Introduction to Industrial Ecology

1. Introduction to Industrial Ecology

2. Outline • A Short Lesson in Ecology • What is Industrial Ecology? • Eco-industrial Parks (EIPs) • Objectives, Principles, & Guidelines • How EIPs Work • Developing an EIP • Challenges and Benefits • An International Case Study • A Canadian Case Study • Opportunities for EIPs in Canada

3. A Short Lesson in Ecology

4. A Short Lesson in Ecology • When we try to conserve species or manage natural resources so they are sustainable, we must focus on their ecosystems and make sure they continue to function • An ecosystem is the simplest entity that can sustain life • Ecosystems encompass both living and non-living components • the living components of an ecosystem are the set of interacting species referred to as the community • community level effects are the result of direct and indirect interaction between species and their environment

5. A Short Lesson in Ecology(cont’d) Two basic processes that enable ecosystems to function: • cycling of chemical elements that must become available to each organism in the right amounts at the right time • a flow of energy

6. A Short Lesson in Ecology(cont’d) Ecosystems exhibit a number of characteristics: • structure • processes including cycling of materials and flows of energy • succession • food chains and webs Ecosystems vary greatly in structural complexity • we cannot always define ecosystems’ boundaries nor identify all of the interactions

7. Continuous Growth in a Finite System? The human economy depends on the products and services provided by healthy, functioning ecological systemsIndustrial production systems are economic institutions operating in a physical and biological world i.e., industries are contained within and dependent on ecosystems and their servicesCurrent industrial production and consumption levels and systems appear to be overwhelming the planet’s carrying capacity

8. Frankenstein System? We’ve designed a system of production that: • puts billions of pounds of toxic materials into the air, water, and soil every year • produces some materials so dangerous they will require constant vigilance by future generations • results in gigantic amounts of waste • puts valuable materials in holes all over the planet where it can never be retrieved • requires thousands of complex regulations – not to keep people and natural systems safe, but rather, to keep them from being poisoned too quickly • measures productivity by how few people are working • creates prosperity by digging up or cutting down natural resources and then burying or burning them,erodes the diversity of species and cultural practices (McDonough and Braungart 2002)

9. What is Industrial Ecology?

10. What is Industrial Ecology? Industrial Ecology (EI) is the study of industrial development which emphasizes material cycling and webs of producers, consumers, scavengers, and decomposers encouraging resource conservation and waste prevention leading to improved efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability

11. Industrial Ecology • Industrial ecology (EI) places human, technological activity in the context of the larger ecosystems that support it • EI examines the sources, flows and sinks of materials and energy • EI is industrial in that it focuses on product design and manufacturing processes • EI is ecological in that it uses natural, indigenous ecosystem concepts and functions as models

12. Industrial Ecosystems • Industrial ecosystems are characterized, in part, by relationships that exist between industries and between the industries and their environment • Many of these relationships are described as symbiotic, which means that one or both of the industries benefits through, for example, the use of a by-product of one business as raw material for another

13. Industrial Ecosystems: The Basic Concept Optimal conservation of resources (water, energy and other natural resources, information, human, habitat) within the boundaries of the system

14. Eco-industrial Parks: Objectives, Principles, and Guidelines

15. Industrial Parks "A large tract of land, sub-divided and developed for the use of several firms simultaneously, distinguished by its shareable infrastructure and close proximity of firms.” (Peddle 1993) Eco─industrial Parks A network of manufacturing and service companies pursuing enhanced economic and environmental performance, and collaborating to manage the environment and resources including material, energy, water, information, and habitat

16. Continuum of Industrial Parks

17. Objectives of Eco-industrial Parks • conservation of: • natural resources • financial resources • reduction of: • production costs relative to volume of product • raw material costs • treatment costs • energy costs • environmental liability & insurance costs • improvements in: • operating efficiency • quality control • public image with customers • improved health for local ecosystems & populations

18. While the following are all positive steps, Eco-industrial parks are more than: • a single by-product exchange or symbiotic relationship • a recycling business cluster • a collection of environmental technology companies • an industrial park designed around an environmental theme • a park with environmental friendly infrastructure and landscaping • a mixed-use development

19. Principles of Eco-industrial Parks Eco-Industrial parks should: • be designed in a manner which maintains as many of the ecological functions of the landscape as possible • strive to lower the overall level of material use per unit of production while maintaining standards of quality and safety • reduce the use of toxic and hazardous materials when alternatives are available • favor the use of renewable over non‑renewable and reusable over disposable resources in building materials, energy use, products and services • adopt waste prevention as an underlying design criterion, ensuring that park layout, infrastructure, buildings and industrial processes are operated accordingly

20. Principles (cont’d) Eco-Industrial parks should: • strive for diversity of industries, businesses, materials, products and services compatible within the capacity of natural systems to absorb their impacts • create the necessary physical, administrative and financial infrastructure to facilitate the cycling of waste materials, • first, into processes which generated them • second, into other processes • encourage products and services which: • have no undue environmental impact • are safe in their intended use • are efficient in their consumption of energy and natural resources • can be recycled, reused, or disposed of safely

21. Guidelines for EIP Development The following have been established to direct the development of Eco-industrial Parks to: • reduce costs over the life cycle of the park and the buildings • create business opportunities • improve conditions for people and reduce environmental impact These guidelines are not meant to be exhaustive but rather suggestive

22. Guidelines: Developing Sites • Maintain wetlands to provide habitat areas, to filter surface runoff and, where feasible, to treat waste water • Replant endemic vegetation throughout the park for aesthetic value, wind protection and shading • Park layout should be designed so all structures have access to southern exposures for passive solar gain • Property design should facilitate the orientation of buildings to maximize solar access on the one hand, and winter wind resistance on the other

23. Guidelines: Developing Sites(Cont’d) • Maintain landforms and other landscape features which support ecological functions and energy efficiency • Protect some wild spaces as park land and corridors for wildlife • Reduce the amount of land disrupted for development, in terms of buildings per hectare, infrastructure, parking areas, etc. • Designate sites for vegetable gardens in the park

24. Guidelines: Planning and Operating Infrastructure • Where natural wetlands are not available, build engineered aquatic ecosystems which use sunlight, bacteria, plants, and other aquatic life to break down toxics, concentrate metals and treat organic material • Bio-treat gray-water from restaurants and food processing facilities in organic filtration beds, solar aquatic, or similar water purification systems • Use ground source heat pumps or heat recovery ventilators for space heating and air exchange • Collect rainwater for fire fighting, irrigating plants, flushing toilets and where possible, process water

25. Guidelines: Planning and Operating Infrastructure(Cont’d) • Adopt economic instruments which will encourage clean production while penalizing waste generation; disposal fees and tax relief must be of a magnitude to make a financial difference to the business • Set up information systems and incentives to attract businesses and groups that can make use of wasted materials • Support cooperative efforts in procurement and waste management • Develop local, small tri-generation facilities in industrial parks to produce electricity, steam and hot/cold water for heating or cooling

26. Guidelines: Constructing Industrial Facilities • Where possible, co-locate buildings and businesses to make effective use of waste heat, water, and other resources • Consider the nature and composition of building materials to reduce air emissions into the work environment • Insulate buildings for local weather conditions but utilizing technologies and practices which do not create "sick building" conditions • Design buildings to reduce heat loss • Use waste heat from major facilities for district heating purposes within the park

27. Guidelines: ConstructingIndustrial Facilities(Cont’d) • Small businesses should consider use of solar panels and photovoltaics system to heat water • Install low flow shower heads and faucets and low flush toilets to reduce water consumption and waste • Standardize building materials as much as possible to reduce waste during construction and encourage reuse of materials • Build with manufactured products and techniques such as force-fit, no-nails technique to facilitate moving interior walls and reusing building materials • Encourage reuse of building materials within the park by setting standards which require durable, reusable materials

28. Guidelines: Operating Industries • Use appropriately sized and powered machines and vehicles as much as possible • Encourage recovery, reuse and recycling of chemical and metal wastes • Avoid use of hazardous substances where possible, and otherwise reduce volumes stored and used at any one time • Reduce the use of highly toxic and persistent chemicals • Encourage use of non-toxic, non-hazardous cleaners and supplies within the park

29. Guidelines:Refurbishing Facilities and Recycling Materials • Encourage use of materials which can be readily recycled first, within the park, second within the urban area, and third within the jurisdiction • Encourage the establishment of maintenance, repair, and reconditioning businesses such as companies which refurbish laser printer cartridges and furniture • Require separation of wastes to encourage repair, reuse, and recycling • Encourage composting and other uses of organic waste • Install recycling centres into buildings to facilitate collection and transfer of materials

30. How Eco-industrial Parks Work

31. Eco-industrial Mechanisms A number of tools and techniques can assist in the design and operation of eco-industrial parks: • Industrial metabolism • Industrial symbiosis • Supply chains and webs • Flexible manufacturing networks • Ecological design

32. Types of Eco-industrial Networks A  variety of approaches and tools have been developed and utilized to encourage cooperative ventures and networking among businesses: • Material recovery • Product stewardship/take back • District heating & resource cascading • Waste/material exchanges & by-products synergies • Bio-industrial clusters • Multiple resource recovery & recycling • Integrated logistics & transportation • Common purchasing • Coordinated training

33. District Heating – an example • Oil, coal, and gas-fired electricity generating stations generally use water for cooling purposes • at most stations across Canada, this water is used once and discharged back into the local aquatic environment • The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario • steam generated by the station and eventually condensate are used by several companies as heating and process inputs • the cooled water is cycled back to the station • District heating • improves the efficiency of the station • displaces other resources • reduces environmental impacts • e.g., the release of hot water into the environment

34. Examples of Networks: Rental

35. Examples of Networks:Repair and Refurbishing

36. Examples of Networks:Recovery and Recycling

37. Examples of Networks:Environmental Products and Services

38. Developing an Eco-industrial Park

39. Eco-industrial Park Planning • An appreciation of the area’s ecological conditions – ecology • A survey of the nature of companies – diversity • A survey of flows of materials and energy – industrial metabolism • Techniques for improving industrial, commercial and institutional uses of energy and materials – resource efficiency • Techniques for reducing waste –pollution prevention and recycling • Tools for assessing alternative strategies – life cycle analysis and design for environment

40. Getting Started: Conduct a Baseline Survey • Current industrial and employment mix • Natural resources • e.g., land, water, etc. • Infrastructure • Transportation • Energy use • Wastes generated and recycling efforts • Community involvement • Current markets • Regulatory issues

41. Steps in Designing Eco-industrial Parks • Select an appropriate site • Design the system with the landscape and ecological functions in mind • Design and constructing buildings with appropriate materials and waste reduction • Conserve energy, water, and non‑renewable resources • Substitute less toxic, recyclable, and more durable materials • Use and manufacture environmentally-friendly products • Standardize the types of materials and processes • Co-locate businesses whenever possible to take advantage of waste recovery and reuse

42. Designing Eco-industrial Parks (cont’d) • Control inventories to reduce wastage and accidents • Cycle materials and exchange wastes • Reduce the use and disposal of packaging through re‑use • Cascade materials • Encourage scavengers and decomposers • Create an easily accessible information system • Audit the operations of businesses • Conduct research on new technologies, products, and processes • Provide feedback and educate businesses

43. Challenges and Benefits

44. Challenges to EIP Development • Local government and community organizations • building local support • setting performance objectives • ownership and financing issues • recruitment • Regulatory agencies • zoning and permitting by-laws • flexibility in application of regulations • Companies • estimating costs and benefits • transaction costs • regulatory uncertainty and liability

45. Benefits of Eco-industrial Networks Business: • More efficient utilization of production, water, energy, waste management and logistical infrastructures • Wide and diverse networking opportunities • Innovation through participation leading to competitive advantage • Reduced resource input and waste management costs • Improved environmental performance through reductions in resource consumption, waste generation and pollutant emissions • Facilitation of the development of new products and markets • Enhanced management systems that can aid and support management

46. Benefits of Eco-industrial Networks Government: • Supporting policies and objectives of governments Regional development: • Potential for new job opportunities • Improving qualitative attributes of existing jobs • Improving quality of local communities • Enhanced efficiency and improved competitiveness and environmental performance • Assisting with direction of investments

47. An International Case Study:Industrial Symbiosis inKalundborg, Denmark

48. What if I told you that networking could allow a group of companies to: • conserve 1.4 million cubic metres of water • reduce oil consumption by 19,000 tonnes • reduce coal consumption by 30,000 tonnes • reduce the generation of CO2 by 30,000 tonnes • reduce emissions of SO2 by 25,000 tonnes • recycle 135,000 tonnes of fly ash • produce 80,000 tonnes of gypsum • recover 3,000 tonnes of sulfur • substitute 1,500 tonnes of artificial fertilizer

49. Kalundborg, Denmark • Over 25 years ago an industrial ecosystem was created in Kalundborg, Denmark • It is made up of a community of 10,000 people engaged in an ever-increasing number of symbiotic relationships between industries, residents, and farmers

50. Kalundborg, Denmark • Resources used effectively and efficiently include: • steam • hot water • sulfur • calcium sulfate (gypsum) • fly ash • sludge from a pharmaceutical operation • gas • treated waste water • Economics is the key factor for decisions on symbioses