Request for Input on Zero Waste Hierarchy of Highest and Best Use

[Gary Liss]

Background

GAIA approached ZWIA last year to update the Zero Waste Hierarchy of Highest and Best Use 8.0 to:
a. reflect a more accurate scientific understanding of closed-loop systems.
b. Include stronger language with respect to the chemical processing of plastics for recycling in relation to unproven and misleading methods (primarily gasification and pyrolysis) which are commonly used to convert plastics to fuel and not convert plastics back into plastics.

Gary Liss, Chair of the ZWIA Zero Waste Certifications Committee, asked the Hierarchy working group to address the growing concern of poorly managed processing facilities and poorly regulated Chemical Recycling processes polluting surrounding communities getting beneficial treatment under permitting as manufacturing facilities rather than solid waste facilities.  

Jamie Kaminski, Chair of the ZWIA Hierarchy Working Group, asked that the Working Group review the guiding principle "Don’t Export Harm" as this principle does not allow for using existing well-managed facilities outside of a region to dispose of waste rather than going to local incinerators or landfills. This goes against policy 39 of the Zero Waste Hierarchy 8.0 ("Use existing landfill capacity and maximize its lifespan. Ensure it is responsibly managed.".)

Over the past year, the ZWIA Hierarchy Working Group reviewed these issues and developed some suggested edits to the Zero Waste Hierarchy 8.0.  Those suggested edits were reviewed by the ZWIA Zero Waste Certifications Committee, and then the ZWIA Board of Directors. 

Request

ZWIA would now like your review and comments on these suggested edits. Please insert "comments" for your recommended edits, including specific word changes.

Please review and comment on these suggested edits by July 1, 2024.

If you have any questions, please email me or Jamie Kaminski.

Thanks!

Gary

Gary Liss

916-335-1637 (cell)

garyli...@gmail.com