January 2007
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
New Supporting Member
- Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority
Renewing Sustaining Members
- Curbside Value Partnership
- Metal Management
Renewing Supporting Member
- Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania
STATE UPDATES
- Fall WasteWise Forum Held
- Pay-As-You-Throw Reaps Dividends Across Massachusetts
- Law Regarding Vehicle Dismantling Facilities
- Trex Supplies $20,000 of Furniture to Rhode Island Resource Recovery Education Center
- Waste Prevention Forum to be Held in February
NEWS FROM ADVISORY MEMBERS
- PROP Announces 17th Annual Conference
- 2007 PROP Certification Courses
- Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center Seeks Executive Director
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.
| 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. |
TOPICS
MEMBERSHIP
We are very pleased to share with you the following:
New Supporting Member
Renewing Sustaining Members
- Curbside Value Partnership
- Metal Management
Renewing Supporting Member
Thank you one and all!
It is through the active participation and 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
NERC's Spring Conference Dates - March 13 - 14
Check your calendar to make sure you have the right dates for NERC's Spring Conference. The Conference will be held on March 13 & 14 at the Hotel Northampton in Northampton, Massachusetts. Hope to see you there. NERC's Spring Conference to Focus on the Sustainability of Plastics Recycling
Come join us to discuss the recycling issues of one of our most popular materials:
- Role and Impact of Design for the Environment (DfE) on Future Plastics Recycling
- Bio-plastics Packaging - Friend or Foe?
- Zero Plastics Packaging Waste - Is It Possible?
- Latest Innovations in Agricultural Film and Marine Shrink Wrap Recycling
- Discussion with Marine Shrink Wrap Manufacturers and Recycling Manufacturers on Issues Effecting Recycling
For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC's Conference Organizer.
Recycling Economic Information Study - Update - RFP to be Released
In early January a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released by NERC for an update of the Recycling Economic Information Study. This first-of-its-kind study was published in 2000. Prepared with funding by EPA and NERC member states, the Recycling Economic Information Study was prepared by R.W. Beck and chronicled the economic role of recycling in the Northeast states. In 2000, the study found that "the NERC region hosts more than 13,000 recycling and reuse establishments employing approximately 206,000 people generating an annual payroll of $6.8 billion and $44 billion in annual revenues."
When available, the RFP will be posted on the NERC website with a link from the homepage. To have a copy of the RFP emailed to you, contact Lynn Rubinstein
Projects Manager Joins NERC Staff
NERC is pleased to announce that Athena Lee Bradley of Greenfield, Massachusetts is joining the NERC staff in early January. Athena will be a full time Projects Manager. Among other responsibilities, she will be the project lead for the USDA Rural Town and Business grant project, and will be key staff for the New York State Recycling Markets Database project.
Athena will bring more than 20 years of professional experience in the public and private recycling sectors to her position at NERC. Most recently, she worked as the Program Manager for the Franklin County (Massachusetts) Solid Waste Management District.
Please join us in welcoming Athena to the NERC staff.
"State Electronics Challenge" Teleconference - January 4
GETTING TO KNOW THE STATE ELECTRONICS CHALLENGE - WHAT IT WILL DO FOR YOU
The State Electronics Challenge (SEC) is a pilot project being developed and implemented by the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) with funding from EPA. The SEC will promote the environmental stewardship of computers by state, regional, and local government by providing information, implementation tools, recognition, and technical assistance for procurement, power management, and end-of-life management of computers. It will promote best management practices, including EPA's electronics programs: the Electronics Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT©), Energy Star©, and Plug into eCycling.
Like the federal government, the scale of state procurement and property management offers the potential to dramatically affect environmental quality as well as to influence private sector action. This project will work with all levels of government to promote and recognize their leadership in the environmental stewardship of computers.
You will be provided with call-in instructions and a PowerPoint in advance of the call.
Please RSVP to executive.director@nerc.org by January 3.
NERC Adopts Zero Packaging Waste Policy
The NERC Board of Directors has adopted a zero packaging waste policy that states "NERC endorse a goal of zero waste for all packaging, including beverage container waste, by 2020."
Changes in the NERC Board of Directors
We would like to welcome the newest member of the NERC Board of Directors: Ken Reisinger, Director of the Bureau of Waste Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
And, Jim Short, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been elected to serve as Vice-President of the Board.
STATE UPDATES
MASSACHUSETTS
Fall WasteWise Forum Held
MassDEP held its Annual Fall WasteWise Forum at Consigli Construction Company in Milford, Massachusetts on November 30th. Topics included Green Teams and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) with presenters from Consigli Construction, MassDEP, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the United Postal Service-Northeast Area. Attendees were given a tour of Consigli's new corporate headquarters, a historic Milford school, recently dismantled and reconstructed block by block by the company. Consigli received Massachusetts first WasteWise award for construction recycling leadership in 2004.
Pay-As-You-Throw Reaps Dividends Across Massachusetts (+)
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) has become so successful in Massachusetts that it's scarcely news when yet another community in the Commonwealth begins implementing it - more than 117 towns are already doing so. Nevertheless, Massachusetts now boasts nine new additions to its ever-growing PAYT family since 2005.
With assistance from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grants, PAYT has attracted cities like Attleboro, with a population of 41,103 people, as well as small towns like Northfield, with less than 3,000 residents.
Massachusetts PAYT coordinator Joseph Lambert attributes the program's success to multiple factors: limiting Massachusetts to 17 landfills and five combustors; banning "everything you can think of that is hazardous or recyclable" from the trash; informing elected officials about the program's benefits; and offering two types of DEP grants, which enable municipalities without enough money or manpower to make PAYT work for them.
"We show elected officials it's not always a political risk to launch these programs," Lambert said. "It's leadership and taking a stand. Good public policy, in other words, and not just a gimmick."
Several towns in Western Massachusetts - Greenfield, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, and Northfield - offer excellent recent case studies. Each town's program differs slightly, but all four experienced lower waste collection, reduced disposal costs, increased recycling rates, and increased town revenue from recycling - unanimously exceeding the towns' original expectations for their PAYT programs.
Greenfield experienced the most dramatic results from PAYT, saving $87,259 during the first 10 months from avoided disposal costs alone. Greenfield implemented a PAYT bag program in July 2005, charging residents $1.50/large bag (33-gallon) and $0.75/small bag (16-gallon). Trash and recycling are collected weekly at the curbside. Proving that imitation is indeed the best form of flattery, East Longmeadow's program, also started in July 2005, was so successful that the neighboring town of Longmeadow adopted the same PAYT model nearly a year later. East Longmeadow and Longmeadow offer residents a basic service model: one 35-gallon (36-gallon in Longmeadow) trash bag or barrel is paid for within the tax rate, but extra trash must be left out for weekly collection in a special 33-gallon trash bag that the towns sell for $1.50 ($1.75 in Longmeadow). Recycling is also collected curbside.
The town of Northfield adopted a PAYT bag program in October 2005. Residents must place all trash in designated Northfield trash bags sold for $2.00/large bag (33-gallon) and $0.75/small bag (16-gallon). Trash and recycling are collected at the town's drop-off facility. The town realized additional savings by reducing the number of municipal solid waste hauls from 10 times a month to four times. At $179 per haul, this simple change saves Northfield more than $1,000 each month.
A complete list of Massachusetts PAYT programs is available at www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/paytlist.pdf.
|
Pay-As-You-Throw Program Results Through April 2006 (10 months) |
||||||
|
Town |
Trash Reduced (tons) |
% Trash Reduced |
Disposal Money Saved |
Recycling Increase (tons) |
% Recycling Increase |
Money from Recycling * |
|
Greenfield |
1229 |
24% |
$87,259 |
798 |
62% |
$58,520 |
|
East Longmeadow |
943 |
22% |
$66,953 |
169 |
12% |
$43,484 |
|
Northfield |
99 |
30% |
$7,029 (only 6 months) |
13 |
10% |
$4,648 (only 6 months) |
Source: Springfield Materials Recycling Facility
* The numbers above do not reflect the revenue from bag sales, which is a built-in fee designed to cover both the cost of the bags and part of the town's disposal costs.
(+) Excerpted from the US EPA Pay-As-You-Throw Bulletin, Fall 2006.
NEW YORK
New York Law Regarding Vehicle Dismantling Facilities
On July 26, 2006, Governor George Pataki signed into law Article 27, Title 23: Vehicle Dismantling Facilities. This law expands the solid waste management requirements for facilities that dismantle automobiles and generate used vehicle fluids and other materials such as mercury switches, PCB capacitors, etc. Previously, such facilities were exempt from solid waste regulations except for an annual Waste Fluids Reports that detailed disposal of waste fluids.
Some of the major requirements included in the new law are:
·An Annual Report which requires the following information be submitted:
- Number of vehicles received, crushed/removed, and stored,
- Area of facility used for End of Life Vehicle (ELV) storage,
- Quantity and disposition of waste vehicle fluids, and
- Violations of any applicable rules and regulations, especially Article 27, Title 23
·Stored ELVs must be free of uncontrolled leaks.
·All fluid draining/collection activities must take place on a concrete pad or equivalent surface.
·Vehicle fluids, lead acid batteries, mercury containing devices, PCB capacitors, refrigerants, and air bags must be removed in accordance with best management practices prior to vehicle crushing or shredding.
·Fluids must be stored in closed, clearly marked, undamaged containers that are placed on a bermed surface of concrete or equivalent material.
·Lead acid batteries must not be stored on the ground and must be covered to prevent contact with water. Leaking batteries must be stored in leak-proof containers.
·PCB capacitors and mercury containing devices must be stored in a labeled container for recycling or disposal.
For further information on the law and its requirements, please visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's webpage on Vehicle Dismantlers or contact Richard Clarkson.
RHODE ISLAND
Trex Company Supplies $20,000 of Furniture to Rhode Island Resource Recovery Education Center
Trex Company has donated $20,000 worth of benches and tables to Resource Recovery's Visitors' Education Center. Comprised of recycled plastic bags and composite wood filler, the donated supplies will be used in the learning center for visitors and schoolchildren participating in tours of the MRF.
"We've been doing a lot with Resource Recovery," said John Schultz, national field sourcing manager at Trex, "and we are so pleased to be supporting the ReStore (plastic bag recycling) program and helping out in the children's center."
Schultz explains what he loves most is the fact that "kids can actually see the plastic bags and shrink wrap being recycled at the MRF and then witness first-hand the end result."
"It really shows people what can be done when you recycle," he said. "If it weren't for the ReStore program, these bags would have been taking up space in the landfill."
Trex has partnered with R.I. Resource Recovery in the past, most notably with the ReStore program - the statewide plastic bag recycling effort and the first of its kind in the country. Trex Company handles all of the plastic bags collected as part of the program and uses them in their decking materials. This past summer, Trex partnered with Resource Recovery and Shaw's Supermarkets to create a float for the Bristol Fourth of July parade. The float featured the life cycle of a plastic bag as it was recycled and manufactured into Trex decking materials. The float was awarded first place in the Commercial Float division.
VERMONT
Waste Prevention Forum to be Held in February
In 2001, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation identified critical solid waste management issues facing the state, and identified Waste Prevention as the highest priority. However, since that time, the state's waste stream has continued to increase despite a variety of waste prevention programs at the local, state, and national levels.
The Department is hosting a Forum on Thursday, February 15, 2007 in Montpelier, Vermont which will start off a stakeholder process to develop an effective and measurable five-year statewide waste prevention strategy. This forum will help shape the direction of our efforts.
· Learn how much and what types of waste Vermont businesses and consumers generate and how it has changed over time,
· Hear from manufacturers, retailers, and districts about their efforts,
· Learn about local to international strategies to prevent waste from being generated in the first place, and
· Provide input to help the State develop effective strategies.
NEWS FROM ADVISORY MEMBERS
PROP Announces 17th Annual Conference
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) announce their 17th Annual Conference slated for Summer 2007 in southeastern Pennsylvania.
John Frederick, PROP Executive Director and the PROP Conference Committee, have chosen the theme, "Recycling - A Revolutionary Idea," celebrating the historic Valley Forge setting chosen for the 2007 conference. The Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania has been selected as the host hotel for the three day event that draws several hundred recycling professionals nationwide. The PROP conference will be held from July 31 through August 2, 2007.
Waste Management, Inc. has announced their continued support of PROP's mission as the 2007 Conference Platinum Sponsor. Past sponsors have included the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Abitibi Consolidated, L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Centre County Solid Waste Authority, The Steel Recycling Institute and other private and public entities.
Exhibits will again be a primary component of the PROP conference. Exhibitors display the latest products and services for all aspects of recycling. The conference venue will allow forty-plus exhibitors to display even heavy equipment, since there will be outdoor space available.
Registration is now open, with early registration encouraged to take advantage of "early bird" discounts. PROP recommends early vendor registration for best space availability.
PROP is a non-profit nonpartisan statewide organization of recycling professionals dedicated to promoting and enhancing the interests of municipal and county recycling programs in Pennsylvania. Their purpose is to develop the skills and resources of members by enhancing recycling, to promote the common interests of those engaged in recycling in Pennsylvania, to educate the public and private sectors, institutions, and media about the appropriate role of recycling, to facilitate communication and informative exchange among recycling professionals in the public and private sectors and among various levels and branches of government, to establish and promote standards within the profession of recycling, to consider and express opinion on solid waste and recycling issues and to provide comment on proposed rules, regulations and legislation. PROP represents over 600 members from the public and private sector as well as the composting community.
For further information about the conference, contact PROP at www.proprecycles.org.
2007 PROP Certification Courses
PROP has 17 certification courses being offered. The next one "Train the Trainer," will take place on January 30, at PSU Harrisburg. Additional courses will be announced soon.
For more information on the Recycling Professional Certification Program visit PROP's website at www.proprecycles.org and click on certification. Contact Amy Zuckett, Education Director for additional information.
Professional Certification will require 4.0 CEU's of class work in a maximum of four years and passing of the Certification Examination. Once certification is attained, 3.0 CEU's will be required every three years following graduation to maintain certification. PROP also offers Specialty Certificates in Processing, Composting, Education, Collection, Management and Recycling Markets. Penn State University Continuing Education policies require that participants be present for at least 80% of each class in order to receive credit. It will be up to each individual to read and study supplemental materials as well as the manual on their own time.
Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center Seeks Executive Director
Position Description:
· To develop marketing opportunities, ensure the viability of the organization, serve as a liaison for government, business and industry, and oversee the daily operations of the Recycling Markets Center (RMC).
· Provide the primary executive, strategic, representational, and fundraising leadership for the RMC.
· Supervise staff, and build relationships with prospective clients, and service provider partners and other stakeholders with roles to play in recycling market development in Pennsylvania.
The Executive Director reports jointly to the RMC Board of Directors and the Director of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology and will be an employee of The Pennsylvania State University.
Position Requirements:
· Masters degree or equivalent, plus five years of work-related experience. Superior verbal and written communications skills are required.
· Candidate must be an experienced service-oriented individual with a passion and commitment to waste minimization, recycling, reuse of materials and beneficial uses of waste streams.
· Candidate must demonstrate creative vision, the ability to think innovatively and strategically, and possess dynamic leadership abilities.
· Experience related to recycling market development, business and economic development, technology assistance and/or business financing is strongly preferred.
This is a fixed-term appointment funded through June 30, 2007 with excellent possibility of re-funding.
If interested, please forward your cover letter and resume to:
Dorothy Guy, Human Resources Director
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
or via email: djg1@psu.edu
Resumes will be accepted until January 12, 2007.