DISPOSAL BANS & WASTE IMPORTS
Disposal Bans vs Recycling Goals
Disposal Bans, rather than 'recycling goals', are the best tools to end waste disposal and waste imports. Recycling goals do not stop waste disposal. Recyclables can end up in landfills and incinerators if there is no disposal ban in place. In addition, there is no effective way to enforce a recycling goal, whereas, enforcement officials are able to enforce disposal bans. As a political strategy, pursuing the implementation of a series of disposal bans has a better chance of success with the public acceptance, than attempting to pass a comprehensive state or federal solid waste plan.
Disposal Bans - Silver Bullets in the Trash Wars!
One of the most effective ways to control or eliminate out-of-state waste is to utilize "disposal bans." A disposal ban prohibits designated types of waste from landfills and incinerators. It must be comprehensive and non-discriminating in order to meet the criteria set by the federal courts.
If state "A" bans all yard waste for disposal, then no other state may dispose of its yard waste in state "A's" landfills or incinerators. The result is that one type of waste has been eliminated for disposal. The more types of waste a state bans for disposal, the fewer types of waste will be imported for disposal.
Disposal bans can vary from state to state. For example, many states ban lead acid batteries, hazardous waste, tires, yard waste, and other wastes. However, many of these bans are partial, not comprehensive. In order for disposal bans to affect waste imports, they must not allow for exceptions; otherwise waste exporting states could successfully challenge the ban in court.
Various strategies can be employed to implement and support disposal bans. A combination of return-for-deposit and producer-takeback laws have already been used for waste streams, such as food, drink, and other containers. Compost programs are appropriate for yard, food, and other organic waste. Minimum content laws for paper, glass, metal, and other waste streams can help guarantee markets for recyclables.
PROMOTING DISPOSAL BANS:Massachusetts, U.S.
Nova Scotia, Canada (use search engine to locate information on "disposal bans"...lots of it.
FOUR-STEP SOLUTION TO WASTE IMPORTS:
1. States could implement as many waste disposal bans as possible, as soon as possible. This will immediately impact waste imports (from other states and nations), making those states far less desirable dump sites. It is important to note that many states current disposal bans are only partial, such as Pennsylvania's alledged "yard waste" ban.
2. Develop a true state solid waste plan, per federal requirements, to maximize waste reduction and recycling. See: Public Law 89-272, 42 U.S.C., § 6941 - 6949.
3. Request the Department of Justice to compel the EPA to enforce the Sate Planning provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, or file a federal lawsuit against the EPA for same. This would compel states to maximize waste reduction and recycling, per the Act, thus reducing waste exports across the nation.
4. Call on the Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the import and export of disposal waste from foreign countries - an issue not addressed in the Solid Waste Disposal Act. See - Foreign Waste
'ZWA REPORTS' & NEWS ON WASTE IMPORTS: