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Baxter CVG Summary:
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Chapter 6: ConclusionThe purpose of this report was to demonstrate the potential economic and ecological benefits of a solid waste reduction program (SWRP). To accomplish this goal, a case study of Baxter Healthcare Corporation Cardiovascular Group’s solid waste reduction program was completed. By demonstrating the benefits of a SWRP in a "micro level" case study, such as the one put forth in this report, the "macro level" theory is supported. The "macro level" theory being that solid waste reduction programs are both ecologically and economically beneficial. Indeed, much evidence already exists to suggest that solid waste reduction programs are beneficial as previously suggested. The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has completed several case studies of companies that have had success with solid waste reduction programs (i.e., Hewlett Packard Reduces Waste, 1997). Furthermore, the CIWMB Waste Reduction Awards Program has awarded hundreds of companies for their success with solid waste reduction in California (CIWMB Waste Reductions Awards Program Database, 1998). Most of the case studies published by the CIWMB have been fairly brief two to three page summaries of what a company has done with a solid waste reduction program. This report offers more substantial information. First, a chronological analysis of CVG’s solid waste reduction program was completed (Chapter 3). This analysis demonstrated the progression of CVG's solid waste reduction program from the time of its inception to its current state, thereby documenting the evolution a solid waste reduction program. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis was completed (Chapter 4). This analysis clearly demonstrated the economic benefits of CVG’s solid waste reduction program by comparing the program’s costs to its benefits. Finally, an environmental impact analysis was completed (Chapter 5). Demonstrating such benefits as the number of trees saved, kilowatt-hours of electricity saved and pollution effluents prevented by the implementation of CVG’s solid waste reduction program. As this report demonstrated, from 1989 to 1996 CVG was able to reduce disposal by 957 tons per year. Through source reduction, composting and recycling activities, CVG was also able to achieve diversion rates as high as 59%. In doing this, CVG was able to save nearly $1.3 million per year in production and disposal costs. Thus, the economic benefits of CVG’s solid waste reduction program were demonstrated in this report. This report also demonstrated the ecological benefits of CVG’s solid waste reduction program. As a result of paper source reduction and recycling, 3865.6 trees, over 1.8 million gallons of water, 682.2 cubic yards of landfill space, and 1,058,018 kilowatt-hours of electricity were saved per year. Also, 1128 lbs. of pollution effluents were prevented per year. As a result of plastic source reduction and recycling, nearly 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 5349 tons of raw materials (mostly water) were saved per year. In addition, 747 tons of air emissions, 6.6 tons of water emissions and 13.8 tons of solid waste were prevented per year. Thus, the ecological benefits of CVG’s solid waste reduction program were demonstrated in this report. Having demonstrated the economic and ecological benefits of CVG’s solid waste reduction program, what are the broader implications of these findings? One of the implications concerns U.S. disposal and diversion. If U.S. disposal and diversion rates were able to achieve similar levels to CVG’s achievements in solid waste reduction, then the results would be considerable. The EPA’s most recent figures indicate that U.S. disposal amounted to 208.1 million tons in 1995 with a diversion rate of 27% (U.S. EPA 1996, P.41). If this diversion rate were increased to as high as 50%, then an estimated 76 million additional tons per year of U.S. municipal solid waste would be diverted from disposal. If this 50% diversion rate was attained, potentially millions of cubic yards of landfill space, hundreds of millions of trees and billions of kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved. Thousands of tons of air and water pollutants could be prevented. Another implication concerns improving net profits for U.S. business. With landfill tipping fees on the rise, solid waste disposal has become a considerable cost to U.S. business. By reducing that cost, a company’s net profit is improved. As demonstrated in this report, CVG saves over $1.25 million annually from its solid waste reduction program. If more companies were to implement solid waste reduction programs, the amount of money saved could be substantial. The third implication involves a popular misconception that "a policy that is good for the environment is bad for the economy." As demonstrated in this report, solid waste reduction is both good for the environment and good for the economy. Solid waste reduction is one environmental policy that debunks conventional wisdom surrounding the environmental movement. Perhaps if more businesses were aware of this fact, there would be less apprehension when it comes to the implementation of an environmental policy. Thus, it is clear that solid waste reduction programs are an important aspect in improving the ecological and economic state of the United States and the world at large. If more companies were to implement effective solid waste reduction programs, not only the ecological benefits, but also the economic benefits would be substantial.
Last updated: October 03, 2002 Waste Reduction Technology http://www.wastereduction.org
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