The RCC A Study in Innovation

1
The RCC A Study in Innovation

• Georgina M. Guernica
• Office of Solid Waste, RCC Team
• June 21, 2005
• Multi-State Work Group

2
Background

• Subtitle D encourages sound solid waste
  management practices with the intent of
  maximizing the reuse of recoverable material and
  resource recovery state and local governments
  are the primary entities for the management of
  this waste
• Includes municipal solid waste and industrial
  non-hazardous waste (pulp paper, iron steel,
  electric power, inorganic chemicals, etc.)
• Subtitle C ensures hazardous waste is managed
  safely from generation to final disposal
  cradle to grave regulatory program
• So far, have focused on hazardous waste
• Built the cradle-to-grave system
• Permits for facilities largely issued
• Corrective action focused on high priority sites

3
Inefficient Materials Management (Cradle to
Grave)
Design and Manufacturing
Material Inputs
Material Processing
Safe Disposal Management
Material Outputs
Stocks
Releases Emissions
4
Unfinished Business of RCRA

• RCRA Sec. 1002(c)
• Millions of tons of recoverable materialare
  needlessly buried each year
• Recovery and conservation of such materials can
  reduce the dependence of the US on foreign
  resources
• Solid waste represents a potential source of
  solid fuel.that can be converted into energy
• The need exists to develop alternative energy
  sources
• Technology exists to produce usable energy from
  solid waste.

5
Efficient Materials Management (Cradle to
Cradle)
Reuse
Pollution Prevention
Material Processing
Safe Disposal Management
Material Outputs
Stocks
Waste Minimization
Recycle
6
The RCRA Picture
7
RCC Goals

• Three overarching conservation goals
• Prevent pollution and promote recycling and reuse
  of materials
• Reduce the use of priority chemicals at all life
  cycle stages
• Increase energy and materials conservation
• Managing material streams instead of waste
  streams reduce, reuse, recycle

8
Current Areas of Focus Four National Priority
Areas

• The four current National Priority Areas are
• Achieving 35 Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste
• Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials
• Priority and Toxic Chemical Reductions
• Electronics
• Developed a RCC 2005 Action Plan laying out how
  well make progress in these areas and a RCC
  Strategic Plan that sets forth longer term goals
• See www.epa.gov/rcc

9
RCC Challenges

• Voluntary Partnership program vs. Regulatory
  program
• Relying on volunteers from industry
• Working with retailers as well as manufacturers
• During tight budget times, states more inclined
  to focus on regulatory obligations first funding
  concerns
• Obtaining Results
• Important to show progress to garner continued
  funds
• Need access to data to establish baselines from
  which to measure improvements and show continued
  benefits
• Have to obtain ICR or ask 9 or fewer entities for
  information

10
RCC Challenges

• Regions waste work organized around focus on
  cradle to grave
• Need to change accountability structure to
  sustain shift to cradle to cradle
• Materials management approach is cross media
• Have made substantial progress in enhancing the
  RCC through close collaboration with the Office
  of Pollution Prevention Toxics

11
Questions

• What motivates companies to participate in an EPA
  voluntary program?
• Sound economic reasons exist to reuse and reduce,
  including lower costs and energy savings
• Publicity as good environmental stewards
• What do potential participants view as
  appropriate roles for EPA Headquarters, Regions
  and the states?

12
Questions

• What ideas do you have relating to working with
  us on the 4 National Priority Areas we have
  selected?