Speaker: Travis P. Wagner, University of Southern Maine
A key goal of sustainable materials management is to maximize the use and reuse of materials more productively over their entire lifecycles and in part by minimizing disposal. However, given that the North American model of relying primarily on local governments for managing municipal solid waste (MSW), coupled with an absence of federal and state leadership in sustainable materials management, what role can local governments play? Over the past decade local governments have focused on banning or restricting single-use plastic bags and single-use expanded polystyrene foodware. Given that these products are petroleum-based, designed to be single-use, have a very short life expectancy, and face no or costly recycling options, these products are not used sustainably. Local government actions in the US have led the way in reducing the local negative environmental effects of these products while reducing their costs. By implementing source reduction, these actions also have reduced upstream environmental impacts. What approaches have been taken in the US and in Maine? What has worked? What are the negative unintended consequences of these actions? What other consumer products could be next?
Travis Wagner is a professor in the Department of Environmental Science & Policy at the University of Southern Maine. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a consultant for 14 years in Washington, DC, supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in developing solid and hazardous waste policies and regulations. He is the author of multiple books and journal articles on various aspects of sustainable materials management. He received in B.S. at Unity College, his M.P.P at the University of Maryland, and his Ph.D. at The George Washington University.