I Local government approaches to source reduction Many states have mandated that source sustained program. A comprehensive reduction receive the highest priority of all source reduction education and promo- waste management strategies. Local gov- tion campaign targets consumers, busi- by Steven Sherman ernments are eager to find ways to reduce nesses and institutions, including the generation of solid waste. However, schools. Each of these groups merits spe- Steven Sherman is a senior consultant understanding how to translate this aim cific attention. The more tailored the edu- with CalRecovery, Inc. of Hercules, Cali- into realistic programs at the local govern- cation and promotion campaign is ¡I fornia. He has designed and implemented ment level has yet to keep pace with state addressing the needs and interests c numerous source reduction, composting mandates. various groups and sub-groups, the mor1 and recycling programs for local govern- A comprehensive approach to source successful the overall program is likely t< ments, businesses and nonprofit organi- reduction requires the participation of an be. zations. In his spare time, he volunteers interrelated web of waste generators, A public education and promotion carr as a master composter for the local including residents, businesses and paign for source reduction should focur county’s composting programs, teaching institutions, and local, state and federal on changing the values and behavior psi residents about food waste composting at government policymakers. terns of individuals and organization: home with worms. , Source reduction decreases the quan- The following values, among othen tity of materials that must be collected should be highlighted: environmental prc and processed via recycling, composting, tection and pollution prevention; energ! incineration and landfilling. Source reduc- and resource conservation; cost effective By undertaking a number of tion can be defined as the decreased gen- ness; ingenuity; simplicity; pursuit of com eration of solid waste resulting from: munity spirit; and excellence rather thar actions, communities can W reduced product weight or volume consumption. reduce the amount of wastes n reduced packaging One type of public education and pro generated for disposal or n increased product durability and reus- motion program a local government coulc ability institute is known as an “environmenta recycling. W alterations in consumer behavior shopper” or “precycle” campaign. ThL regarding purchase patterns program provides consumers with sug n greater efficiency in manufacturing gestions or tangible examples of dired processes, resulting in lower genera- substitutes for products or packaging, in tion of wastes support of waste reduction goals. An W on-site composting and related environmental shopper campaign, such organic waste reduction techniques as that originally developed by the n alteration of the waste stream to make Pennsylvania Resources Council, a COV it less hazardous. sumer advocacy group, and now officiallY endorsed by the Pennsylvania Depart- General approaches ment of Environmental Resources, in- Local governments can draw on severa1 volves the distribution of a booklet that. approaches to propel source reduction advises consumers to purcha into its proper position as the leading com- ponent of solid waste management. The following discussion centers on ways to reduce the amount of solid waste gener- ated by all sectors. reusable and recyclable mate booklet could include available IiStS Public education and publicity “environmentally friendly” products. A local government could supervise the could also include advice on how lo development and distribution of source consumer groups can organize envi reduction education materials, provide mental shopping campaigns in their c general coordination of efforts, and fund a munities. ation campaign could be sup- waste generators can put their own house ment, possibly as part of the business y local governments, in In order (see sidebar). As well, local gov- license renewal procedure. Local govern- local civic and consumer ernments can encourage companies to ments could provide businesses with a of arrangement is in adopt source reduction as an explicit cor- list, such as the one that follows, of possi- nia, where an industry porate goal. Local governments couid ble ways businesses can reduce their vania Food Merchants also require companies employing more generation of waste: with PRC to promote than a certain number of people in the E adopt corporate procurement policies jurisdiction (such as 250) to submit a that promote source reduction and ’ ~$$$;ëduction themes can be used source reduction and recycling planto the recycling &ively in various media, including bus IOCal government for review and com- q encourage suppliers to incorporate rts, public servrce announcements on 1diO and telev’rsion, buttons and postes. ialsrt consumers to the relationship be- Four ways local governments can get +n consumption patterns and the solid tite crisis. Berkeley, California and their own house in order Newark,New Jersey, among others, have dopted this approach. A local government could take the fol- and visibly buys durable, reusable, mese publicity and education tech- lowing steps, among others, to provide recycled and recyclable products dues can also be employed at the work- leadership in source reduction by: n restricting the use of disposable, dace, where a company or institution n serving as an institutional model for nonrecyclable products or packag- bunches its own “precycle” project. source reduction in the local govern- ing in local government-sponsored Mmittedly, while some business efforts ment’s offices, cafeterias, parks, activities b promote environmental shopping have public works yards, and other n institutionalizing an Office paper gen criticized by severa1 recycling pro- facilities reduction program to conserve scents as superficial, off-target and inef- W revising the local government’s pro- paper (e.g., minimizing photo- ective, some businesses have indeed curement specifications for equip- copies, using double-sided printing jeveloped consistent. comprehensive ment, vehicles, supplies, furniture, and copying, encouraging the use lrograms and bolicies that promore ana parts and materials to ensure that of recyclable paper. increasing the eflect source reduction. the local government systematically use of electronic media). Local governments as institutional J sws STONE WOOD SEPARATOR Patent Pending Producfion of 200 TPH + SpecificallyDesigned for fhe Wasfe Indusfry 0 Patenteddrsign with 54” dia. rotor For More Informafion Confacf l Over 1OO hours between hammer maintenance l Controlledproduct size HAAHJEM North Ameríca, Inc. l Hightolerance of metalcontaminants InnovatorManufacturing Inc., Phone (316)733-0600 120 Weston St.. London. Ontmo. Canada N6C IR4 1-800-465-4747(Access from Ls’ aodCanadai Tel:(519)661-0717 Fax:(519) 661-0714 Circle 98 on RR service card Circle 13 on RR sewice card Resource Recychg September 1991 reduction and recycling into duce. The cost can escalate on a straight- lection and disposal is included in the *,#Jrcf ,nternal and externa1 corporate line basis; it can also be raised at an price of the bags or tags. t pir i gctivities, to be consistent with the increasing rate. This approach has been Per-container subscription rate. purchasing company’s procurement followed by local governments as small Generators pay for the number of contain- pws as Somerville, New Jersey (approxi- ers set out, on a straight-line or graduated , offer rewards to individuals and divi- mately 4,300 households) and as large as rate basis. In a graduated rate structure, sions in the compaly that develop in- Seattle, Washington (approximately waste generators pay a higher incre- house source reductlon programs 200.000 households). mental rate for additional garbage cans. , promote source reduction and recy- User fees can have an immediate and The subscription system requires the cling in corporate newsletters and substantial impact on how individuals hauler to monitor the number and size of cther interna1 media view their own generation of trash. bins set out for collection. tra& corporate source reduction Responses to increases in waste collec- Standardized container rental. measures, including annual tonnage tion bilis tend to be quick. People may dis- Generators rent bins from haulers and avoided, and production and disposal cover ways to reuse items and may seek pay a renta1 service fee for the container ccsts saved. to reduce the amount they discard (and and hauling service. Fees are based in hence reduce their solid waste bill) by part on the size of the container and the ccnomic incentives altering their purchasing habits. They frequency of collection. :onomic incentives can serve to modify often become avid recyclers, especially Container licenses. Generators pur- e waste disposal habits of residents and since most properly prepared recyclables chase an annual license for each con- &tesses. A local government could tend to be exempt from coilection fees. tainer, The licensing fee varies with the ?velop a user fee system based on vol- A user-fee system can be implemented size of container. Haulers empty only ne (or weight) to encourage residents to either directly by the local government or those containers that carry a vaiid duce, reuse and recycle. This concept indirectly in conjunction with private haul- license. Special provisions must be made known interchangeably