NRC Climate Change Initiative

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NRC Climate Change Initiative

• Realizing the value of recycling in a
  carbon-constrained world.

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THE STATE OF RECYCLING
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THE STATE OF RECYCLING

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BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
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WHY?

• BEHAVIOR
• ACCESS
• MARKETS
• POLITICAL WILL
• RESPONSIBILITY
• INVESTMENT

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SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

• WHY RECYCLING MATTERS
• AVOIDS CARBON EMISSIONS FROM RAW MATERIALS
  EXTRACTION
• AVOIDS CARBON EMISSIONS FROM MATERIALS AND
  PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
• SUSTAINS FOREST SEQUESTRATION
• AVOID CARBON EMISSIONS FROM WASTE DISPOSAL
  (METHANE AND CO2)
• REUSES CARBON INDEFINITELY (PLASTICS)

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EPA MODEL (WARM)
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THE POWER OF NUMBERS

• GHG EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS FROM RECYCLING
• MATERIAL per ton EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
• ALUMINUM CANS 15.07 MTCO2E
• PET 1.55 MTCO2E
• OCC 2.60 MTC02E
• COMPOST 0.20 MTCO2E
• MIXED PAPER 2.47 MTC02E
• MIXED PLASTICS 1.51 MTC02E
• MIXED REC 2.80 MTCO2E
• Source EPA WARM Model

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY PROPOSALS ON CLIMATE
  CHANGE ARE NOT RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF RECYCING

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OUR CHALLENGE

• EDUCATE POLICY MAKERS
• EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
• PROVIDE A TECHNICAL FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

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OUR GOAL

• TO STIMULATE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND
  INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
  DEVELOPMENT AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL.

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• THE NRC CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN

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ACTION PLAN

• POLICY EDUCATION
• PUBLIC EDUCATION
• TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

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POLICY EDUCATION

• GOAL
• Educate policy makers on the impact on carbon
  emissions of residential, commercial, and
  industrial recycling rates in the U.S.

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PUBLIC EDUCATION

• GOAL
• Educate the public on the impact of personal
  recycling behavior on climate change.

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TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

• GOAL
• Provide the technical basis for establishing
  value for the carbon emissions reductions
  associated with increased volumes of recycled
  materials.

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POLICY EDUCATION

• INFORMATION TOOLS
• - LEGISLATORS (ARD)
• - FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL OFFICIALS
• ALLIANCES
• - RECYCLING COMMUNITY
• - AND BEYOND

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PUBLIC EDUCATION

• MEDIA CAMPAIGN REBRANDING, ARD, PSA, NRC
  RESOURCES
• TOOL KITS
• MEMBER/PARTNER ACTION PLAN
• - ROCs/CURC/CRC/IRC
• - Corporate Sponsors
• - Anyone who wants to help

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TECHNICAL PROGRAM

• ESTABLISH SCIENTIFIC LEGITIMACY
• DEVELOP METRICS AND PROTOCOLS
• TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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WHY?

• MEASURE AND CERTIFY EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
  ASSOCIATED WITH RECYCLING INITIATIVES
• FOUNDATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN CARBON TRADING
  PROGRAMS OR OTHER INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
• ASSIST VOLUNTARY EFFORTS

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WHO?

• ALL OF US!

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WHEN?

• NOW!