green research lunch & learn: zero waste action...

Green Research Lunch & Learn: Zero Waste Action Plan

Feb 7 2013

Water & Zero Waste Engineer

Campus Sustainability

Bud Fraser, PEng

Zero Waste Action Plan

What is zero Waste? When will we get there?


• Reduce generation and diversion of waste, toward the zero waste goal

• Reduce GHG emissions & environmental impacts

• Maintain financial viability and seek out opportunities to improve business case

• Contribute to Campus as a Living Lab initiative: research, teaching and collaboration opportunities

• Meet or exceed government regulations, policies and programs.

Goals and Objectives


• Regional solid waste management plan and diversion targets

• 2015 Metro Van organics disposal ban

• Anticipated increases in regional waste tipping fees

• Changes in the Provincial Product Stewardship program

Key External Drivers


UBC Garbage Composition

54.7%

17.5%

11.0%

7.5%

9.3%

Composition of Landfilled Materials (Based on Waste Audit, 2010)

Organics

Paper

Plastic

Other

Non-Recyclables

Immediate Term Targets & Actions

• Focus on operational waste, especially organics: capture virtually all organics for composting by 2015.

• Increase diversion rates for paper

• New strategy for managing larger organic waste volumes.

• Increase diversion rates for plastic

– Key areas: public realm, labs and soft plastics generators.

• Develop Zero Waste toolkit and implement Zero Waste communications & outreach program.

2013 through 2015: 70% overall diversion, 60% operational diversion

• Improve collection infrastructure

• Get rid of solo garbage cans

• Zero waste stations

• Kitchen catchers

• “Standardized” toolkit, signage, outreach & engagement

Zero Waste Strategies

Proposed or Underway

Medium and Long Term Targets & Actions

• Increased Product Stewardship integration

• Optimization and expansion of existing diversion programs

• Strengthened waste reduction through procurement and implementation of product and packaging standards

• Increased reuse and recycling rates through availability of improved products (e.g., reusability & recyclability)

• More viable business model based on pricing (e.g., tipping fees, commodity prices) and possibly new payment models

By 2030: Significant reduction in generation,

90 – 100% overall diversion

Zero Waste Initiatives

• On-campus composting of food waste

• Lab recycling pilot programs

• E-Waste recycling

• Construction waste diversion

• Paper towel LCA study

• Others

Existing Leadership & Achievements

• Take part in a UBC recycling program

• When purchasing equipment and materials, choose reusable items

– And ask for reduced/returnable/recyclable packaging and disposable materials

• Locate and use lab & other recycling containers.

– If there are no recycling containers, ask for them

– Be a keener: help your colleagues

Green Research Zero Waste Strategies:

what you can do


what you can do

Styrofoam Plastic containers Soft plastics

Voluntary lab program

Cans, bottles, etc Food scraps Paper Batteries

Recycling


what you can do

Zero Waste Initiatives

• Food waste storage issues and strategies

• LCA study of food waste management options

• Food waste vermi-composting Modelling of zero waste strategy impacts: overall diversion, costs, GHG emissions

• Zero waste behaviour change and factors

• Zero waste station design

Current Research

Envyrozone

Future research & UBC Leadership:

How will we meet long term zero waste target – and create research opportunities?

Future Research Potential

• Waste diversion – Organics collection, storage & processing technology

• Waste reduction – Product design/design for environment research

– Sustainable packaging and materials research and standards development

• Engage with faculty & green research community to forge new academic roles

Plan Implementation

• Investment in infrastructure and resources

• Payoffs: financial, and meeting targets and commitments

A “Growing” Business Case

Zero waste plan: a part for everyone.

Thank you

Bud Fraser

Water & Zero Waste Engineer, Campus Sustainability

University of British Columbia

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 604 822 1501

Web: sustain.ubc.ca

green research lunch & learn: zero waste action...

Documents