Zero Alliance

Industrial Ecology a path to

October 16, 1999

Larry Chalfan

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Zero Waste Alliance

Contents

¥ The Need ¥ History ¥ ¥ Tools of Industrial Ecology ¥ Benefits

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1 Zero Waste Alliance The Need ¥ It is widely accepted that mankind's current interaction with nature cannot be sustained. ¥ Nature's productive ability is declining; - Farmland, oceans, forests ¥ is constantly increasing and - , , heavy metals ¥ Population is growing by 90 million people per year. - 3B in 1960, 6B in 2000, 9-10B in 2050 ¥ The potential for our grandchildren to live good lives is diminishing. ¥ We must begin to move to an economically and environmentally efficient economy ¥ Our current approach where environmental issues are seen as overhead has been helpful, but inadequate ¥ Environmental issues must become part of our strategic goals, central in our decision processes

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Zero Waste Alliance Natural Cycles

Energy Heat Input Loss No Waste

Materials Materials from the to the Crust Crust

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2 Zero Waste Alliance Natural Cycles + Society

Heat Energy Loss Input

Resources , From Pesticides Nature Etc., to Nature

Extraction of Efficiency Hazardous Must be Materials Materials Materials from the to the Optimized crust crust

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Zero Waste Alliance The Funnel: Coming Constraints Availability

Environmental Degradation Shortages Declining Fisheries Falling Water Tables Increasing Pollution

Business Choices ? Sustainable Restoration

Energy Demand Economic Growth Technology Affluence Rising Energy Costs, Population Growth Costs, Disposal Costs and Demand = P x A x T New Regulations

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History of Industrial Ecology

¥ The term Industrial Ecology was first used about 1970 ¥ In the 1990s the awareness of our environmental problems and the need for a system view emerged ¥ During the 1990s supporting tools were developed ¥ Articles and books since 1994 have begun to formalize the field

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Zero Waste Alliance Industrial Ecology

¥ The means to rationally approach and maintain a desirable carrying capacity with continuing economic evolution ¥ Industrial systems are viewed in concert with natural systems, not as separate from them ¥ A systems view to optimize the total materials cycle, from raw materials through manufacturing and use to final disposal ¥ The focus is on optimizing use of resources, energy and capital throughout the system

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4 Zero Waste Alliance Today

Waste Waste Waste Waste Waste

Raw Material Trans- Manufacturing Trans- Consumer Use Waste Processing portation portation Waste

Trans- Trans- portation Waste Waste Waste Waste Waste portation

Extraction Waste Waste End of life

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Zero Waste Alliance The Work to be Done

Raw Material Trans- Manufacturing Trans- Consumer Use Processing portation portation

Trans- Trans- portation portation End Extraction of life

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5 Zero Waste Alliance The Ideal

Raw Material Trans- Trans- End Trans- Trans- Manufacturing Consumer Use Processing portation portation of life portation portation

Minimum Extraction

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Zero Waste Alliance Concepts & Tools

¥ System View of all activities ¥ Material and Energy flows studies () ¥ Dematerialization and Decarbonization ¥ Extended Producer Responsibility (Product ) ¥ Eco-efficiency ¥ The Natural Step ¥ Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) ¥ Life Cycle Analysis ¥ for the Environment ¥ Supply Chain Management ¥ Eco-Industrial Parks

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Progressive Changes in a Company

Compliance Environment Sustainability N (ISO 14001) (The Natural Step)

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Zero Waste Alliance

IEEE Definition of Industrial Ecology

Industrial Ecology is the objective, multidisciplinary study of industrial and economic systems and their linkages with fundamental natural systems. It incorporates, among other things, research involving energy supply and use, new materials, new technologies and technological systems, basic sciences, economics, law, management and social sciences. Although still in the development stage, it provides the theoretical scientific basis upon which understanding, and reasoned improvement of current practices can be based. Oversimplifying somewhat, it can be thought of as ‘the science of sustainability.’ It is important to emphasize that industrial ecology is an objective field of study based on existing scientific and technological disciplines, not a form of industrial policy or planning system.

From”White Paper on and Industrial Ecology” issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)

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References

¥ Allenby, B. R., Industrial Ecology - Policy Framework and Implementation, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. ¥ Graedel, T. E. and Allenby, B. R., Industrial Ecology ¥ Yale University, Journal of Industrial Ecology

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Zero Waste Alliance Contact:

Larry Chalfan Executive Director

One World Trade Center 121 S.W. Salmon St., Ste 210 Portland, OR 97204 Zero Waste Tel: 503-279-9383 Fax: 503-279-9381 Alliance [email protected] www.zerowaste.org

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