Washington State’s Beyond Waste Plan:

1. Washington State’s Beyond Waste Plan: www.ecy.wa.gov/beyondwaste John Ridgway Washington State Dept. Of Ecology 25 January 2006

2. What is the Beyond Waste Project? 30-year plan for • decreasing solid and hazardous wastes • increasing recycling and reuse • reducing the use of toxic substances • properly managing those wastes that remain

3. Technology and Environment Robert U. Ayres 99% 94% PERCENT OF EXTRACTED MATERIALS WASTED Extraction

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

9. Aligning Efforts

10. Levers • Local Plans • Incentives • Tools for businesses • State government leading by example • Increase awareness and demand • Partnerships

11. ‘Industries’ • Focus on specific industry sectors • Metal finishing--CPC • Mercury—hospitals, schools, switches, dental offices, lamps, ‘novelty’ products’ • PBDE Chemical Action Plan • General government • Identify additional sectors

12. Industries—cont’d • Work to encourage new businesses to adopt P2 and sustainability practices • Encourage waste handlers to become materials brokers • Promote sustainability in product development • Provide incentives to reduce waste & the use of toxics.

13. Small-Volume Hazardous Wastes & Materials (MRW) • Focus on specific products/substances • State to purchase fewer products with hazardous constituents (EPP) • Evaluate regulatory framework for long-term---base standards on risk, not amount • Fully implement local haz waste programs

14. Green Building • State government builds green and uses green building materials • Expand residential green building programs • Incentives to promote green building

15. Organics • State agencies collect & recycle organics • Increase state government use of recycled organics • Expand home composting • Develop product quality & labeling stds. • Address regulatory barriers

16. Measure Progress • Select major or overall indicators • Begin producing Beyond Waste progress reports (2006 Report Card) • Track specific indicators for each key initiative

17. Implementation has begun… • Sector projects for industries & MRW: mercury & PBDE and electronics & paint take-back infrastructure • Web sites---New Beyond Waste & green building websites with “how-to” tips for locals and others • Ecology walks its talk: Food/paper towel compost facility • Consultant study on incentives

19. The New Course Will Result In: The key is to use our wasted resources more efficiently