markmylesgcc2014

1. © Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Toxics Reduction – Good for the Planet, Good for Business Mark Myles Toxics Use Reduction Institute UMass Lowell

2. A Sustainable Situation? • Only 10% of the resources removed from the Earth end up in the goods manufactured • 90% end up as waste – Double economic penalty Source: WRI 2001

3. 3© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell • Students: Business majors? Careers and interests? • People: Healthy? What is your future? Do you plan a family? • Citizens: Role of government, of science, of people? Who are you?

4. 4© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Who are we? • State agency at UMass Lowell • Part of TURA Program • Research, industry support, education, policy development to advance safer alternatives to toxics

5. 5© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Toxics considerations • Cancer, asthma, other chronic health effects • Early onset puberty, reproductive health • Earth impacts, other species’impacts • Regulation: RCRA, CERCLA, REACH, etc, etc • Use in commerce: production and products

6. 6© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell

7. 7© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell End-of-the-pipe Pollution Control

8. 8© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Treatment Recycling Waste Disposal Minimization Pollution Control = end of the pipe remediation Pollution Prevention = greater efficiency with less or no toxics Pollution Prevention vs Pollution Control Source Reduction Toxics Use Reduction • Energy Conservation • Cleaner Production • Resource Conservation Energy Recovery

9. 9© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) • Users of large amounts of toxics must: – Report toxics use – Pay fees – Plan toxics reduction • Program supports competitiveness of Massachusetts industry • Created Toxics Use Reduction Planners Adopted 1989 Effective 1990 Expanded 2006

10. 10© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Did We Achieve the Goals? 10 Total Use Production Adjusted 0.0 200.0 400.0 600.0 800.0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Year MillionsofPounds Byproduct 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Year MillionsofPounds

11. 11© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Toxics Use Reduction Planners • Only professionals able to certify TUR Plans • 48-hour intensive course • Certified by exam TURA 20th Anniversary Video at www.turi.org “[Becoming a TUR Planner] was a whole new career path….we have new credibility; people listen to us; we became part of the business planning process.” Jack Bailey, TUR Planner, Bose Corp

13. 13© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell TUR Financial Analysis – costs of toxics Material/substance cost Worker protective equipment Worker Compensation Insurance Hazardous waste hauling Air & water emissions permitting Air & water emissions abatement equipment Risk protection – accidental spills & discharge ‘Soft’costs – reputation, image, etc.

14. 14© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell TUR Plans – evaluating safer alternatives Technical Feasibility • Analyze current processes and use of toxics • Evaluate safer alternatives • Choose alternative on technical merits • Employ sound engineering principles Financial Viability • Collect information on cost of toxics • Determine changes in cash flows • Apply measures of profitability • Base decisions on accepted accounting practice Toxics Reduction Methods • Input substitution • Product reformulation • Process redesign or modification • Improve operation & maintenance • In-process recycling

15. 15© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Environmental professional relationship to the business • Compliance overshadows all else • Technical area not well understood except by practitioners • Not typically included in the general business discourse

16. 16© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell Integration into the business • Talk in a language they understand (typically $$$) • Integrate into the way the company makes decisions • Align environmental activities with company strategy

17. I always make the business case for sustainability. It’s so compelling. Our costs are down, not up. Our products are the best they have ever been. Our people are motivated by a shared higher purpose — esprit de corps to die for. And the goodwill in the marketplace — it’s just been astonishing. Ray Anderson, founder & CEO, Interface Carpet

markmylesgcc2014

GWT

markmylesgcc2014