January 2015
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 Benefactor Member
New Sustaining Member
Renewing Sustaining Members
New Supporting Member
Renewing Supporting Members
NERC NEWS
- NERC’s Spring 2015 Conference Plans Green Event For Its Spring 2015 Conference
- NERC Completes Green Purchasing Project
- Arlington, Vermont Schools Compost
- Reuse in the Holiday Spirit - Toy Swap
- Giant Leap in State Electronics Challenge Participation
NEWLY POSTED
- Final Report for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative State Electronics Challenge Project Published
- Minutes from NERC Board of Directors Meeting, November 2014
STATE UPDATES
NEW YORK
ADVISORY MEMBER UPDATES
- Centre County Honors 60 Local Green Businesses, Schools & Organizations
- Sustainability Superstars Rock the Green is Good Radio Winter Line-Up
- John Shegerian Featured on Public Radio’s “Living on Earth”
-
Voluntary Product Stewardship Program Announced for Post-Consumer Carpet
OF GENERAL INTEREST
We are delighted to start the New Year by welcoming NERC's newest Benefactor Member: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). In fact, CEA raised its level of membership, having been a Sustaining Member for several years. Following suit, the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) is now a Sustaining Member, having only recently joined NERC as a Supporting Member it quickly upgraded its support level.
We also thank renewing Sustaining Members Casella Resource Solutions and Dart Container, and renewing Supporting Members - Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority and Materials Innovation & Recycling Authority (MIRA). And thank you to our newest Supporting Member - Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
To see a complete listing of NERC's Members and Supporters, as well as the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership web page.
The broad spectrum of interests represented by NERC's Advisory Members, Individual Supporters, and Board Members and their willingness to participate significantly contribute to the unique and important role that NERC plays in recycling in the region.
Member Spotlight - MRM
The Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, or MRM as it is commonly
known, assists manufacturers and consumers to divert electronic products from the waste stream and ensures that these products are recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. The organization works to develop recycling systems that are convenient for consumers and open to participation by all electronic product manufacturers.
MRM’s mission is to “bring manufacturers together into long-term relationships that help provide convenient, environmentally responsible recycling opportunities to consumers nationwide.”
MRM is unique in that it was established by manufacturers for manufacturers. The founding companies for this joint venture—Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba—are leaders in green electronic programs and committed to the sustainable stewardship of their manufactured products. Since its initial formation in 2007, MRM has expanded its services to include 30 participating manufacturers and retailers.
The company operates recycling programs in 20 states that have regulatory “take back” laws and it manages a National Voluntary Recycling network that provides recycling opportunities in every state. In states with “take back” regulations, MRM provides turn-key assistance to manufacturers in complying with state-specific producer responsibly requirements. Manufacturers can participate with MRM to comply with the regulatory requirements in the “take back” states. Manufacturers can also take advantage of MRM’s National Recycling Program.
When manufacturers join MRM’s National Recycling Program, they have access to a convenient, “ready-to-go” national electronics recycling program.. MRM’s National Program provides consumers with recycling collection sites in every state and. Most MRM drop-off sites accept all types and brands of consumer electronics for recycling. All MRM sites accept, Panasonic, Sanyo, and Sharp brand TVs and consumer electronics such as VCRs and DVDs at no charge. There may be a charge for recycling other brands or products in certain states. To help consumers find these recyclers, MRM provides a state-by-state listing of consumer collection sites around the country.
MRM’s Environmental Record
Since its founding, MRM has recycled nearly 500 million pounds of electronics. MRM works with a small group of environmentally responsible recyclers to ensure that all material recycled in its program are managed in an environmentally responsible manner. All of the collected electronics in MRM’s electronics recycling program are recycled by Third Party Certified Recyclers, either e-Stewards certified or R2 certified, or both.
MRM is the recipient of the Treehugger Best of Green Award and it won the first National Plug-In To eCycling’s TV Recycling Challenge, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program. MRM joined NERC as a Sustaining Member in 2009. In addition to being a NERC Advisory Member, MRM is also an Affiliate Member of the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC).
According to Tricia Conroy, MRM Executive Director, “We believe that manufacturers working together to manage recycling systems is the best way to ensure effective and sustainable recycling for electronic products. MRM is proud to provide both effective recycling programs in states where manufacturers are required to recycle electronics and to provide a comprehensive voluntary national recycling program. In terms of electronics recycling, our programs offer two critical elements—transparency and use of vendors certified to high standards. NERC is a great partner in the support of responsible recycling and we are proud to have been a Sustaining Member for the past five years.”
NERC NEWS
NERC’s Spring 2015 Conference Plans Green Event For Its Spring 2015 Conference
Finding Green Facilities - One of NERC’s primary goals when planning its events is to find facilities considered to be 'Green Hotels'. NERC’s Spring 2015 Conference will be held on April 7 -8, and we are very happy to have found two additional green properties in Wilmington, Delaware. The Conference sessions will be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront and NERC’s Board Meeting and Conference sleeping rooms will be in the adjoining The Westin Wilmington.
The Westin Wilmington is a Gold LEED building that prides itself on energy efficiency and sustainable materials management. You can easily find the recycling bins in the sleeping rooms, a room cleaning program you can refuse upon check-in to reduce the use of water and detergents, and EPP paper and cleaning products used throughout the facility. And if you look close enough at the lamps, you’ll find LED or CFL bulbs in them. The Chase Center also provides a comprehensive recycling program on the premises that is easily accessible to event attendees.
Diverting Food Scraps - Another related detail we’ve created a solution for is the diversion of food scraps generated by NERC’s Conference. The kitchen food scraps and plate waste will be separated at the Chase Center and The Westin and will be taken by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority for composting in Ardentown, Delaware.
Keep posted about the Conference in future articles on additional green practices we’ll be implementing for NERC’s Conference. Be sure to be part of the event!
For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director & Events Planner.
NERC Completes Green Purchasing Project
NERC recently completed its Simplifying Environmentally Preferable Purchasing project, which was funded by the Roy A. Hunt Foundation. The project focused on providing purchasers with the information needed to purchase products that are difficult to buy “green”—copy and multipurpose (20 lb.) paper, monochrome toner cartridges, and office supplies. As part of the project, NERC developed Model Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Specifications and Purchasing Guidelines for paper, toner cartridges, and office supplies. NERC also created fact sheets about each of the EPP Model documents, and a press release about the newly developed resources. In addition, NERC presented a webinar on the importance of EPP and the EPP model documents. All of the project resources can be found on NERC’s website.
If you have any questions regarding the EPP project or resources, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director.
Arlington, Vermont Schools Compost
Arlington Memorial High School/Middle School and Fisher Elementary School in 
Bennington County, Vermont have embarked on a food scrap composting program. Arlington Memorial has 220 students and 45 teachers/staff. Fisher also has 220 students and 50 teachers/staff. Both schools have recycling in place for paper and beverage containers.
Ms. Jaclyn Doran and Ms. Cheri Bates, with the High School Learning Center, have taken on the responsibility 
of ensuring that the food scraps get collected at the High School. A group of environmentally interested students will act as monitors. The students have built a temporary pallet compost bin on campus to hold the compost. The school’s Technology Class will build a permanent compost bin that will be large enough to hold the food scraps generated from both the High School and the Elementary School. The students also cleared weeds and brush from an area near the compost bin and laid down cardboard and leaves to have a garden in place for the spring.
Compost collection at Fisher is supervised by the school’s head custodian, Ralph Nesbitt. Mr. Nesbitt has elementary students who enthusiastically volunteer to assist him during each lunch period. Collected food scraps are transported up to the High School for composting.
Mr. Jamie Paustian, Facilities Director for both schools has been very supportive of the effort, as have the principals for the schools.
NERC staff has been working with the schools to set up composting as a part of its Universal Recycling School Grant received through the Agency of Natural Resources.
Reuse in the Holiday Spirit - Toy Swap
A toy swap or “toy exchange” provides an opportunity for people to donate and/or receive clean, gently used, toys, games, and working sports equipment. NERC worked with staff from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County (CCE) and the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) in New York State to hold a “Holiday Toy Swap” on Saturday, December 6.
Children’s winter clothing, including boots, snow suits, and coats were also accepted at the event.
NERC, CCE, and DANC worked to promote the event which was held at the CCE offices in Watertown, New York. “Donors” were asked to drop-off items for the Swap at CCE on Friday, December 5, from 5 - 8 pm and the morning of the event, from 8 – 9 am.
A wide range of toys were donated, from stuffed animals and toy cars, to action figures and dolls. A large number of baby and preschool items were received, as well as books for children of all ages. Building toys, games, puzzles, and even electronic/battery operated toys were donated.
The Toy Swap 
was free, and the doors were open to the general public from 10 - noon. Participants were requested to limit their “shopping” to one full bag and one larger item (as long as these lasted). An unlimited number of books could also be taken. Participants were encouraged to bring a reusable bag to collect items. Participants were asked not to bring children with them to help ensure a more orderly “shopping” experience for everyone and a surprise for their kids.
More than 50 people participated as donors, “shoppers” or both. The Toy Swap was deemed a success for a first time event by organizers and participants. Remaining items were donated to the Impossible Dream Mission Store in Watertown. New, packaged toys were donated to the Toys for Tots program.
A North Country Reuse Training was also held on Thursday, December 4, from 9 am – 2 pm at the CCE offices. The training was promoted as an opportunity for decision makers, municipal staff, nonprofit organizations, community activists, schools, and others interested in sharing and learning about reuse programs and the role reuse plays in reducing waste and benefiting our communities. Twenty-three people participated in the training.
Organizers for both events and presenters at the training included Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager with NERC, Jan M. Oatman, Regional Recycling Coordinator with DANC, Sayre Stevens, Recycling and Solid Waste Educator for CCE, and Diane Cohen, Executive Director for Finger Lakes ReUse. Students from the Carthage Central High School Environmental Club also spoke about their school’s textile reuse and recycling program.
The Toy Swap event and Reuse Training were funded in part through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utility Services. Ms. Cohen, Finger Lakes ReUse, was able to provide expertise and presentation at the training through a NYS Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I).
NERC is interested in hearing from communities about their reuse programs for inclusion as case studies in NERC’s Best Management Practices for Reuse for Small and Rural Communities guide. To participate or for more information, contact Athena Lee Bradley.
Giant Leap in State Electronics Challenge Participation
We’re delighted to report that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of State Electronics Challenge Partners. As of December, there are 143 Partners, representing more than 175,000 employees. This is a huge milestone for the program.
Please join us in welcoming the following new Partners that have joined since June, 2014:
- Engineering IT at University of Illinois, Urbana
- Town of Burke, Vermont
- California State University Long Beach
- City of Roanoke, Virginia
- State University of New York at Geneseo
- Opportunity Resources, Inc., Montana
- Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development
- Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut
- Illinois State University
- Gaston County, North Carolina
The total number of new Partners in 2014, was 14. Does that mean there will be 15 new Partners in 2015? Or even more?
The State Electronics Challenge is a free program that works with non-profits, schools, colleges, and universities, and all types of non-federal governmental entities to green the lifecycle of their electronics office equipment. Learn more on a introductory webinar:
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Program Manager.
NEWLY POSTED
Final Report for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative State Electronics Challenge Project Published
For the past three years, the State Electronics Challenge has benefited from a generous grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, administered by EPA Region 5. It has allowed the Challenge to deliver targeted outreach and assistance in that seven (7) state region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
As a result of the grant, 50 organizations in the Great Lakes region became Partners, representing almost 71,000 employees. A complete list of these Partners, as well as the other activities of the Challenge, and environmental benefits associated with them, is available in the Final Report, is available on the NERC website.
The Challenge will continue as a result of its private sector sponsors: Samsung, Panasonic, the Consumer Electronics Association, and the R2/RIOS program.
Thank you EPA Region 5! And to all of our Partners and sponsors.
Minutes from NERC Board of Directors Meeting, November 2014 Published
Minutes from the most recent NERC Board of Directors meeting are now available on the website. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director.
STATE UPDATESNEW YORK
NYS Thermostat Collection Act
In support of the New York State Mercury Thermostat Collection Act passed in December 2013, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) and the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), based in Arlington, Virginia, have begun outreach efforts to inform those affected by the new law. TRC handles the collection and recycling of out-of-service mercury thermostats and has been collecting thermostats in New York State since 2006. TRC represents thirty manufacturers who had previously manufactured and/or marketed mercury-containing thermostats in New York State.
Pursuant to the law, thermostat manufacturers (represented by TRC) must offer all thermostat wholesalers in the state collection containers. Thermostat wholesalers are prohibited from selling thermostats unless they participate as collection sites. TRC is actively conducting outreach and education efforts to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesalers as well as HVAC contractors to expand its collection network. Manufacturers must also provide collection containers and handling information to all thermostat retailers, qualified contractors and qualified local government authorities that request to be a collection site. To learn how to become a collection site, please visit TRC’s website http://www.thermostat-recycle.org.
There is no cost to participate in the program, and consumers or contractors are not to be charged a fee for disposing of mercury thermostats. While there is no established collection goal for 2014, the statewide goal for calendar year 2015 is to collect 15,500 out-of-service mercury thermostats. For calendar years 2016 through 2023, collection goals will be established by the Department, with input provided by various stakeholder groups. The Department is also responsible for program oversight and information dissemination. For more information regarding the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act, please visit the Department’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/92655.html.
Expanding E-Waste Recycling
As of January 1, 2015, consumers may no longer dispose of computers, televisions, computer peripherals, small electronic equipment, etc.(e-waste) in NYS landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. This prohibition extends the ban in effect since 2011 for businesses.
The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act requires manufacturers of electronic equipment covered by the law to:
- Set up and fund convenient e-waste recycling/reuse programs, and
- Offer these services for free to all:
- Residential consumers,
- Schools and governmental entities,
- For-profits with less than 50 employees, and*
- Not-for-profits with less than 75 full-time employees.*
*Larger organizations requesting recycling/reuse services may be charged a fee.
With the full disposal ban now in effect, owners and operators of NYS landfills and other solid-waste management facilities are charged with educating consumers and waste haulers on proper e-waste recycling methods and the options available to them.
See www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/65583.html for more information about manufacturers’ e-waste acceptance programs, the disposal ban, and the recycling/reuse law in general.
ADVISORY MEMBER UPDATES
Centre County Honors 60 Local Green Businesses, Schools & Organizations
The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, along with the Centre Region Council of Governments and the Borough of State College recently held an awards luncheon to honor 60 of the area’s best green businesses, schools and organizations.
Close to 100 area business owners, teachers, school administrators and employees attended the awards luncheon, held in coordination with America Recycles Day, on Thursday, November 13, to receive recognition for their efforts both in recycling and sustainability.
State College Borough Mayor Elizabeth Goreham addressed the crowd and we heard from three special Emerald Award recipients.
Local press was invited to attend and encouraged to promote the wonderful environmental efforts of the businesses, schools and organizations.
The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority features a 2014 Green Business Partner on their facebook page each day to showcase individual recycling and sustainable efforts.
Sustainability Superstars Rock the Green is Good Radio Winter Line-Up
America’s leading sustainability radio show, “Green is Good,” has announced a lineup of all-star global brands and leading environmental experts as part of its scheduled roster of guests to round out 2014 and kick off 2015.
Interviews scheduled to be broadcast in the coming weeks include spokespeople from Best Buy, the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford Motors, Ohio State University, the American Health Institute, University of Chicago, the Broadway Green Alliance, Con Edison, Waste Zero and Linda Booker, Director of the Documentary “Bringing It Home,” among others.
Guests interviewed on the national weekly program, heard nationwide via “America’s Talk” on iHeartRadio, include representatives from many of the best-known brands, businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations with shared information of best green practices and messages about environmental responsibility.
Hosted by John Shegerian (Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International, the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste), Green is Good is also available free via iTunes as a podcast, after each episode airs on iHeartRadio.
“This has been our best year yet, in terms of the level of guests we have featured and the conversations we’ve had,” said Shegerian, “not to mention the continued growth and support we’ve had from listeners. It’s truly been an amazing journey! With the lineup of guests we are developing for 2015, next year is set to be an even greater success!”
The program provides a spirited forum for a broad selection of leading green businesses and organizations, each taking unique measures to protect and sustain our planet, to share and discuss green business concepts and success stories. Previous guests have included spokespeople from Procter & Gamble, PG&E, UPS, Alcoa, Nestle, Glad Products, AT&T, Dell, Lipton Tea, the US EPA, Ohio State University, the National Wildlife Federation, Ben & Jerry’s, HP/Panasonic, the NRDC, Honeywell, National Geographic, Nascar, General Motors, Best Buy, Maxwell Technologies, the World Wildlife Fund, the Salvation Army and FedEx, among many others.
In each show, Shegerian draws his guests into discussions about the environment and what businesses and individuals can do each day to follow the major tenets of sustainability – people, planet and profits.
For more information on Green is Good and airdate details, visit www.greenisgoodradio.com. For recycling needs, visit www.electronicrecyclers.com, or http://1800recycling.com
John Shegerian Featured on Public Radio’s “Living on Earth”
Electronic Recyclers International CEO Explains the Importance of Responsible E-Waste Recycling on Environmental News Radio Magazine.
John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronics and e-waste was interviewed by the nationally broadcast public radio show Living on Earth for a feature story on recycling e-waste.
In the interview, conducted by Living on Earth’s Helen Palmer, Shegerian explains how the process of recycling consumer electronics has evolved in recent years and how the growing glut of electronic waste is a very serious environmental, human rights and digital privacy concern.
Shegerian also explained how the answer to the problem is simple: responsible, certified recyclers, guaranteeing data destruction and doing the demanufacturing of the components in an ethical, effective manner.
“It’s an honor to have been asked to share our knowledge with the good people of public radio and the superb ‘Living on Earth’ program and audience,” said Shegerian. “We at ERI applaud Steve Curwood, Helen Palmer and the entire Living on Earth team for their dedication to these important issues. We’re big fans and supporters of the show for its efforts to keep Americans up to date with the latest issued affecting our planet, including the particularly urgent subject of electronic waste. It all starts with educating the public, and Living on Earth is doing just that.”
Living on Earth is produced by Public Radio International (PRI) and can be heard on more than 300 NPR and other public radio affiliates. The Living on Earth e-waste segment with John Shegerian can be heard here: http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=14-P13-00043&segmentID=5.
For more information on general recycling needs, visit www.electronicrecyclers.com, or http://1800recycling.com.
Voluntary Product Stewardship Program Announced for Post-Consumer Carpet
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) announce a voluntary product stewardship (VPS) Program to assist sorters of post-consumer carpet diverted from the nation's landfills.
The VPS Program is market-based and designed to accept and manage all applicable post-consumer carpet, regardless of polymer type or primary materials or construction. The Program will provide financial assistance to qualified U.S. Sorters who divert post-consumer carpet.
"CRI is pleased to offer financial support for the VPS Program," said Dan Frierson, Chairman of the Board of CRI. "Our members are participating voluntarily as part of our government relations activities, and have committed $4.5 million for the program's the initial year. The VPS Program will be a bridge for sorters as new technologies and applications are developed to increase market driven demand for all post-consumer carpet."
CARE will act as the stewardship organization for the VPS Program. Since 2002, CARE members have diverted more than 3.25 billion pounds of carpet from U.S. landfills. "The VPS Program is the key next step in our mission to divert more carpet from U.S. landfills," said Brendan McSheehy, CARE's Chairman of the Board. "Sorters may use funds from the program to partner with their customers to divert carpet and recycle carpet back into useful consumer products, such as recycled carpet fiber, carpet cushion, broadloom, carpet tiles, and a wide range of plastic products".
The VPS Program is scheduled for launch in January 2015. Sorters who qualify for financial assistance can expect to begin receiving funds by the end of June 2015. Sorters may qualify for funds by completing all required documents and submitting quarterly reports on their business results to CARE. The organization will be conducting a series of webinars beginning in December 2014 to help sorters understand the eligibility process. For more information, visit www.carpetrecovery.org and click on the VPS tab.
OF GENERAL INTERESt
NRC to Spur Action for Sustainable Materials Management in Spring 2015
The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) announced the first-ever Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Summit to be held May 12 – 13, 2014, at the University of Maryland. The one-and-a-half day Summit will launch a national dialog about the role of discarded materials in sustainable materials management in the United States, and is co-hosted by the Syracuse Center for Sustainable Community Solutions.
“The Summit aims to enrich the value and role of sustainable materials management initiatives in businesses, states, and local communities across the United States,” said NRC Board President, Mark Lichtenstein. “Our ultimate goal will be to assist in the acceleration of SMM as a method of choice for managing discarded materials through action-oriented strategies intended to promote SMM throughout North America,” Lichtenstein continued.
The Summit will bring together 200 of the most innovative leaders on issues around how natural resources are extracted, used and managed after their initial end-of-life, including leaders in waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. NRC will develop a National Plan based on a facilitated dialogue among a broad spectrum of stakeholders that will identify deeper collaborative connections for actions and activities in the future among progressive businesses, federal, regional, state and local governments, reuse and recycling organizations, trade and industry groups, and other nonprofits.
Initial Supporters of the SMM Summit include ReTrac, the Steel Recycling Institute, and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. A broad Advisory Committee - including NERC - and Steering Committee (see below) are also helping to organize this important event, which represent all segments of reuse, recycling, and composting in America.