefacilities,includingMetro‐ownedfacilities,hadenergyandwaterconservationpracticesinplace.Inaddition,manyofthecompaniesexploredorhadprogramsinplacethataddresswork‐lifebalance,workersafetyandcommunityserviceprograms.Asaresult,theregionprioritizedworkonthefirstgoalwhichistoreducegreenhousegasanddieselparticulateairemissions.Worktowardthisgoalfocusedon:1)reducingdieselparticulatesemittedbyregionalrefuseandrecyclingcollectionfleetsand2)transitioningtocleanfuels.DieselParticulateReductionThroughapartnershipwithDEQ’sAirQualityDivision,theregionreceivedfundingfromaStateCleanDieselGrantissuedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).Thegrantretrofitsolidwastefleetvehicleswithemissioncontroldevices.Thepurposeoftheretrofitswastoeliminate25‐95percentofalldieselparticulatematteremittedbythesevehicles.Withitsownfundingcontribution,Metrowasabletoretrofit119vehiclesatatotalcostof$653,190.BasedonanEPAvaluationforMultnomahCounty,amonetizationofthedirectandindirecthumanhealthandenvironmentalimpact benefitsofthisprojectareestimatedatover$1.4millionpertonofparticulatemattermitigated.Accordingtothe2013CleanFleetRefuseVehicleRetrofitProjectreportbyMetro,thefullreturnoninvestmentforthisprojectoverthefourtofive‐yearlifeexpectancyofthevehiclesandthedevicesisapproximately$7.2millionto$9.1million.
SustainableOperationsGoals
Goal1.0 Reducegreenhousegasanddieselparticulateairemissions.
Goal2.0 Reducestormwaterrunoff.
Goal3.0 Reducenaturalresourceuse.
Goal4.0 Reduceuseanddischargeoftoxicmaterials.
Goal5.0 Implementsustainabilitystandardsforfacilityconstructionandoperation.
Goal6.0 Adoptbestpracticesforcustomer and employeehealthandsafety.
Goal7.0 Providetrainingandeducationnonimplementingsustainabilitypractices.
Goal8.0 Supportaqualityworklife.
Goal9.0 Employsustainabilityvaluesinseekingvendorsandcontractors.
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CleanFuelsCleanfuels,suchascompressednaturalgas,producelesspollutionthandiesel.Theregion’ssolidwastesystemhasstartedtransitioningitsvehiclestousecleanfuelsanddevelopingthesupportinginfrastructure.Forexample,WasteManagementinstalledtwoCNGfuelingstationsandisreplacingitsentirefleetofapproximately150diesel‐fueledvehicleswithCNG‐fueledvehicles.Asaresultofthedieselparticulatereductionandcleanfuelsefforts,theregionhasmadesignificantprogresstowardreducingtheenvironmentalimpactsofsolidwasteoperations.Metrowillcontinuetoworkonprogresstowardthefirstgoalandserveasaresourceforthesolidwasteindustryonadoptionoftheothersustainableoperationsgoalsandobjectives.
Compressed Natural Gas Benefits Compared to Diesel
Sulfur Dioxide 99% less
Particulate Matter 90% less
Nitrogen Dioxide 75‐95% less
Carbon Monoxide 70‐90% less
Carbon Dioxide 20‐30%less
Source: NGV America, Environmental Protection Agency.
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4.0TheSolidWasteRoadmapwillfurtherdeveloplong‐termguidanceforthedisposalsystem.Theregionhasaneffectiveandcomplexsolidwastesystem,withpublicfacilitiesownedbyMetro,privatefacilitiesregulatedbyMetroandprivatehaulingcompaniesregulatedbylocaljurisdictions.Duringthe2008RSWMPdevelopment,thedisposalsystemwasevaluatedtodeterminethebestwaytodeliversafe,environmentallysoundandcost‐effectivewastetransferanddisposalservicestothepublicandprivateusersoftheregion.Thedisposalsystemevaluationincludedananalysisoftransferstationownershipoptions:public,private,orpublic‐privatehybrid.TheMetroCouncilconcludedcontinuationofthehybridmodelofpublicandprivatetransferstationownershipwouldbestservetheregion.Followingthetransferstationanalysis,severalothersystemissuesneededfurtheranalysis.Toaddressthis,theRSWMPincludesaSystemsImprovementsWorkPlan(seeAppendixC)thatidentifiesseveralspecificareasforfutureevaluationincludingwetwasteallocation,systemfinancing,provisionofself‐haulservicesandfacilityregulation.MetroCouncildirectedthedevelopmentofsystemmanagementpolicies,goalsandobjectivestoguidedecisionsintheseareas.ThisworkisbeingaddressedinpartthroughtheSolidWasteRoadmapplanningeffort.In2015and2016,theMetroCouncilwillbeaskedtoidentifyapreferredapproachforthefutureofdisposalthatwillprovideasetofprinciplestoguidefuturedecisionsonthesolidwastesystem.Bytheendof2015,theMetroCouncilwillneedtoadoptnewtermsforprivatefacilityauthorizations,whileconsideringthetransitionofprivateandpublicoperationstosupportthevisionforthefuturesystem.KeyoperationalcontractsassociatedwiththemanagementofwasteatandfromMetrotransferstationswillexpirebytheendof2019andworkonwhatfollowsthemneedstobeinitiatedby2017.Thisworkwillresultinkeyguidanceforthelongtermmanagementoftheregion’sdisposalsystemandshouldbeincorporatedintothenextRSWMP.
SolidWasteRoadmapKeyQuestions
1. Long‐term Management. Over the long run, what does the region want to do with materials that aren’t reused, recycled or composted?
2. Metro South Station. What service alternatives should Metro pursue at Metro South and in the vicinity to provide for the full suite of needed services?
3. Foundational Work. What is the amount and nature of waste that might be discarded in the future, and how will various alternatives perform in managing it?
4. Food Scraps Capacity. What actions should Metro take to ensure adequate and reasonably proximate capacity to transfer and process food scraps collected from the region’s businesses and residents?
5. Transfer System Configuration. What model of the public‐private transfer system (e.g., service levels, tonnage allocations, rates, etc.) best provides for the public interest?
6. Fee & Tax Policies. How should Metro recover the cost of solid waste services and programs, and of general government, to improve stability, equity and predictability?
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5.0Discardsmanagementisshiftingtomaterialsmanagement.
TheRSWMPhasprovidedsufficientguidanceoverthelastfiveyearsforcoordinatingwastereductionprogramefforts.However,sincetheadoptionoftheplan,theframeworkformanagingsolidwasteinOregonhasshiftedtoamorecomprehensiveapproachthataddressestheintegratednatureofmaterialsfromproductiontodisposal.ThisisconsistentwiththeRSWMPpolicyguidance,butprovidesnewopportunitiesforactionstheregioncantaketoreduceenvironmentalandhumanhealthimpactsofthegenerationanddisposalofwaste.In2012,theOregonDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality(DEQ)adoptedanewframework,Oregon2050 VisionandFrameworkforAction,reflectingthisshiftandformalizingtheapproachforregionalapplication.
AsdescribedintheOregon2050Vision,thematerialsmanagementapproachincludeswastepreventionanddiscardmanagement,whilealsoseekingtoreduceenvironmentalimpactsbymanagingmaterialsineachstageoftheirlife.Thisapproachidentifiesimpactsandactionstoaddressthoseimpactsacrossthefullcycleofmaterialsandproductsastheymovethroughtheeconomyfromrawmaterialextractiontoproductdesignandmanufacture,transport,consumption,use,reuse,recyclinganddisposal.ThisapproachprovidesnewareasofopportunityforthedevelopmentofbothgoalsandactionstoprotecttheenvironmentandhumanhealthandshouldbeusedasframeworkforthenextRSWMP.
Oregon2050VisionandFrameworkforAction
Inthe2050Vision,Oregonianslivewithinthelimitsoftheirsustainableshareoftheworld’snaturalresources.Materialsandproductssupporthumanhealth,well‐beingandhealthy,resilientenvironmentsandcommunities—whetherthosegoodsaremadeinOregon,usedinOregon,orboth.Sustainableuseofresourcesallowsallpeopletoenjoyaprosperous,cleaneconomyandfulfillinglives,nowandinthefuture.Thedesiredoutcomesfor2050:
Producersmakeproductssustainably.Everyoptionisasustainableoption. Peoplelivewellandconsumesustainably. Materialshavethemostusefullifepossiblebeforeandafterdiscard.
Figure 8. Life Cycle Materials and Products
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6.0Newandupdatedgoalsareneededtotrackenvironmentalprogress.
Theregionalwasterecoveryratehasbeentheprimarybenchmarkforplanperformance.Thisgoalandassociatedsectortonnagetargetsreflectatraditionalfocusonmeasuringlandfilldisposalfromrecycling,compostingandrecyclingprograms.Theexistingstatewideandwasteshedrecoverygoalswerelastrevisedin2001andweresetthrough2009.TheRSWMPdirectsthedevelopmentofanewsetofnumericalgoalsbeyondthelastbenchmarkof2009.AsapartoftheimplementationoftheOregon2050VisionandFramework,DEQisintheprocessofupdatingstatutorygoalsandmeasuresforallwastesheds,makingittimelyfortheregiontobeginworkonnewgoals.DEQisconsideringtwomeasurementareaswithbothstatutorygoalsandadministrativemeasures.Thestatutorygoalsarehighlightedinthetablebelowandwillbeconsideredforadoptioninthe2015legislativesession.
Oregon Wasteshed Goals and Measurement Areas
Focus Area Statutory Goals
Material Recovery
Statewide recovery rate Statewide material‐specific recovery rates for food,
plastics and carpet Wasteshed recovery rate by tonnage Wasteshed recovery rate by environmental outcomes
Waste Generation Statewide goals
Theproposedstatutorygoalsfallintotwoareas:wasteshedrecoveryandwastegeneration.Incontrasttotheexistingmeasures,thenewrecoverygoalswillincludeonlyrecyclingandenergyrecoveryintheratecalculations,excludingcreditforwasteprevention,on‐sitecompostingandreuseactivities.Thenewmeasuresaroundindividualmaterialsandenvironmentaloutcomesareintendedtobroadenthescopeofthegoalsandconsiderthelife‐cycleenvironmentalimpactsofmaterials.Ifthe2015OregonLegislatureapprovestheseproposedstatewideandwasteshedgoals,RSWMPwillneedtoreflectthesechangestostatelaw,andinturn,theregionwillneedtoadoptnewgoals.ThesenewgoalswillserveasanimportantfirststeptowardthedevelopmentofthenextRSWMP.MetrowillcontinuetoworkcloselywithDEQonthedevelopmentandcoordinationofgoals,measuresanddatasources.
2015 Oregon Legislature‐ Senate Bill 263
This legislation is one of two proposals by DEQ that emerged from the Environmental Quality Commission’s adoption of the Oregon 2050 Vision and Framework for Action. This proposal includes the removal of the six percent credits allowed for waste prevention, reuse and home composting activities in calculation of recovery rates and updates recovery goals. Without credits, the state recovery rate was 49.7 and the Metro region’s recovery rate was 58.2 percent in 2013. The new goals include: New statewide recovery goals of 52 percent by 2020 and 55 percent by 2025
Metro regional wasteshed recovery goal of 64 percent by 2025
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SECTION4: RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation1:Continueworkonkeyprogramsandincreaseprogressonschool‐basededucation,multifamilyservicesandtheregionalfoodscrapscollectionsystem.Overall,theregionhasbeenconsistentintheimplementationoftheRSWMP’swastereductionstrategiesandmeetingtheplan’sobjectivesthroughthemaintenanceofkeylong‐standingprogramsandthedevelopmentofnewandexpandedprograms.Tocontinueprogresstowardreducingtheamountofwastedisposed,theregionshouldcontinuetomaintainkeyprograms,evaluatepotentialexpansioninschooleducationandmultifamilyprogramareasandfurtherdeveloptheregion’sfoodscrapcollectionsystem.Recommendation2:CompletedevelopmentofdisposalsystempoliciesandguidancethroughtheSolidWasteRoadmap.
The2008RSWMPidentifiesanumberofimportantareasforimprovementsinthedisposalsystem,butlacksbroadersystemobjectivestoframethoseimprovements.WorkisunderwayintheSolidWasteRoadmapprojectstoformulatebothbroadpoliciesandmorespecificfixestothoseareas.ThiskeyguidanceshouldbeincorporatedintothenextRSWMP.Recommendation3:AspartoftheprocessofputtingtogetherthenextRSWMP,developnewandupdatedgoalstotrackenvironmentalprogressthatconsiderthelifecycleimpactsofproductsandmaterials.Thedevelopmentofnewgoalsbeyondthosecurrentlyinplaceiscriticaltosupportcontinuedprogressinreducingtheamountandtoxicityofwastegeneratedintheregion.ThisworkshouldbealignedcloselywithDEQ’sproposednewmeasuresandOregon2050VisionandFrameworkforAction.Thesemeasuresshouldincludebothlongtermgoalsandindicatorsthatcanmonitorprogressovertimeandtakeintoaccountenvironmentalbenefitsbeyondquantitiesrecovered.Recommendation4:In2016,initiatetheplanningprocessforthenextRSWMP,informedbymaterialsmanagementconcepts.Sincetheadoptionofthe2008plan,theframeworkformanagingsolidwasteinOregonandotherleadingcommunitiesandstateshasshiftedtoamorecomprehensiveapproachthataddressesthelifecycleimpactsofmaterials.TheOregon2050VisionandFrameworkforActionisanimportantguidancedocumentforregionalwork.ThecurrentRSWMPincludessomeelementsofmaterialsmanagement,butneedstobeupdatedtobetterreflectthestatedirection,thedesiredregionaloutcomesandamoresystemsbasedapproach.
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AppendixA:RSWMPWasteReductionGoalsandObjectives
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AppendixA(continued):RSWMPWasteReductionGoalsandObjectives
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AppendixB:RSWMPSustainableOperationsGoalsandObjectives
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AppendixC:RSWMPSystemImprovementsWorkPlan