Beyond Landfill Diversion

In many sustainability reports, "diversion rates" are a key component in the zero waste section. Diversion refers to an initial destination other than landfill.  It is time to address final destinations and highest good use of the disposed items, rather than simply diversion from the landfill.

As companies shift from zero waste programs to materials management focus, waste and recycling cost centers often evolve into recycling profit centers.  The ZWA Blog post, Emerging Trend:  Recycling Profit Centers, details how astute business leaders understand by-products generated in their operations are valuable materials for another industry's production process.  At the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council June conference, the powerful presentations validated a strong materials management program improves bottom lines.  The ZWA Blog post, U.S. Zero Waste Business Council hosts first-rate conference, gives an overview of the conference along with links to speaker presentations.

single-stream load during an
Ei MRF tour

Single-stream recycling systems often are a false recycling indicator.  With significant contamination common in single-stream collections, the final destination of an unacceptable  percentage of the intake is either incineration or landfills, not intended recycling. China is tightening its material acceptance standards and the U.S. generated mixed plastics bales filled with contaminated material are losing their welcome at our faraway friend's recycling centers.  The ZWA Blog post, Single-Stream Recycling Controversy, documents how single-stream systems achieve their goal of increasing "diversion rates" yet result in decreased actual recycling due to contamination.

In July, 2011 The U.S. EPA hosted a webinar, Single Stream Recycling: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. addressing single-stream recycling's effectiveness, or lack thereof.  The ZWA Blog, Single Stream Recycling: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, gives a webinar overview along with commentary.

Within Recycling Integrity, maintaining maximum material value with minimum energy expended, the by-product generator retains responsibility for a "highest good" material destination.  Education on the available options and infrastructure is key along with a proactive approach.  

A common theme in successful materials management programs is teamwork between companies and their suppliers.  For many manufacturers a significant portion of their waste is in the form of packaging.  Companies like Ricoh Electronics and Subaru of Indiana Automotive  worked with suppliers to develop reusable packaging that is returned for use in the next shipment.  Thus, reducing waste and costs.

waxed cardboard is
one of the fire log ingredients

As documented in the ZWA Blog post, The Perpetual Spiral, extending a material's end of life is not recycling and is only one step away from landfill destination.  An example of extending life, versus recycling, is sending waxed cardboard, not recyclable or compostable, to "fire log" manufacturing.  Without diving into the possible toxins involved in manufacturing and burning the logs, the use gives a false sense of environmental stewardship. Waxed cardboard is commonly used in produce and meat packaging for commercial food operations, ranging from retail outlets to hotels & conference centers to restaurants.

Cost-effective coatings that are recyclable and compostable exist to replace traditional wax . Thus, the cellulose fiber in the cardboard may recycle another five to six times before its final paper use in compostable napkins and tissue paper. Note a significant portion of napkins and tissue paper is made from virgin forests, wasting potentially six to seven fiber lives in various paper products.  

waxed cardboard box

It takes the power of consumer demand to educate farmers on the importance of using an alternative to waxed cardboard. The personal consumer is the perfect vehicle to inspire corporate consumers like Whole Foods to use their powerful voice to effect change at the farmer and produce company level.  

The ZWA Blog post, Waxed Cardboard = Landfill Destiny = $$ Lost, is an overview of the National Restaurant Association 2012 Show educational session, Challenging the Value-Chain to Transform Transport Packaging:  Eco-Friendly , Wallet-Friendly Solutions.  Ei Chair Scott Seydel orchestrated and Lily Kelly with Global Green's CoRR moderated an excellent educational session on transport packaging, with a focus on waxed cardboard boxes.

Working together and using the power of consumer demand, national industry leaders are creating an evolved paradigm where sustainable practices are best practices as they make solid business sense.  The ZWA Blog post, Consumer Demand: A Powerful Voice to Effect Change, sets the stage for Ei's Product Stewardship focus grounded in Economics 101, the power of supply and demand.

These are thrilling times!  Pioneers are stepping forward as industry heroes and blazing trails to a reality where landfills are mined for valuable material and no longer a destination.  Stay tuned ...