The Adjacent Possible

Transcription

1 The Adjacent Possible Emerging Interest in Food Scraps by WRRFs [formerly known as Wastewater Utilities] New York Federation Conference Sagamore Hotel Lake George May 2016

2 Kendall Christiansen Principal, Gaia Strategies public affairs + environmental business Founding Assistant Director, NYC s Recycling Program (1989) Chair, NYC s Citywide Recycling Advisory Board Senior Consultant InSinkErator (U.S. + Canada) Manager, NYC Chapter, NW&RA 2

3 The Journey Three epiphanies Two memes One theme Policy implications 3

4 Three Epiphanies Food scraps - liquid, not solid WRRFs not POTWs or WWTPs Renewable feedstocks unique challenges 4

5 Two Memes Banana Peel: My real-world choices what should I do with my banana peel, or melon rinds? Food fights: growing competition over reliable access to high-quality feedstocks 5

6 Theme: Adjacent Possible Good ideas are built out of a collection of existing parts Ideas want to reinvent themselves by crossing conceptual borders Best served by connecting than protecting ideas Build inter-agency collaboration 6

7 Epiphany #1 Solid, or Liquid? Answer: 70% water 1992: NYC s first major SWMP included aggressive organics goal; DSNY asked DEP for help legal, mandates, incentives 1995: City Council demanded pilot; three apartment complexes; 200 units 1997: DEP report de minimis impacts; legalized household in-sink food waste disposers citywide 7

8 Epiphany #2 - Rebranding NACWA (National Association of Clean Water Agencies) WEF (Water Environment Federation) Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) Utilities-of-the-Future GOAL: Energy-Neutral/Positive Operations 8

9 Epiphany #3 Feedstocks Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Wave? Unlimited; no cost; residual-free; idiot-proof Biogas? Consistent, reliable sources Contamination/specifications Collection/delivery logistics EPR/Product Stewardship? Residuals management Markets engagement energy (on/off-site) Credit for MSW solution 9

10 What should I do with my banana peel?* *If I m concerned about global warming. Should I: Asked by Kendall from Brooklyn NPR All Things Considered June 2007 NBC s Today Show November 2007 Try to compost it in my backyard or worm bin? Put it in a garbage bag for collection in a truck headed to a landfill or waste-toenergy facility, or compost facility? Pulverize it in my food waste disposer and send it thru the sewer to a wastewater treatment plant for processing into clean water, fertilizer products and renewable energy?

11 Meme #2: Food Fights Food waste reduction Food waste recovery Competition over access 11

12 Theme: Adjacent Possible Good ideas are built out of a collection of existing parts Ideas want to reinvent themselves by crossing conceptual borders Best served by connecting than protecting ideas Build inter-agency collaboration 12

13 View from the Adjacent Possible WRRFs Co-Digesting Food 15 in U.S.; 50 Public-Private Partnerships Expand/Upgrade/Operate AD Surrey (BC)/OrgaWorld Biogas Feedstock Preparation On-site/Off-site 13

14 Beyond Waste: A Sustainable Materials Management Strategy (e) In Sink Food Scrap Disposers Many communities manage some food scraps in combination with biosolids by allowing or encouraging the use of kitchen sink food disposers or garbage disposals in both commercial and residential settings essentially, sending it to the local treatment facility along with other wastewater. Encouraging or requiring these garbage disposals in certain circumstances can further recycling goals. 14

15 Co-digestion in NY 15

16 Food Scrap-Dedicated AD Long Island Composting 6 MW Genesee Biogas 3 MV Commence Construction in

17 FWD Demonstration Projects Goal: Assess efficacy of in-sink disposers Research gap: effective use Philly, Chicago, Milwaukee, Tacoma, Boston, 500 disposers homes/apts. Waste audits/behavioral surveys 17

18 Philadelphia CleanKitchen/GreenCommunity Project Two neighborhoods/175 homes received first disposer Adopted Building Code Disposers required in residential construction (as of January 1, 2016)

19 Top-Line Results 100% use/participation 30-60% reduction in food scraps (20% still packaged) value - $100 +/- 19

20 Emerging Systems CORe (WM) (Centralized Organic Recycling equipment) 20

21 Emerging Systems G2E grind2energy.com 21

22 Elsewhere in the Region. Green Energy Facility New 24,000 SF facility will convert food that is no longer edible into clean energy. This keeps waste out of the waste stream and produces megawatts of electricity, providing up to 40% of the energy needed to run our 1.1 million square-foot distribution center in Freetown, MA 22

23 Elsewhere in the Region CT's first food recycler gets Southington nod Hartford Business Journal May 27,

24 Emerging Systems Mini/Micro On-Site Systems NYU Competes in Cuomo s $3M NYS REV Campus Challenge April 19, 2016 In developing NYUMicroAD, NYU aims to divert organic waste from landfills by turning table scraps into electricity and fertilizer with a high-impact, small footprint urban-scale biodigester 24

25 Biosolids DC Water Austin Water King County Calgary 25

26 Policy Implications Technology agnostic - all available tools Building codes Bans/Mandates CT, MA, RI turning the corner; multiple projects Feedstock Guarantees NYC/2-yr contracts On-site systems regulations in flux Digestate management local pre-emption 26

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28 Kendall Christiansen 28