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May 2008

NERC’s Advisory Members

Distinguished Benefactors

Consumer Technology Association (CTA)

Benefactors

Coca-Cola

Samsung

Waste Management

Sustaining Members

  • Advanced Drainage Systems

  • American Beverage Association

  • Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)

  • Blount Fine Foods

  • BlueTriton Brands

  • Bulk Handling Systems

  • Casella Resource Solutions

  • CLYNK

  • Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc.

  • Council of State Governments/Eastern Regional Conference

  • Eco-Products

  • Fire Rover, LLC

  • GDB International

  • Glass Packaging Institute

  • Henkel

  • Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)

  • International Bottled Water Association

  • Keep America Beautiful

  • Keurig Dr. Pepper

  • MRM

  • Nestle USA

  • NEWMOA

  • PaintCare

  • Plastics Industry Association

  • Re-TRAC

  • Recycling Partnership

  • Republic Services

  • Reverse Logistics Group

  • Revolution

  • Serlin Haley

  • Sims Municipal Recycling

  • Sonoco

  • Strategic Materials

  • Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC)

  • TOMRA

  • US Composting Council (USCC)

A list of all the logos of our Sustaining Members can be found under Advisory Members

MEMBERSHIP

NERC NEWS

TPCH UPDATE

STATE UPDATES

MAINE

RHODE ISLAND

VERMONT

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS


To join the EMail Bulletin list…
Send an email to executive.director@nerc.org 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.

State and Advisory Member Updates 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

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.

To see a listing of Advisory Members and the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership web page.

The broad spectrum of interests represented by NERC’s Advisory Members and Board Members and their willingness to participate significantly contribute to the unique and important role that NERC plays in recycling in the region.

NERC NEWS

New York Recycling Markets Database Now Online

Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s lead economic development agency, has launched an on-line, searchable database of recycling markets.  

The Recycling Markets Database includes information about collectors, brokers, processors, and end-users of recyclables, as well as reuse and remanufacturing organizations in New York, the Northeast U.S., and Eastern Canada. Users can search by material type within select geographic regions. Lists of recycling markets are then easily exported to Word or Excel files.

The information in the New York Recycling Markets Database is collected by NERC under a five-year contract with Empire State Development. While the goal is to provide comprehensive and current recycling market information, some recyclers have not yet been captured. Users are encouraged to contact NERC’s Project Manager, Athena Bradley, or the Environmental Services Unit at ESD to propose corrections and additions.

Being listed on this database does not constitute an endorsement by NERC or ESD. The information is provided solely to help identify possible, viable recycling outlets.

This is an exciting new tool for the recycling community. Please take a moment to check it out. Feedback is always appreciated. 

5_08_image_2Biggest Medication Collection Yet – 122 People & 180 Gallons!

A unique approach to an unwanted medication collection yielded dramatic results in Windsor, Connecticut.   CVS/Caremark collaborated with the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) to host a regional unwanted medication collection on April 5.  The collection was held in the community room of the Windsor Fire Department, and benefited from the coordinated promotion of CVS, FRWA, as well as the Connecticut Departments of Environmental Protection and Drug Control.    NERC, through a grant from the Community Pharmacy Foundation, helped to organize the collection and participated in its implementation. 

5_08_image_4 In addition to providing funding for the collection, CVS/Caremark provided staffing on the day of the event.  Two pharmacists, two second year pharmacy students, and five Pharmacy Technicians helped to sort, count, and identify the medications.  A representative from the Connecticut Board of Pharmacy also helped to identify and count medications. The Farmington River Watershed Association had four volunteers present helping to welcome the public, conduct a simple survey, and answer questions.  Other staffing included a volunteer from Massachusetts, a representative of the Metropolitan District Commission, Hartford, Connecticut, and NERC staff provided oversight and data entry.

5_08_image_6 The Connecticut Drug Control Division provided a Field Agent who took responsibility and custody of the 10-gallons of controlled substances that were collected.  The non-controlled substances were taken by Clean Harbors Environmental for secured hazardous waste incineration. 

Some highlights from the event were: 
Total participants: 122
Total volume collected: 180 gallons

  • Controlled substances: 10 gallons (6%)
  • Non-controlled substances: 170 gallons (94%)

Average volume per participant: 1.5 gallons

  • Average volume per participant controlled substances: 0.1 gallons
  • Average volume per participant non-controlled substances: 1.4 gallons

Total number of items collected: 2,443 (An "item" is one container of medication.)

  • Number of controlled items: 215
  • Number of non-controlled items: 2,228

Average number of items per participant:  20

  • Average number of controlled items per participant: 1.8
  • Average number of non-controlled items per participant: 18.2

5_08_image_7

A detailed case study of the collection is expected to be posted on the NERC Web site by early June.  For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director, NERC.

Green Procurement of Electronics – Report on Impact in New England

For the past two years, NERC has worked with institutional purchasers in New England to promote source reduction, pollution prevention, and increase the use of recycled materials through the environmentally preferable purchasing of computers by public and private sector institutional purchasers.  This project specifically promoted the use of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT™). The project was funded by a grant to NERC from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency New England, Source Reduction Assistance Program.  A report on the project and its environmental results is now available.

As part of the project, NERC launched an outreach campaign targeting institutional purchasers that included teleconferences, direct contact, technical assistance, and presentations to target audiences. Resources were developed for purchasers and information technology staff about EPEAT™, including a Fact Sheet, PowerPoint presentations, model procurement language, and calculations of the environmental benefits of purchasing EPEAT™ -registered computer products.

NERC’s outreach campaign reached over 1,400 individuals in state government, businesses, and colleges and universities nationwide, and almost 850 in New England alone.  While it is difficult to measure the direct impact of this outreach on specific procurements, NERC is confident that its efforts raised the level of awareness about EPEAT™, and in some cases influenced purchasing decisions and the incorporation of EPEAT™ into procurement specifications. Maine and Massachusetts are highlighted in the report due to their commitment to EPEAT™ procurement. These two states purchased almost 80,000 computer units in 2007, 75% of which were EPEAT™- qualified.  The report provides details about the environmental impact of this procurement, including greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to removing 1,037 passenger cars from the road.

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

Special Event Food Waste Diversion Pilot held in New Hampshire

Hallsmith-Sysco, the largest foodservice distributor in New England, is “Going Green.”   With the help of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), Earthtenders Organics Recycling, and NERC, food waste was collected for composting at the Hallsmith-Sysco Food Show in Manchester, New Hampshire, April 2, 2008.  The Food Show, featured 160 booths and approximately 1,500 people attended the event. NERC’s participation in the pilot collection was funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement food waste diversion at special events in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

Vendors at the Food Show were provided biodegradable bags, donated by Heritage Bags, in which to place food preparation scraps, leftover samples, de-packaged display foods, and paper towels, napkins, and paper plates. At the end of the event, staff from the NH DES, NERC, and Earthtenders circulated with carts to collect the bags and other items for composting. The food waste was transported by Earthtenders to its composting facility in Farmington, New Hampshire.  More than 1,750 pounds of food and paper wastes were collected.

Vendors were also provided information about the opportunity to donate useable food items and clean serving ware to the New Hampshire Food Bank.  Volunteers from the Food Bank collected more than 1,650 pounds for redistribution to needy families. 

In all, approximately 2.25 pounds/participant of food waste was collected and diverted for reuse and composting.  This represents a greenhouse gas savings of 0.085 MTCE, according to the EPA WARM model.

For more information contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager, NERC.

Manure Management Workshops for Hobby Farms

NERC sponsored manure management workshops in eight New Jersey towns in March, with more than 120 people attending.  The project is funded by a USDA Rural Development grant.  

A joint “Equine Management Workshop” was held with Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.  The topics included an overview of animal agriculture on small farms, manure management, and New Jersey’s proposed Animal Waste Management Rules. The workshop was very successful, with 70 people participating.  Presenters included Dr. Michael Westendorf and Dr. Carey Williams, from Rutgers University, and Monique Purcell from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.  The seven other workshops were held at town offices, a grange hall, and feed stores.  In addition, two farms received on-site technical assistance about manure management and composting.

New Hampshire will be the next location for manure management workshops. 

  • Saturday, May 17
    • Newton Town Hall, 11:00, co-sponsored by the Newton Conservation Commission and the New Hampshire Horse Council
    • Griffinbrook Horse Emporium in Candia, 3:00, co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Horse Council and the Candia Conservation Commission.
  • Monday, May 19 - Canterbury Town Hall, 6:30 p.m., co-sponsored by the Canterbury Conservation Commission.
  • Tuesday, May 20 - Remick Farm Museum in Tamworth, 6:30 p.m. This workshop is co-sponsored by Carroll County Small and Beginner Farmer Network and will feature a special presentation by Remick Farm and a tour of their manure management system.

The Manure Management Project is an educational program to assist small and hobby farmers to understand and implement best management practices for handling and composting manure.  NERC has developed a Manure Management Guidebook and Resource Toolkit that is provided free to all workshop attendees.  It will be available on the NERC Web site by the end of May.  The project is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.  For more information, contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager, NERC.

Photos from NERC’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

More than 70 people helped to celebrate NERC’s 20th Anniversary on March 18 in Northampton, Massachusetts – including many former Board Members and friends of NERC.  Take a look !

Next SEC Partners Only Teleconference - Power Management

New York State has demonstrated leadership and expertise in the field of computer power management, and we are fortunate that they have agreed to present the teleconference.  We will hear from:

  • Susan Andrews, Senior Project Manager, Energy Efficiency Services, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
  • Jim Pepe, Director of Facilities Management, SUNY Fredonia
  • Carol Sabo, PA Consulting Group, Arlington, Virginia – consultant to New York State

Only SEC Partners may participate on this call.  For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein

TOXICS IN PACKAGING CLEARINGHOUSE UPDATE

TPCH Biannual Membership Meeting

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse held its Spring Bi-annual Membership Meeting in Berkeley, California on April 2 – 3, 2008 at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). In addition to its routine business, TPCH members learned first-hand about U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) screening for toxic metals in food and food packaging during a very informative presentation and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) demonstration by Dr. Richard Jacobs, Toxic Element Expert at the   FDA. Members also toured the CA DTSC laboratory where California performs laboratory and XRF analysis of packaging and products such as children’s jewelry.  

TPCH Speaks Out

This spring the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse continues its outreach efforts with the ultimate goal to decrease the presence of restricted heavy metals in packaging.

  • Patricia Dillon, TPCH Program Manager, addressed the Sustainable Packaging Coalition at their Spring Meeting on April 4, in San Francisco, California. Her presentation, Greening the Package: Get the Lead Out (and other heavy metals), was attended by over 35 companies from throughout the packaging supply chain.
  • Sharon Yergeau, TPCH New Hampshire representative, will speak at the 2008 National Environmental Partnership Summit on May 20 in Baltimore, Maryland.  The session, Toxics in Packaging: Where to Look and How to Find It, will include an overview of the TPCH packaging screening results and a live demonstration of XRF testing by Innov-X Systems, Inc.

STATE UPDATES

MAINE

Solid Waste Management Advisory Council Members Named

The Governor appointed representatives from various aspects of the solid waste management industry to serve on a 16-member solid waste management advisory council.  This council was created last year by the Legislature and is intended to advise the State Planning Office on state solid waste management and recycling policies and program. It replaces the policy review committee, which only met every five years. This committee will meet at least annually and will assist the office with developing the state waste management and recycling plan, review legislative proposals, and advise on state recycling programs. 

Statewide Recycling Campaign Begins!5_08_image_9

The ‘Maine Recycles’ statewide education and promotion campaign began being seen on television and in papers throughout the state.  The effort is intended to increase recycling participation among the 20 to 35 year old demographic, but is also applicable to all ages.  The Web site is where ‘it is all happening’.  Easy and fun to look at, the site also allows the reader to ‘upload’ their own recycling picture and title.  Rather than spending time telling you about the site, please visit it now!   

This statewide effort is coordinated by the State Planning Office but is overseen by a steering committee that includes numerous public sector recycling program managers and interested staff.  This effort is not planned to be a ‘one-time’ shot, but an on-going promotional campaign.

RHODE ISLAND

Making Composting Available to the Masses

Spring has sprung!  It’s the perfect opportunity to have a conversation with homeowners about finding better ways to reduce and manage their yard waste.  Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island, has been offering free composting seminars for municipal governments that want to provide this education to their residents.  The URI Master Composter/Master Recycler Program instructs individuals seeking certification, and this is the second year they have provided free workshops on the topic, as part of a grant from RIRRC.

“The Master Composter/Master Recycler Program is a natural partner of Resource Recovery,” said Sarah Kite, the RIRRC Recycling Manager.  “Making the expert master composters available to the public for interactive educational sessions helps taxpayers reduce their overall tipping fees, helps RIRRC preserve landfill space, and promotes URI’s master composting program.  It’s a relatively low-cost investment that provides long-lasting value to everyone.” 

While it keeps an inventory of composting bins year-round, RIRRC capitalizes on the seasons to sell composting bins at discounted rates at one-day sales in the spring and fall.  This fiscal year has seen record demand for bins, leading to beefing up next year’s bin inventory by 50%. 

VERMONT

Second Vermont Organics Recycling Summit a Success

The Composting Association of Vermont, with assistance from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Waste Management Division, held the second annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit on April 1, with almost 150 participants.  The focus of the Summit was Compost, Community, and the Carbon Cycle:  Organics Recovery, Nutrient Systems, and Renewable Energy.   

DEC Secretary George Crombie gave an excellent introductory welcome that included points on proper management and regulatory compliance for compost manufacturers. 

Malcolm Beck, a long time composter, organic vegetable grower, author of four books, and retired owner of Garden-Ville soil and garden company, gave the keynote talk.  He spoke on the importance of increasing the organic content of soil through composting and proper soil management with organic and no-till methods. Part of his message provides solutions to greenhouse gases and global warming.  If the country would increase the organic matter it farmed and ranch soil by half percent per year back to the historical levels of 6-8 percent, we could compensate for most or all of the greenhouse gases put out by transportation and heating.  This could be achieved with the recycling of organic materials back into the soil and holistic farming practices that build rather then destroy the soil.

A panel discussion followed about:
1. GIS mapping to assist in establishing organic material collection routes and new facilities,
2. How the agricultural nutrient management model could be used as a basis for community nutrient management models,
3. Vermont’s regulations and policy,
4.  Information on collecting organics, and
5. Anaerobic digestion basics – farm based digesters - the newest management tool on the Vermont scene. 

After a lunch featuring local, seasonal produce, participants divided into geographic areas to discuss how to create community nutrient management plans.

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS

Sharp Reinforces Commitment to Environment with Copier Toner Program

As part of its continuing commitment to preserving the environment and reducing landfill waste, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) is enhancing its Copier Toner Recycling Program to encourage government and business customers to recycle Sharp toner cartridges from all Sharp models.  As of February 2008, every Sharp-branded copier, printer and multifunctional peripheral (MFP) toner cartridge sold in the U.S. can be easily recycled at no cost to the customer. Users can simply download pre-paid, pre-addressed UPS shipping labels from www.sharpusa.com/recycle to ship out used toner cartridges. To facilitate bulk shipments, help conserve resources and reduce energy use, users can also order recycled cardboard bulk cartons that hold up to ten used cartridges. These cartons arrive via UPS and can be conveniently placed in the customer’s mailroom or near the copiers for easy collection, and then shipped to one of three recycling centers nationwide.

Sharp’s copiers and printers are among the industry’s most energy efficient and all current models are Energy Star® qualified.  Sharp has reduced waste by switching to reusable airbags for its packaging materials. As well, Sharp has eliminated the use of expanded polystyrene as a packaging material for all products under 11 lbs., and all service and owner’s manuals are printed on recycled paper.
 
In addition to the Copier Toner Recycling Program, Sharp is a key player in the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM). This newly formed joint venture between Sharp Electronics Corporation, Panasonic Corporation of North America and Toshiba America Consumer Products is designed to manage consumer electronics collection and recycling programs in the United States for manufacturers and others, including state and local governments.

“Recycling is Magic” Reaches 2,000 Mark

The Connecticut Recyclers Coalition’s (CRC) “Recycling is Magic” educational program recently achieved the milestone of more than 2,000 attendees.   Since its launch in 2006, the program has provided recycling education through its story and magic show format to children in schools, libraries, and at Earth Day events.

The show is designed to catch the attention of children, hold it and bring home a message.  It begins with the story of a village sacked by ogres.   They eat, drink, break and use up everything.   When a wandering wizard scares off the ogres his work is only beginning.   The wizard first magically sweeps up “trash” and starts to make it “vanish”.   He then realizes he will need to make the old and broken into the new and useful if he is to really solve the villagers’ problems.   The story is supported by magical effects that demonstrate the wizard’s work.  

In the second half of the performance children learn they have the same power as the wizard when they recycle using their own bin.  Volunteers join the wizard in deciding whether to reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse or compost the various “trash pile” props used.

CJ May, president of the CT Recyclers Coalition, created the show with the guidance of several local magicians.  Adding magic to his professional knowledge of recycling he was able to create a show that was short, entertaining and educational.

CRC Elects New Vice President

On April 2nd, the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition (CRC) Board of Directors elected Bill Smith to the position of vice president.  CRC president CJ May commented that “since joining the CRC Bill has proven himself as a dedicated advocate for recycling and energetic member of our organization.   I am very pleased he is willing to up his commitment a notch further by assuming this role.”

Evelyn Golden stepped down after many years of service to the CRC as vice president.   Among her many contributions has been the holding of a recycled show and the initiation and management of the CRC’s unique annual partnership with Nike and its Reuse-a-Shoe program.   Through Reuse-a-Shoe, the CRC recycles more than a tractor trailer load of sneakers each year.

Bill comes to his position with a long career of public service.   He has represented the CRC in the CT League of Conversation Voters “Shared Agenda” initiative.  Evelyn Golden is CEO of Signature Marketing, a promotion product company specializing in products made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. 

Electronics Collection Event Diverts More Than 102,000 Pounds of E-Waste

On Sunday, March 16, WeRecycle! Inc. partnered with the New York City Depart5_08_image_11ment of Sanitation (DSNY) to provide a free residential collection event for used electronics in the heart of Manhattan.  This collection event provided a convenient outlet for over 3,000 of Manhattan’s residents to recycle their used electronics. 

Over 50 tons of E-Waste  was collected in Union Square during this six hour collection. 
Residents came on foot and in cars to the collection event to drop off used computers, cell phones, televisions, and other electronic items.   All electronics were transported to WeRecycle!’s Mount Vernon, NY processing facility. 

Personnel from the DSNY, Lower East Side Ecology Center (LESEC), and WeRecycle! began setting up event supplies and staging materials for this event well before sunrise.  The teamwork paid off.  The residents of Manhattan were directed through efficient and clearly defined paths where their cars, trucks, taxi cabs, suitcases, and carts were quic5_08_image_13kly and safely unloaded.  Attendees commented throughout the day on how easy it was to swing by and drop off their old electronics.    

Union Square was the first event in a series of five collections to be held in each New York City borough this spring. 

The energy conservation represented by the 50 tons of E-Waste recycled is comparable to keeping 590 cars off the road for an entire year and saving the same amount of energy it takes to run 830 households for a year.