1. The Transformation of Recycling and Consumer Markets…. in Five Years….
Jack Buffington June 23, 2016

2. But first, what’s broken…

3. What’s Broken….Recycling Facts
U.S.
Sweden
Mexico
Total Waste
222.9 mm tons
(.7 ton/capita)
4.5mm tons
(.46 ton/capita)
36.7mm tons
(.3 ton/capita)
Waste Management Approach
54.3% landfilled
13.6% incinerated
23.8% recycled
8.3% composted
0-1.4% landfilled
49.4% incinerated
35.4% recycled
13.8% composted
96.7% landfilled
3.3% recycled
Recycling Rates
Aluminum 55-67%
Glass 15-30%
PET 12-15%
Regulations in 10 states
Aluminum 68.1%
Glass 92.1%
PET 26%
National Regulations
Aluminum 95%
Glass 55%
Some Regulations
Other
Largest consumer market
Plenty of landfill space
National supply chain
“Happy Cup Fallacy” recycling
“Lagom” consumer market
“Zero Waste” nation
“Recycling in our blood”
Growing consumer markets
Commodity based recycling

4. What’s Broken…. This is a false choice… Or Growth Through Waste
Markets grow through disposable goods.
Packaging waste is big business ($170 billion) U.S. market.
Environmental solutions cost too much.
Landfilling is cheap; let people choose to recycle or not. Or
Sustainability Through Impacting Growth
Finite natural resources means consumer growth must slow/stop.
Eliminate waste AND growth.
World cannot sustain everyone living at a higher level.
Regulate/mandate consumption to save the environment.
This is a false choice…

5. What’s Broken….the Supply Chain
2) Consumer Markets
1) Non-Renewable Resources
4) Growth
Through
Waste
3) Limited
Closed
Loop
Loss of Value to Environment and Economy……

6. Now, the Transformation…..

7. Bottle to Bottle Recycling in Five Years…
1) PET Waste
2) Efficient Deconstruction
3) Original Feedstocks
(MEG, TPA, etc.)
4) PET plastic bottle
100% reuse and no plastic waste to environment……

8. Longer Term – Organic Circular Supply Chain
1) Bio-Materials
2) Natural Construction
Reuse
5) (Organic) Waste
Back to Environment
4) Natural De-Construction
3) Consumer Markets
Additive Value to Environment and Economy……

9. So, what’s your future?

10. Thanks/Ta Sa Mycket… (How to Connect..)
Jack Buffington, Ph.D.
@jbuffi1 (Twitter)
Book: “The Recycling Myth: Disruptive Innovation to Improve the Environment”