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Update to SWMCB European Benchmarks Sigurd Scheurle – 3-25-2009. Overview –. EU framework, regulations, and directives Comparison: EU - USA - Minnesota EU National results - recycling, organics, WTE, & landfills Information on Dutch and Swedes Findings. Findings -.
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Update to SWMCB European BenchmarksSigurd Scheurle – 3-25-2009
Overview – • EU framework, regulations, and directives • Comparison: EU - USA - Minnesota • EU National results - recycling, organics, WTE, & landfills • Information on Dutch and Swedes • Findings
Findings - • EU/national policies anti-landfill – resource and energy recovery, GHG and pollution • 90% recovery of materials and energy achieved with integrated approach • Organized collection arrangements & pricing motivate separation • Expanding WTE role - BACT, CHP and metal recovery • EU nations give LGU’s clear policy guidance
Sources of Information • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports • Inge Johanson – Swedish Waste Management • Hendrikus de Waart – Amsterdam Waste and Energy Company • Wikipedia • USEPA
What’s the EU? • Confederation of nations • Formed in 1993 • 500 M people, 27 nations, 30% of GWP • 23 Languages • Executive, Legislative, & Judicial Branches • Regulations – Supra-national & binding • Directives – Goals and policies met nation by nation • National sovereignty
European Union waste regulation • Framework legislation • Waste treatment operations • Landfill Directive • Incineration AQ
EU: Landfill directive targets 1995 = 100% Target 2006: 75 % Target 2009: 50 % Target 2016: 35%
EU landfill Directive/landfill taxes/bans • Implemented to protect environment, recover resources and energy, & reduce GHG • National: landfill taxes/bans on unprocessed waste • Six nations already meet Landfill Directive • Significant variation from nation to nation and tax varies based on waste type – processed, inert, unprocessed, % biodegradable • High landfill tax = More results
National & local policies/programs • Waste Hierarchy – prevention, re-use, recovery (including WTE), incineration w/o energy, landfill • Municipal collection of residential waste almost universal • EU Directives – oil, PCB’s, batteries, electronics, end of life vehicles • Germany/Austria Green Dot programs
National results – landfill (red) WTE (yellow) and recycling/organics (green)
Conclusions • High landfill taxes in Sweden, Denmark & Netherlands • Germany & Switzerland have no tax but landfill bans • Others with no or low landfill tax nations have high landfill rates
Is “culture of stewardship” a driver in the EU? • My assessment would indicate NO • It appears that national waste policy, not culture, is the primary driving force • It appears that local programs are also a primary driving force (SS, WTE, recycling) • Swiss do fine w/o EU directives • Secondary forces may be economic capacity & national energy policies
How does Minnesota compare to EU • Structure – EU (EPA), Nation (State), local government implementation • MN has less Organized Collection • Some EU nations enforce waste barriers vs. MN’s open state boarders • Many EU nations lag behind Minnesota • MN WMAct – Excellent framework equivalent to high performing EU nations (planning, HHW, PM, SCORE recycling systems, 473, and grants • MN lacks landfill restrictions
Adopted Keyoto National taxes and landfill bans Landfill Directive EU Problem Materials Performance varies by Nation Waste management is Utility Keyoto not adopted EPA guidance & State by State policy Subtitle D regs. State Leadership Variation between States Waste management is a business EU/National vs. USA
Waste Statistics - Netherlands • Results • 2% Landfill • 64% Recycling/organics • 34% WTE • Landfill taxes >$100/ton
NL Hierarchy/Order of preference • Prevention • Product reuse • Recovery (incl. WTE) • Incineration • Landfill
Bio-waste: NL separate collection and composting – 2.5% overall
Conclusion and lessons from NL • In the Netherlands the waste management policy since 1990 has shown success ! • The lessons we learned: • Waste management needs an integral approach • Invest in public awareness and acceptance • Combine targets and regulation with financial instruments • Bring separate collection at source into action • Cooperation between authorities; create a level playing field
Waste Statistics - Sweden • Results • 5% Landfill • 48% Recycling/organics • 10% Organics • 47% WTE • Landfill taxes vary by waste type
What can we learn from the Europe? • GHG is a policy driver for waste policy • Collection arrangements – VBP & push Source Separation • 90% materials and energy recovery is feasible and affordable • Landfill restrictions open door to abatement and recovery • WTE complements abatement – it does not compete for waste • Clear Nation policy = robust programs/results