The Link Between Recycling & Climate Change

The Link Between Recycling and Climate Change How we can help reduce Global Warming through reducing, reusing, and recycling

Agenda
Overview of how to link recycling with climate change – Jessica Schwartz, NC DPPEA Communications and Marketing Intern
Understanding the role of methane gas in climate change – Geof Little, NC Division of Waste Management

Agenda
Composting, one more way to combat climate change – Brian Rosa, NC DPPEA Organics Specialist
Local government resources for linking recycling with climate change – Kelley Dennings, NC DPPEA Education and Outreach Project Manager

The Case of Climate Change
Recycling Can…
Save energy
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Decrease human impact on Global Warming

Recycling Saves Energy
New products made from recycled aluminum use 95% less energy
Recycled steel products use 75% less energy
Less energy  fewer fossil fuels burned  reduction of CO 2 (greenhouse gas) emissions into the atmosphere
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagonovus/3172387540/

Recycling Reduces Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane, are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
Energy-related activities account for the majority of CO 2 emissions
Landfills account for the largest human-made contribution to methane emissions, a gas 72 times more potent than CO 2 over 20 years
Composting is the best method to reduce methane buildup in landfills, allowing aerobic conditions to break down organic waste without producing methane
db TM - http://www.flickr.com/photos/d-b/393457154/ http://www.ecopro.co.uk/uploaded_images/landfill_gulls.jpg

Why Now?
Do not wait until the potential effects are irreversible
Negative effects can be:
Migration of insect and animal species, potentially introducing new diseases
Extinction or change of species and ecosystems
Sea level rise – loss of wildlife, islands, beaches; dangers of flooding and storm surges
More extreme weather conditions
Droughts and heat waves, effecting water supply
and crops
Poorer air quality
Limiting waste production can limit individual
contribution to climate change
http://www.spacetoday.org/images/SolSys/Earth/EarthBlueMarbleWestTerra.jpg

How to link recycling with climate change Understanding the role of methane gas in climate change Geof Little NC DENR, DWM

Landfill Working Face

Landfill Methane Extraction Well

Landfill Methane Flare

Questions/Comments From Flickr, Lesather,Greenwich

How to link recycling with climate change Composting – one more way to combat climate change Brian Rosa, Organic Recycling Specialist NC DENR, DPPEA

Methane, a greenhouse gas, is 20 times more potent than CO2, over a one hundred year period and 72 times more potent in a 20 year period.
Responsible for almost a quarter of man-made global warming.
For the first time in a decade, scientists reported dramatic increases in levels of methane. ~ Sources for methane gas: animal waste, organic/ food waste….
CO2 vs Methane Gas Emission

Anaerobic Conditions:
Microorganism in the absence of oxygen
Byproduct:
Methane gas
Alcohol, phenols …
Methane & Landfills

Landfills constructed to reduce:
Air (oxygen)
Water
Sunlight
All necessary components for biodegradation
Methane & Landfills Michigan Tech, WUPC, and MDEQ

Organics & Methane
Organic (Food) Residuals Issues:
NC generates 800,000 tons food residuals per year
Sanitary issues: vermin, odor, smell, liquid…
Methane gas related to food scraps
High cost of CO2 generation related to pickup, transfer and to landfills.
Grit

Organic Assessment Feed-stocks & Generation Sources
Organic Residuals:
Wherever Food is grown, produced, prepared and served
Grass clippings, yard trash, brush
Plus animal waste…
Produce
Fruit
Wineries
Meat, FOG Bones, Fish, Grease
Cheese
Wood chips
Food scraps
Kitchen waste …
Farm residuals, plant & animal

Organics & Compost
The aerobic (oxygen-demanding) decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms under controlled conditions
Inputs : organic matter, oxygen, moisture
Outputs: carbon dioxide, heat, water vapor, humus
Sustainable Organic Solutions

Organics & Compost
Compost Benefits:
Improved waste handling
Pathogen destruction
Saleable useful product
Replenishes soils organic component
Nutrients for soil and plants
Conserves water
Reduced fertilizers
Reduced pesticides
Green Daily Blog

Stop Trashing the Climate Compost http://www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org/

Questions/Comments From Flickr, Lesather,Greenwich

How to link recycling with climate change Local government resources for linking recycling with climate change Kelley Dennings, Education and Outreach Project Manager NC DENR, DPPEA

What do NC residents think about climate change?
Respondents were divided on the causes of climate change:
Is climate change the result of human activity or of natural patterns in the earth's environment? Result of human activity: 35 percent Result of natural patterns: 44 percent Both: 18 percent
Are statements about climate change generally exaggerated, underestimated or correct? Generally exaggerated: 42 percent Generally correct: 31 percent Generally underestimated: 21 percent

Resources p2pays.org/climatechange

www.p2pays.org/climatechange

Statistics Page

WARM Model http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/Warm_home.html

NERC Model http://www.nerc.org/documents/environmental_benefits_calculator.html

Ecoville http://nc.myecoville.com/recycling-reports-pages

Top 10 NC Counties – Energy Saved in Million BTUs
MECKLENBURG COUNTY 1,008,284
GUILFORD COUNTY 833,736
WAKE COUNTY 792,794
PITT COUNTY 328,001
BUNCOMBE COUNTY 304,432
FORSYTH COUNTY 279,417
ORANGE COUNTY 250,877
DARE COUNTY 248,943
CRAVEN COUNTY 241,539

Resources Page

Other DPPEA GHG webinars for facilities
May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - GHG Reduction Projects at N.C. Facilities - Successes and Lessons Learned ESI members will present on projects implemented at N.C. facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Eaton, and EMC2 and Novozymes NA. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WY8HMM6
June (date TBD) - Energy Management - A Pathway to GHG Reduction Saving energy can help to reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Energy management systems are one important tool to help you manage your energy savings. Not sure how to pay for your energy reduction projects? Performance contracting can help you install now and pay through the resulting savings over time. Also, N.C. utility companies will discuss current incentive programs to help facilities implement energy saving projects now.

Thank you
Kelley Dennings, 919-355-8102
[email_address]
Resources – http://www.p2pays.org/climatechange
Slidedeck - http://www.slideshare.net/ncdenr
*Recording of webinar will be posted soon.

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The Link Between Recycling & Climate Change

by Kelley Dennings on Apr 09, 2010

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