July 2014
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 Sustaining Member
Renewing Sustaining Member
Renewing Supporting Member
Member Spotlight - American Chemistry Council (ACC)
NERC NEWS
- NERC’s Fall Conference to Deliver Provocative Speakers & Topics
- Webinar Scheduled to Discuss NERC’s Model EPP Purchasing Specs
- Interested in Organics? Join NERC’s Organics Management in the Northeast Listserv!
- Presenting at the Maryland Green Purchasing Conference
- NERC’s Blog Worth Repeating
NEWLY POSTED
STATE UPDATES
CONNECTICUT
NEW YORK
- OCCRA Aerated Static Pile Compost System
-
Compost Operations Training Course, July 28 to August 1, Cornell University
VERMONT
ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS
- Summer 2014 APR Web Seminars
- New Organization will Manage R2 Standard & Promote Responsible Electronics Recycling
- Battery Industry Leaders Unveil the First Ever Model All Battery Recycling Bill
- Executive Director Position - PROP
NERC’s mission is to promote sustainable materials management by supporting traditional and innovative solid waste best practices, focusing on waste prevention, toxics reduction, reuse, recycling and organics recovery.
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 thank renewing Sustaining Member Trex, and NERC's newest Sustaining Member - the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC), as well as renewing Supporting Member - Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center.
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 50 Advisory Members and Individual Supporters. 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, 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 - American Chemistry Council (ACC)
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is America’s oldest trade association of its kind,
representing the business of chemistry—an innovative, $770 billion enterprise that strives to provide solutions to the biggest challenges facing our nation and the world.
ACC is the collective voice and interest of the chemical manufacturing sector and its value chain advancing the industry’s agenda at the global, national, state and local level. ACC is well known for its innovative research and its programs and initiatives that focus on anticipating and preventing accidents, as well as on educating the public about safe use of chemical products.
ACC members have made a voluntary commitment to uphold the highest standards for protecting health, safety, and the environment. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through its Responsible Care® initiative. Members of ACC are required to participate in Responsible Care. Its member companies are also taking a leadership role in ensuring that chemistry facilities are secure. Since 1988, Responsible Care companies have reduced hazardous releases to the air, land and water by more than 76 percent. Between 2008 and 2012, Responsible Care companies also reduced SOx emissions by about 40 percent and reduced NOx emissions by about 22 percent.
ACC’s vision is to “promote and protect the business of chemistry’s leadership in driving innovation, creating jobs and enhancing safety in our performance, processes and products.”
According to the ACC, the business of chemistry:
- Drives innovations that enable a more sustainable future.
- Creates nearly 800,000 manufacturing and high-tech jobs—plus more than six million related jobs—that support families and communities.
- Enhances safety through the products of chemistry and investment in research.
ACC advocates for public policies that will that advance development of groundbreaking products that improve lives and our environment, enhance the economic vitality of communities and protect public health.
ACC is a long-standing NERC Advisory Member, joining in 2003. Stephen Rosario, Senior Director of the Northeast Regional Office for ACC, commented “We support organizations such as NERC and the Toxics in Packaging (TPCH) in order to work with them to advance stakeholder engagement to promote programs that protect our environment while ensuring economic vitality. ACC’s Plastic Division and the plastics industry endorse the practice of conserving resources and minimizing the environmental and health impacts of plastics and plastic products, including the use of environmental and energy-efficiency criteria in product design and purchasing decisions, along with product safety, cost, performance and availability. Since 1990, the plastics industry, as individual companies and through organizations such as ACC’s Plastics Division, has invested more than $2 billion to support increased recycling and educate communities in the United States.”
NERC NEWS
NERC’s Fall Conference to Deliver Provocative Speakers & Topics
Chaz Miller, the Director of Policy/Advocacy of the National Waste & Recycling Association is one of the keynote speakers for NERC’s Fall Conference. Mr. Miller, along with other panelists, will set the stage for a lively discussion on the topics of sustainable materials management vs. sustainable waste management.
In addition, NERC and the USCC will present a one-day Summit on organics management at the Conference. The Summit will focus on the impacts of organics diversion legislation on hauling and processing markets in the Northeast states. NERC's Conference will continue with a focus on the new era of traditional recycling industry sectors and will explore the drivers that have changed these industries into today’s materials management marketplace. NERC’s Board of Directors Meeting will directly follow the Conference.
Stay tuned for more details. The Conference agenda will be posted on NERC's website in August.
Conference sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available!
Dates: November 5 – 7, 2014
Location: Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst, Massachusetts
Please contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director & Conference Organizer, if you have any questions about the Conference or Summit.
Webinar Scheduled to Discuss NERC’s Model EPP Purchasing Specs
NERC will hold a webinar on July 24th to discuss its Model EPP purchasing specs. The webinar will include an overview of the model EPP specs (multipurpose and copy paper, monochrome toner cartridges, and office supplies), presentations on the key findings of each product category that guided the spec contents, Q&A with the spec writing teams (made up of EPP and environmental specialists from around the country), and suggestions on how to use the model specs for your future purchases.
The webinar is intended for purchasers, EPP and environmental specialists, and others involved in your organization's purchasing process.
If you have any questions regarding the webinar or the EPP specs, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director.
Interested in Organics? Join NERC’s Organics Management in the Northeast Listserv!
Share information, ask about problems you’ve encountered, offer solutions, tips, and more. Wanting to start a food scrap program? Working to implement zero waste at special events? Composting at schools? The Organics Management listserv is for you!!
Join the dialogue! It’s easy and free. You can sign up for a daily or weekly digest.
Listserv Requirement: The listerv is hosted by Yahoo. A Yahoo email account is required of everyone interested in participating in the listserv; log in can also be done through a Facebook account. Once you are a member of the listserv, you can elect to use a non-Yahoo email address.
To join the listserv: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/OrganicsManagementNE/info
Contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager, for additional information or if you have questions on signing up for the listserv.
Presenting at the Maryland Green Purchasing Conference
The State Electronics Challenge program and how it supports green purchasing and recycling decisions will be one of the presentations at the upcoming Maryland Green Purchasing Committee Summer Conference. Lynn Rubinstein, State Electronics Challenge Program Manager will deliver the presentation.
NERC’s Blog Worth Repeating
This month’s Blog Worth Repeating captures highlights from NERC's two years of blogging. In case you missed these past blogs be sure to sign up to receive our new blog articles! Also, please remember to check out the NERC Facebook page and “like” us…
A Few of our Favorite NERC Blog Articles…
The NERC blog officially launched in May 2012. For more than two years now we have been posting at least one article a week. Blogs are of course trendy. However, the NERC staff also hoped in starting its blog that we could highlight the wealth of experience and knowledge of the NERC staff, our Advisory Members, and the many people we have worked with and encountered in the world of materials management. Through the NERC blog we have offered insights into current happenings, notable projects and lessons learned, ideas worth repeating, opinions, and more.
A few of our favorite blogs…
Some Words from NERC's Founder
Our blog series of articles in celebration of NERC’s 25th Anniversary, including this fascinating piece of NERC history by Shelley Dresser, NERC's founder and first Executive Director.
Vietnam – Source reduction, reuse, recycling . . .
One of several NERC blog travelogues.
One of several articles we included on textile recovery; this one by Guest Blogger Larry Groipen, President of ERC Wiping Products, Inc.
Managing Organics - We Can Do Better!
The first in our ongoing blog series about organics management.
A guest post by Sarah Dawes, who writes for Wastecycle Ltd. in England.
The Public Library – Reuse in Action
One of our more popular blogs!
Another of our more popular blogs, by guest blogger Michael Tully, Safety & Health Manager and Jacob Levenson, Sustainability and Communications Coordinator of Poly Recovery.
Reuse—It Deserves More Attention!
A personal favorite.
The Harraseeket Inn—Exemplifying Green
Not only a great example of a green hotel—also an awesome place to stay!
Another personal favorite!
We welcome your comments and insights, and encourage guest glog articles.
Athena Lee Bradley, NERC Projects Manager.
NEWLY POSTEDNERC Revises Bylaws, Adding Opportunity for Ex Officio Board Members
NERC has updated its bylaws, making two significant changes:
- Adding the opportunity for Ex Officio Board Members
- Creating a standing Advisory Member Services Development Committee
The Advisory Member Services Development Committee's first task will be developing a job description for a new full-time position to be added to NERC this fall; its first Director of Advisory Member Services & Development.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director.
STATE UPDATES
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Passes Legislation Focused on Materials Management
The Connecticut legislature recently adopted Public Act 14-94 (An Act Concerning Connecticut's Recycling and Materials Management Strategy, The Underground Damage Prevention Program and Revisions To Energy and Environmental Statutes), which contains several provisions impacting the state’s solid waste and recycling strategies.
Some of the key materials management provisions of P.A. 14-94 include:
- Revision of statues to reflect a 60% diversion goal – approximately doubling where Connecticut is now;
- Creation of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) to succeed the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) with a new focus on promoting innovation in materials management;
- Repurposing of Connecticut’s largest, oldest, and least efficient waste-to-energy plant (MidConn site in Hartford) to become a site for a modern materials management facility to recover more value from trash. CT DEEP will put out an RFP in partnership with MIRA seeking technologies to enhance diversion of materials at the Hartford site;
- Establishment of Recycle CT - a statewide research and education foundation to promote recycling;
- Requirement for DEEP to revise the state’s Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) by 2016;
- Streamlined permitting requirements for waste facilities that allows up to 75 tons per day of mattresses and other designated recyclable items without having to submit an application for permit modification.
Prior to revising the CT SWMP, DEEP plans to conduct an updated waste characterization in 2015 that will look at materials disposed at both MSW and construction & demolition (C&D) processing facilities.
Looking to EPR to Manage Carpet & Batteries
In December of 2013, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) awarded a contract to the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) to help Connecticut implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for priority product categories, including carpet, batteries, packaging and printed material and pesticides and fertilizers. For the past two months, DEEP has hosted, in partnership with PSI and others, two national stewardship dialogue meetings in Hartford.
In May, a two-day dialogue for carpet stewardship, turned unexpected when carpet manufacturers, at the last minute, didn’t join the conversation. A letter addressed to Commissioner Klee was distributed to many by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) as well as copies made for all attending the meeting, stated the industry respectfully declined the invitation to attend the meeting because they are against mandated product stewardship.
Despite industry not engaging in the conversation, the meeting continued. Over 100 people representing 15 states joined in person and/or by phone. Discussions explored the challenges and opportunities of recycling, approaching management with voluntary or mandated product stewardship and rural collection issues.
In June, another two-day dialogue took place to discuss battery stewardship. And this meeting too, took an unexpected turn. David Weinberg from the Rechargeable Battery Association and representing battery industry leaders, shared a model bill, the first-ever all-battery bill. Almost 130 people, representing 23 states and Canada joined the meeting in person and/or by phone. It was a pivotal moment witnessing the battery industry coming together to support battery recycling.
Connecticut will continue to work with PSI and stakeholders from both the carpet and battery industries to draft stewardship legislation for 2015. For more information, please contact Tom Metzner at CT DEEP.
NEW YORK
OCCRA Aerated Static Pile Compost System
The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCCRA), Syracuse, NY held an Inaugural Reception & Tour at its Amboy Compost Facility on May 8. U.S. Composting Council Executive Director Lori Scozzafava, Greg Gelewski, OCRRA's recycling operations manager and NYSDEC Region 7 Director Ken Lynch delivered the opening remarks. Over 9,000 tons of institutional and commercial food waste will be processed annually by extended aerated static pile composting. Additional details can be found at: https://ocrra.org/about-ocrra/services/food-waste-composting.
Compost Operations Training Course, July 28 to August 1, Cornell University
The US Composting Council, working with experts from the Cornell Waste Management Institute and other programs across the country, has put together a week-long course focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful composting facility. The course includes lectures from top experts, and indoor and outdoor hands-on activities. Plus you'll get to visit local facilities and see how the theory gets put into practice.
First in Nation Single-use Battery Recycling Law Passes in Vermont
Single-use household battery manufacturers that sell or manufacture their products in the state of Vermont will be required to plan, implement, and manage a statewide battery collection program by 2016, per a bill passed in May.
The bill, known as H.695, "Act Relating to Establishing a Product Stewardship Program for Primary Batteries," is a type of extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation that requires primary (single-use) battery manufacturers to fund and manage a take-back and recycling program on behalf of consumers. The bill is the first EPR law in the country that covers primary batteries of multiple chemistries (e.g., alkaline, zinc carbon, lithium primary silver oxide, and zinc air). There is already a voluntary collection program in place for rechargeable batteries.
"We are incredibly fortunate in Vermont to have the collaboration of solid waste planning entities, the Vermont Product Stewardship Council, and the legislative leadership of Tony Klein, chair of the House Natural Resource and Energy Committee, and others to pass this first of its kind legislation in Vermont," says Jen Holliday, product stewardship program manager for the Chittenden Solid Waste District and chair of the Vermont Product Stewardship Council. "This will keep millions of batteries out of the landfill and save resources without costing local government thousands of dollars a year to recycle them."
It is estimated that more than 10 million batteries are sold in Vermont each year. However, there are very few recycling programs available to consumers. The law will require battery manufacturers to submit a plan to the state by July 2015 outlining how they will implement a convenient collection program. In accordance with the bill, the program will provide convenient battery drop-off locations for consumers at retail and municipal sites.
"This is a significant national milestone reached through the collaboration of both government and industry," says Scott Cassel, chief executive officer of the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), a national nonprofit whose work on EPR over the last 14 years has influenced the passage of many of the 80 EPR laws around the country. "However, more work remains to be done to develop a model program for the rest of the nation - one that collects both primary and rechargeable batteries so that it is convenient for consumers and fair for manufacturers."
PSI, having played an instrumental role in laying the groundwork for primary battery EPR and in fueling the momentum toward fair and balanced legislative solutions, supported Vermont's efforts to pass H.695. It should be noted that Holliday is also the president of the board of directors for PSI.
ADVISORY MEMBER NEWs
Summer 2014 APR Web Seminars
Expanding Opportunities in #3 - 7 Plastics Recycling
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT
Before the implementation of China’s Green Fence Policy, the majority of #3-7 plastics were exported. Domestic plastic reclaimers have proactively and positively responded - resulting in many new opportunities within North America for the recycling of these materials. This webinar will provide you the opportunity to hear plastic recycling industry experts discuss the markets, uses and other important considerations involved with recycling this important yet sometime challenging stream of recyclable plastics. Please join us to hear the latest update on some of the current opportunities available for #3-7 plastics recycling. Speakers will include Liz Bedard, APR; Patty Moore, Moore Recycling Associates; Susan Albritton, Sonoco; Dave Bellon, QRS; and Mary McClellan, ReCommunity.
Expanding Opportunities in Film Collection
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT
More than half of the film collected for recycling in the U.S. was exported in 2012. With the implementation of tighter restrictions on the import of scrap plastic into China, domestic markets want to let recyclers know that strong demand remains—provided the quality is good. The key is to know your plastic film markets and to collect for value. Learn about the depth in demand for scrap plastic film and the tools available on plasticfilmrecycling.org to support the collection of high quality material. Speakers include Nina Bellucci Butler, Moore Recycling Associates; Dave Heglas, Trex; and Jim Feeney, Wisconsin Film & Bag.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6818440298704584194
Visit plasticsrecycling.org for more information about upcoming web seminars.
New Organization will Manage R2 Standard & Promote Responsible Electronics Recycling
In early June, R2 Solutions welcomed the formation of SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International), which will succeed R2 Solutions in developing and promoting the R2 Standard.
The R2 Standard will now be managed by SERI. R2 Solutions will cease operations and its staff, the board of directors, the R2 Technical Advisory Committee, the R2 Standard and supporting documents, and all other assets will be transferred to SERI.
"Current and future R2 recyclers can rest-assured that nothing is changing for the R2 Standard," explained John Lingelbach Executive Director of SERI (and formerly R2 Solutions). "The R2 Standard has been tremendously successful. Over 540 R2 certified facilities are now operating in 17 countries, but still many regions of the world are underserved or without access to responsible electronics recycling. The incredible growth of electronics use in the developing world necessitates that more be done. Both the R2 Standard, as well as the new activities of SERI, are all critical to meeting this challenge."
SERI will advance the cause of safe and sustainable electronics reuse and recycling around the world. In addition to managing the R2 Standard, the expanded scope of the new organization includes sponsoring and supporting electronics recycling projects in developing countries, education and outreach campaigns on the need for responsible recycling, and other activities.
"I am very pleased to be part of SERI and excited to embark on the many new activities to address critical e-scrap issues around the world," said Oladele Osibanjo, new SERI board member and Executive Director of the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the African Region. "Meeting the challenge of used electronics will require a variety of tools, strategies, and active involvement in emerging-market countries."
SERI's board includes members that have backgrounds in the Basel Convention, economics, emerging markets, electronics collection, and other critical areas necessary to advancing SERI's mission.
“We are extremely pleased with the positive response and momentum that the launch of SERI has already garnered,” added Lingelbach. “Working in partnership with a diverse group of stakeholders in the global recycling community – governments, businesses and NGOs – will position SERI to significantly advance the cause of safe and sustainable electronics reuse and recycling and to increase access to certified refurbishing and recycling facilities around the world.”
To learn more about SERI or the R2 Standard, please visit www.SustainableElectronics.org.
Battery Industry Leaders Unveil the First Ever Model All Battery Recycling Bill
Four leading battery interest groups – the Corporation for Battery Recycling (CBR), the leading battery manufacturers from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association and Call2Recycle, Inc. - have unveiled an all-battery model recycling bill.
For the first time, diverse battery interest groups joined forces to take shared responsibility for the collection and recycling of all used primary, or single-use batteries, and rechargeable batteries. The bill covers consumer batteries only, such as those found in home smoke alarms, portable electronic equipment and remote devices. The groups converged at the Product Stewardship Institute’s (PSI) National Batteries Stewardship Dialogue Meeting held in Connecticut, where the model bill was revealed.
“This ground-breaking initiative led by CBR member companies, Energizer, Duracell and Panasonic, exemplifies our commitment to addressing the environmental and business challenges of battery recycling. The battery industry looks forward to working with all stakeholders,” said Marc Boolish, president of CBR.
Following the recent passage of Vermont H. 695 that established the nation’s first single-use battery stewardship requirement, the groups’ model bill will create a framework for managing both single-use and rechargeable batteries at end of life. The bill requires all battery producers to be compliant, and provides a vehicle for producers of products that contain or are sold with primary batteries to work with suppliers to satisfy compliance obligations. The bill is expected to be introduced in selected state legislatures in 2015.
“We commend the industry in working together to further battery recycling awareness,” said Carl Smith, CEO and president of Call2Recycle, Inc., North America’s largest consumer battery recycling program. “By offering a comprehensive solution for all batteries, consumers benefit with less confusion.”
“This is a prime example of industries and government working collaboratively toward a product stewardship solution that will have far-reaching benefits,” says Scott Cassel, founder and CEO of PSI. “A combined single-use and rechargeable product stewardship bill is groundbreaking, and will help increase consumer convenience, protect the environment, boost state and regional economies, and save money for both governments and the battery industries.”
To read the full bill, visit here.
About CBR
The Corporation for Battery Recycling (CBR) was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2011 with a long-term vision to lead and shape a national program that maximizes reuse of spent battery materials with a goal of “zero waste.” Founding members of CBR are Energizer Holdings, Inc., Duracell (a Procter and Gamble company) and Panasonic Energy Corporation of America.
About NEMA
NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceed $100 billion annually.
About PRBA
PRBA members power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for portable electronic equipment such as notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, and MP3 players, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles and containerized lithium ion battery stationary systems. PRBA members produce approximately 70 percent of the world’s lithium ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org.
About Call2Recycle
Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle—North America’s first and largest battery stewardship program—is a non-profit organization that collects and recycles batteries at no cost for municipalities, businesses and consumers. 2014 commemorates Call2Recycle’s 20th anniversary of product stewardship excellence. Since 1996, Call2Recycle has diverted more than 85 million pounds (39 million kilograms) of rechargeable batteries and cellphones from the solid waste stream and established over 34,000 collection sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at call2recycle.org.
Executive Director Position - PROP
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP), currently headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, seeks a creative, service-oriented individual to lead our 501(c)(3) organization. Primary duties of this executive position include fiduciary management and forecasting, funds expansion, programmatic development, supervision of staff, and the ability to build consensus amongst PROP’s Board of Directors and our diverse membership represented by government, industry and other non-profit organizations.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and oral communications skills and hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 5 years of relevant experience. Requirements include: demonstrated success with income generation, budget development and administration; personnel management; legislative and regulatory advocacy; Board relations; governmental relations; negotiations; and a working knowledge of the solid waste and recycling industry. The complete position description can be found at www.proprecycles.org
Qualifications will be accepted until the position is filled and can be submitted to:
PROP Executive Director Search
C/O Brenda Schmidt, PROP President
Crawford County Solid Waste Authority
231 Chestnut Street--Suite 310
Meadville, PA 16335
All questions should be submitted to: brenda@countyrecycling.com
PROP is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE/M/F/D/V