April 2008
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
MEMBERSHIP
Renewing Sustaining Member
New Supporting Member
- J. M. Murray Center, Inc.
Renewing Supporting Members
- RRFB Nova Scotia
- Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association
- Corcoran Environmental Services
- World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A)
NERC NEWS
- NERC Marks 20th Year at Spring Conference
- NERC Staff Presents in Alabama, New Jersey, & Vermont
- Upcoming Presentations by NERC Staff
- Several Firsts for the State Electronics Challenge
- Recycling Business Assistance Guide Updated
- Upcoming Unwanted Medication Collections
- NEWMOA Presents NERC with Plaque in Honor of 20th Anniversary
TPCH UPDATE
STATE UPDATES
NEW YORK
- New York State’s 2008 Solid Waste & Recycling Conference & Trade Show
- Draft Commissioner’s Finding on Certain Mercury Containing Product Categories
RHODE ISLAND
ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS
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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. |
State and Advisory Member Updates are provided as submissions to NERC and may not reflect the policy or position of the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.
NERC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
TOPICS
MEMBERSHIP
We are delighted to welcome the J. M. Murray Center, Inc. as a new Supporting Member.
In addition, we thank Sharp Electronics for renewing as a Sustaining Member, and the Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association, and RRFB Nova Scotia, Corcoran Environmental Services, and World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A) for renewing as a Supporting Members.
Thank you!
A hallmark of NERC is the strength of multi-stakeholder involvement and problem solving. This is a direct result of the active participation and support of NERC’s Advisory Members.
To see a listing of Advisory Members and the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership Web page.
The broad spectrum of interests represented by NERC’s Advisory Members and Board Members and their willingness to participate significantly contribute to the unique and important role that NERC plays in recycling in the region.
NERC NEWS
NERC Marks 20th Year at Spring Conference
The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) celebrated the organization’s 20th Anniversary at its Spring Conference on March 18 and 19 in Northampton, Massachusetts. NERC’s mission is to advance an environmentally sustainable economy by promoting recycling, source and toxicity reduction, and the purchase of environmentally preferable products and services.
More than 75 participants listened as Jerry Powell of Resource Recycling highlighted the recycling industry’s progress over the past 20 years. In addition, Michael Alexander of Green River Consulting described NERC’s contributions to the industry’s many successes. Kate Krebs, Executive Director of the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) presented the NRC’s efforts to rebrand recycling for greater impact.
Panasonic’s Dave Thompson introduced MRM, a new company formed by Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba to manage electronics collection and recycling programs in the U.S. The company has already signed contracts with Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi, Philips, Pioneer, and Sanyo. The Green Electronics Council’s Sarah O’Brien updated participants on the plans and progress of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT™). This tool helps public and private institutional purchasers select computers based on their environmental attributes; the tool simultaneously helps manufacturers promote environmentally preferable products.
Carbon Credit Trading and Recycling was presented by Will Ferretti of Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the world’s first voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce emissions of all six greenhouse gases.
The impact of material quality on sorting and processing technologies was discussed by Tamsin Ettefagh of Envision Plastic , Sean Duffy from Casella Waste Management, Inc. and Todd Ellis of Sprint Recycling.
Linda Knapp of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO) reported on the Philadelphia Deconstruction Pilot Project. Deconstruction is the planned and systematic disassembly of buildings with the purpose of harvesting and processing materials for reuse.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the American Chemistry Council, and the Steel Recycling Institute sponsored NERC’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on the evening of March 18. Details of NERC’s 20-year history of achievements are available on the NERC Web site.
NERC Staff Presents in Alabama, New Jersey, & Vermont
Mary Ann Remolador presented at three events —The Vermont Recycling Coordinator’s Monthly Meeting in February, The Southeast Recycling Conference and Trade Show in February, and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers’ Annual Meeting in March. The topics presented included the Recycling Makes Sen$e Toolkit for Towns, Businesses, and Schools and the ABCs of Grantwriting from a Grantee’s Perspective. Both presentations can be found on NERC’s Web site.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director
Upcoming Presentations by NERC Staff
It seems that the speaking season is before us. In the next few months NERC staff will be making a number of presentations.
April 4, 2008 - Toxics in Packaging: XRF Screening Detects Heavy Metals,
Sustainable Packaging Coalition Spring Meeting, San Francisco, California. Patty Dillon
Project funding: EPA New England
April 10 – State Electronics Challenge. GreenIT: It’s Easy Being GREEN, Albany, New York. Lynn Rubinstein
Project funding: EPA Region 2
April 22 - Training On The Use Of The Environmental Benefits Calculator For Municipal Recycling Coordinators, Hartford, Connecticut. Athena Lee Bradley
Project funding: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
April 24 – How to Buy Green Computers & Measure the Environmental Impact, Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, Baltimore, Maryland. Lynn Rubinstein
Project funding: EPA Region 3
April 29, 2008 – State Electronics Challenge, ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability Teleconference. Lynn Rubinstein and Patty Dillon
Project funding: EPA Region 2
May 5 - Recycling Makes Sen$e Toolkit, NY Federation Solid Waste Conference, Bolton Landing, New York. Mary Ann Remolador
Project funding: USDA
May 7 – New Online Regional Recycling Markets Database, NY Federation Solid Waste Conference, Bolton Landing, New York. Athena Lee Bradley
Project funding: New York Empire State Development
May 13 - Recycling Makes Sen$e workshop, New Jersey WasteWise Business Network Semi-annual Meeting, Edison, New Jersey. Mary Ann Remolador
Project funding: USDA
May 17 – 20 - Manure Management for Small and Hobby Farms workshops in New Hampshire, Athena Lee Bradley
Project funding: USDA
- Saturday, May 17th, 11:00 am
Newton Supply
23 South Main Street, Newton
- Saturday, May 17, 3:00 pm
Griffinbrook, Ltd.
Raymond Road, Candia
- Monday, May 19, 6:30 pm
Canterbury Town Offices
Canterbury
- Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 pm
Remick Museum
Tamworth
June 9 - Recycling Makes Sen$e Toolkit, NRRA Annual Conference, Nashua, New Hampshire. Mary Ann Remolador
Project funding: USDA
August 26 & 27 - Recycling Makes Sen$e workshop, Schoharie County and Town of Schoharie, New York. Mary Ann Remolador
Project funding: USDA
Several Firsts for the State Electronics Challenge
The First Massachusetts State Electronics Challenge Partner
The Franklin County Solid Waste District has become the first Massachusetts State Electronics Challenge Partner. It joins two other solid waste districts as Partners – Centre County Solid Waste Authority in Pennsylvania, and the Northeast Kingdom Solid Waste Management District in Vermont.
The First New York State Electronics Challenge Partner
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has also joined as a Partner. Other Partner Agencies include:
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ,
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and
- Vermont Agency of Natural Resources .
And, the First School Department Partner
The City of Providence, Rhode Island, has again stepped forward as a leader in taking responsibility for the life cycle impacts of its computers by adding the City School Department as a Partner. It joins the City of Providence City Hall and Public Safety Complex as Partners.
For a complete list of Partners, visit the State Electronics Challenge Web site.
The State Electronics Challenge provides an action plan and implementation tools for purchasing environmentally preferable computers, power management, and reuse/recycling of computers assets. A data collection form and a calculator tool help organizations translate their actions into measurable environmental benefits such as reductions in greenhouse gases, toxicity, and solid waste generation.
The Northeast Recycling Council is currently recruiting state, regional, and local governments in the Northeast to join the SEC. For more information, go to www.stateelectronicschallenge.net.
Upcoming Unwanted Medication Collections
Medications in our water supplies has finally hit the mainstream with lots and lots of national media coverage, all started by an in-depth article by the Associated Press. NERC has been working on this issue since 2004 and has held almost a dozen successful collections in that time. Two more collections are currently scheduled:
- April 5, Windsor, Connecticut – sponsored by CVS/Caremark and the Farmington River Watershed Association, and
- June 7, Wellesley, Massachusetts – sponsored by Eaton Apothecary.
NERC continues to work on this issue through a Community Pharmacy Foundation grant.
Several times a week NERC is contacted for information about how to hold collections, and NERC’s publications Operating Unwanted Medication Collections - A Legal & Safe Approach and Holding an Unwanted Medication Collection as Part of a Household Hazardous Waste Event remain “top hits” on our Web site – averaging more than 100 downloads a month. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein .
Recycling Business Assistance Guide Updated
Last updated in 2005, the Recycling Business Assistance Guide for the Northeast States, has been completely updated, thanks to a grant from the USDA.
The Recycling Business Assistance Guide is a comprehensive compendium of business resources available to start-up and expanding recycling businesses in the Northeast states. It provides businesses with a directory of the resources available to them from each state and how to contact those programs.
The Guide provides state-specific contact and program information about grant and loan fund programs, tax incentive programs, sources of technical support, and other resources for assisting recycling businesses in getting established or expanding. Each listing includes a contact name, address, phone, fax, email, and Web link (when available).
For more information, contact Athena Lee Bradley, NERC Projects Manager.
NEWMOA Presents NERC with Plaque in Honor of 20th Anniversary
At its 20th anniversary celebration in Northampton, Massachusetts, the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA) presented NERC with a plaque in honor of the event. NEWMOA Deputy Director Terri Goldberg (right) made the presentation to NERC Executive Director Lynn Rubinstein.
The NERC Board and staff were very touched and appreciative of the acknowledgement of the organization’s anniversary.
TPCH UPDATE
TPCH Welcomes Washington as its Newest State Member
The State of Washington recently joined the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH). TPCH is pleased to strengthen its presence in western states, bringing greater geographic balance to its membership. TPCH member states now include two western states (California and Washington), five Northeast states (Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island), and three Midwest states (Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota). Unfortunately, Maine chose not to renew its membership in 2008 due to budget constraints. For more information on the TPCH.
STATE UPDATES
NEW YORK
New York State’s 2008 Solid Waste & Recycling Conference & Trade Show
The Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations is hosting its annual Solid Waste & Recycling Conference and Trade Show, May 4 - 7, 2008. This event is the largest gathering of public and private sector recycling and solid waste professionals in the Northeast. It attracts attendees for its technical sessions and is further supported by more than 100 major exhibitors for the Trade Show.
The Conference and Trade Show is held at the Sagamore, an exquisite resort located on Lake George, NY. One of New York’s premier hotels, the Sagamore, is situated on its own 80-acre island and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What is so special about this Federation event? “Our conference strikes a balance,” says Russell Rutkowski, conference chair. “The technical program encompasses ALL aspects of solid waste, the format is conducive to networking with colleagues, and it’s all held on an island in New York’s beautiful Adirondacks! There’s no better way to sharpen your professional skills.”
New York State Issues Draft Commissioner’s Finding Statement on Certain Mercury-Containing Product Categories
Environmental Conservation Law 27-2107(8) directed the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to issue a written finding by February 20, 2008, regarding whether non-mercury alternatives are available for five mercury-containing product categories. The five product categories are sphygmomanometers, thermometers (except mercury body/fever thermometers which were banned in January 1, 2005), wetted reed relays, flame sensors, and thermostats (except those used by the blind or visually impaired).
The draft finding, entitled “Environmental Conservation Law Section 27-2107(8) Draft Written Finding on Non-mercury Alternatives to Certain Mercury-containing Products,” may be viewed on the NYSDEC Web site. This draft finding states that non-mercury alternatives are comparable in price to, as effective in performance as, and as accurate and precise as mercury sphygmomanometers and mercury thermometers. Mercury wetted reed relays, mercury flame sensors, and mercury thermostats may continue to be sold in New York since these devices are necessary in certain circumstances, according to the draft finding. NYSDEC urges users of these products to purchase non-mercury alternatives whenever possible.
Public comments on the draft finding will be accepted until April 4, 2008.
RHODE ISLAND
Bottle Bill & Recycling Rates on RI Legislative Docket
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation supports two bills in the works at this session of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The bottle bill legislation (S2797) proposes a five-cent deposit on all carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, and all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, RIRRC would be allowed to own and operate redemption centers statewide to provide convenience to the consumer and to ensure that the containers remain part of the materials collected and resold by RIRRC.
The second bill, if passed, will require businesses that employ 50+ employees to contract with a hauler to recycle their solid waste. The bill (S2797) states that commercial waste may be hauled by a municipality if both parties agree to it. Additionally, all Rhode Island cities and towns will be required to recycle a minimum of 35 percent of its solid waste and divert a minimum of 50 percent of its total solid waste. The current recycling rate for Rhode Island municipalities is 15 percent. Local governments will need to conduct a residential and municipal waste stream evaluation, create a plan for the reduction of solid waste and recyclables generated, and delineate the process by which recyclable materials are to be segregated. All three will be contractual requirements with RIRRC.
ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS
Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center Recognized as Associate Member of Chicago Climate Exchange
In a precedent-setting endeavor, The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (RMC) announced membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding integrated greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry, and trading system. The RMC is the first recycled markets development organization to join CCX. In support of processes that utilize recycled materials, the RMC realizes the many carbon emission reduction benefits that can result and is demonstrating its commitment to the process.
As a result of becoming an Associate Member of the Chicago Climate Exchange, the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center will annually inventory and report its indirect emissions to CCX to verify and audit. Reporting requirements include vehicle use, air travel, and business operations. Once the verification process is complete and total emissions are confirmed, RMC is required to purchase and retire CCX Carbon Financial Instrument® (CFI) contracts through the CCX trading platform to fully offset the indirect emissions it produces annually.
The intent of the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center is to assist existing recycled materials processors and manufacturers to define protocols and pathways to tradable carbon credits. The unique opportunity to potentially trade carbon credits could further strengthen economic, environmental, and social sustainability of recycling. To scope recycled materials processes for carbon emission reduction opportunity, the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center has partnered with Environmental Credit Corporation (ECC), State College, PA. ECC President Scott Subler says, “RMC is taking a leadership role in introducing Pennsylvania recyclers to rapidly developing opportunities in the carbon market. We’re excited to be working with them on this important issue.” The partnership between RMC and ECC is to investigate carbon emission reduction opportunities for processors and end users of recycled secondary commodities.
Organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center is the leader in developing and expanding recycling markets in Pennsylvania. In a competitive global marketplace, the RMC is the keystone clearinghouse of environmental, economic development, and manufacturing resources for end use support of recycled commodities and products. The RMC is headquartered at Penn State Harrisburg with satellite offices near Pittsburgh. To learn about recycled materials markets opportunities, contact the RMC at info@parmc.org.