NERC in the News
Waste Not, Want Not: Local Firm Advises States on Recycling, Solid Waste
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Lynn Rubinstein, executive director of the Northeast Recycling Council, works at her desk in the office in Brattleboro. |
The Brattleboro (Vermont) Reformer, March 6, 2009
By Bob Audette
BRATTLEBORO - If you dig around in Windham County long enough, you're bound to unearth a gem. But if you dig around in the basement of the Hooker Dunham Building in downtown Brattleboro, you just might find a veritable treasure trove.
There, hidden in a warren of offices, is located the office of the Northeast Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes "environmental sustainable materials management" in the 10 states of the Northeast.
What exactly is environmental sustainable materials management? you ask.
"Our primary purpose is recycling market development," said Lynn Rubenstein, who has been NERC's executive director for the past 10 years. "We really focus on various aspects of solid waste."
NERC, which just recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, was founded by Brattleboro resident Sally Dresser.
Rubenstein and her staff of four research and develop programs to help municipalities, both non- and for-profit businesses, states and even individuals deal with waste from cradle to grave.
Not only does that include recycling, it also includes topics such as composting, how to make purchases that are "environmentally preferable," how to decrease the toxicity of the solid waste stream and how to reduce waste at the source.
NERC'S activities are funded by a variety of grants, said Rubenstein, which are specific to a certain topic or task.
For example, NERC operates and administers Vermont's Business Materials Exchange, an online service that lets you sell, give away or trade things you don't want with people who do. The site works like a classified ad section and is free.
Renew Building Materials and Salvage in Brattleboro is a "physical tangible example" of a hands-on materials exchange, said Rubenstein.
"They are finding customers for waste. It's a great niche."
NERC is also using a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to put together information for the hospitality industry to help hotels and restaurants to produce less waste and buy green products.
What might be especially interesting for area residents is work NERC has been doing relating to "hobby farms."
For those who have a cow or a few chickens in the backyard, said Rubenstein, a major concern is what to do with the manure and other waste. The United States Department of Agriculture asked NERC to put together booklets to cover the topic.
"The Manure Management Handbook for Hobby Farms" includes a compilation of existing resources on acceptable manure management, state specific information, regulations and programs, manure management options and technical assistance resources.
"The Quick Guide to Developing a Manure Management Plan" is a 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.
NERC is also developing a program using a national grant that is starting in the Northeast but will soon be applied across the country.
The project, based on the Federal Electric Challenge, is designed to help people and communities purchase, operate and dispose of computers and monitors in an eco-friendly manner.
Municipalities can sign up online for free and learn how they can save money and be green at the same time, said Rubenstein.
While many of the projects NERC is working on are state-specific, lessons learned and programs developed can be a great resource for other towns, cities and states, said Rubenstein.
All the work NERC does can be found on the website, she said.
"Information, steps to take. Everything is at your fingertips."
Included on NERC's website is a data base called the Toxicity in Packaging Clearinghouse, where people can learn what hazardous products might be in the boxes, bags and plastic liners that make up modern packaging.
The amount of heavy metals and toxic materials in packaging was an eye-opener for Rubenstein.
"The results are nauseating."
Other items on the website include green management tools, asphalt shingle waste management, a calculator used to determine how business practices affect a company's carbon footprint, hazardous waste disposal options and how to buy a "green" computer.
The website also includes "how-to" manuals such as best management practices to collect unwanted medications, how to set up and operate a municipal recycling facility and steps to develop a green purchasing program.
To learn more about Northeast Recycling Council and the information it makes available to the public, visit www.nerc.org.
Bob Audette can be reached at raudette@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311, ext. 273.
