Page 100 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

78 BENEFITS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND MINIMIZATION

the site, which can have very negative effects. This liquid can be treated in a similar man-
ner to sewage, and the treated water can then be safely released into the environment.
The Medical University of South Carolina reported that in 2003, recycling reduced
overall air emissions by 24.9 tons (excluding carbon dioxide and methane) and
reduced waterborne waste by 4.2 tons. By reducing air and water pollution and saving
energy, recycling offers an important environmental benefit: it reduces emissions of
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluoro-
carbons, that contribute to global climate change. Section 2.5 in the previous chapter
gives more detail on global warming. Recycling and composting reduce greenhouse
gas by

■ Decreasing the energy needed to make products from raw materials.
■ Reducing emissions from incinerators and landfills, which are the largest source of
methane gas emissions in the United States.
■ Slowing the harvest of trees, thereby maintaining the carbon dioxide storage benefit
provided by forests.

3.3 Economic Benefits

The economic benefits of waste minimization is often one of the key selling points
when promoting environmentally conscious initiatives to businesses. Other than regu-
latory compliance, the cost benefits from waste minimization can turn an environmen-
tal decision into a wise business decision that will increase an organization’s financial
statements. Often times, when promoting a solid waste minimization program to the
decision makers of an organization, the most influence benefits are the cost savings and
potential revenue generated from the program. Often, when the creation of a recycling
program is first discussed with management the first response is “we do not have a
budget for recycling.” This is far from the truth; the budget does exist and the starting
point is the funds that the company is currently paying for waste hauling and removal.
The systems approach to solid waste minimization explores cost-effective methods to
better utilize these funds and protect the environment. The three areas cost benefits are
usually derived from

1 Cost avoidance in solid waste hauling and disposal.
2 Cost savings in material purchases due to reuse and reduction.
3 Revenue generation from the sale of recyclable material.

Many organizations are surprised to learn that recycling and waste minimization
can make strong business sense. A common environmental adage is “become green to
make green.” The Business Waste Reduction Assistance Program at the University of
Toledo has identified over $3.1 million in annual savings for Northwest Ohio busi-
nesses in the 70 waste assessments that the program has completed. For example, at a
plastic manufacturer with 100 employees, approximately $16,000 in annual cost-benefits
were identified via increased plastic, paper, and cardboard recycling. The waste stream
amounts and revenues also cost-justified the purchase of a baling system.