critical thinking report for environment

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WeekEightNine.pptx

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https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=colcvdcKhq8

Week Eight/Nine

Waste Management

Key Goal

Waste minimization: The process of reducing waste sent to landfills

One of the major challenges in achieving this: The Growth Economy: http ://storyofstuff.org/movies/the-story-of-solutions /

The Concept of Zero Waste

Definition: A philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. No trash is sent to landfills or incinerators. The process recommended is one similar to the way that resources are reused in nature.

http://www.greenphillyblog.com/lifestyle/ultimate-cheat-sheet-zero-waste-shopping-in-philly/

One in which event organizers plan ahead to reduce solid waste from the event, reuse various elements such as banners, and set up Zero-Waste Stations for those recyclable and compostable materials such as paper cups, food scraps, and plastic water bottles that are generated by the event.

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko9kgspwxNY

Zero Waste Event

Event Waste Hierarchy

Key Definitions

Waste Streams: The various ways in which we deal with waste, including reuse, recycling, composting and landfill deposits. Also known as the life cycle of waste up to and including its eventual disposal.

Waste or Landfill Diversion: The environmentally friendly practice of keeping as much out of the landfill stream as possible. The success of landfill diversion can be measured by comparison of the size of the landfill from one year to the next. If the landfill grows minimally or remains the same, then policies covering landfill diversion are successful.

Single Stream Recycling: (also known as “fully commingled” or "single-sort") recycling refers to a system in which all paper fibers, plastics, metals, and other containers are mixed in a collection truck, instead of being sorted by the depositor into separate commodities (newspaper, paperboard, corrugated fiberboard, plastic, ...)

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl1auc_MluQ

Event Waste

Litter

Standard Waste

Recyclable

Biodegradable

Event Waste - Litter

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) uses colorful waste receptacles that are easy to identify. Courtesy of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Top Tips for Litter Prevention

Provide well-labelled, well-positioned and well-maintained trash receptacles

Minimize the amount of disposable material distributed to attendees

Advise attendees as to what NOT to bring to the meeting or event

Have staff/volunteers act as “environmental stewards” and circulate throughout the event interacting with attendees

Provide appropriate receptacles to smokers

www.kab.org

Waste Bins

Graphic by Naina Ayya, communications manager, Moscone Center (www.moscone.com)

Event Waste - Standard Waste

Typically defined as garbage sent to landfills

Also known as MSW – Municipal Solid Waste

Best way to reduce MSW is to reduce non-recyclable, non-biodegradable, non-re-usable items (plastic goods, aerosol cans, cigarette butts, styrofoam)

What if we can’t prevent it?

https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKHpB-FV9sE

Event Waste Recyclable Waste:

Glass bottles, aluminum cans, paper – turned into something new

Event Waste Biodegradable Waste:

Organic material that naturally decomposes, includes most food and drink waste as well as products made from organic materials such as cornstarch or soybeans

Typical Waste Items at Events

Avoid: Non-biodegradable and Non-recyclable	Compost (if Possible): Biodegradable	Recycle: Recyclable
Most Plastic bags	Food waste	Glass bottles
Cigarette butts	Biodegradable containers	Aluminum cans
Aerosol cans	Soy-based paper	Nonglossy paper
Plastic silverware	Biodegradable cutlery and plateware	Cardboard
Styrofoam	Cornstarch bags	Plastic bottles

Precycling: the practice of seeking to reduce consumer waste by buying unpackaged, reusable, or recyclable products, using one's own bags, etc.

Buy retro: Antique furniture, vintage arcade games, dated décor

Buy real: Avoid one-use-only products, invest in reusable products, hand out reusable items

Buy recycled: Recycled paper comes in all colors

Buy bulk: bulk is often cheaper, arrange bulk, Ask suppliers to minimize packaging, foods creatively

Buy biodegradable: Containers, organic cleaning products.

http:// www.planetpals.com/precycle.html

Composting

Composting: The process by which biodegradable organic matter is decomposed into fertilizer

Key is placing composting bins next to every trash can, where appropriate

Communicate with your collection agency

http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch2KKtiFiLM

http://www.coffeecomposting.com /

Are Biodegradable and Compostable the Same?

The short answer is “no”.

A product is biodegradable as long as it “will completely break down and return to nature (i.e., decompose into elements found in nature) within a reasonably short period of time after customary disposal.” In other words, the item will continue to disintegrate into small pieces until micro-organisms consume it.

Are Biodegradable and Compostable the Same? (cont.)

For an item to be marked compostable, there must be scientific evidence that the materials in the item break down, or become part of, usable compost in a safe and timely manner in an appropriate composting facility or home compost pile.

The main difference between biodegradable and compostable is the latter breaks down into “humus,” which provides valuable nutrients to the soil. Biodegradable products just return to nature, disintegrating or disappearing completely. This disintegration could take a week or years – another difference with compostable, where items must break down in a “timely” fashion i.e., one-to-four months.

Waste Innovations

E-cycling: http://www.eiae.org /

Reusable cups, water bottles, thermoses

Reusable beer containers

Waste Innovations

Water refill stations

Redistribution/Reuse

After-school programs

Art schools

Boys and Girls Clubs

Kiwanis

League of Resident Theatres