July 2006
NERC’s Advisory Members
Distinguished Benefactors
Benefactors
Sustaining Members
A list of all the logos of our Sustaining Members can be found under Advisory Members
- New Sustaining Member: Tandus US
- New Supporting Members: Colling Murphy Swift Hynes & the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center
NERC NEWS
- Business Mentoring Program Helps Belfast Dance Studio Save Costs & the Environment
- Best Management Practice Guide for Managing Special Event Waste Now Available
- USDA Awards $150,000 to NERC to Increase Reuse & Recycling by Rural Municipalities & Businesses
- Job Opening at NERC
- Community Pharmacy Foundation Grant for Unwanted Medication Collections
- Procuring Green Electronics Teleconference a Huge Success
STATE UPDATES
- Legislative Update
- Solid Waste Policy Task Force Report Available
- Signs Made and Distributed to Aid Transfer Stations
- Massachusetts Completes Solid Waste Master Plan Revision
- Technical Assistance and Tools Available for Supermarket Recycling Programs
- Municipal Grant Applications Coming Soon
- Floored by Carpet Recycling
- Waste Ban Compliance Education Programs Completed
- EPA Reports on Massachusetts PAYT Study
- School Green Team Awards
- Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Spread Through Massachusetts
- New Recycling Website Unveiled
- Governor Corzine Signs Executive Order #11
- New Jersey Schools Compete in National Recycling Competition
- R.I. Resource Recovery Awards Two Grants
- 2006 Legislative Updates
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Send an email to Lynn Rubinstein making the request. Please be sure to include your full name and organization.
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NERC's mission is to advance an environmentally sustainable economy by promoting source and toxicity reduction, recycling, and the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services. |
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MEMBERSHIP
We are very pleased to welcome Tandus US, Inc. as a new Sustaining Member and two new Supporting Members: Colling Murphy Swift Hynes and the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center to our organization.
Thank you one and all!
It is through the active participation & support of its Advisory Members that NERC is able to provide the
strength of multi-stakeholder involvement and problem solving.
To see a listing of Advisory Members and the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership web page.
Business Mentoring Program Helps Dance Studio Save Costs & the Environment
NERC would like to announce a success story that other businesses can learn from–while saving costs and the environment. With U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, NERC paired businesses in an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) project in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Peer-to-peer mentoring connected businesses that have successful EPP programs with rural businesses who wanted to improve.
Last June, Jason Wentworth of Washboard Laundry in Portland, Maine began mentoring Lisa Newcomb, owner of Belfast Dance Studio in Belfast, Maine. Six months later, Lisa had halved the amount of toilet paper she purchases, and switched from one EPP supplier to another–halving the price. She also switched to Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap for cleaning her studio’s floor; cleaning as well or better–even with more traffic. Belfast Dance Studio’s project team still seeks an energy audit and a salt alternative for walkways in the winter.
Jason Wentworth was surprised when his mentoring benefited him, "I expected to do more teaching than learning but I found myself looking more carefully at my own business practices and finding areas for improvement. The effort gave me confidence and incentive to make changes that have reduced my business’ environmental impact. I also now offer my customers some healthier choices for cleaning their laundry."
The mentoring program showed businesses the environmental impact of their existing purchasing practices; the step-by-step process for developing an EPP program; ways to gain management support; criteria for environmentally preferable purchase of products; measurements to document impact; and strategies for transitioning and maintaining an EPP program.
If your business would like to explore an environmentally preferable purchasing plan, contact Mary Ann Remolador.
Tom Miragliuolo, Maine State Planning Office; Peter Cooke, Maine Department of Environmental Protection; and Sanna McKim, Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility assisted with this successful effort.
Best Management Practice Guide for Managing Special Event Waste Now Available
NERC recently completed a unique Best Management Practices Guidebook for Special Event-Generated Waste in Rural Communities. The Guidebook is a resource and reference for special event organizers and individuals responsible for waste management at the events that want to develop or enhance their recycling program. The information included in the Guidebook is based upon work NERC completed with six special events in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont - conducting waste sorts, providing technical assistance and developing a Recycling Plan for each participant event. NERC would like to thank Peter Allison, who worked as a consultant on this project while employed with DSM Environmental Services. Funding for this project was provided by USDA under the Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant Program. For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador.
USDA Awards $150,000 to NERC to Increase Reuse & Recycling by Rural Municipalities & Businesses
A grant of $150,000 has been awarded to NERC in order to increase reuse and recycling by municipalities and businesses in communities with populations under 5,000 in nine Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Through technical assistance and training, NERC will work with rural municipalities and businesses to decrease solid waste generation through reuse and to increase recycling of paper, beverage containers, and electronics.
This project, which will begin October 1, will focus on providing direct assistance and training to rural towns and businesses to educate them about the reasons to and benefits of reuse and recycling, how to implement reuse and recycling programs, and the resources and tools available to support those efforts.
Specifically, NERC will:
- Hold up to 22 workshops to educate and train municipal departments and businesses about the benefits of reuse and recycling, and about implementing these programs.
- Deliver technical assistance to up to 96 entities to achieve a reduction in solid waste by promoting reuse and recycling.
- Develop resource kits for each community or region containing local information and opportunities for reuse and recycling, vendors, and services.
- Make presentations about the project, its resources, and impacts to promote replication and the use of the tools created.
NERC will be hiring a temporary professional staff position in order to implement this project. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein.
Job Opening at NERC
With funding from a grant from the USDA, NERC will be hiring a new professional staff person to play a key role in the implementation of the Rural Municipalities and Small Business Recycling Project. The position will be 30 hours/week for 18 months, beginning January 1, 2007, subject to grant funding. If you would like more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein.
Community Pharmacy Foundation Grant
NERC has begun work on a generous grant awarded by the Community Pharmacy Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to work with pharmacies to encourage the development of unwanted medication collections. Specifically, NERC will:
- Develop and implement retail pharmacy unwanted medication collection and disposal programs.
- Write and promote a guidance manual for pharmacies on how to conduct an unwanted medications collection program.
- Work in partnership with pharmacies, to develop and implement a pharmacy-based consumer education program about the proper (and improper) way to dispose of medications.
- Promote guidance for the pharmacy community to provide consumer education and leadership about unwanted medication disposal.
If there is a pharmacy in your area that you think might be interested in information about this project, please contact Lynn Rubinstein.
Procuring Green Electronics Teleconference a Huge Success
More than 100 people from around the country participated in a conference call designed to promote the use of EPEAT© (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) by large purchasers, such as colleges and universities, state and local agencies, businesses, and institutions. The teleconference included presentations by:
- Scot Case, Program Customer Services Manager, Green Electronics Council
An Overview of EPEAT: What it is & How to Use it
- Mark Schaffer, Environmental Engineer, Dell
A Manufacturer’s Perspective
- Dmitriy Nikolayev, Environmentally Preferable Product Procurement Program, Massachusetts Operational Services Division
State Procurement: A Real Life Example
- Patty Dillon, Program Manager, Northeast Recycling Council
Resources Available for Using EPEAT
The teleconference PowerPoint presentation is available for download.
The teleconference was made possible through grants from EPA New England and Region 3, as well as support by EPA Region 10.
Additional presentations are planned for the fall. In the meantime, a number of resources are already available on the NERC website to support use of EPEAT. These include:
- An overview of EPEAT and how to use it, EPEAT: A Purchasing Tool
- A PowerPoint presentation that provides a comprehensive overview of EPEAT
- Links to the official EPEAT website
- And announcements about teleconference opportunities from NERC and other organizations.
In addition, through the EPA grants, NERC will provide one-on-one assistance for the use of EPEAT by large purchasers.
STATE UPDATES
MAINE
Legislative Update
This past session, the Maine Legislature acted on several bills aimed at the management of solid waste management in Maine. From Legislative Document LD 141, which would have prohibited the disposal of construction & demolition waste in Maine unless that waste was generated in Maine, to LD 1777 which was amended to create a Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission to study numerous solid waste issues (see below), to LD 1578 that would have broadened the definition of ‘host community’. The Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources spent many hours reviewing these and other solid waste bills.
LD 1777 – sets up a blue ribbon commission to study high level questions related to solid waste and is to be staffed by the Department of Environmental Protection, with assistance from the State Planning Office, if requested. The commission’s work would address three key issues: 1) import/export of waste; 2) management structure (i.e. how should solid waste be managed at the state level), and 3) the solid waste management hierarchy. In addition, the commission is to study the definition of "host community" for the purpose of eligibility for host community benefits; municipal solid waste incineration; the state recycling and waste reduction goals specified in Title 38, section 2132; and other matters considered relevant by the commission. The commission would meet 10 times between now and January 1, 2007.
LD 141 – was amended to read “The substitution of wood from construction and demolition debris for conventional fuels used in a boiler may not 50% of total fuel by weight combusted on an average annual basis.” In addition, the committee directed the Board of Environmental Protection to adopt the proposed rule changes to DEP Rule Chapters 418 (Beneficial Use) and Chapters 402, 405 and 409.
Solid waste policy task force report available
The Solid Waste Policy Review Task Force, convened by the State Planning Office in accordance with statute to review state solid waste policies, has completed its work. The report, along with recommendations, is available online.
Signs Made and Distributed to Aid Transfer Stations
As a way to educate the public, and help transfer station operators, the Waste Management and Recycling program has had signs made that are now available at no cost for Maine transfer stations and disposal facilities. Each aluminum sign is 24"x30" and lists common items that are banned from disposal in Maine. Items listed include: televisions, computer monitors, laptops, automobile batteries, rechargeable batteries, and mercury added products such as thermometers, thermostats, switches, and fluorescent bulbs. Signs will be distributed in March and April at DEP Universal Waste Training sessions and at the Maine Resource Recovery Association’s Annual Conference. Signs will not be mailed out but can be picked up at our Augusta office by contacting us to arrange pick-up.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Completes Solid Waste Master Plan Revision
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has released the final Solid Waste Master Plan 2006 Revision. This document, along with a Response to Comments document that addresses comments received on the draft Plan Revision can be found on the MassDEP web site. This Revision maintains the overall policies and strategies of the Beyond 2000 Solid Waste Master Plan. The Revision updates the state's waste reduction strategies and provides solid waste and waste reduction data for 2004. For questions or more information, please contact John Fischer.
Technical Assistance and Tools Available for Supermarket Recycling Programs
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), through a grant from US EPA New England, has available technical assistance for supermarkets located in Massachusetts to help set up organics diversion programs.
In addition, MassDEP has made available on its website a number of tools and reports applicable for supermarkets recycling program development. Specifically, you are now able to download the Supermarket Composting Handbook, a step-by-step manual for supermarket operators to set up an organics recycling program. Visit the MassDEP Supermarket Recycling Webpage. For more information contact Julia Wolfe.
Municipal Grant Applications Coming Soon
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to announce that the FY2007 Municipal Waste Reduction Grant Application is now available on DEP’s website. MassDEP will be hosting informational workshops for communities about how to apply for grants and the different items offered. Workshops will be held at various locations around the state beginning July 11th through August 3rd. The Grant Application can be found at MassDEP's website and can be submitted electronically through eDEP or downloaded and mailed to MassDEP.
Floored by Carpet Recycling
Back in early 2002 Massachusetts signed the National Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Carpet Product Stewardship along with 12 other states, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and carpet manufacturers. The MOU set goals for carpet recycling, outlined roles and responsibilities among signatories, and established Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). CARE is the third party organization responsible for implementing the MOU and is comprised of carpet manufacturers and state government.
As part of the on-going follow up to the MOU, MassDEP’s Steve Long attended CARE’s fourth annual conference in Pine Mountain, Georgia and convened a panel of state agencies to highlight states’ efforts. At the conference, CARE released its annual report that showed a slight increase in the amount of carpet being recycled across the United States. The CARE annual report, conference agenda and presentations and additional information are available on line.
Over the past four years, MassDEP’s efforts to support carpet product stewardship include: providing a Recycling Industries Reimbursement Credit grant funding for web site development to Environmental Recovery and Consolidation Services (ERCS), a carpet recycler, participating in CARE, and facilitating the Carpet Workgroup of the SWAC’s Construction and Demolition Subcommittee. The Operational Services Division Environmentally Preferable Products Program offers a state contract for recycled-content carpet that requires vendors to recycle discarded carpet.
Waste Ban Compliance Education Programs Completed
Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., presented two free Waste Ban Compliance Education Programs, developed with MassDEP, to a combined total of over 200 solid waste and recycling professionals in Dedham and Westborough (April 25th and May 10th, respectively) to provide information to improve compliance with the existing Massachusetts waste ban regulations.
During the half-day program, participants heard presentations regarding regulatory compliance, administrative requirements, best management practices for commercial and public solid waste facilities, and safety. MassDEP also described its approach to waste bans including, technical assistance, inspections and hauler-generator enforcement.
Presenters included: John Horak and Heather Billings of Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., Karen Bouquillon, Solid Waste Management Supervisor Town of Northampton, and Jim Connolly and Amy Boas of Environmental Occupational Risk Management (EORM), and MassDEP’s Greg Cooper, Mark Fairbrother, Steve Long and John Regan.
Waste Management funded the program under a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) as part of the resolution of an enforcement action by the MassDEP’s Northeast Regional Office. Waste Management hired EORM to organize the program.
For further information on waste bans, please check MassDEP’s waste ban web page.
EPA Reports on Massachusetts PAYT Study
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) has yet again demonstrated its success, this time by a 2005 recycling participation study conducted for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Among its most significant PAYT findings, the report shows that 60 percent of residents in PAYT communities claim to “always” recycle, compared to 39 percent of residents in non-PAYT communities, based on a phone survey. Regarding newspapers specifically, 91 percent of residents in PAYT communities “always” recycle, compared to 73 percent of those in non-PAYT communities. Surprisingly, only 35 percent of residents in PAYT communities say that they recycle more because of the program, and 44 percent claim the program has no effect on their recycling habits. Regardless, the recycling rates in PAYT communities are consistently higher than those in non-PAYT communities, independent of what residents claim to be their motivation. Not surprisingly, communities that began implementing PAYT prior to 1997 have a higher rate of recycling than those who started after that time, showing that practice does make perfect.
Communities in Massachusetts that do not currently use PAYT could certainly benefit from it. Self-admitted issues of motivation are the biggest barriers (49 percent) to recycling more. Thirteen percent of those surveyed cite the inconvenience and 16 percent blame whatever program is currently in place in their community for their lack of recycling. When asked if they would recycle more if they had to pay to throw away their trash but could recycle for free, 59 percent said yes, and only 23 percent of residents claimed it would not make a difference in their recycling effort. Seventy-five percent of individuals who claimed to “never” recycle for whatever reason said PAYT would be ample motivation, as did 73 percent of those who claimed to “not always” recycle due to lack of motivation.
Numerous demographic factors influence recycling rates. Being 35 or older, owning a home, living in a single-family home, and having a college degree all increase the odds that an individual “always” recycles. Higher income levels, 10 years of residency in the community, and weekly—as opposed to bimonthly—pickup can also be contributing factors.
What it all comes down to is attitude, however. An astounding 89 percent of residents feel that recycling benefits society and 84 percent feel that it benefits their specific community. Ninety-two percent of those who claim to “always” recycle feel this way, as do 58 percent of those who “never” recycle, despite their actions. Three-fourths of residents claim that their household is “committed to recycling,” 94 percent of whom “always” recycle. As enthusiastic as many of the residents are about recycling, their actual knowledge of rules and regulations is lacking, however. Only 11 percent of residents are aware of laws banning the disposal of recyclable paper and cardboard, and 15 percent are aware of laws banning the disposal of plastic bottles, jars, and containers. Thirty percent are aware of laws prohibiting the disposal leaves and yard waste, however, and the majority of residents (60 percent) are aware that it is illegal to dispose of TVs and computer monitors in municipal solid waste.
--This article was excerpted from US EPA’s PAYT Bulletin, Spring 2006
School Green Team Awards
MassDEP's school Green Team program wrapped up another successful school year, with a wonderful variety of waste reduction activities and school recycling programs undertaken in schools across the state. Over 300 teachers from 243 schools joined the Green Team this year, involving nearly 50,000 students. Forty-one schools received recycling equipment from The Green Team to initiate or expand their recycling programs.
MassDEP awarded Certificates of Recognition and student prizes to 78 classes, which were then entered into a grand prize drawing. Seventy-five grand prizes were awarded to classes from 63 schools for the outstanding recycling and waste reduction activities they completed during the school year. Grand prizes included nine performances by Jack Golden, entitled "Garbage is My Bag," 13 recycling magic shows by Peter O'Malley, seven environmental concerts by Earthtunes, Green Team wristbands, mini-recycling bin planters, information wheels, environmental book covers and "Compost Matters" coloring books.
A summary of the 2005-2006 Green Team prize winners and their projects will be posted on The Green Team web site, under "What's New?" A list of all the participating classes can be viewed at the web site under "View Participating Schools." Thanks to everyone who encouraged teachers in their communities to join The Green Team, and we look forward to another fantastic year in September!
Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Spread Through Massachusetts
Over 200 residents attended Healthy Lawns and Landscapes workshops held in Billerica, Swansea, Northampton, Framingham, Wilbraham, East Bridgewater, Arlington and North Attleborough this spring. These workshops were provided by MassDEP through its municipal waste reduction grant program. The programs in Swansea, Framingham and Arlington were videotaped for cablecasting and the Wilbraham program was featured on the local 11 PM news broadcast! Swansea News also ran a full page article highlighting healthy landscaping strategies. The Town of Framingham had the highest attendance of all the programs (75!) with excellent support from the Framingham DPW, Conservation Dept., Sudbury Valley Trustees, lake associations and other local environmental organizations.
MassDEP developed "Happy to Be Pesticide-Free" lawn signs for this effort, which were very well-received by attendees - over 100 lawn signs were taken to promote pesticide reduction in our neighborhoods. Several workshop participants took additional materials and plan to help continue to promote pesticide awareness in their communities.
To bring a Healthy Lawns and Landscapes workshop to your community, encourage your community to apply on MassDEP's 2007 Municipal Waste Reduction Grant Application. Regional efforts are encouraged.
NEW JERSEY
New Recycling Website Unveiled
The Bureau of Recycling and Planning recently redesigned New Jersey’s recycling website to make it more “user friendly.” The new site features a materials listing to assist the public with proper recycling methods and in locating markets for their recyclables. In addition, the site includes links for a calendar of events, local recycling coordinators, recycling facts, statewide statistics, recycling rules and regulations and plenty of other helpful information. More features will be added in the future as well.
To view New Jersey’s new recycling website, click here.
For more information, contact Steve Rinaldi.
Governor Corzine Signs Executive Order #11
It was a very good Earth Day in New Jersey this year as Governor Jon S. Corzine signed an Executive Order that calls for the purchase of energy efficient, less toxic and recycled products by State government. While the main focus of Executive Order #11 is on increasing energy efficiency in state owned buildings, the executive order provides a much needed update to the state’s recycled product procurement policy.
Executive Order #11 indicates that state agencies must purchase the recycled products listed in the Addendum to the executive order whenever those products are “competitive”, meaning they are of comparable quality and available at a price no more than 15% above the price arrived at through competitive bid. The many recycled products listed in the Addendum are grouped into a few large categories, as follows: Construction Products, Landscaping Products, Nonpaper Office Products, Paper and Paper Products, Park and Recreation Products, Transportation Products and Miscellaneous Products. The categories and recycled products listed in the executive order are consistent with the provisions found in Federal Executive Order 13101.
The new executive order also states that when purchasing recycled products consideration shall be given to those products containing the highest percentage of post-consumer waste material. Furthermore, EO #11 indicates all state publications and documents are to be printed on recycled paper and include the phrase “printed on recycled paper,” “recycled paper” or words or symbols to that effect. The executive order also calls for the removal of any standards or provisions unrelated to performance that present barriers to the purchase of recycled products.
For more information, contact Steve Rinaldi.
New Jersey Schools Compete in National Recycling Competition
The sixth annual RecycleMania contest saw four contestants from New Jersey. Participating universities for 2006 were Drew University, Princeton University, Rowan University, and Rutgers University. Rowan University placed third in the nation in the waste minimization category, producing only 36.37lbs. waste/person over the 10-week contest period. Of the four New Jersey schools, Princeton collected the most recyclables overall with an average of 45.25lbs. recyclables/person.
RecycleMania is a friendly competition among university recycling programs in the United States that provides students with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. Over a 10-week period, schools compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables, the least amount of trash, and have the highest recycling rate. All participating schools are required to report measurements on a weekly basis in pounds. The university that recycles the most wins. RecycleMania provides many ways to gain recognition, including RecycleMania trophies and awards.
The main goal of this event is to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization. In the end, RecycleMania helps all participating universities make achievements in recycling and waste reduction!
RHODE ISLAND
R.I. Resource Recovery Awards Two Grants
Rhode Island Resource Recovery recently awarded two grants totaling $85,000 to The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission and Recycling for Rhode Island Education.
Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) – A $55,000 grant was awarded to fund the implementation of a regionalized curbside solid waste and recycling program for the communities of Middletown and Portsmouth. Since 1985, AIPC has served to foster communication and consensus building while providing opportunities, tools and techniques to resolve issues throughout Aquidneck Island.
In February, Middletown’s lease for the land holding their transfer station was not renewed. Since this land is the basis for their municipal solid waste management program, AIPC will use grant to explore alternatives for their transfer station while increasing the potential of implementing a regionalized curbside solid waste and recycling program for both communities. Solid waste consulting services will evaluate program options and present the alternatives to both Town Councils.
Recycling for Rhode Island Education (RRIE) – A $30,000 grant was awarded to fund the operation of their Recycle Center.
For 14 years, RRIE has provided manufacturer surplus and obsolete products to teachers, child-care providers, senior programs, religious education programs and other non-profits. RIRRC has supported RRIE since 1998.
RRIE has increased its membership to more than 2,365 and distributed in excess of 240,310 pounds of materials since the last grant award in 2005. With this funding, RRIE will continue to provide consumers with supplies required for organizational functioning, meeting academic goals and fulfilling hands-on needs.
VERMONT
2006 Legislative Updates
Bottle Bill
The Vermont Legislature increased the bottle bill handling fee from 3 cents to 3 1/2 cents, effective July 1, 2006. The bill also requires the Secretary, with the assistance and cooperation of interested parties to make recommendations on co-mingling and other ways to streamline the collection and handling of beverage containers. The DRAFT Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) work plan includes the following steps:
- Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) will provide outreach to redemption centers, retailers, and distributors on the legislative changes.
- ANR, with input from the interested parties, will draft standards for certified redemption centers (including application, eligibility, etc).
- Distributors will recommend a proposed commingled collection system.
- ANR will report on the costs/benefits of the bottle bill system and make a recommendation regarding disposition of un-reclaimed bottle deposits.
- ANR will draft rule changes and report back to the legislature in January.
Junkyard Study Update (by January 15, 2007)
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) will make legislative recommendations, including budget proposals, required to transfer jurisdiction over junkyards from Agency of Transportation to ANR. Draft legislation will include I&E outreach plan for municipalities and junkyards and alternative regulatory approaches, such as best management practices, and recommendations upon their use when appropriate.