Module 2 - Overview of Zero Waste and A Zero Waste Advisor Flashcards

1
Q

What/Who is ZWIA?

A

ZWIA - Zero Waste International Alliance: an international nonprofit organization that develops standards to guide the development of zero waste by businesses, communities and individuals

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2
Q

ZWIA provides the only peer-reviewed, internationally accepted definition of zero waste. It states:

A

ZERO WASTE IS A GOAL THAT IS ETHICAL, ECONOMICAL, EFFICIENT AND VISIONARY, TO GUIDE PEOPLE IN CHANGING THEIR LIFESTYLES AND PRACTICES TO EMULATE SUSTAINABLE NATURAL CYCLES, WHERE ALL DISCARDED MATERIALS ARE DESIGNED TO BECOME RESOURCES FOR OTHERS TO USE

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3
Q

What does Zero Waste mean and what does implementing it do?

A

ZERO WASTE means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.
Implementing ZERO WASTE will eliminate all discharges to land, water, or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health

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4
Q

What is the definition of zero waste?

A

Zero waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded
materials are designed to become resources for others to use.

Zero waste means designing and managing products and
processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and
toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.

Implementing Zero waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal
or plant health.

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5
Q

What are the 5 “R’s

A

Reduce
Reuse
Re-Earth
Re-design
Recycle

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6
Q

Define the 5 “R”s

A

○ Reduce: To examine existing practices and make changes to eliminate waste
○ Reuse: To avoid disposal by using an item again, as is, or giving it a new function
○ Redesign: to right-size waste systems (outgoing materials) and purchasing agreements (incoming materials) and to eliminate wasteful practices from product design.
○ Re-earth: To collect organic material, such as food scraps, and yard trimmings, and decompose/process it for another purpose
Recycle: To convert waste into manufacturing feedstock material that is used in the creation of new products or materials

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7
Q

What is the “P” conversation

A

Triple bottom line - People, Planet, Profit
All sustainability goals must address all three

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8
Q

How do zero waste practices support the triple bottom line

A

By increasing employee engagement, showcasing a responsibility and commitment to the local and global community and saving organizations money in the process

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9
Q

Explain the “Wasteberg”

A

Businesses today do not use resources efficiently: 5%-10% of all materials purchased by typical companies go to produce the product. 90-95% is wasted.

Resources enter a company’s supply chain with value, but leave it with none

And rather than develop more efficient practices, businesses often externalize the cost of their generated waste and pass it on to the consumer and municipalities.

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10
Q

What are key components of a zero-waste economy? How are they distinguished and what activities are included in those components?

A

A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, processes, and resources involved in moving products or services from a supplier to a consumer (or end user)

Upstream activities include: raw material extraction, production, and transportation

Downstream activities include: use and disposal. *Downstream activities begin at the point of consumption

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11
Q

What is the typical supply chain?

A

Typical supply chain system:
-is linear - make take waste
-Some organizations and consumers divert, recycle or compost used goods so they re-enter the system

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12
Q

Describe the focus of a zero-waste economy and where there is greater emphasis as compared to a typical supply chain…

A

“Zero waste focuses on UPSTREAM policies beyond diversion, recycling and composting to close the loop and place greater responsibility on the producers of goods and services.”
ZERO WASTE efforts: Highest and best use of resources

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13
Q

Why become a zero waste facility?

A

To maximize efficient use of resources and minimize discards

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14
Q

What does the zero stand for?

A

ZERO discards to landfill, incineration (WtE), and the environment

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15
Q

What are discards?

A

Solid, non-hazardous materials generated within the boundary of the facility.

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15
Q

What are 7 key components of the zero waste approach?

A

○ Preventing waste from occurring, in the first place
○ Pre-planning for what materials must be managed and ultimately disposed of
○ Assessing the type and amount of these materials
○ Seeking out practical ways to reduce, reuse, and/or repurpose significant amounts of materials
○ Composting as much as possible
○ Recycling as much as possible and
○ Conducting these actions locally or within the nearby region

16
Q

Name 9 Characteristics of a zero waste facility

A

Saves $$, Resources, and Energy
Reduces GHGs, liability, litter and pollution
Reinvests locally
Creates jobs
Adds value to an organization (positive image)

17
Q

What is the zero waste commitment?

A

Committment to:
-challenging existing wasteful practices
-cultural change
-Kaizen/continual improvement
-familiarity with their waste

18
Q

What are the 4 phases of planning for 100% diversion?

A

1) Initiate Zero Waste Discussion
2) Evaluate Details of Operations
3) Develop a zero waste plan
4) Implement zero waste plan

19
Q

What is phase 1 of planning for 100% diversion and what is required?

A

Initiate Zero Waste
Discussion

§ A facility achieves a 100% diversion rate through careful planning & implementation.

§ 1st, the must initiate zero waste discussions and planning efforts. Achieving zero waste typically requires total employee participation. That means facilitating coordination of ALL departments that generate waste

20
Q

What is phase 2 of planning for 100% diversion and what is required?

A

Evaluate details of operation: determine all outgoing materials and incoming materials. Requiring:
§ Tracking wste to identify solid waste diversion and costs

§ A review of purchasing records and service contracts

§ A waste audit to summarize existing systems, manufacturing processes and material streams

§ Evaluation of internal policies, programs, and infrastructure

21
Q

What is phase 3 of planning for 100% diversion and what is required?

A

Put together/Develop zero waste plan
Zero waste plans typically outline:

§ Implementation strategies and zero waste policies:
□ New rules
□ Disposal bans
□ Mandatory recycling
□ Product stewardship
□ Comprehensive outreach
□ Technical assistance
§ Economics and funding

§ Required personnel, service opportunities and or infrastructure

§ A timeline with realistic milestones

22
Q

What is phase 4 of planning for 100% diversion and what is required?

A

Implement zero waste plan

23
Q

What personnel are included in achieving zero waste ?

A
  • Management
  • Purchasing agents
  • Facilities and buildings managers,
  • Maintenance and sanitation staff
  • Grounds keepers
  • Environmental experts
  • Health and Safety experts
  • Sustainability consultants
  • Vendors and suppliers
  • Company green team members
  • Sustainability or recycling
    manager/professional staff
  • A TRUE Advisor
24
Q

What infrastructure is included in achieving zero waste ?

A
  • A comprehensive recycling program
  • Zero waste company training
    programs
  • Internal collection and sortation
    systems
  • Collection services for solid waste,
    recyclables, and compostables
  • Drop-off centers or specialized
    collection for hazardous waste and
    universal waste
  • Organics diversion or composting
    facilities
  • Construction and Demolition (C&D)
    debris diversion programs
  • Buyback centers
  • Local organizations that accept
    donated goods and food for reuse