Addressing and Implementing the Six Core Elements of Green Remediation in Environmental Remediation Projects
Ann Rosecrance, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Emeryville, CA
Fred Taylor, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Natick, MA

Addressing and Implementing the Six Core Elements of Green Remediation in Environmental Remediation Projects

Ann Rosecrance, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, 5900 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA 94608 Tel: 510-420-3367, Fax: 510-420-9170, Email: arosecrance@craworld.com
Fred Taylor, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, 33 West Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
Tel: 508-651-0060, Fax: 508-651-0059, Email: ftaylor@craworld.com

Sustainable design in environmental remediation projects is the systematic, balanced planning and management of risks associated with each activity and its broader impact on economic, environmental and social matters.  Where possible, sustainable design includes the recognition of site context and scale (social responsibility), the incorporation of restoration and revitalization principles (environmental stewardship), and attention to commerce and protection of resources (economic viability). The implementation of sustainable remediation strategies in the evaluation of remedial alternatives for cleanup of contaminated sites involves the application of both traditional remediation strategies {i.e., nine evaluation criteria under 40 CFR 300.430(e)(9)(iii)} as well as additional “green” remediation considerations or core elements.  The U.S. EPA has identified six core elements of sustainable ”green” remediation for site cleanup (U.S. EPA Draft Framework for Green Cleanup Standards at Contaminated Sites, April 1, 2009).  These core elements are: energy, air, water, land, materials and waste, and stewardship.  More specifically, the application of these core elements to site remediation involves attention to the following considerations: minimizing total energy use and maximizing the use of renewable energy; minimizing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions; minimizing water use and impacts to water resources; optimizing future land use and enhance ecosystem; reducing, reusing and recycling materials and waste; and optimizing sustainable management practices during stewardship.

Previous presentations by the authors have presented guidance on the application of sustainable design in remediation projects.  This paper presents guidance for addressing and implementing the six core elements of green remediation in environmental remediation projects.  This paper will present case studies with examples on the application of the six core elements to site remediation, provide guidance for considering each element when evaluating multiple remedial options and alternatives, and present estimated GHG emissions factors for various remediation equipment to use in calculating estimated GHG emissions from remediation operations.

Top