2016-11-29_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Because of the increasing societal focus on causes of, and solutions to, climate change, it has become imperative to measure waste reduction (and all of our activities) in terms ofits impact on the environment. This allows us to speak in a common language, understand the impact of our choices, and help us prioritize the personal, and policy actions that we take. Many cities around the county work with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to quantify and now register the climate change impacts of their city. It is also important to calculate the carbon impact ofwaste reduction as the global effort continues to enact a carbon "cap and trade" system. In addition to climate change mitigation, there are other environmental benefits to recycling, including saving energy and protecting air quality, water quality, natural resources, natural beauty, habitat, and human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WARM Calculator The equations used in environmental calculations try to take into account the "full life cycle" of each material—everything from off -setting the demand for more virgin materials (tree harvesting, tinning, etc.) to preventing the pollution that would have occurred if that material were disposed of (burned or buried). Different calculators may include some or all of the many factors that contribute to the "full life cycle" so results will vary from calculator to calculator. While there are many models emerging to calculate greenhouse gas reductions, the most recognized, and standard model is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Reduction Model (WARM). WARM was designed to help solid waste planners, and organizations track, and voluntarily report greenhouse gas emissions reductions from several different waste management practices. WARM, last updated in June 2014, recognizes 46 material types. WARM Model Analysis of Impact on Climate Change 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ■ Metric Tons of Carbon ■ Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide MTCE (Metric tons of carbon equivalent), and MTCO.,E (Metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions) are figures connnonly used when discussing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information about the process of measuring the environmental benefits ofwaste reduction, visit trttro://ena.�ov/cluaLatechanEc/wycd/waste/utcasurceh�.htuil#click 10