![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512051237im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Stakeholder Success Stories
Many companies have discovered that reducing their waste-related GHG emissions
can save them money and improve their public relations while simultaneously
combating global warming. In support of these win-win situations, EPA has
established several voluntary programs to provide technical assistance to
companies wishing to reduce their waste and GHG emissions. A sampling of innovative
GHG partnerships forged through WasteWise and other voluntary programs is
presented below.
Interface, Inc. | PSEG | General
Motors | Environment Canada | Oregon
DEQ
Creative Supply Chain Partnerships
Creative Supply Chain Partnerships
Interface, Inc.
Manufacturing Carpet Sustainably
Interface is actively working to incorporate environmental sustainability into all stages of its products' life-cycles. Interface is developing technologies, manufacturing processes, and flooring products that minimize impact on the environment while maintaining or improving the quality of the product. Many of Interface's efforts, detailed below, focus on reducing the waste associated with flooring products:
- Interface manufactures its products with recycled post-industrial waste, which reduces landfilled waste and saves energy.
- Many of Interface's products are fully recyclable or compostable, so at the end of their useable lives, they do not need to be landfilled.
- Interface has developed manufacturing processes that enable carpet to be manufactured using less material while improving its durability.
- The company offers a carpet reclamation program, in which Interface installs and cares for carpet (ensuring that waste is minimized and product life is maximized) and then, at the end of the carpet lifetime, removes and recycles or composts it.
- Interface continues to establish partnerships with its suppliers to encourage them to incorporate environmentally-sustainable practices in their manufacturing processes.
- As a partner in EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), Interface is reducing landfill methane emissions by developing a landfill gas direct use project.
- Interface is also a Partner in EPA's WasteWise and Climate Leaders programs.
Reducing GHGs Through Innovative Waste Management
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the 4th largest independent power producer in North America, has demonstrated its ability to meet the needs of customers while reducing its waste and GHG production. PSEG has proven that waste reduction efforts can be cost-saving, and even profitable. An EPA WasteWise partner since 1994, PSEG's waste reduction efforts have reduced its waste disposal by 500,000 tons and associated life-cycle GHG emissions by 52,476 MTCE. PSEG accomplished this reduction by setting goals and developing initiatives such as the ones below:
- By 2000, PSEG reduced company-wide carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels, while generating almost 2 million more megawatt hours than in 1990.
- PSEG consistently exceeded its goal of recycling 90 percent of all non-hazardous waste commodities. In 2002, it set – and exceeded – a new goal of 94 percent.
- PSEG's Resource Recovery Center seeks out ways to make use of its waste products. When desktop computers are replaced in PSEG facilities, the Resource Recovery Center refurbishes and sells or donates the old computers; reusing these computers extends their useful life and helps keep them out of landfills. For computers that cannot be refurbished, PSEG recovers the working components for reuse in other computers, and reclaims metals, plastics, and glass to be recycled. In 2002, PSEG extended the working life of 39 percent of its equipment while saving money. Since 1997, PSEG has removed 370 tons of computer equipment from the waste stream. The Resource Recovery Center also utilizes the by-products of PSEG's coal combustion. This material is sold for use as brownfield site remediation backfill, coal surface mine reclamation fill, dredge material for landfill closure capping, roadway ice and snow anti-skid product, and building material.
- PSEG has instituted an internal Buy Recycled Program. In 2002, PSEG spent $3 million on purchasing recycled-content office products and furniture equipment. Through this program, PSEG sends used toner cartridges back to the vendor for reuse or recycling, and then purchases refilled or refurbished cartridges. Besides reducing waste, PSEG's cartridge purchase program has saved the company $400,000 in the past 5 years.
- In addition to WasteWise, PSEG is also a partner in EPA's Climate Leaders program.
Leading the Way in Reducing Waste-Related GHGs
General Motors (GM) has established itself as an industry leader in tackling its waste-related GHG emissions. Through its partnership in EPA's WasteWise and Climate Leaders programs, GM has reduced its generation of targeted wastes by 35 percent between 1998 to 2002. These waste reduction efforts reduced the company's GHG emissions by more than 1.2 MTCE. GM has reduced its waste-related GHG emissions in part through the following actions:
- GM was instrumental in the development of Resource Management (RM), a strategy to improve source reduction, recycling, and recovery through financial incentives.
- GM was a founding member of the Suppliers
Partnership for the Environment. This
trade association provides a forum for automotive manufacturers and suppliers
to share knowledge, tools, and technical expertise regarding waste minimization
in manufacturing processes.
- GM is increasing the recycled content of many automotive parts, such as headliners, door trim, instrument panels, bumpers, seats, and exterior moldings. These parts now contain recycled material from carpet, soda bottles and bottle caps, wiring, and tires.
- GM aims to increase its recycling rates by an additional 15 percent by 2005.
- GM reduced its generation of non-recyclable waste by 54 percent.
- In 2002, GM saved $180 million due to recycling efforts.
Linking Climate and Waste in Canada
EPA research has laid the foundation for waste-related GHG mitigation in other countries, such as Canada. Building upon the wealth of research conducted by EPA on the life-cycle impacts of waste management, Canada’s environmental protection agency (Environment Canada) is implementing its own waste-related research and GHG mitigation strategies. Recent efforts include:
- Research investigating the GHG impacts of various waste management practices.
- Development of outreach materials to educate federal, provincial, and local officials, as well as the public. These outreach materials include a brochure titled “Waste Management and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada” and several public service announcements.
- Development of the report Determination of the Impact of Waste Management Activities on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The analyses included in this report reflect the full life-cycle impact of solid waste management, including emissions associated with acquiring the raw materials, extracting and processing the fuels used to power manufacturing processes, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality
Contributing to State Climate Change Planning Efforts
EPA provided technical assistance to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) in the use of WARM and the emission factors described in Solid Waste
Management and Greenhouse Gases: A Life-Cycle Assessment of Emissions and Sinks. The
Oregon DEQ used EPA’s emission factors and the WARM model to quantify the
potential GHG benefits of waste management activities. These estimates were then
used as part of a state initiative to develop realistic GHG reduction targets
for Oregon. EPA’s factors assisted the state in considering waste-related
emissions reductions and the potential contribution of the waste sector in meeting
those targets. The dialogue between EPA and DEQ was also beneficial to EPA because
Oregon’s analysis illuminated improvements and data that could be used
to refine WARM and the underlying life-cycle emission factors.
On March 25, 2004, the U.S. Climate Partnership Association (USCPA) hosted the workshop Creative Supply Chain Partnerships: An Integrated Triple E Approach. Attendees included representatives from GM, Interface, Ford, Alcan, Dow, Climate Neutral Network, EPA, DOE, and other companies.
The purpose of this workshop was to share information on how leading companies were implementing an integrated Environment, Energy, and Economic (Triple E) approach to develop successful supply chain partnerships. Workshop participants learned about creating valuable supply chain partnerships, overcoming structural barriers, and building institutional support. Attendees discussed case studies on BP and Interface's Cool Fuel program,
GM
and Alcan's aluminum
substitution projects, and
Dow Bio-Products' WOODSTALK strawboard
product. These innovations are examples of companies successfully establishing
partnerships within their supply chains to help reduce GHG emissions.