Conversion Technology Report to Legislature

AB 2770-Technical Evaluation Contracted with UC Riverside Contracted with UC Riverside Define and describe each conversion technology Define and describe each conversion technology Evaluate technical performance characteristics, feedstocks, emissions, and residues Evaluate technical performance characteristics, feedstocks, emissions, and residues Identify the cleanest, least polluting technologies Identify the cleanest, least polluting technologies

AB Lifecycle & Market Impact Assessment Contracted with RTI, International Contracted with RTI, International Describe and evaluate the life-cycle environmental and public health impacts of each conversion technology Describe and evaluate the life-cycle environmental and public health impacts of each conversion technology Compare to other solid waste management practices Compare to other solid waste management practices Describe and evaluate the impacts on the recycling and composting markets Describe and evaluate the impacts on the recycling and composting markets

CT Report to Legislature Definitions of CTs evaluated Definitions of CTs evaluated Description of lifecycle/public health impacts Description of lifecycle/public health impacts Description of technical performance Description of technical performance  Feedstocks, Emissions, Residues I.D. cleanest, least polluting CT I.D. cleanest, least polluting CT Description of market impacts Description of market impacts  Recycling  Composting

CT Report to Legislature Include discussion on diversion credit Additional studies to address data gaps Address comments beyond scopes of work

Summary of Contractor Recommendations UC Technical StudyLifecycle/Market Impact Study Revise “Gasification” definition.Update the study results with environmental, operating, and market data from actual facilities in California and US, as they become available. Formal vendor evaluation by neutral, third party Analyze regions with a wider variation in waste composition. Sponsor pilot-scale facility. Include steering committee Analyze other feasible conversion technologies Improve MSW characterizationAnalyze optimal conversion technology facility configurations Collect additional dataInvestigate the market impacts of handling other types of waste streams Create co-funding mechanismResearch conversion factors for plastics Explore “eco-park” conceptResearch the potential impact of exports to China on recycling markets Analyze small modular conversion technology facilities

Key Findings - LCA CTs result in large energy savings CTs result in large energy savings CTs showed lowest NOx production CTs showed lowest NOx production CTs produce lower carbon emissions CTs produce lower carbon emissions Lack of data for dioxin/furan and HAP assessment Lack of data for dioxin/furan and HAP assessment CTs would decrease amount landfilled CTs would decrease amount landfilled

Key Findings - MIA Net positive impact on glass, metal, plastic recycling due to pre-processing Net positive impact on glass, metal, plastic recycling due to pre-processing CTs will not increase/decrease paper recycling due to paper prices CTs will not increase/decrease paper recycling due to paper prices Impact of China market more dominant than potential CT development Impact of China market more dominant than potential CT development Source separated recyclables not likely to flow to CTs based on price Source separated recyclables not likely to flow to CTs based on price

Major Findings – MIA Diversion Credit Diversion Credit No negative impact on existing recycling/compost markets if diversion programs maintained No negative impact on existing recycling/compost markets if diversion programs maintained Negative impact on recycling/compost programs if diversion programs discontinued Negative impact on recycling/compost programs if diversion programs discontinued

Conclusions Definitions must be revised Definitions must be revised Scientific accuracy Scientific accuracy Clarification Clarification Data gaps exist Data gaps exist Source testing – but no facilities Source testing – but no facilities Visit existing facilities Visit existing facilities Develop research agenda Develop research agenda

Conclusions No single technology suitable No single technology suitable No single waste management practice can handle full array of material No single waste management practice can handle full array of material Technologies and practices can form part of IWM system Technologies and practices can form part of IWM system Revision of hierarchy may be necessary Revision of hierarchy may be necessary

Recommendations 1. Revise definitions Gasification Gasification Combustion Combustion Thermochemical Conversion Thermochemical Conversion Biochemical Conversion Biochemical Conversion 2. Delete Transformation definition 3. Collection additional emissions data Establish research agenda Establish research agenda Work with CARB and other Cal/EPA agencies Work with CARB and other Cal/EPA agencies

Recommendations 4. Conduct research on China impact Demand for recycling materials Demand for recycling materials Include Department of Conservation Include Department of Conservation 5. Diversion credit for biochemical technologies should be considered

Issues To Consider Disposal vs. Manufacturing Disposal vs. Manufacturing Revised Hierarchy Revised Hierarchy Diversion Credit Diversion Credit