Chapter 6: Conclusion
The 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.
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