Instead, a circular economy looks towards an approach that keeps materials in the loop for as long as possible, and local waste management systems must start catering for this shift. The values behind this vision are, in essence, that of a circular economy, which moves away from the “take-make-consume-throw away” economic pattern that the current waste management system caters for. The organizations stated vision is: “A world without waste where materials are valued and continually utilized for their highest and best purpose, without causing harm to human health and the environment.” SWEEP is a US-based voluntary environmental performance standard for municipal waste programs and the service providers who support these programs. Source: rts.com What is SWEEP Certification? However, up until now, a major hurdle to creating a better waste management process has been the lack of a standardized definition or set of principles for sustainable waste management, which is where the SWEEP certification comes in. Even then, recycling can only help so much, with many champions of sustainable waste management now pushing for a reduction in waste rather than simply focussing on post-collection recovery. The system as it stands is clearly inefficient when it comes to waste reduction and recovery, with the USA having a municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rate as low as 35%. The final destination of this solid waste will generally be: Here, waste is aggregated before being sent to its final destination using larger forms of transport such aslarge trucks, trains and barges. While waste can sometimes be transported directly to its final destination, more often it is transported to a Transfer Station. This is done by local governement trucks or private service providers. Waste is collected from homes and businesses in small trucks designed to navigate towns and cities. The current waste management process has changed little over the past few decades, and can, essentially, be broken down into three main steps: 1. However, before we look at how SWEEP intends to help improve the solid waste management process, it’s important to have an idea of how that process works. In an attempt to clarify this situation with actionable and verifiable goals, one of the founders of LEED, Rob Watson, has developed the SWEEP certification. However, without a clear view of what sustainable waste management actually means, it is very hard to set a path towards it. Left unchecked, this level of waste production will continue to have negative environmental, social, and financial impacts, which is why sustainable waste management is so important. This, at a time when there are increasing calls for waste-reduction strategies and a more sustainable economy. Dairy Digester Research and Development ProgramĬDFA's Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.The US generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018 alone, which equates to around 4.9 pounds per person per day.
Currently, eligible practices for funding through AMMP include: pasture-based based management solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure. Alternative manure management practices involve handling manure in ways that don't involve using an anaerobic digester. Alternative Manure Management ProgramĬDFA's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. On farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices.
The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects. The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands.