(USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant Program)

The goal of the project was to decrease water pollution and enhance solid waste management by promoting the proper management of manure on hobby farms.

Key components of the Project:

• Manure Management Handbook for Hobby Farms: includes compilation of existing resources on acceptable manure management, state specific information, regulations, and programs, manure management options, and technical assistance resources.
• Quick Guide to Developing a Manure Management Plan: template for developing a farm-specific manure management plan, simple calculator tools to assist with determining how much manure a farm produces, how much can be land-applied on the farm, best management practices for the farm manure management, and how much manure is surplus.
• Additional resources: Sources and Additional References, Manure Generation Calculator, as well as a Guide to Providing Manure Management Education to Small Farm and Livestock Operations.
• Workshops in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Vermont to provide information and guidance.
• Technical assistance to workshop participants. 

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Project for Rhode Island - Contract

NERC was contracted by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) to develop a strategy for developing a statewide Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program. As part of this project, NERC compiled information about Environmentally Preferable Purchasing of the ten Northeast states. In addition to the RIRRC, the other project participants included Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Administration. A final report on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for Rhode Island State Agencies was completed and submitted to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

The key NERC staff for this project was Mary Ann Remolador. For more information about NERC's current projects, contact Mariane Medeiros, Senior Project Manager.

Recycling Economic Information Study Update - Contract

In 2000, NERC released the first Recycling Economic Information Study in the U.S. It focused on the 10 NERC states. It was later followed by a national study prepared by the National Recycling Coalition, based on the methodology developed in the NERC study. 

Several NERC states decided in 2008 that it was time to update the Study and to get a new perspective on the economic vitality of the recycling and reuse industries. Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania committed to participating in – and funding – the updated study. DSM Environmental was selected as the consultant for the update. The updated report was released in February 2009. 

Through a grant from the Community Pharmacy Foundation, NERC worked with retail pharmacies around the United States to encourage the development of unwanted medication collections.

Specifically, NERC:

• Developed and implemented retail pharmacy unwanted medication collection and disposal programs.
• Wrote and promoted a guidance document for pharmacies entitled Best Management Practices for Holding Unwanted Medication Collections: A Legal & Safe Approach for Community Pharmacies about how to conduct an unwanted medications collection program, along with a companion Quick Guide: Holding an Unwanted Medication Collection for Community Pharmacies.
• Worked in partnership with pharmacies to develop and implement a pharmacy-based consumer education program about the proper way to dispose of medications.
• Promoted guidance for the pharmacy community to provide consumer education and leadership about unwanted medication disposal.
  

Guidance for Individuals and Small Businesses after a Natural Disaster: How to Manage the Waste – A Model Resource - Grant

Each year severe storms and other natural disasters impact communities around the country. These storms typically generate large amounts of solid waste debris. Impacted communities, residents, and business owners face difficult clean-up and recovery decisions. Government offices become inundated with calls from residents and business owners with questions about debris removal and disposal. Through this EPA funded project, NERC developed a resource guide to assist town officials, residents, and small business owners in recovery efforts. It provides specific information for recovery after flooding, storm, and fire disasters, including water damage and mold removal. “After the Disaster: A Guide for Residents and Small Businesses About Managing Debris Waste” is available as a free download from NERC’s Website.

The resource guide provides information on “pre-disaster” preparedness, restoration, recycling, and proper disposal. Information is presented in an easy-to-use format, providing a general overview of clean-up and recovery, as well as specific information on restoration and recycling or disposal of building components and personal belongings. Web resources and contacts for additional information are also included.   

A Disaster Debris Management presentation given by NERC staff is also posted.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Packaging: 2009 Update - Grant

This report documents the continued investigation by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) of heavy metals in packaging, using XRF analysis. TPCH screened 409 packages to detect trends in compliance with state toxics in packaging laws, and to notify brand owners of potentially non-compliant packages. This project was funded in part by the U.S. EPA New England. A complete report is available on the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse website.

For more information on state toxics in packaging laws, visit the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse website.