Increasing Diversion Without a Zero Waste

Plan/Resolution

Ana CarvalhoEnvironmental SpecialistACarvalho@sandiego.gov

2011 GRRN National Zero Waste Action Conference – Learn Globally; Act Locally San Diego 7.30.11

Working to change the “Out of Sight Out of Mind”

Paradigm …

…To the “Throwing Away… There is No Away” Paradigm

Recognizing Obstacles

Lack of Knowledge

Resistance to change

Working with all segments to change the

“flow”

-Local, state & federal governments

-Grassroots groups

-Businesses

-Local residents

-Educational, businesses and religious associations

Showing the Financial Gains

FY2010

63,000 tons

$4,226 milhões

Identifying the DifficultiesProblems/Solutions

Solutions

Proper recycling containers (well marked, size, adequate volume)

Split bins

Education/Outreach flyers, posters, signs, newsletters, events

Lease agreement language

Fines

Problems

Poor participation/lackof info

Lack of convenience

Lack of space

Recyclables in the trash/not recognizing recyclables

Improper use of recycling container

Not adequate volume capacity

Creating Recycling Programs

Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (CRO)

Food Waste Recycling Program

Public Space Recycling

Environmental Preferable Purchasing Program (EP3)

Construction & Demolition Debris Deposit Ordinance

City Facilities Ban on Styrofoam and Disposable Water Bottles

Split Bins

Thinking Outside the Box

Exploring PossibilitiesCompostables Test -

ResultsMinimal Biodegradation - 56% of products

Week 0 Week 10

Partial Biodegradation - 7% of products

Complete Biodegradation - 37% of products

Week 0 Week 10

Week 0

Week 10

Educating Seeing & Promoting the

ResultsBefore

After

EducatingSeeing and Promoting the

Results

NO

Before After

Recognizing/PromotingYearly Business Recycling

Awards

Recycler of The Month Awards

The Miramar Greenery

Results Miramar Landfill

CY10 Saved ~ 52 days of

landfill space

Results

2 Years After Ordinances10 Years Before Ordinances

49% Economy

Overall saving 864 days of landfill space

Without major distances to travel or exporting waste

Without ZeroWaste talk

Results

Same Basic Programs

11% diversion difference

Formal ZeroWasteresolution/plan/goal

allows for more political focus

Conclusion

In 2010 San Diegodecreased the gap

Will achieve higherdiversion with expansion of commercial food waste in 2011

Next…

Thanks!

Ana Carvalho

Environmental Specialist858-573-1243

ACarvalho@sandiego.gov

2011 GRRN National Zero Waste Action Conference – Learn Globally; Act Locally San Diego 7.30.11