ASTM’s Standard Guide for Greener CleanupsASTM E2893John Simon, A - PDF document

ASTM’s Standard Guide for Greener CleanupsASTM E2893John Simon, ASTM Task Group Gnarus Advisors LLC ASTM Framework for Greener CleanupsGreener Cleanup is a Process, not a TechnologyGreener cleanup principles should be integrated into cleanup projectsApplied on a phasephase basisIs not just about remedy selection and green technologies“Only is green if it works” Focus on how to incorporate BMPs into projects 2 ASTM’s Standard Guide DevelopmentEPA requested that ASTM prepare a green remediation standard Initiated in October 2009 at an ASTM meeting in AtlantaDeveloped a task group to prepare standard following ASTM consensusbased processFinal standard published in November In the process of updating the standard 3 ASTM Definition of Greener Cleanupreener cleanupthe incorporation of practices, processes, and technologies into cleanupactivities with the goal of reducing impacts to the environment through reduced demands on natural resources and decreased emissionsto the environment. A greener cleanupconsiders the five core elements, while protecting human health and the environment. In the environmental remediation industry, this term is used interchangeably with green cleanup, green remediation, and greener remediation. The BasicsProvides a stepstep approachFlexible, with qualitative and quantitative optionsIncludes reporting expectationsDocumentation must be publicly available (inhibits “green washing”)Environmental professional must lead the team and sign attestation that the standard was followed Designed to be the industry standard; particularly if adopted by regulatory agencies 5 ASTM Standard Guide OverviewFundamental core is selecting BMPsFlexible evaluation processQualitative evaluation (BMP selection)Quantitative evaluation (numerical)Standard is applied on a phasephase basisSite AssessmentRemedy SelectionRemedy Design and ImplementationOperation, Maintenance and MonitoringRemedy Optimization 6 Working With Existing Phases RemedySelection SiteAssessment Remedy Design/ Implementation No Further Cleanup Operation, Maintenanceand Monitoring BMP Quantitative Evaluation Remedy ModificationRemedy Optimization Quantitative Evaluation with BMPs Quantitative Evaluation with BMPs Remedy Optimizationor Modification BMP BMP ASTM Greener Cleanups Standard Sections ScopeReferenced DocumentsTerminologySignificance and UsePlanning and ScopingBMP ProcessQuantitative Evaluation Documentation and Reporting 8 Standard Management Practices are not Best Management PracticesStandard Management Practice (not included because routine)Considered industry standards and are truly basic in natureRecycling office wasteUsing compact fluorescent light bulbsMinimizing paper use with electronic filing systemsBest Management PracticeActivity that reduces the environmental footprint of a remedyASTM developed a comprehensive list BMPs 9 Best Management PracticesBMPs drive environmental footprint reductionBMPs are organized on a technology or activity basis, but are applied based on the phase of the projectBMPs assigned to EPAs five core elementsEnergyAir EmissionsWater ImpactsMaterial and WasteLand and EcosystemAlso established 10 Categories 10 Green BMP CategoriesBuildingsMaterialsPower & FuelProject Planning & Team ManagementResidual Solid & Liquid Waste Sampling & AnalysisSite Preparation/Land RestorationSurface/Storm Water ManagementVehicle & Equipment ManagementWastewater Management��11&#x/MCI; 61;&#x 000;&#x/MCI; 61;&#x 000;Insider note: likely reducing to 9 categories by merging Wastewater Management into other categories BMP Step 1 Opportunity AssessmentGreener Cleanup BMP TableTask Group painstakingly compiled table with over 160 BMPsASTM offers the table in Excel format as an “Adjunct”Arranged by category, core element and technology10 Categories (e.g., power & fuel, materials, vehicles…)5 Core elements11 Technologies (e.g., SVE, P&T, excavation…)User strongly encouraged to add BMPs to the tableUser can sort the Excel table by technology, core element or category 12 BMP Process “Five Steps to Greening CleanupsOpportunity AssessmentReview master list of BMPs and retains those that warrant further consideration.Consider BMPs not on the master listShould be a pretty straightforward exerciseBMP Prioritizationdentify BMPs with the greatest potential for reducing the environmental footprint and prepare prioritized list BMP SelectionUnless a compelling reason to do otherwise, select each BMP from Step 2 for implementationWhat is a compelling reason to do otherwiseSubstantive issues associated with applicability, implementation, impracticability and cost BMP ImplementationDocument BMPs that can not be implemented and whyBMP Documentation and ReportingRecord BMPs implementedIf BMPs from Steps 3 & 4 were not implemented, explain why 13 ASTM BMP Table 14 Example Selection from BMP Table 15 Section 7: Quantitative Evaluation Overview Most applicable to large and complex siteTypes of quantitative evaluationFootprint AnalysisLife Cycle AssessmentSeven step processUses for quantitative evaluationOpportunity EvaluationTechnology EvaluationMetrics for BMPs 16 Section 8: Documentation and ReportingStep 1: Document for each phaseBMP Summary TablesList applicable BMPs, prioritized by anticipated environmental benefitIdentify those implemented Include rationale for those not implementedIdentify BMPs required by law or regulation Quantitative Evaluation Report, if applied 17 Section 8: Documentation and ReportingStep 2: Make publicly available Technical Summary (Appendix X2 form)General InformationEnvironmental Footprint ReductionsBMP Summary Tables and Quantitative Evaluation Report, if applicable (for each phase)SelfeclarationPublic repositoryPost on a website Submit to a regulatory agency, with prior agency consent 18 ASTM will post on website. Contact Kate McClung at: kmcclung@astm.org Green BMP Compilation ProcessIdentified sites where green BMPs were utilizedASTM reportsEPA reportsSURF reportsPrivate reportsExcluded sites with less than 3 BMPs or if greenwashing was suspectedInventoried BMPs from 18 sitesTotal of 163 BMPs (Average = 9 BMPs/site) 19 Green BMP Compilation ProcessAssigned BMPs to the generic ASTM BMPs (160 different BMPs)Compiled master database of all BMPsSorted database to develop resultsBMPs used most frequentlyEPA core elementsASTM categoriesAlso, evaluated results based on experience to identify observations about implementing BMPs at cleanup sites 20 Top 10 BMPs Sites Used Green Use biodiesel as fuel sourceUse onsite or nearby sources of fill materialUse native species for vegetative coverReclaim uncontaminated material for reuse, salvage value or recyclingUse site generated renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, landfill gas) 21 Top 10 BMPs Sites Used Green Incorporate wetlands, bioswales and other natural resources into cleanupUse biodegradable hydraulic fluids in equipmentUse local staff to minimize resource consumptionUse dedicated materials for samplingvegetate excavated or disturbed areas quickly 22 Frequency of Various CategoriesMaterials Site Preparation/Land Restoration Power & Fuel Project Planning Lower Use Sampling & Analysis 11 BMPsVehicles & Equipment Wastewater Management Very Low UseResidual Solid & Liquid Waste 7 BMPsBuildingSurface Water/Storm Water Management 4 BMPs 23 Frequency of EPA Core Elements Addressed by BMPs ��24&#x/MCI; 32;&#x 000;&#x/MCI; 32;&#x 000;&#x/MCI; 12;&#x 000;&#x/MCI; 12;&#x 000;Materials and Waste101 BMPsEnergy89 BMPsAir66 BMPsLand and Ecosystem58 BMPs Water52 BPMs Observations/ConclusionsHeavily focused on recycling and reuseAlso, vegetative related BMPs frequently usedAppeared to be little quantitative evaluation and, if used, focused on a specific issue (e.g., thermal treatment and energy use in pump & treat) Very little greenwashing observed 25 ObservationsMissing some low hanging fruitLooking at LEED from a programmatic perspectiveIncluding green requirements into RFPs and contractsPurchasing green productsImplementing idle reduction plansRetaining local laboratoriesUsing advanced testing to better delineate sites (e.g., Triad and surgical delineation) 26 RecommendationsGet the Word Out!Post green remediation reports to ASTM websitePost GSR case studies to SURF website through SURF’s Case Study InitiativeExpand database and evaluationCompile environmental footprint findingsProvide summary of lessons learned Update BMP table which is in progress 27 Questions?John Simon, ASTM Task Group Lead, Gnarus Advisors LLCjsimon@gnarusllc.com 28