April 2006
NERC’s Advisory Members
Distinguished Benefactors
Benefactors
Sustaining Members
A list of all the logos of our Sustaining Members can be found under Advisory Members
Renewing Supporting Members
New Supporting Member
- MassDEP Expands Waste Ban Enforcement
- State Offers New Incentives for Supermarkets to Waste Less, Recycle, & Compost More
- Recycling & Waste Reduction, School Chemical Clean-out, Idling Reduction Grants
- Idling Reduction Campaigns Taking Hold
- Report on the Sixth Massachusetts Organics Recycling Summit
- Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Grants Awarded
- Market Update
- MassDEP Issues First Climate Protection Grant
To join the EMail Bulletin list…
Send an email to Lynn Rubinstein making the request. Please be sure to include your full name and organization.
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NERC's mission is to advance an environmentally sustainable economy by promoting source and toxicity reduction, recycling, and the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services. |
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MEMBERSHIP
We are delighted to announce that Good Point Recycling and the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania have renewed their Supporting Membership!
We are pleased to welcome WR3A as a new Advisory Member!
Thank you to one and all!
It is through the active participation & support of its Advisory Members that NERC is able to provide the
strength of multi-stakeholder involvement and problem solving.
To see a listing of Advisory Members and the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership web page.
It is the broad spectrum of interests represented by NERC’s Advisory Members and Board Members and their willingness to participate that significantly contributes to the unique and important role that NERC plays in recycling in the region.
NERC NEWS
Upcoming NERC Presentations on Electronics Legislation & Unwanted Medications
NERC will be speaking at the upcoming Cellular Telecommunication & Internet Association’s CTIA Wirelesses 2006 Conference, Wireless Recycling: A Solution in Search of a Problem? in Las Vegas on April 4. Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director, will participate on a panel focusing on domestic issues. She’ll be joined by Rick Goss of EIA, Lloyd Hicks of Inform, Liz McClesky of Cingular, Cindy Thomas Coutts of Noranda Recycling, and Karen Pollard of EPA.
At the annual Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations Solid Waste/Recycling Conference & Trade Show taking place at Lake George, NY on May 7, Lynn Rubinstein will make two presentations: one on unwanted medications and how to safely and legally collect and dispose of this problem waste stream, and the other on policy issues related to the management of electronic waste.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
State Solid Waste Facilities Listings
At the suggestion of several Advisory and State Members, NERC has compiled a comprehensive, state-by-state listing of state agency maintained lists of state- and privately-owned disposal and/or recycling facilities.
Solid Waste Management Plans for the NERC States
For several years, NERC has listed web links to state Solid Waste Master Plans on its website, but recent activity among member states in updating plans has brought the significance of these documents to the public eye. It has also raised questions about the similarities and differences between the goals and objectives, and the waste hierarchy among member states. An increased volume of queries about the details of the Solid Waste Plans and how they affect decision-making inspired NERC to develop this new, detailed document.
Solid Waste Management Plans for the NERC States includes:
- State Solid Waste Management Plan & agency contact hot links
- A waste hierarchy comparison table
- A comparison of goals & objectives table
- State-by-state narrative description of the goals and objectives
- A comparison of the waste reduction and/or recycling topics found in the Plans
- And a table of solid waste data, factoids, and charts found in the Plans, and where to find them.
STATE UPDATES
MAINE
Solid Waste Task Force to Review Draft Recommendations
The final meeting of the task force reviewing solid waste management policy was held on March 30, 2006 in Augusta. The draft report and recommendations were presented and reviewed.
Recycle This! Newsletter
The Waste Management and Recycling Program’s Quarterly newsletter is now available. The March 2006 issue features information on large event recycling, Universal Waste, Maine Recycles Week and more!
Maine E-Waste Law
Maine's new E-waste law distributes the responsibility for collection, transportation, and recycling of electronics among residents, municipalities, consolidators, and manufacturers.
Beginning January 18, 2006 manufacturers will be paying for the recycling of residentially-generated televisions and computer monitors in Maine. These same manufacturers will be paying for the transportation of these items when loads reach 16,000 lbs or more.
Beginning July 20, 2006, the disposal of TVs and computer monitors is prohibited in Maine. This means that each municipality must provide its residents with a means to recycle their televisions and computer monitors (or ship these wastes out of state for disposal).
MASSACHUSETTS
MassDEP Expands Waste Ban Enforcement to Haulers & Generators
Even though Massachusetts has made great strides in increasing recycling and businesses are recycling more than ever before, large amounts of recyclables are still being thrown away when they could be used as feedstock by companies that make value-added products and employ thousands of Bay Staters. Continued disposal of recyclables unnecessarily reduces the capacity of in-state disposal facilities, which is already limited. As recycling reduces disposal costs, businesses can save money by diverting materials from their trash dumpster to their recycling bin.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced that in 2006 it will increase its focus on enforcing waste ban regulations as they apply to businesses that improperly manage certain recyclables and hazardous materials subject to waste disposal ban regulations.
In addition to MassDEP continuing waste ban inspections at solid waste facilities, such as landfills, transfer stations and incinerators, to ensure that they are not accepting waste loads containing banned materials, the agency will also begin looking more closely at businesses that generate or transport wastes containing those materials. As MassDEP extends waste ban compliance and enforcement to haulers and generators, it will initially focus on outreach and assistance prior to issuing enforcement actions. However, MassDEP may pursue enforcement at any time for particularly serious or extensive violations.
MassDEP is pursuing this initiative to hold all parties accountable for waste ban violations, whether they are facility operators, haulers or generators.
Waste ban information can be found on MassDEP’s website.
Your company’s waste hauler can help you keep banned materials out of the trash. For information on how to set up a recycling program for your business or to learn more about other MassDEP-sponsored business assistance programs, visit the MassDEP website or, Earth 911’s website.
State Offers New Incentives for Massachusetts Supermarkets to Waste Less, Recycle and Compost More
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) launched another new program in partnership with the supermarket industry: one that rewards full-service grocery stores with regulatory relief if they voluntarily develop sustainable programs for reusing organics and other wastes instead of throwing them away.
Known as Supermarket Recycling Program Certification (SRPC), the initiative has grown from an ongoing cooperative effort between MassDEP and the Massachusetts Food Association (MFA), an industry group that represents supermarkets and other food stores, to develop innovative methods for helping supermarkets recycle and compost more of the waste they generate.
In August 2005, MassDEP and MFA entered into a partnership to advance recycling at full-service grocery stores across the state by expanding their existing Supermarket Organics Recycling Network (SORN). The new voluntary certification program takes this collaboration to the next level. “Diverting organics and other wastes from disposal to reuse is good not only for the environment, but also for business,” MassDEP Commissioner Robert W. Golledge Jr. said. “We expect this incentive-based, voluntary approach to change the supermarket industry’s waste management culture for the better.”
Organics – including spoiled and out-of-date food, cardboard, plants, soil, and renderings – account for more than three-quarters of the waste generated by a typical supermarket. Recycling and composting that material instead of throwing it away can save a store between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, on average, in avoided disposal costs.
Most supermarkets have been recycling cardboard for some time, but SORN has helped 62 stores increase their diversion of organic wastes to composting facilities and animal feeding operations. These supermarkets – including Big Y, Roche Bros., Shaw's/Star, Stop & Shop, and Whole Foods – have in the last year diverted more than 10,000 tons of food scraps and other organic materials from landfills and combustion facilities. “A number of our members already have diversion programs in place and are realizing significant savings as a result,” said MFA President Chris Flynn. “Working closely with MassDEP, we will be providing new technical assistance materials and services to help other supermarkets get started.” Full-service grocery stores participating in the new voluntary program will not only save money, but also improve their compliance with existing Massachusetts waste disposal bans. Massachusetts currently bans nine items from the waste stream, including paper, cardboard, and glass. Among other things, participating supermarkets will need to provide for comprehensive recycling of cardboard, plastic wrap, shrink-wrap, and organic material. MassDEP will then exempt waste loads generated by these stores from routine comprehensive waste ban inspections for paper; cardboard; glass, metal and plastic containers; and leaves and yard waste. Each supermarket that applies for SRPC certification will need to meet and maintain specific recycling and composting criteria to retain that status.
MassDEP has banned a number of materials from disposal in Massachusetts’ landfills and combustion facilities to promote recycling and composting. Businesses that do not set up programs to divert banned items from their waste run the risk of having their loads rejected at disposal or transfer facilities, paying additional handling fees, or facing enforcement penalties. “The supermarket industry has been a leader in demonstrating its commitment to waste reduction, recycling, and composting,” Commissioner Golledge said. “We hope other industries will follow this example and look forward to working with them when they do.”
Recycling and Waste Reduction, School Chemical Clean-out, Idling Reduction Grants Go To 147 Municipalities and Regional Groups
MassDEP announced that it has conditionally awarded $1.25 million in fiscal year 2006 waste reduction, recycling, diesel retrofit and pollution prevention grants to 147 towns, cities, and regional organizations. The funding will support innovative local and regional efforts to throw away less, recycle and compost more, eliminate hazardous materials from school facilities and grounds, and reduce people’s exposure to air pollution from excessive idling of bus, car, and truck engines.
“We’re pleased to give these communities and regional groups a hand in improving their solid waste management programs, making their schools safer, and helping their residents breathe easier,” MassDEP Commissioner Robert W. Golledge Jr. said. “Protecting the environment benefits municipal budgets and everyone’s quality of life.” Golledge announced that MassDEP has awarded:
- Technical assistance grants totaling nearly $191,387 to 15 towns and three regional recycling groups that are working to expand already successful waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs. The largest grants were to Boston ($50,000), Cambridge ($35,000), Longmeadow ($21,850), and the South Shore Recycling Collaborative ($9,800).
- School chemical management grants of $5,000 each to Ashland, Bourne, Lawrence, and Sheffield. Recipients will use the funding to target improperly stored cleaning chemicals and shop wastes, mercury discarded by school nurses and science labs, asbestos in boiler rooms and building insulation, and other environmental hazards. Vehicle idling reduction tool kits that 18 recipients – including Boston, New Bedford, and Somerville– will use to educate drivers about the importance of turning their engines off when they are parked or making deliveries. State law limits most engine idling to five minutes or less.
- Diesel Retrofits for municipal vehicles in five communities and one regional school district totaling $16,800. These devices will be used to retrofit existing on-road diesel vehicles as part of the Commonwealth’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Strategy.
- Water Conservation equipment grants awarded to 39 municipalities. Equipment includes certificates for Rain Barrels and Water Conservation Toolkits that will help residents make their homes “water tight and waste free” by providing them with low-flow showerheads, rain gauges, dye-tablets, kitchen faucet aerators, outdoor hose nozzles and educational materials.
- Recycling equipment grants awarded include assistance to 24 municipal multi-family, school and business recycling programs; 40 composting programs and four public spaces recycling programs. Also, 48 municipalities will receive educational outreach assistance with a customized recycling piece or mailing services.
Since 1990, MassDEP has awarded nearly $42 million in waste reduction, recycling, and pollution prevention grants to cities, towns, regional entities, and state colleges and universities. For more municipal grant information contact Amy Roth.
Idling Reduction Campaigns Taking Hold
In support of the Idling Reduction Toolkit offered through MassDEP's Municipal Waste Reduction Grants, two free workshops on how to plan and implement a municipal idling reduction campaign were held in February. The guest speakers at the workshop included: Rick Gregg representing "Idle-Free" Lenox and the "Idle-Free" Campaign for the American Lung Association Massachusetts (ALAM), Pamela Irwin representing the Town of Danvers as a grant recipient from last year, Lauren Abber also from the ALAM and Julie Ross representing MassDEP's Transportation Programs.
A total of 41 people attended the trainings: 21 municipal officials from the 16 municipalities that received the Idling Reduction Toolkit grant and 20 municipal officials from an additional 12 cities and towns. The majority of the attendees were from Boards of Health. Other municipal departments attending included: Highway Dept, Town Administration, School Green Team, Community Development, Police Traffic, DPW, Solid Waste and Recycling. This year's grantees have now all placed their orders for grant materials which should be delivered the beginning of April. Each grantee community was given a budget, based on population, to spend on grant materials, which included street signs (three different designs), hand cards, windshield decals, removable dashboard stickers, and bumper stickers. For more information contact Tina Klein.
Report on the Sixth Massachusetts Organics Recycling Summit
The Sixth Massachusetts Organics Recycling Summit recorded all-time high attendance and participation with 212 attendees from 14 states and 19 vendors on March 1 and 2 in Marlborough, MA. A diverse set of stakeholders networked, heard presentations, roamed the exhibit hall, met new contacts and caught up with old friends.
MassDEP and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s Organics Subcommittee chose the theme of the Summit as “Growing Opportunities in Organics Recycling,” and designed sessions that included:
- Smart business strategies in which attendees heard about contracts, financing and business planning.
- Innovative public-private partnerships in which they heard from the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce’s unique partnership with supermarkets, a composter and U.S. EPA; and, MassDEP’s voluntary supermarket certification program that provides regulatory relief incentives for organics recycling programs.
- Compost quality in which two very different commercial scale composters described their effort to market compost and a green landscaper called for compost standards.
Highlights of this year’s Summit, included:
- Announcement of the launch of the Supermarket Certification Program and availability of low-interest loans from the Recycling Loan Fund.
- A second day of tours of two supermarkets (Whole Foods and Sudbury Farms/Roche Brothers) and the WeCare Organics composting facility.
- Hosting elected Marlborough officials as speakers including State Senator Pam Resor and Mayor Nancy Stevens.
- Nora Goldstein, the Executive Editor of BioCycle Magazine who offered the keynote address on the state of food residual composting in the United States.
- Roundtables on anaerobic digestion, beneficial use determinations, biodegradable foodservice products, supermarket certification and business planning.
In addition, MassDEP also added new features, including:
- Greening the event by implementing environmentally preferable practices with the conference facility and vendors, including composting left-over food.
- Providing on-line registration for attendees.
- Distributing of Summit theme pens made from cornstarch.
The following vendors were sponsors and/or exhibitors: Agresource, AirOne, Allied Waste Services, Apple D’Or, BioCycle Magazine, BioDegradable Products Institute, Center for Ecological Technology, EarthCycle Packaging, Groundscape Express, Heritage Bag Company, Jet-A-Way, Landscape Express, Maine Compost School, Mansfield Paper, Massachusetts Food Association, MassBusiness Development Corporation, MassNatural Fertilizer, MCB Northeast, Moehrke, Mackie & Shea, New England Organics, Mansfield Paper, New England Organics, Orwak USA, Poly-America, Resource Management, Save That Stuff, Signature Marketing, Stearns & Wheler, Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rogers, WasteWise, WeCare Environmental, and Whole Foods Markets.
Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Grants Awarded
Twenty-eight Massachusetts municipalities requested Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Workshops on their FY2006 DEP Municipal Waste Reduction Grant applications. DEP is providing eight regional workshops this spring, hosted by Arlington, Billerica, East Bridgewater, Framingham, Northampton, North Attleborough, Swansea, and Wilbraham. Residents from any municipality may attend these workshops.
Residents are encouraged to attend a free workshop to learn how to have beautiful yards without using chemicals that may harm children, pets and our environment. Homeowners, landscapers and municipal staff are welcome to attend and should call the contact person listed to register. The workshops cover:
- Health effects of pesticides,
- How to create healthy soil for lawns and landscapes,
- Simple steps to healthy lawns,
- Alternatives to lawns (flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables, groundcovers), and
- Alternatives to pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
All attendees will receive a gift and a chance to win a compost bin. Refreshments will be served.
Workshop dates, times, locations, and contact information:
April 11, 7 - 9 p.m.
Billerica Town Hall Auditorium
365 Boston Rd. (Route 3-A), Billerica
Contact: Carolyn Capodilupo, 978-671-0957
April 13, 7 - 9 p.m.
Swansea School Administration Building
One Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea
Contact: Colleen Brown, 508-673-6467
April 27, 7 - 9 p.m.
JFK Middle School Community Room
100 Bridge Rd., Northampton
Contact: Karen Bouquillon, 413-587-1059
May 2, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Framingham Town Hall/Memorial Bldg.
Public Hearing Room
150 Concord St., Framingham
Contact: Angie Fowler, 508-620-4900
May 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Robbins Memorial Library Community Room
730 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington
Contact: Ruth Yanetti, 781-316-3108
For dates and locations in East Bridgewater contact John Haines, 508-378-1620 and in Wilbraham, contact Marna Huber, 413-596-2814.
Market Update
- Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., is sponsoring a FREE and open Education Program, developed with MassDEP, to provide an opportunity for solid waste facility operators to improve compliance with the existing Massachusetts Waste Ban regulations. The program will be held in Dedham, Tuesday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. – noon, and in Westborough, Wednesday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. – noon. To receive a brochure, register or ask questions by email. Include your name, company or employer affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and preferred email address. Be sure to state whether you prefer the Dedham or Westborough venue.
- Gypsum Recycling America announced in February that it accepts clean gypsum for recycling, contact Jack Walsh.
- ABC&D Recycling recently opened a construction and demolition recycling facility with a permitted capacity of 750 tons per day in Ware, contact Dick O'Riley.
MassDEP Issues First Climate Protection Grant
MassDEP's Consumer Programs Unit issued the first Climate Protection Grant application in February, with $100,000 in funding provided by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Communities must be registered members of ICLEI’s Communities for Climate Protection (CCP) program in order to qualify for the funding, per the legislative language authorizing this grant program. There are 23 registered CCP municipalities in Massachusetts. The grant application offers Idling Reduction Toolkits, retrofit equipment for on-road diesel vehicles, and technical assistance funding to assist in implementation of local climate protection initiatives. Applications were due March 6, 2006.
Applications were received from 16 registered communities requesting nearly $350,000 in assistance. Proposals included three projects to install Photovoltaic Panels at schools; two community tree plantings projects; a study to develop purchasing guidelines for hybrid-vehicles, and a three-community emissions-reduction campaign. For more information regarding the Climate Protection Grant, please contact Tina Klein.
NEW JERSEY
Recycling Gets Attention in New Jersey Legislature
Recycling has not received much legislative attention since the passage of the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act in 1987. This was evident in 1997 when the “Recycling Tax” from the original Act was not renewed by New Jersey’s lawmakers and allowed to sunset.
Fortunately, 2006 may prove to be a big year for recycling in New Jersey. There are currently three bills in the state legislature that deal with different aspects of recycling. All three were recently voted out of the Senate Environment Committee.
The Electronic Waste Management Act (S554/A1633) would require that manufacturers of certain electronic devices provide for the collection and recycling of discarded electronic waste. It would also provide for the collection and recycling of used televisions by imposing an advanced recovery fee on the sale of new television sets and authorizing that district recycling plans provide a plan for the collection, recycling and disposal of discarded televisions. Grants would be provided to fund the county or municipal television recycling programs. This bill has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The Plastic Container Recycling Enhancement Act (S556) would require that every rigid plastic container manufactured, sold or offered for sale in this State to be composed of at least 25% recycled content by January 1, 2008. The recycled content requirement would not apply to any small business enterprise which manufactures rigid plastic containers with a maximum capacity of two United States gallons, or its equivalent volume, or less. This bill also exempts certain rigid plastic containers from the recycling content requirement.
The Recycling Enhancement Act (S557/A1886) would impose a recycling tax on solid waste generation in order to provide financial support to municipalities and counties for recycling programs. A $3.00 per ton recycling tax would be levied on: (1) the owner or operator of every solid waste facility on all solid waste accepted for disposal or transfer; and (2) solid waste collectors on all solid waste collected for transshipment or direct transportation to an out-of-state disposal site. The recycling tax will be considered a “pass-through” cost to these facilities and would thus be generated as fees or surcharges ultimately paid by the generators that use those facilities or services.
The revenues from the recycling tax would be deposited in the State Recycling Fund. It is estimated that the recycling tax would generate about $34 million annually. Of the estimated annual balance of the Fund, sixty percent would be used for recycling grants for municipalities and counties for their annual recycling program expenses. Ten percent of the estimated balance would be used for State recycling program planning and program funding, including administrative expenses. Twenty-five percent of the estimated balance would be dispersed as aid to the counties for preparing, revising, and implementing solid waste management plans, including the implementation of the goals of the State Recycling Plan, household hazardous waste collection, and for recycling program planning and program funding, including the administrative expenses. Five percent of the estimated balance would be used by counties for public information and education programs concerning recycling activities.
NEW YORK
State Environmental Board Approves New Used Oil, Elemental Mercury, & Dental Amalgam Regulations
The New York State Environmental Board has approved regulations that strengthen New York’s used oil regulations to meet federal standards, prohibit the use and possession of non-encapsulated elemental mercury, and sets standards for the recycling of dental amalgam waste and pre-encapsulated elemental mercury wastes from dental offices statewide. These regulations reduce mercury contamination and strengthen the State’s used oil regulations.
“Under the leadership of Governor George E. Pataki, New York is demonstrating our commitment to improving the environment through strong and smart regulations and improved environmental standards,” State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said. “The regulations approved today will further reduce the harmful effects of mercury contamination in our environment and ensure that our used oil regulations are in line with federal standards.”
The regulations approved under Title 6 New York Codes, Rules and Regulations include:
- 6 NYCRR Subpart 372-4 and associated amendments: Standards for the management of elemental mercury and dental amalgam waste at dental facilities; and
- 6 NYCRR Subparts 360-1, 360-14, 372-2, Paragraph 372.1 (e)(8) and Appendix 26: Used Oil Rulemaking.
Dental amalgam is a filling material used to restore teeth. It is made of approximately 40 to 50% mercury, 25% silver, and 25 to 35% of a mixture of copper, zinc and tin. Mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative toxin that can damage the human brain and nervous system. Mercury-containing waste can be generated in the practice of dentistry through the mixing of dental amalgam, disposal of capsules previously containing mercury, and the removal of old fillings. Dental amalgam waste is often rinsed down the drain, deposited in biomedical waste containers destined for waste incineration, or placed in trash disposed of in municipal waste landfills or incinerators, having the potential to impact the environment.
The dental amalgam regulations prohibit the possession and use of non-encapsulated elemental mercury in dental offices and require dentists to recycle any elemental mercury or dental amalgam waste generated in their offices in accordance with today’s approved regulations. The regulations establish waste management standards for dental facilities that use encapsulated mercury or generate mercury-containing dental amalgam wastes. To help minimize the release of mercury from wastewater and maximize recycling, the regulations require dentists to install, properly operate, and maintain mercury amalgam separation and collection equipment, which is designed to remove 99 percent of the mercury-containing waste amalgam in rinse or wastewater from chair side collection and discharge systems.
The regulations also include other statutory requirements of the law passed in 2002 banning the use of non-encapsulated elemental mercury in dental offices, and requiring dentists to recycle mercury or amalgam waste.
After conducting outreach meetings in 2003 and soliciting input from the New York State Dental Association and other stakeholders, DEC released the preliminary draft regulations in March 2004. DEC held three public workshops in April 2004 to discuss draft dental mercury regulations and to accept comments from the public. DEC issued the draft regulations in March 2005. A legislative public hearing on the draft regulations was held on May 31, 2005. More information on the “Standards for the management of elemental mercury and dental amalgam at dental facilities” regulations can be found on the DEC’s website.
“Used oil” is any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used, and as a result of such use, is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. Used oil is not regulated as a hazardous waste as long as it is recycled or used for energy recovery in accordance with regulatory requirements, and the oil has not been contaminated with any other hazardous waste. Improper disposal or burning of used oil can pose a hazard to the environment. The “used oil rulemaking” amends existing State regulations on used oil management. This rulemaking updates used oil regulations to implement amendments to the Environmental Conservation Law and implements provisions of the federal used oil regulations. The rulemaking also restructures the regulation to clarify the permitting requirements and management standards for all used oil facility types. By reorganizing and restructuring existing parts of the regulation, DEC intends to improve the readability of the regulations, decrease confusion and increase compliance with the regulations. The rulemaking specifically incorporates existing statutory requirements for service and retail establishments with respect to used oil generated from “do-it-yourself” oil change customers. It also clarifies specific handling and storage requirements on used oil generators, transporters and transfer facilities.
The draft “used oil” regulations were issued by DEC in February 2005. A legislative public hearing on the draft regulations was held on March 30, 2005. More information on the “used oil” regulations can be found on the DEC’s website.
The 16-member Environmental Board is composed of State agency heads and representatives of the environmental community, citizen groups, business and industry. With today’s approval of the regulations, DEC will file the rulemaking package with the Department of State (DOS).
PENNSYLVANIA
First eCycling collection event in Wayne County
Wayne County will hold its first ever electronics collection event on April 21 and 22 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Please contact the Wayne County Recycling Department for more information.
York County eCycling event
York County will hold an electronics collection event on Saturday April 1 at the York County Solid Waste Authority’s management center. Please contact Gregg Pearson for more information.
Philadelphia 5-County Area eCycling & HHW Events
Philadelphia and the 5-county area will start its eCycling and HHW events in April. These collection events are held at different locations throughout the area through November.
Compost Grant Announcement
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Department or DEP), through the Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, Bureau of Waste Management, under authority of Sections 301(1), 301(2) and 706(c)(3) of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of July 28, 1988, Act 101 (53 P.S. §§4000.301(1), 4000.301(2) and 4000.706(c)(3)), is soliciting applications for a Composting Infrastructure Development Grant. This grant seeks to reimburse for-profit business entities and non-profit organizations located and operating as a composting operation in Pennsylvania that use organic materials limited to yard waste and food waste feedstock collected in Pennsylvania. Applicants shall submit a proposal that satisfies the goals and objectives specified by this grant application. A total of $400,000 is available for this grant program. The Department will award grants of up to $200,000 to any one project. A twenty percent (20%) cash match is required prior to initial invoice to be met for every proposal.
3rd Annual “Great Pennsylvania Cleanup” Held
Governor Edward G. Rendell has announced plans for the 3rd Annual Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, an ambitious statewide effort to remove litter and trash from the state's roadways, parks, riverbanks and open spaces. The featured event will take place April 22, in conjunction with Earth Day, although the entire cleanup -- with a special emphasis on important bird areas -- spans from March 1 to May 31. Groups registering to participate in the cleanup also can enter to win a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania, as well as a hybrid-powered vehicle offered as part of a national sweepstakes.
"Each year, tens-of-thousands of Pennsylvanians join together to help cleanup our environment and beautify our state," the Governor said. "It is an outstanding statewide volunteer effort that produces positive results, helping us to protect the majesty of Penn's Woods." Speaking at the Thomas W. Holtzman Elementary School in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty echoed the Governor's message in teacher Megan Krot's third-grade class. "I need your help to clean up Pennsylvania. You can make a difference, whether it is in the neighborhoods where you live, the parks where you play, or the forests 'Where the Wild Things Are,'" McGinty said, citing the popular children's book by Maurice Sendak.
Last year, 140,000 volunteers cleaned up more than 11,000 miles of roadways, 12,000 acres of parkland and 3,500 miles of streams. "Litter and illegal dumping affect everyone's quality of life," McGinty told the students while holding a rehabilitated great horned owl. "I want you to ask all your friends and every adult you know to get involved in this year's Great Pennsylvania Cleanup."
This year's cleanup includes a focus on Audubon Pennsylvania and its Important Bird Area program. Audubon Pennsylvania, the state chapter of the National Audubon Society, has identified 82 Important Bird Area sites encompassing more than 2 million acres of the state's public and private lands. The voluntary IBA program combats threats to the most essential and vulnerable bird habitats through proactive habitat conservation measures.
"Reversing the damage litter and illegal dumping do to bird habitats is key to preserving Pennsylvania's natural ecosystems," Audubon Pennsylvania Executive Director Timothy D. Schaeffer told the class. "Through efforts such as the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, we will maintain Pennsylvania's wilderness and urban bird habitats so that one day you can show your grandchildren the white clouds of migrating Snow Geese as they stop in central Pennsylvania and the peregrine falcons hunting the skies above our downtowns." This year's Great Pennsylvania Cleanup also features exciting incentives. Everyone can visit the new website to enter drawings for six weekend vacations in some of Pennsylvania's most scenic spots and to enter the national Keep America Beautiful sweepstakes for a Honda Accord hybrid-powered vehicle.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Inc. -- the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, which was founded in 1953 to promote litter prevention, community beautification and improvement, and waste reduction -- is again playing a major role in the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is supported and sponsored by a wide range of businesses, trade organizations, civic and environmental groups, and state and local government agencies. The Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Transportation are members of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful alliance. PennDOT supports the cleanup by providing participants with free gloves, safety vests and trash bags. Last year, Keep America Beautiful presented PennDOT with one of six Keep America Beautiful/U.S. State Department of Transportation Partner Awards for its role in making the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup a tremendous success. Members of the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association, also part of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful alliance, are again offering free landfill space to dispose of non-recyclable waste collected during the cleanup.
PA CleanWays, a nonprofit group dedicated to fighting illegal dumping and litter, is leading the KPB alliance's cleanup effort this year. PA CleanWays is coordinating all cleanup event registrations and collections reporting. "It takes a shared commitment from residents, neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and our state's large and small businesses to prevent litter," said William Heenan, co-chairman of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful with McGinty. "Whether you join an existing cleanup or organize one of your own, every resident can help us succeed in making Pennsylvania a much more attractive place to live, work and play."
The site contains safety information, links to other cleanup organizations, a logo that can be downloaded, T-shirt iron-on transfers and posters, and lesson plans for teachers.
Governor Rendell Signs Legislation to Better Regulate Tire Recycling Facilities
Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed legislation to better regulate waste tire recycling facilities and force those responsible for waste tire piles to pay for their clean up. House Bill 1114, sponsored by Rep. John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne), amends Act 90 of 1996 (regulating recycling and reuse of waste tires) to require proper registration of waste tire recycling facilities with the Department of Environmental Protection, require permits to build or operate such facilities, and prohibit anyone from providing whole, used, or waste tires to a waste tire hauler that does not have valid state authorization.
"Pennsylvania taxpayers should not have to pick up the tab for individuals and companies that dropped thousands of tires at unpermitted disposal sites," said Governor Rendell. "Those tires need to be removed and disposed of properly -- and the people responsible need to pick up the cost. "No individual or company should be able to ignore what is clearly their legal responsibility under Pennsylvania law to keep our environment clean and our communities safe. Removing these eyesores makes communities more attractive for redevelopment and addresses the potential environmental risks that waste tire piles pose." The bill requires those who contribute to waste tire piles to pay for cleanup and remediation. After the completion of remediation activity by a grant recipient on site, the state Department of Environmental Protection is required to itemize the amount of grant monies expended on remediation of the site and to inform any person or municipality that has contributed in any manner or who owns the site that they will have 30 days to pay the costs.
Failure to escrow such monies will result in a waiver of all legal rights to challenge the contribution owed. It further provides that any person or municipality who cannot or does not pay will be subject to a judgment in favor of the Commonwealth for the unpaid amount. The bill also provides that actions for the recovery of grant moneys can begin within 20 years from the date it is discovered that the person or municipality contributed, in any manner, to the creation of the waste tire pile. The bill passed the House 194-0 and the Senate 49-0.
Free Recycling Contracting Course in Six Locations
DEP is sponsoring a free workshop designed for municipal and county recycling coordinators and procurement officials to learn about methods for procuring recycling services and developing ordinances aimed at achieving increased revenue from the sale of materials; higher materials recovery rates; improved recovered materials quality; enhanced working relationships with service providers and much more.
Workshops will be held in the following cities:
- April 4—Meadville, PA,
- April 5—Monroeville, PA
- April 7—Bellefonte, PA
- April 10—Wilkes Barre, PA
- April 11—Valley Forge, PA
- April 12—Harrisburg, PA
Please contact Jeff Bednar to RSVP or with questions.
RHODE ISLAND
R.I. Resource Recovery to Partner with RBRC to Promote Proper Battery Recycling
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) is partnering with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) to begin a new recycling program in the spring to create awareness of rechargeable battery benefits and appropriate disposal practices for users. RIRRC also announced the establishment of a permanent collection barrel for rechargeable batteries at their Johnston, R.I. facility.
The program will launch April 8th at an Earth Day clean-up at Narragansett Town Beach. Collection bins for used batteries and information will be distributed free of charge to any business interested in taking part in the program.
RBRC’s Call2Recycle program was founded in 1994 and focuses on promoting the recycling of used portable rechargeable batteries found in cellular and cordless telephones, cordless power tools, laptop computers, digital cameras, camcorders and two-way radios. RBRC has 30,000 collection locations at retail, business, community and public agencies throughout the U.S. These organizations receive materials necessary to participate in the program free of cost and RBRC pays for all shipping and recycling fees. Participants are located in both Canada and the U.S. and include retailers such as Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black & Decker Service Centers, Cingular Wireless, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, RadioShack, Sears, Staples, Target, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.
Certified by the EPA and supported by the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996, Call2Recycle is funded by more than 300 manufacturers and marketers of portable rechargeable batteries as well as licensees that represent more than 90% of the rechargeable power industry. These companies pay a fee to have an RBRC battery recycling seal on their products. In addition, proceeds from refurbishing and reselling these items are given to charity.