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Sustainable RemediationInitiative

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Green Remediation (EPA) “the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to minimize the environmental footprints of cleanup actions”.

Sustainable Remediation (SURF) “protects human health and the environment while maximizing the environmental, social, and economic benefits throughout the project life cycle.”

Green and Sustainable Remediation (ITRC) “the site-specific employment of products, processes, technologies, and procedures that mitigate contaminant risk to receptors while making decisions that are cognizant of balancing community goals, economic impacts, and net environmental effects.”

Common and aligned focus on efficiency and effectiveness

GSR Definitions

Green or Sustainable Remediation

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The Challenge of the eCurve!C

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Is: ◦ Holistic, Process Focused, Flexible & Scalable, Site

Specific, Fit for Purpose, Performance Based Is NOT:

◦ New, Technology, Excuse to do nothing (or less), Prescriptive

Benefits: ◦ Maximizes benefits & minimizes costs

(environmental, social, economic)-while still protecting human health and the environment

◦ Supports stakeholder participation & acceptance◦ Provides the best remediation

Sustainable Remediation …

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Theory

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Practice

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SURF (2009)◦ “White Paper” Remediation Journal 2009◦ “Guidance Documents” Remediation Journal 2011

Framework, Metrics, Footprint and LCA ITRC (2011)

◦ GSR-1 Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice

◦ GSR-2 Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework

ASTM (2013)◦ ASTM E2876-13 Standard Guide for Incorporating

Sustainable Objectives Into Cleanup ◦ ASTM WK35161 - New Practice for Greener Site

Assessment and Cleanup

US Frameworks: ASTM, SURF, ITRC

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1. Select appropriate stakeholder teamprocess to reach general consensus

2. Define current project status:evaluate/update conceptual site model in SR terms:

social, environmental, economic

3. Choose project goals, metrics, and tools:prioritize key issues, select boundaries, determine

appropriate evaluation level

4. Evaluate options for project:develop options fit for future use of property and

evaluate with weighted costs and benefits

5. Implement most appropriate optiondocument, monitor, optimize

Common SR Process Elements

SR Evaluation Levels

LEVEL 3Advanced Evaluation

LEVEL 2Simple Evaluation

LEVEL 1BMPs/Strategies

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SR Example

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Level 1 – List of BMPs• Hand Wash• no car washes nearby - have no money• use biodegradable soap• use rain water

• No Action• save: water, time, money

• Car Wash• car wash is close - have no time • stop by on way home from work• only stop when no line

Metric No Action Hand Wash Car Wash

Greenhouse gases Water Time Waste

Red = low performanceYellow = average performance Green = good performance

Level 2 – Green Remediation

Metric No Action Hand Wash Car Wash

Greenhouse gases Water Time Waste Community acceptance Cost

Red = low performanceYellow = average performance Green = good performance

Level 2 –Sustainable Remediation

Metric Weight No Action Hand Wash Car Wash

Greenhouse gases (lbs) 1 0 3 5Water (gallons) 1 0 20 5Time (hours) 0.5 0 1 0.1Waste (lbs) 1 0 5 3.5Community acceptance 4 10 2 1Cost ($) 2 0 5 10

Level 3 – values and weighting

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Set of Excel workbooks developed by EPA for conducting environmental footprint analyses at cleanup sites

Compatible with EPA’s Footprint Methodology

Incorporates data on materials, waste, water, energy, and air

Structured for inputting data, running calculations, and organizing outputs

SEFA

Use for remedy selection & optimization Two levels of detail Eight technologies Metrics:

◦ Air emissions, GHG emissions, energy, cost, accident risk, change in resource use

Stakeholder scoring matrix

Sustainable Remediation Tool (SRT) TM

http://www.afcee.af.mil/resources/technologytransfer/programsandinitiatives/sustainableremediation/srt/index.asp

Remediation lifecycle◦ Investigation◦ Construction◦ Operation ◦ Long-term monitoring

Various activities◦ Material production◦ Transportation◦ Equipment used◦ Waste handling

SiteWiseTM

http://www.ert2.org/t2gsrportal/SiteWise.aspx

Sustainable RemediationInitiative