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Solid Waste Directors, Environmental Commissioners, Public
Works Directors and Recycling Managers came from across the
United States, and as far away as South Africa, to learn with
and from each other, industry experts and private sector partners.
After a tour of Portland’s innovative Food Waste Composting
Program, attendees explored the issues and challenges of debris
management, post hurricanes, identified trends in the paper,
aluminum and waste to energy markets, created internal and
external benchmarking standards and discussed the role of
local governments as conduits to improving the environment.
“The MWMA Fall Summit is the premier learning and networking
event for urban environmental professionals and our private
sector partners”, said Susan Keil, Director of Transportation
and MWMA 2005 President. ‘Portland was happy to showcase
our initiatives in food waste composting and sustainability
and share our city with our friends and colleagues.”
For more information about the Fall Summit and The Municipal
Waste Management Association, log onto www.usmayors.org/mwma
or contact Susan Jarvis, 202.861.6760, sjarvis@usmayors.org.
How does your city stack up against other municipalities
and the private sector? William Schoen and Sam Chandler of
R3 Consulting, challenged Fall Summit attendees to “
validate, diagnose and improve” crating benchmarks for
their departments. Elmer Heap, Environmental Services Director
for the City of San Diego shared his city’s experiences,
as San Diego has a system of internal measurements, for reauthorization
of their ISO 1401 status and through the use of the city’s
GIS system, but is looking to see how they compare to other
cities.
‘Benchmarking”, Mr. Schoen said, “is a
process of comparison and can lead to real and significant
improvements. It is an organized effort to gather information.”
The ongoing process of benchmarking begins with an internal
investigation. A city’s benchmarking program may include
any or all of the following steps; Defining operational characteristics,
identifying operational & financial benchmarks, documenting
current baselines, documenting historical trends for benchmarks,
ongoing tracking of performance vs. baselines, comparing performance
to industry standards, targeting / prioritizing areas for
improvement, identifying best management practices (BMPs),
incorporating BMPs into operations, Reviewing / Refining /
Repeating.
After identifying trends, cities should be able to develop
some management best practices. Sam Chandler explored benchmarking
safety, beginning by paraphrasing W. Edward Deming “A
community can not buy its way to safety.” “The
key elements of enduring benchmarked safety system,”
said Mr. Chandler, “ are leadership, commitment, resources,
patience and vision.” Measurable positive outcomes from
a safety benchmarking exercise include elimination of wasted
time and motion, workflow optimization, standardization of
work flow, continuously improving customer service, and improved
bottom line. Safety benchmarking can begin with an analysis
of accident records, by type, location and resolution time,
among others, management systems, like safety standards, incentives
and administrative controls and administrative records.
Mr. Chandler concluded his presentation by addressing some
long term keys for success, including asset analysis, safety
work plans, staff knowledge, opportunities, motivation and
rewards for success. ‘Buy in is key” concluded
Mr. Heap, “so start with benchmarks that effect your
workforce, like safety and customer service and seek benchmarks
that will serve as a training tool.” Participants left
the session understanding R3’s mantra, “That which
is not measured, is not managed.”
For more information on MWMA’s benchmarking project,
contact Susan Jarvis, 202.861.6760; sjarvis@usmayors.org
By Ted Fischer
“Brownfields are an important part of a cities sustainability,”
remarked Leigh Peters from the Division of Environmental Services
Offices for the City of Chicago, at the 2005 MWMA Fall Summit
in Portland, OR.“Brownfields are any structure that
are not dirty enough to be considered by superfund.”
“Gas stations, debilitating structures and properties
that businesses steer clear from due to the fear of contamination.”
Ms. Peters told meeting attendees that it was very important
for cities to improve neighborhoods and remove the urban blight
that so many businesses fear in the development of Brownfields.
The City of Chicago has been a pioneer in the Brownfields
development arena with green buildings on former Brownfield
sites and sustainable developments throughout the city since
the mid 90’s. “Development and remediation objectives
must be in place and their needs to be a clean up strategy
in place when developing a brownfields site.” The City
of Chicago also worked with a volunteer program in the redevelopment
of brownfield sites.”
Joining Leigh Peters on the panel was Jonathon Phillips, Managing
Partner of Cherokee Investment Partners. Mr. Phillips spoke
with the audience about Cherokee Investment Partners specializing
in the acquisition, remediation and sustainable redevelopment
of brownfields. “Since 1993, we have acquired over 330
properties while protecting sellers, future owners and communities
from the risks and liabilities associated with environmental
impairment” said Mr. Phillips, “Cherokee formed
its third institutional fund in 2002, a dedicated brownfield
fund comprising $620 million of equity, enabling us to purchase,
clean up and redeploy contaminated real estate. We currently
invest in properties throughout North America and Western
Europe.” “In conjunction with placing capital
and generating returns for our investors, we provide solutions
for sellers and the cities affected by their contaminated
sites,” remarked Mr. Phillips. Cherokee typically acquires
assets for cash and indemnifies the seller from environmental
liability through the use of insurance policies and other
customized risk transfer methods. Portfolios can contain both
clean and environmentally impaired properties; “after
acquisition, we remediate and reposition the properties for
reuse.”
For more information on Brownfields and Cherokee Investment
Partners, plus panelist presentations, please visit our website
at usmayors.org/uscm/mwma.
By Ted Fischer
MWMA addressed concerns about cities and their ability to
be prepared for natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina,
Rita and most recently Wilma, during a plenary session on
Debris Management, during the 2005 Fall Summit. Public Works
Director, Peter Spatara of West Palm Beach, FL and Bureau
Chief of Solid Waste Management, Michael Carroll of Orlando
were on hand to discuss the best plan for preparation and
clean up once storm damage has been done. “Cover your
bases, make sure you have everything in place while you still
have the ability to get organized,” remarked Mr. Spatara.
“Everything needs to be checked before a natural disaster
can cripple your community.” Mr. Spatara explained to
the attendees that it is very important to make sure contracts
are in place, a plan has been tested and evacuation routes
have been planned along with city and county leaders. He also
stressed having a debris staging area so that if devastation
was to occur there would be a place that citizens and contractors
can go to dump yard waste and debris during the clean up process.
Mr. Spatara also stressed the importance of communication
amongst city employees, solid waste services, police, fire
and your contractors. “You also want to make sure you
have food, portable toilets and ice in your contracts because
you want to make sure your employees are taken care of, they
are your most valuable resource.” “Also make sure
your employees have time to protect their homes and their
families, you need them to be on task when times get rough
and if they are worried about their own families it isn’t
going to make things any easier on you or them.” Mr.
Spatara went on to talk about the idea of establishing a chain
of command, and preparing a timeline as well as making sure
citizens are aware of the impending danger.
Mr. Carroll of Orlando followed Mr. Spatara with a presentation
that involved debris removal and clean up after a natural
disaster. “When a disaster strikes make sure you know
what is necessary for clean up. Make sure you know all of
FEMA’s rules if you are looking for clean up reimbursement.”
Mr. Carroll went on to explain to attendees that clean up
is more then just picking up a pile of sticks. “Natural
disasters are no picnic, make sure you have plenty of friends
to help out once the damage has been done.” He also
said that it is very important to continue city services as
usual. “If you have been placed in charge of clean up,
then make sure there is someone who can do your position to
cause the community little or no disruption to what they have
come to rely on you for.”
For more information on Debris Management, panelist presentations
can be found on the MWMA website at usmayors.org/uscm/mwma.
By Judy Sheahan
Participants in the Municipal Waste Management Association’s
Annual Meeting held in Portland from October 19-21 were given
best practices on how to expand their current environmental
impact to other sectors within their community. The session
entitled, “The Role of Local Government in Improving
The Environment” focused on the issues of sustainability,
energy usage, environmental education, and lessening the impact
of human causes to global warming. Participants were briefed
by Bruce Walker, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager,
Portland’s Office of Sustainability, Jill Buck Founder
and Executive Director of the Go Green Initiative, and John
Carter of Eastern Research Group on behalf of the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach
Program.
Walker outlined Portland’s sustainable development
efforts including reducing their energy consumption while
increasing their renewable energy use, increasing recycling
rates, and increasing Portland’s business efforts regarding
the environment. Portland has switched to light-emitting diodes
or LED lighting and saved 22 percent of their total energy
costs which totaled $2.3 billion. Portland is also trying
to convert 100 percent of their city’s energy use to
renewable energy. Portland is also trying to divert food waste
from landfills, which generate methane, a large contributor
to greenhouse gas emissions. The city has done extensive outreach
to hotels, hospitals, and grocery stores to secure their participation
and have realized great success with businesses first donating
the usable food to various organizations around town that
feed the hungry and sending the rest to be composted. Tours
of Portland’s food bank and food waste composting program
were also provided.
Buck’s Go Green Initiative is a comprehensive environmental
education program focusing on educating kids from all grade
levels. The five Go Green Initiatives include generating compost,
recycling, educating, evaluating environmental impacts, and
nationalizing principles of responsible paper consumption.
Some of the initial impact of the initiative was quite remarkable
with 17 schools in one school year recycling the following:
543,830 pounds of paper; 73,269 pounds of cardboard; 12,998
pounds of aluminum; and 10,548 pounds of plastic. Even more
impressive was this service, which is being conducted in communities
throughout the nation, comes with its own curriculum and is
free.
Carter was presenting on behalf of EPA’s Landfill Methane
Outreach Program, a program that captures the methane gas
generated by landfills and either converts it preferably to
energy or flares the gas. Many scientists agree that methane
has 20 times more impact than carbon dioxide in the formation
of greenhouse gas emissions, a heat-trapping gas that contributes
to global warming. According to Carter, landfills are the
largest human-made source of methane in the United States.
Landfill gas is comprised of 50 percent methane, 50 percent
carbon dioxide and less than one percent non-methane organic
compounds. Carter said that for every 1 million tons of municipal
solid waste, 0.8 megawatts of electricity could be generated.
He also said that there are many cost effective options for
reducing methane emissions while generating energy which has
the added benefit of reducing local air pollution while creating
jobs, revenues, and cost savings.
For more information about these programs or for copies of
these presentations, please check out our website at usmayors.org/mwma.
Waste-to-Energy
Frank Giordiano, the executive director of the Camden County
(NJ) Pollution Control Financing Authority, provided an overview
of some of the implications the recently passed energy bill
holds for waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities and renewable energy
credits (RECs).
Of particular note in the recently enacted Energy Policy Act
of 2005, according to Giordiano, is the mandate that the federal
government must buy 7.5% of its energy from renewable sources.
WTE facilities, including those that municipalities own, are
eligible for this option. The act provides renewable energy
tax credits for new WTE facilities and existing facilities
that expand. Related to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Giordiano
said that there is still no national standard for renewable
energy credits as they apply to WTEs and other municipal combustors.
He urged MWMA members to contact Congress, saying that “the
generator ought to get credit for the [energy] savings…not
the purchaser.”
Giordiano also pressed the issue of solid waste transfer stations
currently sited along railroad sidings. He noted that many
of these facilities, especially in the northeast U.S., undermine
local efforts to maintain environmental quality and improve
public health by claiming to be exempt from most local and
state regulations. According to Giordiano, such facilities
also undercut competition through not abiding by the same
strict rules with which other waste transfer facilities must
adhere. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has official policy
that urges Congress to restore local authority over solid
waste facilities at rail sites.
Paper
Andy Rivinus of the Weyerhaeuser Company spoke on behalf of
the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) about
the markets for recycled paper products.
With regard to current recycling and recovery rates in the
U.S., Rivinus cited several notable statistics, considering
that over the last 25 years, recycling has been a core component
in American life. In 2003, for the first time, 50% of the
paper consumed in the United States was recovered for recycling.
According to Rivinus, “this impressive achievement is
thanks to significant investments by the industry, along with
the efforts of millions of Americans who recycle at home,
school and work everyday.” Municipalities also contribute
substantially to these efforts, Rivinus said. In 2004, U.S.
recovery of paper and paperboard increased to a record high
50.3 million tons.
Paper recycling provides important environmental benefits.
Last year, according to Rivinus, paper recovery exceeded landfilling
by more than 12 million tons. Every ton of paper recovered
for recycling saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, which
also cuts expenses for municipalities that operate landfills.
Additionally recycling paper conserves forests and the ecological
services they provide.
Rivinus spoke also of increasing international demand for
U.S. recovered paper exports. He noted that soaring export
demand has had a significant impact on the paper industry.
The share of U.S. recovered paper supply going to exports
has risen from 16% in 1997 to approximately 28% in 2004. U.S.
exports of recovered paper are projected to increase significantly
during the next five years; an increase that could squeeze
domestic supply unless recovery increases. In order to keep
up with domestic and overseas demand, an increase in the amount
of paper being recovered for recycling has become a necessity.
In order to satisfy the international demand for recovered
paper products, Rivinus described the AF&PA’s goal
of recovering 55% of the paper consumed in the U.S. annually
by 2012, up from 50% today. To reach that goal, programs exist
within AF&PA and its members to reduce the amount of landfilled
paper; additionally, partnerships between the AF&PA, environmental
groups like Keep America Beautiful, businesses, schools, and
the EPA are working to bring even more attention to recycling
efforts.
Aluminum
Brenda Pulley, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Novelis,
Inc., spoke of economic, energy and environmental trends in
the recycled aluminum industry.
In the U.S., aluminum recycling rates are high, but declining.
$1 billion worth of aluminum cans are landfilled annually.
Pulley reinforced her point, saying that “the money
saved from recycling the aluminum cans thrown away every year
could fund 10,000 Habitat for Humanity houses.”
In North America, demand continues to exceed the supply of
scrap aluminum, which can be recycled again and again without
noticeable loss of the material’s quality. Two important
factors, however, limit recycling rates, according to Pulley.
First, there are limited aluminum smelters sited in the U.S.;
most new plants are overseas. Second, consumer convenience
plays a substantial role in the availability of reusable aluminum.
Programs like deposit refunds, advertising campaigns, and
California’s container refund value all influence consumer
behavior, but they are not reaching every market.
While international demand for aluminum products remains high,
U.S. exports of scrap aluminum are limited. Currently, countries
like China are taking advantage of the weak U.S. dollar to
undercut the availability of domestic supply.
On the energy and environmental front, Pulley noted that recycling
aluminum essentially creates an aluminum “energy bank”
because of the energy saved compared to mining and manufacturing
new aluminum products. To put that in perspective, recycling
40 cans saves the equivalent of one gallon in gasoline. The
energy saved by recycling one ton of aluminum could fuel a
car that gets 35 mpg for 82,250 miles.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors sponsors the Cans for Cash City
Recycling Challenge, a national contest that rewards cities
for recycling aluminum beverage cans. The campaign has been
extremely successful in getting cities to ramp up community-wide
recycling programs.
The Curbside Value Partnership, Dessert Break Sponsor, On-Site
Program Sponsor
Waste Management, sponsor of the Market Trends Luncheon
Exhibitors
Curbside Value Partnership
LaBrie Equipment
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
Rehrig Pacific Company
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