Beyond Collection: Washington State’s Beyond Waste Strategy for Reducing
Hazardous Materials and Wastes
www.ecy.wa.gov/beyondwaste
Cheryl SmithWashington State Dept of Ecology
NAHMMA ConferenceSeptember 23, 2005
What is the Beyond Waste Project?
30-year statewide plan for Decreasing solid and hazardous wastes Increasing recycling and reuse Reducing the use of toxic substances Properly managing those wastes that remain
Five Myths√ If a product is on the shelf, it is safe
√ Existing laws and regulations provide adequate protection from toxics
√ Landfills solve the waste problem
√ Recycling solves the waste problem
√ Eliminating waste and toxics will be bad for the economy
State Law PrioritiesSolid Waste Priorities
Waste reductionRecycling (source separated)Then, Disposal
Hazardous Waste PrioritiesWaste reductionRecyclingTreatment (physical, chemical, biological)IncinerationSolidification/stabilization treatmentLandfill
PERCENT OF EXTRACTED
MATERIALS WASTED
94%99%
Extraction
The Beyond Waste VisionWe can transition to a society where wastes are viewed as inefficient and where most wastes and
toxic substances have been eliminated.
This will contribute to environmental, economic and social vitality.
5 Key Initiatives1. Reduce industry'sindustry's toxic materials &
hazardous wastes
2. Reduce threats from small-volume hazardous wastes & materials ((MRWMRW)
3. Make green buildinggreen building mainstream
4. Increase organicsorganics closed-loop recycling
5.5. MeasureMeasure progress regularly
How we chose these 5 areas
Stakeholder Priorities Portions of waste stream Don’t try to do it all at once! Impacts (health & environment) Momentum and opportunity Interconnectedness Enhance economic competitiveness
Portions of waste streamINDUSTRIES:1.1 million tons solid waste0.2 million tons haz waste16,000 tons of toxic chemicals
HAZ WASTES FROM HOUSEHOLDS AND SMALL GENERATOR BUSINESSES (MRW)
HHW estimated 1% of MSW by volumeSQG estimate=???
Recommendations are Interconnected
For example, Compost in landscaping: Contributes to organics recycling
Helps meet green building standards
Reduces use of pesticides
Expands business opportunities for industries
Strategies Align signals & resources
Find levers
Look “upstream”
Measure progress regularly
Beyond Collection…Existing system is not sustainable
We have not yet created the system that will sustain us into the future
Beyond Waste lays out long-term goals for MRW that mean moving beyond collection
Safer Products and Services: Most threats to human health and the environment have been eliminated by minimizing chemical hazards associated with the life cycles of products and services.
Efficient Materials Management: Reuse and recycling are optimized for any remaining hazardous materials still in use as a collaborative system has been developed for safely and responsibly managing hazardous materials.
Greater Economic Vitality: Economic sectors in Washington thrive in the domestic and global marketplace as hazardous materials are systematically eliminated from products and services. Consumer confidence has increased, risks and liabilities have decreased, and costs for managing wastes are reduced.
MRW---In 5 Years
Product stewardship programs for paint and electronics
Environmentally preferable purchasing for several classes of products
Sales of mercury-containing products will decrease
MRW 5-Yr Actions Focus on Priority substances &
Products First
State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing
Product Stewardship efforts
Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount
Full implementation of MRW Plans
Priority Products & Substances
For first 5 years: Mercury Electronics PBDE Paints Selected Pesticides
AND, determine future priorities
Don’t try to do it all at once!
MRW 5-Yr Actions Focus on Priority substances & Products First
State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing
Product Stewardship efforts Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base
standards on risk, not amount
Full implementation of MRW Plans
Govt Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
State govt EPP in the following areas: Automotive products and vehicles Grounds maintenance Electronic products Building materials Cleaning products Products with flame retardants
MRW 5-Yr Actions Focus on Priority substances & Products First
State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing
Product Stewardship efforts
Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount
Full implementation of MRW Plans
Product Stewardship Efforts Electronics product stewardship infrastructure
Paint product stewardship infrastructure
Take-back system for banned pesticides (non-ag)
Support legislation requiring mfrs of mercury-containing products to fund a collection & recycling infrastructure
MRW 5-Yr Actions Focus on Priority substances & Products First
State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing
Product Stewardship efforts
Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount
Full implementation of MRW Plans
Evaluate Regulatory FrameworkDevelop long-term proposal to revise state
laws and regs in 3 areas:1. Graduated regulatory system based less
on quantity and more on risk factors2. Comprehensive regulatory system that
removes barriers and provides incentives to reduce risk factors
3. Shift from waste-based focus to hazardous substance use and handling
MRW 5-Yr Actions Focus on Priority substances & Products First
State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing
Product Stewardship efforts
Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount
Full implementation of MRW Plans
Implementation of Local MRW Plans Develop strategy to update any out-of-date
plans
Project future infrastructure needs in line with closed-loop recycling system
Provide assistance with plan update and implementation
Top Related