13 Source Reduction

Dr. Yogalakshmi K. N

Objectives:

1.      To familiarize the definition of source reduction

2.      To understand the effects of source reduction

3.      To understand the source reduction planning

4.      To gain knowledge on the source reduction strategies

Source reduction is also known as waste prevention. The purpose of source reduction is to decrease the amount and toxicity of any material that requires management through prevention at the source of generation. Source is different from other solid waste management practice because it eliminates the need of waste management. Source reduction can be achieved by following the below mentioned routes.

• Reducing or eliminating the amount and toxicity of the material used in manufacturing and packaging sectors.
• Redesigning products to increase the life span, reusability and reparability.
• Encourage purchasing of those products that have minimum residual toxicity.
• Change the pattern of consumption and material usage in a way to minimize the amount and toxicity of waste generation.

1.0 Effects of source reduction

Source reduction possesses both economic and environmental advantages. It reduces the pollution load, minimizes the cost of waste management and disposal. Primarily, source reduction ends up in changing the composition of solid waste.

1.1 Economic benefits: As mentioned earlier, source reduction reduces the cost of solid waste management through reduction in quantity of waste, avoiding the purchase cost and generating revenue from resale of items. The substantial saving can be achieved when an item is repaired and reused. For example, use of reusable utensils and dishware will minimize or avoid the need of disposal products. Regular maintenance increases the life span of a product thereby minimizing the cost of disposal or replacement. Sometimes renting or sharing a material during an occasion avoids the purchase and disposal cost of particular item. For example, a computer that become outdated and does not serve the purpose of the owner can be leased to other companies who need them. Material exchange also helps in source reduction. Waste products of one industry can be used as a raw material for another. Example, in a garage the items that are not required are sold out to generate revenue. Many industries save money by reducing packaging material, minimizing waste generation during manufacturing process and using scrap materials in the manufacturing process. Paperless communication example, electronic mail reduces the usage of paper, minimizes paper manufacturing, reduces paper recycling cost and disposal cost.

1.2 Environmental benefits:

• Source reduction is associated with a number of environmental benefits.
• Reduces the requirement of natural resources Reduces the requirement of energy
• Minimizes the pollution
• Reduces the amount of waste sent to waste processing and disposal site Minimizes the green house gas emissions

Greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are generally released during the mining of raw materials, transport, manufacturing process and disposal of waste residue. For example, during the life span of paper, green house gases are emitted during cutting of trees, combustion of paper and disposal. The level of green house gas emissions from the waste material is very uncertain and hence cannot be quantified. Collection of beverage containers and water bottles and depositing them to the company will reduce litter and collection cost.

At certain times, the environmental benefits of source reduction show negative consequences. For example, using repaired old electronic appliances results in consumption of more energy. Likewise avoiding disposable items might increase the water usage for cleaning plates, cups and other utensils. Further it will also increase the organic and suspended solid load in the waste water. Life cycle assessment can help in determining the actual impact of solid waste management system on the environment.

1.3 Waste composition: The quantity and composition of solid waste is greatly determined by the habits of the community. Switching to lighter packing material or choosing a packing material that can be easily recycled will also result in changes in composition of waste. For example, source reduction in packaging industry: the weight of aluminum cans used in beverage packing is reduced by almost 502% in the last decades. Source reduction can also be done through material substitution. For example, the aluminum cans can be replaced with PET bottles.

2.0 Source reduction planning

To formulate an effective source reduction program, planning is very essential. A planner should have an idea about the following

• What needs to be reduced
• How much reduction needs to be achieved
• The methods of measuring the results of source reduction

An effective planning can be done under independent leadership, authority, adequate staffing and appropriate budget. An infrastructure is essential for supporting the source reduction program. The first step in planning includes formulation of a policy with clear definition of terms, source reduction means and its differentiation from recycling and other waste management options. The second step would be to set a goal and establish measurement strategies. These may help in evaluating the progress of the source reduction plan. Four steps are used to set up goals and establish measurement strategy.

1. Set up a source reduction goal with specification: Details of baseline year, target year, nature of reduction should be specified.
2. Formulate separate goals for the various generating sectors like, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional etc.; materials such as paper, glass, plastic, organics; products such as cardboard boxes, newspapers, glass bottles, cups etc.
3. Selection of measurement unit: The measurement unit that is to be used for source reduction program such as weight, volume, weight and volume are decided.
4. Selection of suitable measurement methodology: The success of source reduction is measured through waste audits, service, sales tracking and sampling.

2.1 Information required for measuring source reduction

Data on population, projection of population change, employment, index of economic activities, and waste generation from residential and commercial area should be collected to formulate a good source reduction plan. Communities should be aware about the type and nature of waste material that is disposed off.

2.2 Importance of waste composition

Realistic goals are set based on the knowledge of composition of the waste stream. The community should be aware of the composition of the waste to get a better idea about the materials to be targeted for the source reduction. Waste audit can be used to determine the composition of a material, product and generating sector. For example, yard waste when burned releases various types of compounds. Grass cycling and back yard composting can be done as a source reduction to minimize the problems associated with yard waste.

2.3 Administration and budget

The scope of Source reduction is very wide when compared to recycling and other disposal options. It involves resource management rather than waste management. It deals with producers, distributers, dealers and consumers. A successful source reduction plan can be drawn based on the decisions about the products and packaging materials used, their composition and the way they are used. Hence source reduction always requires skilled staff with a long term view about the use of materials in the society and changes to be brought for efficient resource utilization with minimum waste generation. Source reduction planning requires an adequate budget like any other conventional waste management option. However, it is not as costly as waste collection and processing. The cost is involved in data collection waste audit, technical assistant, education, equipment and legal issues. The expenditure cannot be incurred in the same budget year. A long term benefit can be attained through source reduction.

3.0 Strategies for source reduction

Source reduction is accomplished by a number of strategies; however EPA (environmental protection agency) has identified few examples:

• Reducing the amount of packaging material
• Reducing the amount of product
• Using packaging material that causes minimum damage/ spoilage to the product
• Increasing the life span of the product to extend or postpone its disposal through regular maintenance and repairing.
• Reusing existing material, products and packaging material. Example, reconditioning toner cartridges using two sides of paper, reusable bottles etc.
• Modifying or redesigning the product to reduce the quantity and toxicity of the material used
• Use of alternate materials example, substitute light materials in packing instead of heavier ones. Few examples of source reduction strategy applied in residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and construction and demolition sources are discussed below.

3.1 Residential

According to reports, around 55% to 65% of total municipal solid waste is generated from residential sector. Around 30%of waste generation can be minimized through source reduction practice. The consumer should be aware about the impact they create by generating solid waste and the measures they can undertake to have a positive impact.

• A consumer can purchase products in bulk to minimize the generation of packaging material waste. Consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables will minimize the transportation cost and preservatives used in eatables.
• Purchasing products with high durability and long period of warranty may extend the time of disposal of the product.
• Rechargeable batteries, reusable utensils can save money and waste disposal cost Reusing shopping bags and food containers can also result in source reduction
• Renting or leasing items can also reduce in waste generation. For example renting tools, lawn movers, leasing computers and many more.
• Using repaired appliances is also an example of green product use
• Grass cycling returns grass clipping to the lawn and henceforth minimizes the requirement of additional management or disposal
• Xeriscapping reduces the water usage while landscaping. It also generates less yard waste

TABLE 1 PURCHASING STRATEGIES FOR SOURCE REDUCTION

Large quantities of paper, cardboard, plastics, food waste, electronic waste and other hazardous waste are generated from commercial and institutional sources. Efficient use of paper, onsite food waste composting, use of reusable materials are few of the source reduction initiatives undertaken in commercial and institutional sources. The source reduction strategies used in commercial and institutional area can be classified into two main categories: changing procurement policies and modifying operations. Changes in procurement policies might reduce the amount of waste generation; encourage manufacturers to develop products and materials that generate less waste; and encourage recycled goods. The policy should be formulated to favour the purchase of more durable, less toxic, reusable, reparable and refillable products. Some options for waste reduction through procurement policy include:

• Suggesting companies to ship goods in reusable containers and take back the packaging material after shipment
• Purchasing goods with longer warranty period and service contracts
• Provide preference for using equipment on lease rather than purchasing them
• Encourage purchasing of items that can reduce use of paper, equipment and computer software that permit double side printing and faxing
• Providing incentives for reusable refillable and durable equipments
• The measures undertaken for source reduction during operation include:
• Offices with lawn can perform onsite composting of yard waste
• Educating employees to reduce the use of papers and favour double sided printing and photocopying. Sometimes great reduction in paper usage is achieved by minimizing the number of copies and increasing the intensity of its usage. Alternatives like e- mail, faxing, editing and careful proof reading while printing, necessary printing, and using scrap paper for short memos can also act as a strategies for reducing paper waste
• Using reusable plates and utensils can minimize waste from food service facilities. People can be encouraged by providing discounts for bringing their own plates and utensils. Sometimes they can be charged with additional cost for using disposable items
• Leasing computers can encourage manufacturers to produce easily upgradable computers. It also increases the responsibilities of the manufacturers to maintain and take back the systems. Sometimes donating computers to schools and non profit organization can also act as source reduction strategies.
• Reuse and refill packaging containers
• The packaging materials can be returned back to the company for reuse The product can be redesigned to minimize waste generation
• Instead of virgin materials other materials collected through material exchange programme can be used

TABLE 2 CONSUMERS STRATEGIES FOR SOURCE REDUCTION

Analyzing the waste generated from specific industry may help an individual to redesign the product and manufacturing process to minimize waste generation e.g. Identify that specific process that is involved in waste generation and plan the source reduction strategy accordingly to reduce reuse or avoid waste generating during the process. Most of the time substituting the material for the original one; reducing the weight of the material; marketing a product with minimum or no package; and producing a product that is more durable, reusable and repairable.

3.3 Construction and demolishing

Like municipal solid waste, construction and demolishing waste are increasing in recent times. Source reduction strategies that can be used to minimize construction and demolishing waste include;

• Plan construction in order to meets the requirements Used material with minimum or no toxicity
• Purchased building materials with minimum packaging Incorporate materials with extended life span
• Use reusable products
• Maximize the recovery of material during demolishing e.g. electrical circuits and plumbing material can be recovered and reused or recycled. Doors and windows can be refinished and can be used in new construction
• Salvaging material can be store in the water house and used in future

Summary

• To summarize, at the end of this module we have
• Defined source reduction Effects of source reduction Source reduction planning Source reduction strategies

References

• Tchnobanglous G and Frank Kreith (2002), Handbook of solid waste management, Mc Graw hill handbook publications.