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Waste
This section focuses on the improvement of waste management and successes in promoting recycling and product stewardship.Innovative Programs and Policies
Tools and Guidelines
Databases and Case Studies
Newsletters, Publication Collections and Reports of Interest
International Organization and Government Web sites
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Watershed practitioners learned of many Dutch practices that help keep agricultural waste out of waterways in an exchange to the Netherlands in 2002. |
Chesapeake Bay Practitioners Learn from Dutch System
The pollution of waterways by non-point source waste is one of the most difficult problems to manage in the United States. In June, 2002, eight watershed practitioners from the Chesapeake Bay region traveled to the Netherlands for two weeks to observe Dutch policies involving land-use, low-impact development, smart growth, and non-point urban and rural runoff. This delegation learned that there are many Dutch policies and experiences that can be applied to the Chesapeake Bay region.
One such practice is solid waste or nutrient management from animal production. With a dense population of people and livestock, the Dutch have found innovative ways of dealing with animal manure and other types of nutrient inputs. The Mineral Accounting System (MINAS) is a manure management plan that tracks mass balances of nutrients on more than 80,000 Dutch farms and includes a "polluter pays" system when runoff levels are exceeded. In addition to MINAS, poultry farmers typically pay to have their manure removed and burned for energy at "green" power plants. And lastly, 97% of the country is hooked up to the municipal sewer systems that are retrofitted with nutrient removal technology. Chesapeake Bay participants found these solid waste practices particularly interesting since nutrient levels have been a concern of the Bay for years.
Watershed practitioners learned of many Dutch practices that help keep agricultural waste out of waterways in an exchange to the Netherlands in 2002.
To learn more about the 2002 exchange, see Dutch treat: Technology exchange tour offers pointers for Bay
by Peter Marx.
Innovative Programs and Policies
Ecologic Waste ProjectsEcologic, the Institute for International and European Environmental Policy, is a private not-for-profit think tank for applied environmental research, policy analysis and consultancy. An independent, non-partisan body, Ecologic is dedicated to bringing fresh ideas to environmental policies and sustainable development. Ecologic's waste projects webpage offers information on a number of waste-related projects in a variety of countries.
Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program
The Environmental Choice M Program (ECP), Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, helps consumers identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. This Web site provides information on environmentally-responsible products and services and links to companies who participate.
European Commission's LIFE-Environment Initiative
Launched in 1992, LIFE cofinances environmental initiatives in the European Union and bordering countries. LIFE-Environment contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including waste management. This Web site provides information on LIFE projects and hosts a database of over 600 wase related projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.
European Commission Waste Policies
The EU is aiming for a significant cut in the amount of rubbish generated, through new waste prevention initiatives, better use of resources, and encouraging a shift to more sustainable consumption patterns. The European Commission's waste Web site provides information on legislation and waste topics in the EU.
European Union's Eco-labeling Program
The EU Eco-label stimulates both the supply and demand of products with reduced environmental impact. EU Eco-label encourages businesses to market greener, officially licensed products while giving European consumers the means to make informed environmental choices when purchasing. This Web site provides information for businesses and consumers on eco-label products.
Tools and Guidelines
Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program
The Environmental Choice M Program (ECP), Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, helps consumers identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. This Web site provides information on environmentally responsible products and services and links to companies who participate.
Lean Manufacturing: Canadian Resource Guide to High Performance Manufacturing
This Industry Canada guide is designed to provide relevant and up-to-date information to assist manufacturers in finding the tools, people and resources they need to improve their manufacturing performance, increasing productivity and reducing waste. This Web site contains links to a variety of sources on lean manufacturing, including associations, publications and other resources.
Solid Waste Association of North America
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is a leading professional association in the solid waste management field. SWANA offers a large number of technical training courses and certification for industry professionals.
Databases and Case Studies
Australian Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production Case StudiesThe Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage's collection of 166 Australian case studies show how companies can reduce production costs, save resources, reduce waste and maintain a competitive edge. The case studies are designed to give small to medium sized businesses easy access to information on how to improve their methods of production.
BusinessCare Case Studies
BusinessCare, a New Zealand-based not-for-profit organization, promotes, supports and encourages the implementation of sustainable management and cleaner production practices by local businesses . This Web site provides links to BusinessCare's waste minimization/ business sustainability projects and case studies.
European "Best Practices for Sustainable Urban Infrastructures"
Founded in 1971, COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, allowing the co-ordination of nationally funded research on a European level. COST8, an activity in identifying best practices for sustainable urban infrastructures, has assembled a series of 50 European case studies demonstrating aspects of sustainability, such as waste management.
European Commission's LIFE-Environment Database
Launched in 1992, LIFE cofinances environmental initiatives in the European Union and bordering countries. LIFE-Environment contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including waste management. This Web site hosts a database of over 1,000 state, municipal, and local level projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.
European Environment Agency's Case Studies on Waste Minimization Practices in Europe
This European Environment Agency report of 10 best case studies is a catalog of successful examples of waste minimization, recycling and cleaner technology. The report supports EU waste policy manifested in the EU waste strategy and the proposed sixth environmental action program.
Global Recycling Network
Global Recycling Network is a comprehensive recycling information and trading resource on the Internet. It offers a one-stop solution to recycling information needs. Its Web site provides information on the trade of recyclables as well as the marketing of eco-friendly products.
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives' Case Studies
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives' (ICLEI) Web site provides case studies as successful examples of local environmental and development management. Examples, a number of which are on waste issues, are from all over the globe.
Newsletters, Publication Collections and Reports of Interest
Newsletters
BusinessCare NewsletterBusinessCare, a New Zealand-based not-for-profit organization, promotes, supports and encourages the implementation of sustainable management and cleaner production practices by local businesses . BusinessCare offers links to its regular newsletter and a free online subscription to its monthly E-Newsletter.
Ecologic Newsletter
Ecologic, a private not-for-profit think tank is dedicated to bringing fresh ideas to environmental policies and sustainable development. Ecologic's Newsletter, which offers a free subscription, provides the latest news on a variety of environmental subjects.
European Union's Eco-labeling Newsletter: The Flower News
This Web site offers free online subscription and archives of the EU's Eco-labeling newsletter, The Flower News . The Flower News is designed to bring you the latest trends and developments in eco-label affairs in an easily digestible format.
European Waste Wise Newsletter
Waste Wise is the electronic newsletter of the European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows. It aims to keep decision-makers, professionals and other interested parties up-to-date on recent findings, legislation, and developments in waste and material flows mainly from the work of the Topic Centre. A free subscription to Waste Wise is also available.
Global Ecolabelling Network News
Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an association of eco-labeling organizations from over a dozen countries. This Web site provides links to GENews, GEN's newsletter.
Publication Collections
European Environment Agency Waste ReportsThe European Environment Agency (EEA) provides European decision-makers with the information needed for making sound and effective policies to protect the environment and support sustainable development. This Web site provides links to the European Environment Agency's reports on waste and many other topics.
European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows Publications
The European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows, a topic center of the European Environment Agency, contributes to EEA publications and prepares a number of stand-alone technical and topic reports with special focus on waste and material flows. This Web site provides links to publications of the Topic Centre and EEA as well as the Waste Wise Newsletter.
Reports of Interest
A cleaner greener Europe: LIFE and the European Union waste policy (European Union, 2004) (PDF, 28pp., 2.97 MB)
Launched in 1992, LIFE cofinances environmental initiatives in the European Union and bordering countries. LIFE-Environment contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including waste management. This new brochure of the European LIFE Focus series showcases 9 European examples of successful initiatives in waste management and recycling.
Success Stories on Composting and Separate Collection (European Union, 2000)
This report was produced as part of a project undertaken for the European Commission, Directorate-General for the Environment, on success stories on composting and separate collection. This project involved identifying a number of successful centralized and home composting schemes in EU countries.
Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste (European Union, 2003) (PDF, 59pp., 3963KB)
In May of 2003 the European Commission adopted a Communication towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste that will cover both waste prevention and recycling. It includes an assessment of Community waste policy in relation to prevention and recycling, with a view to identifying means to further develop waste management policy in line with the hierarchy of objectives set out in the Community's waste strategy. This Communication will lead to the development of European policy on waste prevention and recycling.
International Organizations and Government Web sites
COST- European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research
Founded in 1971, COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, allowing the co-ordination of nationally funded research on a European level. This Web site provides information on COST activities and the 46 European countries involved.
European Commission's LIFE-Environment Initiative
Launched in 1992, LIFE cofinances environmental initiatives in the European Union and bordering countries. LIFE-Environment contributes to the development of innovative techniques and methods by cofinancing demonstration projects in a number of areas including waste management. This Web site provides information on LIFE projects and hosts a database of over 1,000 state, municipal, and local level projects funded through this program, including case study reports of particular success stories.
European Commission Waste Web site
The EU is aiming for a significant cut in the amount of rubbish generated, through new waste prevention initiatives, better use of resources, and encouraging a shift to more sustainable consumption patterns. The European Commission's waste Web site provides information on legislation and waste topics in the EU.
European Environment Agency's Waste Web site
The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides European decision-makers with the information needed for making sound and effective policies to protect the environment and support sustainable development. The Agency also disseminates best practice information in environmental protection and technologies, and supports the European Commission in diffusing information on the results of environmental research. The waste area of this Web site provides information on European waste activities, indicators and data.
European Union Eco-labeling Program
The EU Eco-label stimulates both the supply and demand of products with reduced environmental impact. EU Eco-label encourages businesses to market greener, officially licensed products while giving European consumers the means to make informed environmental choices when purchasing. This Web site provides information for businesses and consumers on eco-label products.
European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows
The European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows, a topic center of the European Environment Agency, contributes to EEA publications and prepares a number of stand-alone technical and topic reports with special focus on waste and material flows. This Web site provides links to those publications as well as other information on waste and material flows in Europe.
Global Ecolabelling Network
Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an association of eco-labeling organizations from over a dozen countries. This site includes information about the labeling systems of various countries and documentation of GEN's activities.
Solid Waste Association of North America
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is a leading professional association in the solid waste management field. SWANA serves its members and industry professionals with conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses.