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Moving Toward Beyond Waste with Industries

Introduction

The goal of the Industries Initiative is to maintain or strengthen the economic vitality of Washington State’s industries at the same time we reduce wastes and the use of toxic materials, and increase the use of recyclable materials. This requires cooperation and partnerships between Ecology and industry.

To date, business and government have made great strides together in reducing waste generation and improving waste management. However, there are still many opportunities to foster business competitiveness and protect human health and the environment.

Redesigning processes and products will reduce costs for industry, lessen the need for government regulation, improve conditions for workers, and improve the environment. Use of more efficient production methods for goods and services will position Washington businesses as leaders. This will increase the ability of Washington’s businesses to sell to other national and international firms that already use such practices and require their suppliers to do the same. Ultimately, this will enhance the state’s economy.

For the purposes of this initiative, the term “industries” includes the sectors of Washington’s economy (public agencies as well as private companies) that produce goods and services for businesses and citizens. Industrial activity generates a significant portion of the solid waste and most of the hazardous waste in Washington. Managing these wastes costs Washington industries millions of dollars each year.  If this initiative is successful, Washington’s industries will greatly reduce these costs, making them more competitive.

According to the Worldwatch Institute, the industrial contribution to the overall waste stream is quite large.  For every garbage can of waste someone puts on the curb, the manufacturing process upstream made 70 garbage cans of waste. The vast majority of that manufacturing waste is solid waste; however some of it is hazardous waste as well.

This initiative also focuses on reducing and even eliminating the use of hazardous substances, such as toxic chemicals, in Washington’s industrial processes. The risk from toxic chemicals begins when they are first used, not when they become a waste. Hazardous wastes are difficult to recycle. In addition, hazardous substances used in manufacturing often result in hazardous substances in the products themselves. These products carry with them an environmental and sometimes public health risk before, during, and after their use.

We selected this initiative as one of the keys to Beyond Waste for three main reasons:

1. Significantly reducing wastes and hazardous substances from Washington industries should, over time, increase competitiveness with out-of-state businesses and strengthen the state economy.



2. Industry generates most toxic wastes in the course of providing consumer products and services.  These wastes are costly to manage and pose high risks to human health and the environment.



3. Many Washington industries already have working relationships with Ecology staff, especially through the pollution prevention planning program.  These well-established relationships will be springboards for working together to reduce waste and increase competitiveness for businesses.
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