Zero Waste Alliance
Industrial Ecology a path to Sustainability
October 16, 1999
Larry Chalfan
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Zero Waste Alliance
Contents
¥ The Need ¥ History ¥ Industrial Ecology ¥ 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 ¥ Pollution is constantly increasing and - Pesticides, herbicides, 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 Wastes, 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 Natural Resource Shortages Declining Fisheries Falling Water Tables Increasing Pollution
Business Choices ? Sustainable Restoration
Energy Demand Economic Growth Technology Affluence Rising Energy Costs, Population Growth Raw Material 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 (Industrial Metabolism) ¥ Dematerialization and Decarbonization ¥ Extended Producer Responsibility (Product Stewardship) ¥ Eco-efficiency ¥ The Natural Step ¥ Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) ¥ Life Cycle Analysis ¥ Design 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 Sustainable Development 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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