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This paper delivers an overview of green waste management (recycling and reuse) strategies that can be integrated into a waste management program during emergency response events. Although each emergency response event is unique in location, size, scale, material released, and situational logistics, this paper is intended to provide individuals involved in preplanning and preparedness with ideas for incorporating green alternatives into effective waste management strategies. The "Green Alternatives" Program that was implemented as part of the waste management strategy during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) response in the Gulf of Mexico is used as a case study. The DWH Green Alternatives Program was designed to minimize waste generation and to develop a comprehensive recycling, reuse, and recovery approach. A variety of potential waste materials were generated during the response, many of which can be recycled, reclaimed, or reused. Each potential material stream generated during an emergency response event needs to undergo a comprehensive permitting and regulatory review. In addition, each potential material stream must be evaluated by a field- or full- scale proof-of-concept pilot test to validate the proposed "green" process and determine whether it will be an effective part of the response and the overall waste management strategy. Because an emergency response event could occur anywhere, international and regional considerations—such as governing regulations, available infrastructure and transportation, local culture, and customs—must also be taken into account. As demonstrated by the DWH response, incorporating green alternatives into a response can make a positive contribution to the environment and local communities by preserving critical landfill space, creating new products, and generating energy.

Developing, planning, and—when necessary—executing an effective Waste Management Program are critical to timely and efficient clean-up operations. Waste Management Programs include a written Waste Management Plan that is approved by the relevant regulatory agencies and a series of programs or initiatives that support the written plan. Both components are designed to provide a framework for safe and compliant recovery operations, and to assist with managing both short- and long-term potential environmental impacts related to the incident. This presentation reviews five key areas of an emergency response Waste Management Program and discusses them in the context of the Deepwater Horizon response in the Gulf of Mexico. The areas include talent needs, linkages to operations, data management, maintaining compliance, and green alternatives. Although each emergency response is unique, this presentation highlights key elements of effective Waste Management Programs and strategies.

In 2010, the American Petroleum Institute coordinated the establishment of an Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Joint Industry Task Force (JITF) comprised of experts from industry and government. The JITF was established to examine the efforts implemented during recent oil spill events, assess the current state of the industry's ability to respond to significant spills, and identify potential learnings. A remote sensing technical working group (TWG) was formed under the Oil Sensing and Tracking program to document current remote sensing technology and future research and development needs related to tracking oil on the water's surface. Since its inception, the Remote Sensing TWG has held face-to-face meetings, engaged with other joint industry groups, and completed a planning guide, “Remote Sensing in Support of Oil Spill Response,” to assist in the identification of surveillance technologies, sensors, and platforms that could enhance response efforts. The document provides information related to both strategic and tactical response activities. The guide was designed as a practical “Users Guide” as well as a planning and preparedness tool for response personnel that may be required direct surveillance activities. The group also identified key areas for industry and academia for future research and development, including:Quantifying the aerial extent and concentration of oil on the water's surface; andEnhancing ways to provide quality-assessed data in near real-time to both field resources and command centers. In addition, the TWG is currently researching the development of a web-based tool that would aid in the selection of appropriate satellite sensors for a particular response scenario. The group is working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to customize and expand an existing NASA satellite tool for use during oil spill response. The TWG plans to continue collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other joint industry projects, and to continue to hold regular meetings to share recent experiences, collaborate on potential technology areas that need development, and disseminate scientific findings in the field of remote sensing that will enhance the capabilities and readiness for response.