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Climate Change, Sustainability, and Waste
 In 2008 this year, a major (WRAP) report released in the UK reported on the options being considered for the disposal of UK wastes. Based on careful Life Cycle Analysis, the report concluded that wastes should be reduced, reused and recycled, rather than be incinerated or land-filled. What has this to do with Climate Change? – you ask.
The results are clear and positive. Burning and burying our wastes results in large releases of carbon dioxide and methane into the ‘commons’ of our atmosphere, thus promoting an increasing rate of Climate Change; re-using resources is more efficient, and results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s). Re-using the aluminium in drink cans is a great example: recycling avoids the mining of four tonnes of bauxite and overburden for each tonne of new aluminium, and after re-manufacturing the cans, the overall outcome is an energy saving of 70-90%. Re-use of gold is even more special, as it has been calculated that the manufacture of just one wedding band results in the production of more than 20 tonnes of waste ore and overburden. Re-use and recycling are simply fantastic!
The Zero Waste approach is demonstrably the best for sustainability, and applied correctly, can make a substantial contribution towards resolving the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. It starts with the design of a product, whether it is an appliance, a car, or our home; it ensures the best in production systems; and after minimising wastes throughout those stages, it ensures the proper management of any by-products or wastes. Residual wastes should be minimal. Click here or at the end of the page to find our viewpoint on Climate Change, waste minimisation, and the Waste Minimisation Act.
Here in New Zealand we are supposed to be “maintaining” our GHG emission levels at those of 1990, but already we have crept up at least 24% and we are still headed on a spiralling upward path.
What should we be doing? What can ‘I’ do to help resolve this problem? And how should I approach the problem of ‘food-miles’, ‘toy-miles’, ‘clothing miles”?
We believe there is a lot that can be done, starting with individuals, and with encouragement, getting action from both local and central government. We believe that action has to be taken on a broad front, and that technologies and practices exist today that will enable us to make a large and significant contribution.
At the heart of any solution is the need to reduce fossil fuel use – by actually reducing our energy use ( e.g. by reducing the number of our journeys), by increasing the efficiency of our energy use ( using more efficient transport modes such as walking or public transport), and by wasting less energy (such as turning appliances off at the wall, by installing solar hot water heating).
We have written a series of articles for your consideration, under the following headings:
Sustainability and Waste:
Click on titles above or at top right of this page to view.
This page was updated in December 2008.
See also
Sustainability and Waste – At home,
Sustainability and Waste – At work,
Sustainability and Waste – Out and About: Travel and Transport,
Sustainability and Waste - Green Gift Shopping
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