ecy.wa/beyondwaste Cheryl Smith Washington State Dept of Ecology NAHMMA Conference

1. Beyond Collection: Washington State’s Beyond Waste Strategy for Reducing Hazardous Materials and Wastes www.ecy.wa.gov/beyondwaste Cheryl Smith Washington State Dept of Ecology NAHMMA Conference September 23, 2005

2. What is the Beyond Waste Project? 30-year statewide plan for • Decreasing solid and hazardous wastes • Increasing recycling and reuse • Reducing the use of toxic substances • Properly managing those wastes that remain

3. Five Myths √ If a product is on the shelf, it is safe √ Existing laws and regulations provide adequate protection from toxics √ Landfills solve the waste problem √ Recycling solves the waste problem √ Eliminating waste and toxics will be bad for the economy

4. State Law Priorities • Solid Waste Priorities • Waste reduction • Recycling (source separated) • Then, Disposal • Hazardous Waste Priorities • Waste reduction • Recycling • Treatment (physical, chemical, biological) • Incineration • Solidification/stabilization treatment • Landfill

5. 99% 94% PERCENT OF EXTRACTED MATERIALS WASTED Extraction

6. We can transition to a society where wastes are viewed as inefficient and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated. This will contribute to environmental, economic and social vitality. The Beyond Waste Vision

7. 5 Key Initiatives • Reduce industry's toxic materials & hazardous wastes • Reduce threats from small-volume hazardous wastes & materials (MRW) • Make green building mainstream • Increase organicsclosed-loop recycling • Measure progress regularly

8. How we chose these 5 areas • Stakeholder Priorities • Portions of waste stream • Don’t try to do it all at once! • Impacts (health & environment) • Momentum and opportunity • Interconnectedness • Enhance economic competitiveness

9. Portions of waste stream INDUSTRIES: 1.1 million tons solid waste 0.2 million tons haz waste 16,000 tons of toxic chemicals HAZ WASTES FROM HOUSEHOLDS AND SMALL GENERATOR BUSINESSES (MRW) HHW estimated 1% of MSW by volume SQG estimate=???

10. Recommendations are Interconnected • For example, Compost in landscaping: • Contributes to organics recycling • Helps meet green building standards • Reduces use of pesticides • Expands business opportunities for industries

11. Strategies • Align signals & resources • Find levers • Look “upstream” • Measure progress regularly

12. Beyond Collection… • Existing system is not sustainable • We have not yet created the system that will sustain us into the future • Beyond Waste lays out long-term goals for MRW that mean moving beyond collection

13. Safer Products and Services: Most threats to human health and the environment have been eliminated by minimizing chemical hazards associated with the life cycles of products and services.

14. Efficient Materials Management: Reuse and recycling are optimized for any remaining hazardous materials still in use as a collaborative system has been developed for safely and responsibly managing hazardous materials.

15. Greater Economic Vitality: Economic sectors in Washington thrive in the domestic and global marketplace as hazardous materials are systematically eliminated from products and services. Consumer confidence has increased, risks and liabilities have decreased, and costs for managing wastes are reduced.

16. MRW---In 5 Years • Product stewardship programs for paint and electronics • Environmentally preferable purchasing for several classes of products • Sales of mercury-containing products will decrease

17. MRW 5-Yr Actions • Focus on Priority substances & Products First • State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing • Product Stewardship efforts • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Full implementation of MRW Plans

18. Priority Products & Substances • For first 5 years: • Mercury • Electronics • PBDE • Paints • Selected Pesticides AND, determine future priorities Don’t try to do it all at once!

19. MRW 5-Yr Actions • Focus on Priority substances & Products First • State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing • Product Stewardship efforts • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Full implementation of MRW Plans

20. Govt Environmentally Preferable Purchasing • State govt EPP in the following areas: • Automotive products and vehicles • Grounds maintenance • Electronic products • Building materials • Cleaning products • Products with flame retardants

21. MRW 5-Yr Actions • Focus on Priority substances & Products First • State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing • Product Stewardship efforts • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Full implementation of MRW Plans

22. Product Stewardship Efforts • Electronics product stewardship infrastructure • Paint product stewardship infrastructure • Take-back system for banned pesticides (non-ag) • Support legislation requiring mfrs of mercury-containing products to fund a collection & recycling infrastructure

23. MRW 5-Yr Actions • Focus on Priority substances & Products First • State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing • Product Stewardship efforts • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Full implementation of MRW Plans

24. Evaluate Regulatory Framework Develop long-term proposal to revise state laws and regs in 3 areas: • Graduated regulatory system based less on quantity and more on risk factors • Comprehensive regulatory system that removes barriers and provides incentives to reduce risk factors • Shift from waste-based focus to hazardous substance use and handling

25. MRW 5-Yr Actions • Focus on Priority substances & Products First • State (& local) govt environmentally preferable purchasing • Product Stewardship efforts • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Full implementation of MRW Plans

26. Implementation of Local MRW Plans • Develop strategy to update any out-of-date plans • Project future infrastructure needs in line with closed-loop recycling system • Provide assistance with plan update and implementation