2009-02-24_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

C. Why measure waste reduction in terms of climate change? Efl"orts are needed across all the sectors of our lives to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Leading scientists have indicated that 350 parts per million (ppm} of carbon dioxide is the upper limit for us to continue life on this planet as we know it (350.org. About Us/Science page. 1ecember 200$). We're currently at 385 ppm (and just 200 years ago we were at 275 ppin). As we work to lower to 350 ppm as soon as possible, we need to employ every strategy we can-including waste reduction strategies-to reduce our emissions. While many strategies require large purchases (i.e, ne~v heaters, coolers, cars, etc.) recycling anal composting require little or no investment and in most cases some systems are already in. place. What are needed are requirements and incentives for manufacturers to use recycled content anal to design for recycling and composting. Measuring the climate change impact of waste reduction actions allows us to speak in a common language, understand the impact of our choices, and help us prioritize the personal anal policy actions that we take. Consider these Facts: ® Recycling and composting all our naunicipal solid waste in Minnesota would have the same impact as shutting down 19.2'% of all the coal-fired power plants in Minnesota (American Coal Foundation, 2007}. Recycling and composting all are naunicipal solid waste would have th.e same impact as removing 2,135,140 passenger vehicles from the road. That is equal to over two-thirds of all the cars on the road today in Minnesota (Vennewitz, 199$). 1Zecycling and composting all of our municipal solid waste would reduce carbon emissions enough to equal the carbon emissions from 1,544;088 households every year. That's almost 75% of the total in Minnesota (Minnesota Population. Estimates December (website) 1.1./2008). While actions such as shutting down 20% of our coal power plants, or reducing our car usage by two-thirds, or using 75% less electricity in our own homes naay seem daunting, recycling and composting are accessible anal easy actions we can do right now, every day, to make a difference. Translating recycling and composting into climate change impact reminds us that these actions are not trivial or passe. They are a powerful and. significant part of the solution: Indeed, a zero waste approach. would achieve 7% of the cuts in U.S. emission needed to put us on the path to climate stability by 2050 (Platt, et al., 2008. pg b). It is also important to calculate the carbon impact of waste reduction as the global effort continues to enact a carbon "cap and trade" system. This system would create financial incentives to reduce green gas emissions, incentives that could benefit new recycling and composting efforts to expand our current infrastn~cture. We must weigh this against any further subsidies for landfilling and incineration as supposed "renewable" technologies. Page 1.6