Recycling finding its way into decarbonization plans

HDR, an Omaha, Nebraska-based architecture and engineering firm, says research it has conducted has found hundreds of “waste actions” in the climate action plans of 20 large North American cities.

HDR says its research project discovered more than 300 waste- and recycling-related actions in the 20 climate action plans. The study, led by Kate Bartelt and Kevin De Lange of HDR, reviewed climate action plans from cities and counties that included Toronto, Minneapolis and Milwaukee.

“Embedding waste management strategies into regional decarbonization plans is pivotal for long-term climate resiliency,” says Bartelt, a senior waste/environmental project manager with HDR. “Until we reach a zero-waste society, waste has to be managed.”

The research found that 70 percent of the actions identified fell into three categories: source reduction and reuse; recycling; and organics management. HDR calls the three “key components of the waste management hierarchy.”

HDR is hosting a webinar tied to the topic in January. The “Hundreds of Waste Opportunities Revealed in North American Climate Action Plans” webinar has been scheduled for Jan. 24 at noon Central time. 

HDR has more than 11,000 employees in more than 200 locations offering engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services.