Milwaukee Curbside Synergy Program

Thank you for inviting Bay Views' public participation in assessing Milwaukee Green Team goals and targets. The task of addressing current economic and environmental issues is extraordinary. Much credit should be given to Mayor Barrett’s office for taking on such a complex social project. I wish the project great success. 

The question here is what approach should be used to tackle the challenges of sustainability? What specific goals and targets should be pursued in order to improve the present and future “state” of Milwaukee’s economic and environmental health? 

Given a tentative list of sustainable goals and targets developed by Milwaukee’s Green Team, the public was asked to provide its input. We were invited to critically assess the preliminary goals and targets laid out by the sustainability team. We were asked to weigh in on certain parts of the plan and determine what we thought should be prioritized, what should be added, or what goals or targets should be taken out or deleted from the plan.

Of the targets set forth in the preliminary solid waste category, two ought to be prioritized, the establishment of a City led by product synergy program focused on manufacturing, and the establishment of a food waste diversion and composting program.  

First, let’s start with food waste diversion and composting as Milwaukee’s first priority. The idea of implementing a waste diversion and composting program is an excellent starting point in the overall sustainability plan. Milwaukee food waste accounts for approximately 10% of solid waste according to Waste Cap WI. With the establishment of local composting program much of that waste would become a resource for local food growers rather than an expense for city or private waste haulers.

The food waste and composting program may also benefit urban agriculture.  Industry leaders with a significant level of expertise may be positioned to serve the city in a variety of ways; as an educational resource for public and private schools, or as a collaborating contractor for urban developmental projects.  

Priority number two, a city led by product synergy program with an emphasis on manufacturing ties in nicely to the first. Once a food waste diversion system is in place the Green Team can then build non-compostable waste collection into the existing infrastructure. By establishing one solid waste collection system, others can easily be built in. By product synergy could be the first.  

By product synergy applies the principles of industrial ecology, in which companies work together to match unwanted by-products as resources for new products and processes. The best part about by product synergy is its demand for diverse skill sets. Artists, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, builders, and businesses can benefit from low cost, and even free, by-product materials for use in manufacturing. Not only does this increase domestic outputs, it also gives rise to an innovative and diverse population of workers and products. A win, win for Wisconsin.  

By product synergy, or the re-use of waste material to produce or manufacture new or even used products, is both economically and environmentally beneficial. The innovation of manufacturing high end products from waste also satisfies a social good.  Not only does this method promote inclusion, it also provides access to non-technical vocations such as artists, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Through the connection and establishment of local waste infrastructure, Milwaukee’s capacity to efficiently collect and process waste resources will increase. As capacity increases, resources increase. As resources increase, our ability to manufacture products at a competitive price should also increase.
 

I am optimistic that the Green Team can meet the economic and environmental goals and targets for solid waste. By connecting compost and non compostable waste into one solid stream, the city can operate an efficient collection and processing system. Using waste as a resource for compost and by product synergy for manufacturing, Milwaukee should be able to scale up its solid waste resources and expand operational capacity. Good Luck.

 Posted June 27, 2013