Zero Waste Alliance

Industrial Ecology a path to Sustainability

October 16, 1999 Larry Chalfan

Zero Waste Alliance

Contents
The Need History Industrial Ecology Tools of Industrial Ecology Benefits

Zero Waste Alliance

The Need
It is widely accepted that mankind's current interaction with nature cannot be sustained. Nature's productive ability is declining; - Farmland, oceans, forests Pollution is constantly increasing and - Pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals Population is growing by 90 million people per year. - 3B in 1960, 6B in 2000, 9-10B in 2050 The potential for our grandchildren to live good lives is diminishing. We must begin to move to an economically and environmentally efficient economy Our current approach where environmental issues are seen as overhead has been helpful, but inadequate Environmental issues must become part of our strategic goals, central in our decision processes
3

Zero Waste Alliance

Natural Cycles
Energy Input No Waste Heat Loss

Materials from the Crust

Materials to the Crust

4

Zero Waste Alliance

Natural Cycles + Society

Heat Loss

Energy Input

Resources From Nature

Wastes, Pesticides Etc., to Nature Efficiency Must be Optimized

5

Extraction of Hazardous Materials

Materials from the crust

Materials to the crust

Zero Waste Alliance

The Funnel:
Coming Constraints
Availability
Environmental Degradation Natural Resource Shortages Declining Fisheries Falling Water Tables Increasing Pollution

Business Choices

? Sustainable
Energy Demand Economic Growth Technology Affluence Rising Energy Costs, Population Growth Raw Material Costs,

Restoration

Demand = P x A x T

Disposal Costs and New Regulations

TIME

Zero Waste Alliance

History of Industrial Ecology

The term Industrial Ecology was first used about 1970 In the 1990s the awareness of our environmental problems and the need for a system view emerged During the 1990s supporting tools were developed Articles and books since 1994 have begun to formalize the field

Zero Waste Alliance

Industrial Ecology
The means to rationally approach and maintain a desirable carrying capacity with continuing economic evolution Industrial systems are viewed in concert with natural systems, not as separate from them A systems view to optimize the total materials cycle, from raw materials through manufacturing and use to final disposal The focus is on optimizing use of resources, energy and capital throughout the system

Zero Waste Alliance

Today

Waste

Waste

Waste

Waste

Waste

Waste Transportation

Raw Material Processing

Transportation

Manufacturing

Transportation

Consumer Use

Waste Transportation Waste

Waste Extraction

Waste

Waste

Waste

Waste

Waste End of life

Zero Waste Alliance

The Work to be Done

Raw Material Processing Transportation Extraction

Transportation

Manufacturing

Transportation

Consumer Use Transportation End of life

10

Zero Waste Alliance

The Ideal

Transportation

Raw Material Processing

Transportation

Manufacturing

Transportation

TransConsumer Use End of life portation

Minimum Extraction

11

Zero Waste Alliance

Concepts & Tools

System View of all activities Material and Energy flows studies (Industrial Metabolism) Dematerialization and Decarbonization Extended Producer Responsibility (Product Stewardship) Eco-efficiency The Natural Step Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) Life Cycle Analysis Design for the Environment Supply Chain Management Eco-Industrial Parks
12

Zero Waste Alliance

Progressive Changes in a Company

Compliance

Environment
N

Sustainability (The Natural Step)

(ISO 14001)

13

Zero Waste Alliance

IEEE Definition of Industrial Ecology

Industrial Ecology is the objective, multidisciplinary study of industrial and economic systems and their linkages with fundamental natural systems. It incorporates, among other things, research involving energy supply and use, new materials, new technologies and technological systems, basic sciences, economics, law, management and social sciences. Although still in the development stage, it provides the theoretical scientific basis upon which understanding, and reasoned improvement of current practices can be based. Oversimplifying somewhat, it can be thought of as the science of sustainability. It is important to emphasize that industrial ecology is an objective field of study based on existing scientific and technological disciplines, not a form of industrial policy or planning system.

FromWhite Paper on Sustainable Development and Industrial Ecology issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
14

Zero Waste Alliance

References
Allenby, B. R., Industrial Ecology - Policy Framework and Implementation, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Graedel, T. E. and Allenby, B. R., Industrial Ecology Yale University, Journal of Industrial Ecology

15

Zero Waste Alliance

Contact:
Larry Chalfan Executive Director One World Trade Center 121 S.W. Salmon St., Ste 210 Portland, OR 97204 Tel: 503-279-9383 Fax: 503-279-9381 lchalfan@zerowaste.org www.zerowaste.org

Zero Waste Alliance

16