Implementing SMM Globally Sustainable materials management

1 implementing smm globally

1.1 organization economic cooperation , development (oecd)
1.2 united nations environment programme (unep)
1.3 united states environmental protection agency (us epa)

implementing smm globally
the organization economic cooperation , development (oecd)

the organization economic co-operation , development (oecd) formed in 1960 , comprising 35 member countries including united states, canada, mexico, japan , 23 countries in european union, works foster economic prosperity , end poverty promoting economic growth , financial stability governments around world while taking account implications economic , social growth have on environment.

since 1980s, oecd has worked promote policies prevent, reduce , manage waste in ways mitigate environmental impacts. has become clear on time increasing economic activity , materials consumptions calls systematic materials based approach managing waste, 1 seeks incorporate materials manufacturing process @ end of life, in commonly referred “cradle cradle” approach materials management opposed traditional “cradle grave” waste management approach. around 2001 oecd began address many countries’ interest in viewing waste resource can used inputs new products , many countries , governments have begun adopting sustainable materials management policies.

in 2012, oecd put out green growth policy brief on sustainable materials management. in define smm as

“…an approach promote sustainable materials use, integrating actions targeted @ reducing negative environmental impacts , preserving natural capital throughout life-cycle of materials, taking account economic efficiency , social equity”.

the oecd working definition includes following notes on definition of smm:

materials” include extracted or derived natural resources, may either inorganic or organic substances, @ points throughout life-cycles.
“life-cycle of materials” includes activities related materials such extraction, transportation, production, consumption, material/product reuse, recovery, , disposal.
an economically efficient outcome achieved when net benefits society whole maximized.
a variety of policy tools can support smm, such economic, regulatory , information instruments , partnerships.
smm may take place @ different levels, including firm/sector , different government levels. smm may cover different geographical areas , time horizons.

the united nations environment programme (unep)

sustainable production , consumption (unep)

sustainable resource management (unep)

the united states environmental protection agency (us epa)

the epa has adopted sustainable materials management regulatory framework managing materials. in june 2009 epa put out report functioned road map smm in u.s. titled sustainable materials management - road ahead 2009 - 2020. in report, epa defines smm as

“... approach serving human needs using/reusing resources productively , sustainably throughout life cycles, minimizing amount of materials involved , associated environmental impacts”.

the resource conservation , recovery act (rcra) sets legislative basis ssm in united states, establishing preference resource conservation on disposal. in 2010, office of resource conservation , recovery shifted focus resource recovery efforts adopt broader sustainable materials management approach. new approach includes 2 original waste management mandates of rcra: 1) protect human health , environment waste , 2) conserve resources, , adds in 3 additional goals: 1) “reduce waste , increase efficient , sustainable use of resources”, 2) “prevent exposures humans , ecosystems use of hazardous chemicals” 3) “manage wastes , clean chemical releases in safe, environmentally sound manner”.

in 2015 epa published report epa sustainable materials management program strategic plan fiscal years 2017 – 2022. five-year plan focus on 3 strategic initiatives:

other areas epa focus on include sustainable electronics management, life-cycle assessment, measurement, , international smm collaboration.