Up to Date in KC

After years of trying, recycling has come to Kansas City. Veteran recycler George Baggett provides the story.

Zero Waste Implementation Plan for the County of Hawai'i

The County of Hawai'i (a.k.a. Big Island), having signed a Zero Waste resolution in December 2007, has taken extraordinary steps toward sustainable resource management. Hawai'i has designated areas for green material composting and Fats, Oils and Grease processing to liquid fuels. The Big Island is also considering a plan for new rules that will create additional resource recovery parks, mulch and compost facilities, reuse and repair facilities, a phase out of organics going to landfills, and more. Here is the recently completed Zero Waste Implementation Plan, requested by the County Council and completed by Richard Anthony Associates, Hidden Resources and ILSR in March 2009.

Read the full report (PDF)

Resource Management in the State of Delaware

ILSR's 2007 Report to the Delaware State Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) presents an approach for changing solid waste management to resource management in this small Mid-Atlantic state. ILSR recommends a surcharge to finance infrastructure development for the public and private sectors. The $6 per ton surcharge would raise $20 million in 6 years. The surcharge would then sun set. ILSR identifies the following priority sectors for investment:

• Infrastructure for cities and private companies
• Managers (college and university credited programs)
• Public awareness and education
• Technical assistance and administration

ILSR concludes that such an investment program will allow the state to reach a 75% diversion goal through recycling and composting.

Read the full report

Stop Trashing the Climate

Released to coincide with the UN's World Environment Day on June 5th, this report documents the link between climate change and unsustainable patterns of consumption and wasting. The study dispels myths about the climate benefits of landfill gas recovery and waste incineration, outlines policies needed to effect change, and offers a roadmap to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within a short period. Co-authored by ILSR, the Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA) and Eco-Cycle, Stop Trashing the Climate concludes that reducing waste disposed in landfills and incinerators can have climate benefits equivalent to removing 21% of U.S. coal-fired power plants.

Press Release - Exec. Summ. - Full Report

More at www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org

Read our article on Stop Trashing the Climate from BioCycle magazine (PDF)

New SustainablePlastics.Org web page launched

ILSR's new Sustainable Plastics web site describes problems with conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics and provides information on a new generation of biobased plastics that could take their place. We'd like your feedback. Please email sustainableplastics@ilsr.org.

New Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative Formed

The Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (SBC) is a network of organizations working together to spur the introduction and use of biomaterials that are sustainable from cradle to cradle. The Collaborative seeks to advance the development and diffusion of sustainable biomaterials by creating sustainability guidelines, engaging markets, and promoting policy initiatives.

The SBC principles, key documents, resources and a list of the current 14 organizations that comprise the Collaborative, are available at www.sustainablebiomaterials.org.

On-Going Technical Assistance Programs

ILSR coordinates two technical assistance programs available to community development groups, environmental organizations, local government agencies and small businesses involved in (1) developing alternatives to garbage incinerators planned for their communities, or (2) developing building deconstruction enterprises and community economic development.

For details contact Neil Seldman: nseldman@ilsr.org; (202) 898-1610 ext 210.

New Deconstruction Network Formed

Three deconstruction organizations have joined ILSR in establishing a network to share information, contacts and start up/expansion expertise. They are Second Chance, Baltimore; Dynasty Deconstruction, Cleveland; and The Reuse People, San Francisco.

For details see ILSR's updated Deconstruction Project web page.

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