| Business Recycling 101 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The California Legislature passed the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, (AB 939) which required every city and county in the state to meet the mandated 50% diversion of waste from landfills by the year 2000 and beyond. Jurisdictions that fail to meet these targets are subject to fines of up to $10,000 per day. Since inception, not all jurisdictions have met the 50% rate due in part to low recycling participation rates and many recoverable items are still sent to landfills. Businesses and industry alone generates 60% of California’s waste stream. Reducing the amount of waste a business produces saves valuable landfill space and decreases the disposal costs a business incurs. As a business leader, your participation is critical in achieving the waste diversion goals set forth by the State. Business owners and managers can save money by incorporating a recycling and source reduction program into their business plan. Business recycling not only allows the County to attain state mandated goals, but there are tangible benefits in adopting waste reduction and recycling program.  The increased interest in recycling, especially business recycling, stems from the requirement for every city and county in the State of California to divert 50% of their solid waste from landfills, as required by the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. Why Should My Business Recycle?
The County of San Bernardino, Public Works Department Solid Waste Management Division, has staff that can assist you with a Business Waste Reduction Program tailored to your needs. There are also several other programs available. The pages on this site will assist you in the areas of waste reduction, recycling and reuse. Thank you! What We Throw into our Landfills
Upcoming Business Waste and Reduction Workshops! (Check back soon for locations, times and dates) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To Contact Us: 1-800-722-8004 Visit our main webpage www.sbcounty.gov/dpw/solidwaste | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011年7月31日 星期日
Business recycling 101
Business recycling 101. California department of public works (2011). Retrieved July 15, 2011 from http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dpw/solidwaste/business_recycling_program/business_waste_reduction.htm
Green Packaging Innovations
Hines, J. (2008). Green packaging innovations. Aaron thomas company,inc. Retrieved July 26, 2011 from http://www.packaging.com/tag/green-packaging/
Wow, have I been flooded with a host of new “green” packaging innovations. Everyone is jumping on the environmentalist’s green band wagon. I am constantly asked if environmental sustainability is a flash in the pan. If this is any indication, the recent Sustainable Packaging Forum was sold out with attendees looking for the latest packaging news in saving the environment.
I have joked before that packaging is the true cause of “global warming.” But seriously, what is the reality? What is the real truth behind companies touting green packaging for the benefit of society?
Environmental issues are a hot topic right now, so people are climbing aboard. Global warming topics are on the news daily and people are looking for scapegoats as to its cause. Companies such as Wal-Mart are driving manufacturers to consider more environmentally friendly options in their packaging materials.
Let’s take the word “green” as an example. Obviously, we think of the color first. But what about the variations of the definition that relate to packaging? How green is your packaging world?
No matter how unusual or “out there” the opportunity seems do not under estimate who will see and read about your “green” brand. The branding hot spots I want you to think about are:
About the Author:
JoAnn Hines is the Chief Executive Officer at J.R. Hines International, a firm providing consulting services in the packaging industry. For over 30 years, Ms. Hines has been engaged in packaging trends, forecasting, ideation/brainstorming and implementing innovative new packaging technologies.
Need insights on packaging trends that can impact your business? Get the Packaging Diva on your team. Visit PackagingUniversity.com to find out about the latest packaging innovations.
Green Packaging Innovations
August 3, 2008
Wow, have I been flooded with a host of new “green” packaging innovations. Everyone is jumping on the environmentalist’s green band wagon. I am constantly asked if environmental sustainability is a flash in the pan. If this is any indication, the recent Sustainable Packaging Forum was sold out with attendees looking for the latest packaging news in saving the environment.I have joked before that packaging is the true cause of “global warming.” But seriously, what is the reality? What is the real truth behind companies touting green packaging for the benefit of society?
Environmental issues are a hot topic right now, so people are climbing aboard. Global warming topics are on the news daily and people are looking for scapegoats as to its cause. Companies such as Wal-Mart are driving manufacturers to consider more environmentally friendly options in their packaging materials.
- Wal-Mart just unveiled their packaging scorecard to continue their commitment of reducing packaging across its global supply chain by 5 percent by 2013.
Let’s take the word “green” as an example. Obviously, we think of the color first. But what about the variations of the definition that relate to packaging? How green is your packaging world?
- Green could mean less damage to the environment.
- Green could imply producing packaging from renewable resources.
- Green could entail designing products for environmental sustainability.
- Green could connote the use of less material and recyclable and degradable materials.
- Did you support or promote participation in any Earth Day activities?
- Do you belong to one of the many organizations that support “green” and the environment?
- Did you orchestrate your new packaging introduction to coincide with Earth Day or other environmental events?
- Have you submitted your green product to the numerous packaging associations that offer opportunities for environmental awards?
- Have you submitted your package to any of the non packaging related organizations that have “environmental” awards?
- Do you have a plan in place for your staff to understand and utilize in order to build your “green” brand?
- Do your employees believe in being “green?” (This is a very important buy in.)
- Have you looked at any websites such as TreeHugger.com (great site with lots about packaging) to see what they are doing?
No matter how unusual or “out there” the opportunity seems do not under estimate who will see and read about your “green” brand. The branding hot spots I want you to think about are:
- Is your “green” packaging product is a flash in the pan?
- Has there been serious brand integration of the “green” message throughout your company?
- Are you using your “green” message in all the promotion, literature and media exposure?
About the Author:
JoAnn Hines is the Chief Executive Officer at J.R. Hines International, a firm providing consulting services in the packaging industry. For over 30 years, Ms. Hines has been engaged in packaging trends, forecasting, ideation/brainstorming and implementing innovative new packaging technologies.
Need insights on packaging trends that can impact your business? Get the Packaging Diva on your team. Visit PackagingUniversity.com to find out about the latest packaging innovations.
Plastic Pollution – A Ticking Time Bomb For the Ocean
Mrubin, Initials. (2010). Plastic pollution – a ticking time bomb for the ocean. Green student u.com. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from http://www.greenstudentu.com/eco_lifestyle/plastic_pollution_-_a_ticking_time_bomb_for_the_ocean.aspx
Recently, we saw the Plastiki – a sailboat made out of 12,500 plastic bottles – complete its 15,000 km journey from San Francisco to Sydney. The publicity surrounding this event has been used to highlight the perils facing the oceans and one of them is plastic waste.
A big mess in the oceans
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 13,000 pieces of plastic litter the surface of each square kilometre of ocean.
Charles Moore, the scientist credited for discovering the Pacific Garbage Patch said earlier this year: “Humanity’s plastic footprint is probably more dangerous than its carbon footprint.”
We’ve heard of the Pacific Garbage Patch, now scientists are warning that a floating mass of scattered refuse extends over thousands of square miles in the remote Atlantic.
Marine life – the victims of our plastic pollution
The NOAA estimates 100,000 turtles and marine mammals are killed by garbage every year. Turtles are particularly vulnerable as they cannot distinguish between jellyfish (their staple feed) and plastic.
Plastic pollution is also a hazard to human safety. Waste can clog up waterways and this can have catastrophic consequences. Plastics were identified as a major contributor to severe flooding in Bangladesh in the late 1990s and in the aftermath, a total ban was imposed on plastic bags.
An expensive mess
Plastic waste is expensive. Plastic products may be cheap to produce – just pennies for a typical shopping bag – but their cleanup (not to mention their effects on human and environmental health) can cost a lot more.
Is biodegradable plastic the solution?
It’s worth bearing in mind how plastics are made. They are petroleum products made from a non-renewable source and dependency on oil is continued with plastic use. Plastics do not break down easily. The time required for a typical plastic bag to decompose is believed to range from 20 to 1,000 years.
Biodegradable plastics have been around for over twenty years. These are made using products such as corn, hemp and soy. While this is not a solution to the plastic waste problem (because biodegradable plastics can also have an environmental impact), it is a serious consideration within the wider scheme of waste management.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The fact of the matter is, if you use it, it has to end up somewhere. Only by following the three Rs motto, can the plastic problem be dealt with.
Using less plastic
The simple solution is to not create the waste in the first place.
Is that bottle of soda or water really necessary? Less than 20 per cent of plastic water bottles are recycled. We also have to ask ourselves if we really need those extra household items that won’t be in use for long and will create more waste.
Recycling is everyone’s responsibility
It is estimated that between 3 and 6 per cent of plastics are recycled around the world. There is need for improvement. The mindset has to change from “disposable” to RECYCLABLE.
Companies who have taken initiatives to make their products more recyclable are seeing rewards. At the government level, those municipalities and local governments that have incorporated recycling into their waste management schemes are dealing with significantly less waste going to the landfills.
Consumers have to play their part by making a greater effort to recycle. Too many recyclable items are still going to the landfills.
Dispose properly
We shouldn’t forget this important aspect. Carelessly tossed waste is more likely to end up in the waterways than if it was placed in a disposal unit. 80 per cent of ocean plastics come from land.
Plastic Pollution – A Ticking Time Bomb For the Ocean
Comments [1] August 20th, 2010 by
A big mess in the oceans
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 13,000 pieces of plastic litter the surface of each square kilometre of ocean.
Charles Moore, the scientist credited for discovering the Pacific Garbage Patch said earlier this year: “Humanity’s plastic footprint is probably more dangerous than its carbon footprint.”
We’ve heard of the Pacific Garbage Patch, now scientists are warning that a floating mass of scattered refuse extends over thousands of square miles in the remote Atlantic.
Marine life – the victims of our plastic pollution
The NOAA estimates 100,000 turtles and marine mammals are killed by garbage every year. Turtles are particularly vulnerable as they cannot distinguish between jellyfish (their staple feed) and plastic.
Plastic pollution is also a hazard to human safety. Waste can clog up waterways and this can have catastrophic consequences. Plastics were identified as a major contributor to severe flooding in Bangladesh in the late 1990s and in the aftermath, a total ban was imposed on plastic bags.
An expensive mess
Plastic waste is expensive. Plastic products may be cheap to produce – just pennies for a typical shopping bag – but their cleanup (not to mention their effects on human and environmental health) can cost a lot more.
Is biodegradable plastic the solution?
It’s worth bearing in mind how plastics are made. They are petroleum products made from a non-renewable source and dependency on oil is continued with plastic use. Plastics do not break down easily. The time required for a typical plastic bag to decompose is believed to range from 20 to 1,000 years.
Biodegradable plastics have been around for over twenty years. These are made using products such as corn, hemp and soy. While this is not a solution to the plastic waste problem (because biodegradable plastics can also have an environmental impact), it is a serious consideration within the wider scheme of waste management.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The fact of the matter is, if you use it, it has to end up somewhere. Only by following the three Rs motto, can the plastic problem be dealt with.
Using less plastic
The simple solution is to not create the waste in the first place.
Is that bottle of soda or water really necessary? Less than 20 per cent of plastic water bottles are recycled. We also have to ask ourselves if we really need those extra household items that won’t be in use for long and will create more waste.
Recycling is everyone’s responsibility
It is estimated that between 3 and 6 per cent of plastics are recycled around the world. There is need for improvement. The mindset has to change from “disposable” to RECYCLABLE.
Companies who have taken initiatives to make their products more recyclable are seeing rewards. At the government level, those municipalities and local governments that have incorporated recycling into their waste management schemes are dealing with significantly less waste going to the landfills.
Consumers have to play their part by making a greater effort to recycle. Too many recyclable items are still going to the landfills.
Dispose properly
We shouldn’t forget this important aspect. Carelessly tossed waste is more likely to end up in the waterways than if it was placed in a disposal unit. 80 per cent of ocean plastics come from land.
Environmental Pollution: The Harmful Effects of Plastic Bags
Putatunda, R. (2011). Environmental pollution: The harmful effects of plastic bags. Buzzle.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/environmental-pollution-the-harmful-effects-of-plastic-bags.html
Every once in a while the government here passes out an order banning shop keepers from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases, with little lasting effect. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as a hygienic means of carrying food as well as other goods. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth.
About a hundred billion plastic bags are used each year in the US alone. And then, when one considers the huge economies and populations of India, China, Europe, and other parts of the world, the numbers can be staggering. The problem is further exacerbated by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India.
Here are some of the harmful effects of plastic bags:
Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.
Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.
Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. And one of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years.
Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements – for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on. Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to be turned off, it would lead to practically the whole world grinding to a halt. Surely, this precious resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?
So, What Can be Done about the Use of Plastic Bags?
Single-use plastic bags have become such a ubiquitous way of life that it seems as if we simply cannot do without them. However, if we have the will, we can start reducing their use in small ways.
Environmental Pollution: The Harmful Effects of Plastic Bags
Plastic bags harm us, by polluting the environment, and kill animals. Read more about it here.
About a hundred billion plastic bags are used each year in the US alone. And then, when one considers the huge economies and populations of India, China, Europe, and other parts of the world, the numbers can be staggering. The problem is further exacerbated by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India.
Here are some of the harmful effects of plastic bags:
Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.
Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.
Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. And one of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years.
Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements – for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on. Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to be turned off, it would lead to practically the whole world grinding to a halt. Surely, this precious resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?
So, What Can be Done about the Use of Plastic Bags?
Single-use plastic bags have become such a ubiquitous way of life that it seems as if we simply cannot do without them. However, if we have the will, we can start reducing their use in small ways.
- A tote bag can make a good substitute for holding the shopping. You can keep the bag with the cahier, and then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag.
- Recycling the plastic bags you already have is another good idea. These can come into use for various purposes, like holding your garbage, instead of purchasing new ones.
Essential in protecting the environment
Sheppard, D. (2007). Essential in protecting the environment. Island business. Retrieved July 15, 2011 from http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=19300/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl
Essential in protecting the environment
* David Sheppard
In today’s world, it is very easy to generate waste, whether it is our left-over food that has gone bad, the wrapper from our favourite chocolate bar, yesterday’s newspaper, or the packaging from our new appliance or electronic gadget.
Waste is an inevitable by-product of our human existence, and the amount of waste generated often increases with affluence.
Keeping waste at manageable levels and managing it safely is essential to protecting the environment and our health.
In the Pacific islands context, safe waste management is even more critical because of the risks to fragile ecosystems and natural resources on which many islanders rely for their livelihoods.
Waste is also a political and economic issue, as poor waste disposal and management can affect human health and the encouragement of tourism.
Many Pacific islands countries and territories have made progress over the last decade in implementing solid waste management programmes, but there is still a long way to go. Many challenges exist, including a lack of resources, high staff turnover and lack of political will.
In 2009, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), consulted extensively with its members to develop the Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy 2010-2015, which charts the course for addressing key waste management challenges.
This strategy aims to adopt cost-effective and self-sustaining waste management systems in Pacific islands countries and territories.
In this article, I will outline some challenges facing our Pacific islands region and identify some of the success stories, while laying out some of the future plans for SPREP’s regional solid waste management programme.
Over the last five years, SPREP with the support of JICA and the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) has assisted Pacific islands countries and territories in implementing a sound policy and legislative framework to underpin waste management programmes.
Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Tokelau and Vanuatu have developed national waste management policies and strategies, and some have been endorsed at the ministerial level.
Assistance has also been provided to countries such as Samoa and Vanuatu to develop draft their waste management legislation.
However, even with the right legislation in place, the challenge for many countries will be to ensure they have sufficient enforcement capacity.
Enforcement is important. Since 2009, Fiji has undertaken Non-Compliance Day Campaigns, consisting of two to three days of targeted enforcement of waste management regulations.
SPREP’s work over the next five years will build on this kind of national initiative and use regional resources to enhance enforcement capacity.
Household waste generation is on the rise. The evidence is clear and is all around us. Our Pacific region has more access to world markets, which are flooded with cheap, disposable convenience products, and in many countries people are moving to cities for employment. These factors contribute to the growth of waste.
The types of waste generated is also shifting from organic kitchen and yard waste to more packaging-type waste (paper, plastic, cans), which reflects the increased availability of imported products.
The reduction of waste must play an increasingly important role in our waste management programmes, particularly as many Pacific countries are small and lack space to dispose of waste. There are an increasing number of positive examples from Pacific countries.
Several countries have implemented waste minimisation programmes, including the Kaoki Mange Project in Kiribati, which implemented a recycling programme for aluminium cans, PET bottles and lead acid batteries using a container deposit scheme.
Under this programme, a five-cent deposit is charged on each can which enters Kiribati, four cents of which is refunded when the can is returned to a designated depot. The remaining one cent is paid to the operator of the programme, to subsidise packaging and export costs, and the operator is allowed to keep the proceeds from the sale of the cans.
This innovative programme transforms cans from a waste product into a resource, thereby significantly reducing overall waste levels.
Fiji, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia are in the process of implementing similar programmes. In Guam and the Marshall Islands this is being addressed through a unique partnership involving schools and businesses.
Samoa and Papua New Guinea have targeted plastic bags by banning the production, importation and use of non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags, while Fiji is undertaking an evaluation of options to reduce plastic bag consumption.
Recycling of waste is very important and has been used very effectively in many countries. Two major obstacles to recycling in Pacific countries are the lack of in-country recycling facilities, and the high cost of exporting recycled materials due to the geographical isolation of many Pacific islands.
The small population of most Pacific countries and territories is also a problem, since the rate of accumulation of recyclable waste is too slow to make a commercial recycling operation viable.
To address these problems, SPREP’s future work will assess and demonstrate new and viable local recycling methods and explore regional coordination mechanisms for recycling.
We will also share lessons learnt from good case studies and provide information on appropriate policy tools to encourage waste minimisation.
It takes money to manage waste, and as the amount of waste is increasing, more money is required to manage this waste.
Sustainable financing for waste management is thus one of the key challenges facing Pacific islands countries and territories.
The budget for waste management in many countries is often inadequate. As a result, areas such as collection of waste, environmental monitoring and waste management in rural areas are often neglected to the detriment of other sectors such as tourism, public health, and terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Charging fees for waste management services is often necessary, but difficult to implement, as residents will be reluctant to pay for existing services that have not been improved.
As a region, we have to move towards user pay systems which are equitable and based on the polluter-pays principle—those who cause the pollution should pay proportionately the costs for managing that pollution.
An equitable system of charges should not put undue pressure on the poor and socially disadvantaged, and definitely should not give a free ride to the major waste generators and polluters.
Studies in Palau and Tonga have shown that the economic costs to make up for poor waste management can exceed the costs of managing the waste properly in the first place. In other words, doing nothing actually imposes more of a financial cost for people.
In our beautiful Pacific, some countries are taking steps towards sustainable financing such as the Cook Islands, which implements an environmental levy on departing visitors through the airport departure tax; Fiji, Guam and Vanuatu which charge a fee for tipping waste at the landfills; and Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga charge a fee for providing waste collection services.
The long-term objective should be for waste management sectors to become financially self-sustaining. Over the past four years, the Pacific islands have been fortunate to have attracted the generous support for waste management from the governments of Japan and New Zealand. SPREP has also recently signed an agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to implement a waste management project.
Effective waste management underpins many aspects of sustainable development in our region. SPREP is committed to working with Pacific countries and partners and donors to help reduce and better manage waste in our region.
We look forward to working together to achieve the vision of the Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy.
* David Sheppard is the director of SPREP based in Apia, Samoa.
Essential in protecting the environment
* David Sheppard
In today’s world, it is very easy to generate waste, whether it is our left-over food that has gone bad, the wrapper from our favourite chocolate bar, yesterday’s newspaper, or the packaging from our new appliance or electronic gadget.
Waste is an inevitable by-product of our human existence, and the amount of waste generated often increases with affluence.
Keeping waste at manageable levels and managing it safely is essential to protecting the environment and our health.
In the Pacific islands context, safe waste management is even more critical because of the risks to fragile ecosystems and natural resources on which many islanders rely for their livelihoods.
Waste is also a political and economic issue, as poor waste disposal and management can affect human health and the encouragement of tourism.
Many Pacific islands countries and territories have made progress over the last decade in implementing solid waste management programmes, but there is still a long way to go. Many challenges exist, including a lack of resources, high staff turnover and lack of political will.
In 2009, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), consulted extensively with its members to develop the Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy 2010-2015, which charts the course for addressing key waste management challenges.
This strategy aims to adopt cost-effective and self-sustaining waste management systems in Pacific islands countries and territories.
In this article, I will outline some challenges facing our Pacific islands region and identify some of the success stories, while laying out some of the future plans for SPREP’s regional solid waste management programme.
Over the last five years, SPREP with the support of JICA and the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) has assisted Pacific islands countries and territories in implementing a sound policy and legislative framework to underpin waste management programmes.
Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Tokelau and Vanuatu have developed national waste management policies and strategies, and some have been endorsed at the ministerial level.
Assistance has also been provided to countries such as Samoa and Vanuatu to develop draft their waste management legislation.
However, even with the right legislation in place, the challenge for many countries will be to ensure they have sufficient enforcement capacity.
Enforcement is important. Since 2009, Fiji has undertaken Non-Compliance Day Campaigns, consisting of two to three days of targeted enforcement of waste management regulations.
SPREP’s work over the next five years will build on this kind of national initiative and use regional resources to enhance enforcement capacity.
Household waste generation is on the rise. The evidence is clear and is all around us. Our Pacific region has more access to world markets, which are flooded with cheap, disposable convenience products, and in many countries people are moving to cities for employment. These factors contribute to the growth of waste.
The types of waste generated is also shifting from organic kitchen and yard waste to more packaging-type waste (paper, plastic, cans), which reflects the increased availability of imported products.
The reduction of waste must play an increasingly important role in our waste management programmes, particularly as many Pacific countries are small and lack space to dispose of waste. There are an increasing number of positive examples from Pacific countries.
Several countries have implemented waste minimisation programmes, including the Kaoki Mange Project in Kiribati, which implemented a recycling programme for aluminium cans, PET bottles and lead acid batteries using a container deposit scheme.
Under this programme, a five-cent deposit is charged on each can which enters Kiribati, four cents of which is refunded when the can is returned to a designated depot. The remaining one cent is paid to the operator of the programme, to subsidise packaging and export costs, and the operator is allowed to keep the proceeds from the sale of the cans.
This innovative programme transforms cans from a waste product into a resource, thereby significantly reducing overall waste levels.
Fiji, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia are in the process of implementing similar programmes. In Guam and the Marshall Islands this is being addressed through a unique partnership involving schools and businesses.
Samoa and Papua New Guinea have targeted plastic bags by banning the production, importation and use of non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags, while Fiji is undertaking an evaluation of options to reduce plastic bag consumption.
Recycling of waste is very important and has been used very effectively in many countries. Two major obstacles to recycling in Pacific countries are the lack of in-country recycling facilities, and the high cost of exporting recycled materials due to the geographical isolation of many Pacific islands.
The small population of most Pacific countries and territories is also a problem, since the rate of accumulation of recyclable waste is too slow to make a commercial recycling operation viable.
To address these problems, SPREP’s future work will assess and demonstrate new and viable local recycling methods and explore regional coordination mechanisms for recycling.
We will also share lessons learnt from good case studies and provide information on appropriate policy tools to encourage waste minimisation.
It takes money to manage waste, and as the amount of waste is increasing, more money is required to manage this waste.
Sustainable financing for waste management is thus one of the key challenges facing Pacific islands countries and territories.
The budget for waste management in many countries is often inadequate. As a result, areas such as collection of waste, environmental monitoring and waste management in rural areas are often neglected to the detriment of other sectors such as tourism, public health, and terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Charging fees for waste management services is often necessary, but difficult to implement, as residents will be reluctant to pay for existing services that have not been improved.
As a region, we have to move towards user pay systems which are equitable and based on the polluter-pays principle—those who cause the pollution should pay proportionately the costs for managing that pollution.
An equitable system of charges should not put undue pressure on the poor and socially disadvantaged, and definitely should not give a free ride to the major waste generators and polluters.
Studies in Palau and Tonga have shown that the economic costs to make up for poor waste management can exceed the costs of managing the waste properly in the first place. In other words, doing nothing actually imposes more of a financial cost for people.
In our beautiful Pacific, some countries are taking steps towards sustainable financing such as the Cook Islands, which implements an environmental levy on departing visitors through the airport departure tax; Fiji, Guam and Vanuatu which charge a fee for tipping waste at the landfills; and Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga charge a fee for providing waste collection services.
The long-term objective should be for waste management sectors to become financially self-sustaining. Over the past four years, the Pacific islands have been fortunate to have attracted the generous support for waste management from the governments of Japan and New Zealand. SPREP has also recently signed an agreement with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to implement a waste management project.
Effective waste management underpins many aspects of sustainable development in our region. SPREP is committed to working with Pacific countries and partners and donors to help reduce and better manage waste in our region.
We look forward to working together to achieve the vision of the Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy.
* David Sheppard is the director of SPREP based in Apia, Samoa.
Use your resource more efficiently
Use your resource more efficiently. Business gateway (2011). Retrieved July 15, 2011 from http://www.bgateway.com/bdotg/action/layer?r.i=1079422375&r.l1=1079068363&r.l2=1086030165&r.l3=1079422118&r.s=m&r.t=RESOURCES&site=202&topicId=1079422118
Use your resources more efficiently
Efficiency is a key driver of profitability, but it's also central to running your business in an environmentally friendly way. Using resources - such as raw materials, packaging, energy and water - as efficiently as possible means that you are not only reducing your environmental impact but also saving your business money.
This guide outlines how to assess your current resource efficiency, and suggests ways of minimising waste and of reducing your consumption of energy, water and raw materials. It also explains the importance of taking a systematic approach and assessing the costs and benefits of improving the efficiency of your resource use.
Subjects covered in this guide
Video
Melaleuca, (2009). Melaleuca - a cleaner greener company [Video]. Retrieved July 15, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xEBQE6rGSc
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