News &
Updates

To view our archived Bulletins, click on a date below.

February 2012

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

New Supporting Member

Cascades Recovery

Renewing Supporting Members

Association of New Jersey Recyclers
Centre County Solid Waste Authority
New York State Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management
Newspaper Association of America (NAA)
Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP)

NEW NERC RESOURCES & DOCUMENTS

NERC NEWS

STATE UPDATES

MAINE

Maine's 2010 Waste Generation & Disposal Capacity Report Released

NEW YORK

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS

OF GENERAL INTEREST

New York Biomass Trader Extends Life of Organic "Waste"

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, as well articles of General Interest and guest blogs 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.

MEMBERSHIP

We are delighted to welcome Cascades Recovery as a new Supporting Member and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR), Centre County Solid Waste Authority, New York State Legislative Commission on Solid Waste Management, Newspaper Association of America (NAA), and the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) as renewing Supporting Members.

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. NERC has more than 50 Advisory Members. To see a complete listing 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.

NEW NERC RESOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

Market Resources for Recycling Industries

NERC's Market Resources for Recycling Industries has been newly updated. This document is a comprehensive compendium of Web- based resources that support the recycling industry. It is intended to save recycling entrepreneurs time in identifying available markets for recyclable materials. The document includes listings of brokers, collectors, processors, end-users, recyclers, material recovery facilities, trade associations, publications, and regional recycling market development organizations. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.

Degradable Additives in Plastics Policy

NERC has adopted a policy position on degradable additives in plastics. That policy is now available on the NERC Website. For a further description, see the Bulletin article below.

NERC NEWS

Environmentally Sound Mattress Management

Is Good for Businesses, Institutions, & Government — Workshop Agenda Now Available!

Whether you work for a hotel, prison, hospital, military installation, municipal government, or another entity making the decisions about how to deal with used or discarded mattresses, NERC's Workshop on Environmentally Sound Mattress Management is for you. The Workshop will provide information on mattress management, as well as introduce you to companies involved in mattress management.

The Workshop will include sessions on:

The Mattress Manufacturing Industry
Mattress Reuse & Recycling Options & the Impact on Job Creation
The Impact of Bed Bugs & Pesticide Treatment on Mattress Handlers
Components & Benefits of a Mattress Management Plan
Concurrent Sessions

Business & Institution Track

Questions to Ask Mattress Management Companies
Networking Directly with Mattress Management Companies

Government Track

Steps for Implementing a Successful Mattress Management Program
Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation for Mattress Management

When: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Where: Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts

For more information, contact: Mary Ann Remolador, NERC.

Sponsors

25 Years & Counting – NERC Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary

Founded in 1987, NERC is celebrating its silver anniversary in 2012. Looking back, it seems to have been a constant whirlwind of innovation, success, and collaboration. A unique organization, NERC can boast of its leadership in regional strategies that support environmental and economic sustainability through source reduction, recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing, and recycling market development. NERC has demonstrated its leadership with its projects and has broken new ground in a number of important areas.

As an organization, NERC conducts projects that influence policy and affect change through research, technical assistance, demonstration projects, and education.

Among NERC's many accomplishments since its 20th anniversary are:

Creating the the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse in collaboration with the National Center for Electronics Recycling.
Launching the National State Electronics Challenge, as well as securing grants from EPA Region 8 and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in support of this program, along with sponsorships from Samsung, Panasonic, Sims Recycling Solutions, the Consumer Electronics Association, Metech Recycling, and the ISRI R2/RIOS program.
Staffing and supporting the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse, which has published several significant studies in this period, including: Laboratory Round Robin Test Project: Assessing Performance in Measuring Toxics in Packaging and an Assessment of Heavy Metals in Packaging: 2009 Update.
Sustaining and expanding the New York Recycling Markets Database, as well as expanding the number of states participating in the database.
Updating the Recycling Economic Information Study in 2009.
Creating and supporting the ReuseMarketplacta.tech; a Website linking multiple materials exchanges.
Managing the Vermont Business Materials Exchange for three years.
Writing After the Disaster: A Guide for Residents and Small Businesses About Managing Debris Waste, a resource that had special recognition and value in the wake of the many disasters that struck the region in 2011.
Developing the first national guidance for pharmacies on the collection of unwanted medications from the public.
Conducting a nine-state project working with 32 towns to promote source reduction, recycling, and composting: Recycling Makes Sen$e. A number of important resources were written and published, including: Recycling Makes Sen$e workshop presentations and a Recycling Makes Sen$e Guide.
Conducted and delivered unique manure management workshops in three states, including the development of a handbook and guidance document: Manure Management Handbook for Hobby Farms and the Quick Guide to Developing a Manure Management Plan.
Conducted six workshops in four states, with more than 230 participants, on compost market development for farmers. A comprehensive Web page of resources and tools has been created to support this effort: Compost Marketing.
Organized and hosted annual conferences and workshops, drawing participation from throughout the region.

NERC was originally established by the Council of State Governments – Eastern Regional Conference (CSG-ERC) in 1987 to:

Address the growing concern about the millions of tons of municipal solid waste generated and disposed annually in the Northeast.
Garner support for the diversion of recyclable materials from disposal.
Assist with market development for the diverted recyclables.

NERC was an affiliate member of the CSG-ERC until 2000, at which time NERC became an independent non-profit organization. As an independent organization, NERC has been able to focus more directly on its core issues and to represent its mission on a regional and national basis. It has also allowed for expanded private sector involvement and multi-stakeholder dialogue.

NERC's Board of Directors represents state recycling and economic development agencies in the Northeast. Upon becoming independent from CSG-ERC, NERC amended its bylaws to allow Advisory Members to join as non-voting members, thereby giving interested businesses and associations the opportunity to participate in NERC. The result has been a broadened and strengthened organization. Currently, NERC has more than 50 organizations and companies participating as Advisory Members.

The synergy created by NERC's diverse membership and committed staff enables the organization to consider multiple perspectives on a given issue and undertake projects and activities that benefit the northeast and, in many cases, the entire country.

NERC Adopts Degradable Additives in Plastic Packaging Policy

The NERC Board of Directors voted in January to join the national movement expressing concern about the use of degradable additives in plastic packaging by adopting a policy position in opposition to the use of such additives. The Board determined that this practice currently has a negative impact on plastics recycling markets and the effectiveness of plastics recycling in general. The full policy is available on the NERC website.

The policy position concludes that because the environmental benefit of degradable additives is at best unclear, as is their potential effect on plastics recycling, NERC opposes the use of degradable additives in plastic packaging at this time. NERC does, however, fully support additional research into the both the: effects and impacts of degradable additives on the recyclability or composting of plastic packaging; and, the development of fully recyclable or compostable plastic packaging.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein , NERC Executive Director.

Energy Conservation through Lifecycle Stewardship of Computer Equipment – Free Webinar

The State Electronics Challenge is a national voluntary program that works with government entities, including schools, colleges and universities, to decrease energy usage and the environmental impact of the way they buy, use, and manage computer equipment at the end-of-life. A free introductory Webinar about the program is being offered on February 16. There are currently 130,000 people in 30 states participating in the Program.

The Challenge is a program that is of interest to anyone who works in IT, procurement, or recycling no matter the level of government. It also offers free technical support, annual sustainability reports on participants' accomplishments, and recogntion for their achievements.

If you can't make the Webinar but are interested in learning more, please contact Lynn Rubinstein, Program Manager.

The State Electronics Challenge is managed by the Northeast Recycling Council, and has funding from the EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and its sponsors: Samsung, Panasonic, Sims Recycling Solutions, the Consumer Electronics Association, ISRI R2/RIOS, and Metech Recycling.

Consumer Electronics Association Continues Its Support of the State Electronics Challenge

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has once again stepped forward to sponsor the State Electronics Challenge. CEA is the host of GreenerGadgets.org, an online resource for consumers that highlights the industry trend toward "greener gadgets," smaller, smarter, more energy efficient devices that can do more than ever before. The site offers valuable information about how to buy green electronics, use them efficiently and recycle them at the end of their useful life — the same priorities as the State Electronics Challenge. We are very grateful for CEA's support. It is through sponsorships such as theirs that the Challenge is able to be a national program.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, State Electronics Challenge Program Manager.

135,000 People, 32 States, All EPA Regions, 86 Partners

Celebrating its first anniversary as a national program, the State Electronics Challenge has achieved many new markers of success. As of mid-January there were 86 Partners in 32 states, representing all 10 of the EPA regions, and 135,000 employees. Since November 2011, nine new Partners have joined, expanding the number of represented states by two, and adding 25,000 employees to the program. The newest Partners are:

Travis County, Texas
Town of Mansfield, Connecticut
Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, Illinois
One World Montessori School, California
Maryland Department of the Environment
City of Cincinnati, Ohio
City of Madison Information Technology Department, Wisconsin
University of Nebraska Omaha
Norton Correctional Facility, Kansas

The full list of Partners is available at http://stateelectronicschallenge.net/current_partners.html.

The State Electronics Challenge is managed by the Northeast Recycling Council, and has funding from the EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and its sponsors: Samsung, Panasonic, ISRI R2/RIOS, Sims Recycling Solutions, the Consumer Electronics Association, and Metech Recycling.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Challenge Program Manager.

ISRI R2/RIOS Steps Up for the State Electronics Challenge

Due to the commitment to environmentally responsible electronics recycling and the use of certified recyclers that is shared by the R2/RIOS program and the State Electronics Challenge, R2/RIOS is again sponsoring the Challenge in 2012. With this support, the Challenge is proud to announce that all of its sponsors have renewed their support in the second year of the national program. Thank you!

National Green Schools Conference

The State Electronics Challenge will be presented as part of a panel on green procurement at the upcoming National Green Schools Conference in Denver. Lynn Rubinstein will present along with Sarah O'Brien of the Green Electronics Council, and Eric Anderson, Metech Recycling, Colorado. The conference is anticipated to draw as many as 2,000 attendees.

Keynote Panel MassRecycle's 2012 Recycling & Organics Trade Show & Conference

Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director, will be participating in the keynote panel at the upcoming MassRecycle's Conference on the topic "Re-Think Waste for a Sustainable Massachusetts." Also expected to be on the panel are Commissioner Ken Kimmel of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and Phil Goddard, Town of Bourne. Lynn will also be presenting later in the day on the State Electronics Challenge and the opportunities it offers to Massachusetts communities and schools. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.

White House E-Waste Sustainability Roundtable & Transforming Materials Management in the 21st Century – NERC Participates

NERC recently participated in two prestigious events, both designed to address how to expand the economic vitality of the recycling industry in the region and nationally.

The White House Energy, Environment, and Conservation Roundtable on E-Waste and Sustainability was jointly organized by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and EPA Region 1, and hosted by Electronics Recycling International. The roundtable discussion was led by New England Regional Administrators Robert Zarnetske, GSA and Curt Spalding, EPA. About 20 individuals from the New England e-scrap industry, Massachusetts government, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, EPA, MassRecycle, NRRA, GSA, and NERC participated in this dynamic discussion seeking solutions for growing jobs through the electronics recycling industry in New England, as well as enhancing the sustainability loop for electronics.

Also in January, the Connecticut Department of Energy and the Environment Protection (CT DEEP) hosted a roundtable to discuss how waste management can unlock the value of the materials economy in the 21st century. The event was co-sponsored by NEWMOA and EPA Region 1. More than 50 individuals from around the region and nation, in the public and private sectors, participated in a vibrant discussion of how to drive the economy through resource management. A report from the roundtable is expected in the next month or so, with follow-up meetings and an action plan. NERC was able to share its visions for regional recycling market development, as well as its current and planned efforts with the participants.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.

Visible Recycling Is Important

NERC has been holding its annual conferences and workshops at the Hotel Northampton for many years. As an organization concerned with the sustainability of its events, NERC staff has periodically met with the hotel's management to inquire about their recycling practices. What we found was that the hotel was recycling the meeting room waste, but sorting it behind- the-scenes.

The hotel's source-separation practice continues today under its present ownership. In a recent meeting with the owner, we found that the hotel is recycling more materials than in the past; is donating its used linens, furniture, and mattresses to local non-profit organizations for reuse; is reinstating its towel and linen washing conservation program; and is working with the City of Northampton to develop a food waste collection program for composting.

Given all of this effort devoted to waste diversion, you would think that is enough, but not so. It is unsettling to know recycling is occurring, but isn't in sight. As a society, we have come to expect to see recycling bins when we leave home. Visible recycling programs have become an important barometer to know if the establishments we use are being good environmental stewards.

To push this ideal forward, NERC continues to meet with the Hotel Northampton owner to discuss and assist with developing strategies on making recycling more visible at the hotel and to offer recycling throughout the facility. The owner is very interested in improving the hotel waste diversion, reuse, and recycling program and continues to explore modifications. We will keep you updated on the progress of this effort in future bulletins. For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC's Event Coordinator and Assistant Director.

STATE UPDATES

MAINE

Maine's 2010 Waste Generation and Disposal Capacity Report Released

The State's annual report on waste activities, including types and tonnages of waste generated, how they were managed, and projected disposal capacities, was presented to the Legislative Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in mid-January. George MacDonald, Manager of the State Planning Office's Waste Management and Recycling Program, walked the committee members through the report prior to the Committee's consideration of several bills on various solid waste issues. Highlights of the report include:

Total waste generation decreased by 3% from 1,777,498 tons in 2009 to 1,722,160 tons in 2010.
Maine recycling tonnage declined but the rate held steady. Recycling tonnage declined by 22,466 tons in 2010.
In 2010, Maine imported 285,276 tons of municipal solid waste that was destined for the four waste-to-energy facilities.
The State has sufficient statewide disposal capacity until 2020.

NEW YORK

E-Waste Deadline for Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Facilities & Haulers/Transporters

Beginning January 1, 2012, in accordance with the New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, private and public waste haulers/transporters and solid or hazardous waste management facilities are no longer allowed to dispose of electronic waste, such as televisions, computers, and computer peripherals, etc., in a solid or hazardous waste management facility located in New York State. Private and public waste haulers/transporters are prohibited from collecting electronic waste, unless it is destined for recycling/reuse. The law also requires private and public waste haulers/transporters using waste management facilities in the State, as well as the owners or operators of such facilities, to provide their customers with written information regarding the available options for recycling unwanted electronic equipment. In addition, owners and operators of solid or hazardous waste management facilities must post signs in conspicuous locations at the facilities, stating that, as of January 1, 2012, electronic waste may not be disposed.

As part of this newly enacted product stewardship law, waste management facilities and waste haulers/transporters have a vital role in educating their customers on the opportunities available for recycling electronic waste. Proper recycling of unwanted electronic equipment diverts thousands of pounds of waste from landfills and incinerators; keeps toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium from potentially contaminating the air, water and soil; and conserves natural resources when valuable materials are reclaimed and reused, rather than using virgin materials.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) has been overseeing implementation of the law which shifts end-of-life costs of managing electronic waste from municipalities to product manufacturers. The Department strongly encourages all New York State consumers to make use of the numerous free and convenient recycling opportunities available to them as part of this new law. For additional information about how and where New York State residents can recycle electronic waste, and for a full list of the types of electronic equipment that must be recycled under the law, go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66872.html. Additional Department guidance for New York State waste management facilities and waste haulers/transporters, including sample written information that may be provided to customers, is available at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66894.html.

New York State Green Chemistry Workshop

Staff from the NYSDEC's Central Office's Division of Materials Management's Toxic Reduction and Green Chemistry Section conducted New York State's very first green chemistry workshop for high school science teachers this past fall. This workshop was held at the Liberty H.S., Liberty, NY in Sullivan County, and was attended by 25 science teachers from 19 school districts and 11 counties from the Hudson Valley region. Liberty H.S. is DEC's green chemistry school's pilot program candidate representing the Hudson Valley region of the state. The teachers at Liberty H.S. have made a commitment to implement green chemistry practices as part of their chemistry lab work for one school calendar year. Michael Hazelnis, Liberty H.S. Science Department Chair said, "We are thrilled to be part of this program. Green chemistry will not only better prepare students who plan on pursing degrees in science-related fields, but it will undoubtedly be better for the environment. I am honored to be part of this movement in science education."

The second DEC green chemistry workshop for NYS schools science teachers was held on January 20, 2012, at Siena College in Loudonville, NY. Schalmont H.S., located in Rotterdam, NY, in Schenectady County, is the DEC green chemistry pilot program candidate representing the Capital District region.

There will be two additional DEC green chemistry in schools workshops scheduled to be held in Long Island and NYC in the fall of 2012 and 2013, respectively.

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS

Yellow Pages Opt-Out Consumer Choice

Developed in partnership between the Local Search Association and the Association of Directory Publishers, www.YellowPagesOptOut.com provides an easy and secure way for residents to control the number of Yellow Pages telephone directories they receive or to stop directory delivery entirely. It is a completely free service and the Local Search Association encourages efforts by municipalities and community-based organizations to make consumers aware of this important option.

The Internet-based tool is specifically designed to prevent directories from being delivered to anyone who doesn't want one while ensuring that they are delivered to the majority of consumers who continue to rely upon and use the print Yellow Pages to make purchases supporting the local business community and economy. It is a significant and unified commitment on behalf of directory publishers of which the positive impacts are already being realized in many communities around the country.

As the industry's official Website to manage requests, all Local Search Association and the Association of Directory Publishers member companies are committed to honoring requests made through the Opt-Out web portal. Information gathered through the site will not be sold to third-parties and will be used solely to update publishers' delivery information.

Simply go to www.YellowPagesOptOut.com, enter your zip code and follow the prompts to make your choice. Once complete, you will be sent a confirmation email. Click the link embedded in the email to confirm your request.

Sims Recycling Solutions to Expand Services at New Jersey Facility

Sims Recycling Solutions' Edison, New Jersey, facility recently obtained approval for a Class D permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for on-site de-manufacturing and processing of electronic equipment. The 92,000-square-foot site began operations last year and provides asset management, hand-dismantling of electronics and baling services for business and government customers throughout the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia metro areas.

"We are very pleased to have received approval from the NJDEP to install and operate the equipment necessary to provide a full range of electronics recycling services in New Jersey," said Steve Skurnac, president, Sims Recycling Solutions, Americas. "Approval of the permit application affirms Sims Recycling Solutions' ongoing commitment to exceed the environmental performance standards required by our host communities."

In addition to receiving the permit, the site also recently earned three new environmental and workplace health and safety certifications. These certifications include Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers (R2) certification, OHSAS 18001:2007 certification and ISO 14001:2004 certification.

"Obtaining these R2, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 certifications at our Edison facility further demonstrates Sims Recycling Solutions' dedication to safeguarding the interests of our employees, our clients and the environment," said Skurnac. "These certification programs establish rigorous environmental, health and safety standards and security practices. Sims' commitment to implementing these rigorous standards at every one of our sites ensures that obsolete electronics are processed in a secure and environmentally responsible manner."

The plant currently has approximately 25 employees. Within the next year, state-of-the-art mechanized shredding and sorting equipment will be installed at the facility.

For more information visit Sims Recycling Solutions.

UNTHA America Debuts New Shredder Configured For System Integration: Ideally Suited for Medical Waste Processing & Other Applications

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UNTHA America, Inc. has introduced a "System Integration" version of its popular RS40 series 4–shaft shredding machine. Unlike the stand-alone version, this machine is designed to be used by recycling system builders and integrators where a hopper, stand, cladding, etc. are not necessary, yet it still retains the reliability and innovative features which make UNTHA shredders such a great value. "What we have tried to do is anticipate what a system builder wouldn't need and delete it from the standard machine. But it is much more than that." said Peter Dion, Regional Sales Manager. He explained that UNTHA has added a special "H" frame on the underside to accommodate the quick change system for the screen. It is long enough to enable the builder to attach legs, an autoclave or other structure underneath the shredder to accommodate a conveyor or provide clearance for a variety of containers. The rails also extend under the electric motors which allows for additional distance between vertical beams if necessary. "There is also a standard flange under the screen which makes interfacing with a chute or pneumatic conveyor much easier than with our previous versions" explained Charles Hildebrand, Regional Sales Manager. "Controls are also an option, and we can provide information and assistance to the builder to use either our standard box or provide the interface necessary to operate the machine from another control source" he went on to say.

The RS30 and 40 Series shredders were completely redesigned in 2010 and offer a variety of innovative standard features such as two-piece mechanical seals, wear plates, a central lubrication system for the front bearings and gearbox oil level monitoring. They are ideally suited for wet or dry applications such as medical waste processing, e-scrap recycling, wood and plastics

UNTHA America is a wholly owned subsidiary of UNTHA shredding technology GmbH of Salzburg Austria, one of the premier designers and manufacturers of shredding equipment with over 8,000 machines in daily operation around the globe. For more information, contact Maggie Flynn.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

New York Biomass Trader Extends Life of Organic "Waste"

The Reuse Alliance and EPA Region 2 have partnered to reuse valuable biomass in the State of New York through an online materials exchange. New York Biomass Trader is a free, easy to use Website available to individuals, organizations, and businesses for the purpose of diverting valuable resources from the landfill.

The free service helps New York State reuse and recycle not only biomass-related materials, but also acts as a resource for industry products, services, and events. The scope of what can be bought, sold, or traded through New York Biomass Trader is vast; from food scraps, landscaping waste, biodiesel, and wood pellets, to bio-digester equipment and waste prevention consultation. The service is truly a one-stop shop for New Yorkers.