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May 2012

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

New Sustaining Member

Renewing Sustaining Member

Renewing Supporting Members

NERC NEWS

STATE UPDATES

New York

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS

OF GENERAL INTEREST


 

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, as well articles of General Interest 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 welcome new Sustaining Member Ecovanta, renewing Sustaining Member Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM), and renewing Supporting Members – the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) and Yellowbook.

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 more than 50 Advisory Members. 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 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

epa
Left to right: Cynthia Greene, EPA; Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director, NERC; Mary Ann Remolador, Assistant Director, NERC; Curt Spaulding, EPA; Greg Cooper, MA DEP, Vice President, NERC; Chip Foley, Vice President, Steel Recycling Institute.

Lifetime Environmental Merit Award Recognizes NERC's Silver Anniversary

The Northeast Recycling Council has been recognized by EPA for its outstanding environmental achievements over its 25 year history. In a ceremony at historic Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA, NERC was presented with its award by Curt Spaulding, EPA Regional Administrator, and by Cynthia Greene, EPA New England, Manager of the Energy and Climate Unit.

In her remarks, Ms. Greene stated that she had worked with NERC since in 1990, when at the time, "EPA was working to develop recycling markets and divert recyclables from disposal. NERC is an impressive organization and one that the states and EPA relies on for timely research, project development and implementation, and information support. The Council is made up of the state recycling officials from 10 Northeastern states from Pennsylvania to Maine and it is now in its 25th year of work."

Ms. Greene added that "this multi-state nonprofit is committed to all aspects of recycling market development through environmental and economic sustainability. NERC has been able to effectively work with manufacturers, business and commodity associations, the waste industry, local, state and federal governments to promote recycling market development. Their reach has been broad, from the typical recyclables such as newspapers to manure and food waste composting, electronics, pharmaceuticals, demolition debris, reuse and environmentally preferable purchasing."

The EPA Environmental Merit Award recognizes valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving, are a unique way that EPA recognizes individuals and groups that are making significant impacts on environmental quality in distinct ways. Awarded by EPA since 1970, the merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the region's environment. This year's competition drew nearly 100 nominations from across New England.

"Congratulations to all of our 2012 Environmental Merit Award recipients. These awards are close to my heart because they acknowledge the importance of environmental stewardship," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "As stewards, all of these recipients are making real and lasting differences in communities across our beautiful region. Whether it's finding innovative ways to safeguard our water resources or conserving the energy our communities use each day, each individual has advanced our mission to protect human health and the environment."

NERC's Workshop Confirms there are Recycling Markets for Mattresses

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The number of attendees at NERC's Workshop on April 17, 2012 at the Hotel Northampton proved that mattress management in an environmentally sound manner is a concern for government, businesses, and institutions in the northeast. The well attended sessions and ensuing discussions with mattress management businesses also confirmed that disposal and incineration are not the only options for used mattresses in the region. Mattress reuse and recycling facilities in the region, and beyond, want the region's mattresses.

Mattress Workshop Presentations Available

Due to the number of requests for the speaker presentations that NERC has received from those that weren't able to attend the Workshop, NERC is making the presentations available on a flash drive for the low price of $50. If you are interested in purchasing this collection of presentations, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC Assistant Director and Event Organizer.

NERC Launches Blog – What's in It for Me?

Blogs are trendy and ubiquitous these days. However, the NERC staff hopes we are in a unique situation to offer something different. As an organization that works throughout the northeast, and increasingly around the country, we plan to offer insights into current happenings, notable projects and lessons learned, ideas worth repeating, and more. NERC staff has a wealth of experience and 70+ combined years in solid waste management. From organics management and green hotels to electronics and unwanted medications, we've done it all!

Some of our NERC Blog articles will be instructive, such as a series we plan to offer on C&D recycling and another on the "ins and outs" of paper recycling. Other articles will tend toward opinion pieces. We are an opinionated bunch at NERC! Hopefully we can spark some great discussions and sharing of insights from others. We will have guest bloggers post from time-to-time as well. Our State Members and Advisory Members have a wealth of knowledge to share.

Additionally, NERC staff has worked with hundreds of people over the 25 years we have been in existence. From our funders — USDA, EPA, and others — to participants in the numerous and varied projects we have undertaken. We will be sharing these experiences as well.

Please take a moment to check out the NERC Blog and sign up as a "Follower." We welcome your comments and insights.

Annual Awards Announced for Environmental Accomplishments

In its fourth year, the State Electronics Challenge expanded from its Northeast roots to serve state, regional, tribal, and local governments across the United States. The program grew from 48 Partners in 16 states to 82 Partners in 31 states between the end of 2010 and December 2011. Partners employed over 120,000 people. The goal is to have Partners in all 50 U.S. states by the end of 2012.

In 2011, the Challenge is recognizing 11 Partners for their accomplishments. Challenge Partners are eligible for one of three recognition levels — Bronze, Silver, or Gold — based on completion of program requirements. A record four gold awards were announced, as well as three silver, and four bronze.

Partner Award Level

Life Cycle Phases Program Requirements Completed

Regional Technology Cooperative, Borough of State College, Pennsylvania Gold

Procurement, Operations & Maintenance, End-of-Life Management

Manitou Springs Schools, Colorado Gold Procurement, Operations & Maintenance, End-of-Life Management
City of Wilmington, Delaware Gold Procurement, Operations & Maintenance, End-of-Life Management
City of Madison, Wisconsin Gold Procurement, Operations & Maintenance, End-of-Life Management
Town of Windsor, Connecticut Silver Procurement & End-of-Life Management
City of Providence Schools, Rhode Island Silver Procurement & Operations & Maintenance
DuPage County, Illinois Silver Procurement & End-of-Life Management
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Bronze End-of-Life Management
Ball State University, Indiana Bronze End-of-Life Management
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Bronze Procurement
Maryland Department of Environment Bronze Procurement

The environmental results of the 39 Partners that reported about their efforts to "green" the lifecycle of their computer assets — from purchasing EPEAT registered products to lowering the energy consumption of computers in use, extending the lifetime of equipment, and recycling equipment at the end of its service life — were significant.

  • Avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing almost 8,000 cars from the roads,
  • Saved enough energy to power close to 7,000 homes,
  • Avoided the use of more than 3,000 pounds of toxic materials, including lead and mercury,
  • Avoided solid waste generation equivalent to 500 households/year, and
  • Avoided hazardous waste generation of 200 tons.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Program Manager.

Webinar – Learn About the State Electronics Challenge and How It Can Help You

Plan to join us to learn how state, tribal, regional, solid waste districts, towns and cities, schools, colleges, and university can save energy, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability goals by changing the way they buy, use, and recycle computer equipment. The Webinar will provide an opportunity to learn about the State Electronics Challenge and what the program offers.

The Challenge is a free program that provides support and recognition for lifecycle stewardship of computer equipment: buying green, energy and paper conservation during use, and proper reuse and recycling at the end-of-life.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Program Manager.

NERC Bringing C&D Recycling Training to Puerto Rico

With funding from EPA, Region II and the Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University, NERC will be holding two C&D Recycling Trainings for contractors, architects, and recycling and reuse specialists in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The trainings, to be held on September 26 & 27, 2012, will be presented by WasteCap Resource Solutions. NERC is partnering with the Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership, the U.S. Caribbean Chapter, and the Autoridad de Desperdicios Solidos for the trainings. For additional information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC Assistant Director.

New Regional Materials Exchange for Businesses

NERC is developing a Regional Materials Exchange — a single Website for businesses throughout the region to list unwanted and surplus materials. The goals of the Regional Exchange are to increase the reuse of surplus and unwanted materials in the business community, to increase awareness and visibility of business reuse in the region, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of managing a Materials Exchange for businesses, and to provide a single Materials Exchange Website for businesses throughout the region. The Regional Exchange will replace the individual state business Materials Exchanges and is expected to be launched in September 2012.

The states that have committed to participating in the Regional Exchange are: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Sponsors of the Regional Exchange are: the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, Casella Waste Systems, Global Plastics Recycling, GreenCycle, Harvest Power, All American Waste, Willimantic Waste, and Wheelabrator.

Additional states and sponsors are welcome to join and support the Regional Materials Exchange. For additional information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC Assistant Director.

Save the Date – October 23 & 24, 2012 – NERC's Fall Conference & Board Meeting

NERC's Fall Conference & Board Meeting will be held on October 23 & 24, 2012, at the Hotel Northampton in Northampton, Massachusetts. Look for the Conference agenda on NERC's Website this summer. For additional information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC Assistant Director and Event Organizer.

Compost Operations and Marketing Training

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Groundscapes Express operation tour. Photos courtesy of Cam Weimar

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States are looking at compost operator trainings as a way to help ensure that compost facilities apply standard best management practices and operate within the regulatory requirements for the state. NERC recently assisted in organizing a Compost Operations and Marketing Training for Massachusetts. The all-day training was held on March 26 at the Wrentham Developmental Center in Wrentham. Sponsors of the training were the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and NERC.

The goal of the training was to present the important elements to successfully run and manage a compost operation in order to create and market a quality compost product. The event brought together 43 agricultural, commercial, and municipal compost operators.

Holly Wescott, founder and president of Compostabilities, LLC, started the day with "Compost to Soil: Completing the Cycle," a "Soils 101" overview. Compostabilities is a business dedicated to improving soil health in local communities through composting. Ms. Wescott was formerly a Compost Specialist with the Washington State Department of Ecology in Olympia and one of the founders of the Soils for Salmon initiative in Washington State.

Athena Bradley, NERC Projects Manager, presented "Making a Quality Compost Product for Market," providing a look at compost feedstocks, quality assurance and product testing, compost market options, an introduction to marketing principles, compost as a commodity, the importance of branding, promotion, and social marketing in being a successful compost supplier and good neighbor public, and media relations.

Ms. Wescott provided the "nuts and bolts" of the training starting with "Composting Basics: Microbes to Machinery," a discussion of the science of composting, recipe development, composting methods and turning/aeration equipment, windrow management and monitoring, aerated static piles, and other compost technologies. Later that day, Ms. Wescott presented "Getting the Site Right: Design to Operations," providing an overview of site design and layout, space requirements, equipment, loading and off-loading, managing the operation, and potential problems and pests.

Massachusetts compost operations regulations were also discussed. Gerard Kennedy, Director of Agricultural Technical Assistance, provided an overview of agricultural composting in Massachusetts and information on new requirements for registering an agricultural compost operation. Sumner Martinson, Compost Director at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection discussed the Massachusetts Compost Regulations.

Lisa Petruski, a soil conservationist at the U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service provided an overview of the NRCS Compost Pad Construction and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The workshop was followed by a tour of Groundscapes Express and an overview of the operation presented by John Engwer, owner and operator of the company.

The Massachusetts Compost Operators Training was the final workshop to be offered in NERC's Compost Marketing project, funded by the Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture, Research, and Education). NERC has held seven compost marketing workshops in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York, with 275 participants from states around the Northeast.

Compost marketing resources and workshop presentations can be found on NERC's website.

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

STATE UPDATES

New York

New York State Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations Solid Waste & Recycling Conference & Trade Show

The Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations Solid Waste & Recycling Conference with Trade Show is happening May 20–23, 2012 in Bolton Landing, NY. "Strive For Sustainability" is this year's theme. The Federation Conference and trade show has become an annual premier northeast event for the solid waste industry and government officials. It attracts over 700 public and private sector solid waste and recycling professionals to a technical program with 90 presentations and an expanded Trade Show that is supported by 120 major exhibitors.

New York's DEC Green Chemistry Program for Schools

The Toxics Reduction & Green Chemistry section, led by Aida M. Potter, P.E., under the direction of the Division of Materials Management, has undertaken the initiative of advancing green chemistry in New York's schools. Green chemistry, the science of creating safe, energy efficient and non-toxic products and processes, offers a concrete path towards solving the environmental problems that face our society today. Using green chemistry encourages teachers and students to consider the life cycles of the chemicals they work with and promotes awareness of chemical toxicology, focusing on sustainability and how actions in the chemistry lab can impact the environment.

As part of a green chemistry pilot project, four high schools were selected from four New York State regions, whereby the high school teachers were helped to transition to safer chemistry practices in their classroom. Training in integrated chemical management was provided, which included instruction on proper procedures for chemical inventorying, storage and disposal. In addition, DEC staff has conducted environmental compliance assistance training for schools based on the booklet, "Environmental Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention Guide for Schools in New York State."

The second part of this transition was green chemistry training for them and other teachers in the region through "hands-on" laboratory exercises offered at a workshop. The workshops were conducted by DEC staff and Beyond Benign, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting green chemistry in education.

Through the green chemistry pilot project, DEC staff will track the reduction of toxic chemicals and the associated costs of their purchase and disposal, as well as chart the incorporation of green chemistry practices by science teachers in their classrooms.

Strategic partnerships with the New York State Education Department, the New York State Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Siena College (Loudonville, NY), have been the key for advancing the implementation of green chemistry in New York's schools at the systemic level.

The growing success of DEC's green chemistry in schools program will serve as a model for other schools, both regionally and nationally. For more information on the DEC green chemistry program for New York's schools: www.dec.ny.gov/education/77750.html.

DEC and the Green Ribbon Schools Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Toxics Reduction and Green Chemistry section staff, Aida M. Potter, P.E. and Deborah J. Knight, recently participated in New York State's Education Department Green Ribbon Schools Program selection committee.

New York State is participating in the pilot year of the United States Department of Education's (USED) Green Ribbon Schools recognition program. The USED Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

New York State received a total of 26 applications, including 12 from New York City public schools and 2 from non-public schools. Out of the 26 applicants, the New York State Green Ribbons committee selected the following three schools for national recognition:

  • Hampton Bays Middle School, Hampton Bays, NY
  • Sleepy Hallow Middle School, Sleepy Hollow, NY
  • Bethlehem Central Middle School, Delmar, NY

Other schools that deserve "honorable mention" for their "green" efforts include:

  • PS 57, Hubert Humphrey Elementary School, Staten Island, NY
  • Anne Hutchinson Elementary School, Eastchester, NY
  • PS 41, Elementary School, New York, NY

ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS

CVP Connect: The New Online Education Training Destination for Recycling Coordinators

cvp

After partnerships with 28 communities and four states, the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing residential recycling participation and tonnage, has launched a FREE, brand-new, Web-based communications training tool, CVP Connect. Designed specifically for recycling educators, this online tool is home to all the resources needed to develop a strategic and tailored education campaign. CVP Connect offers education-focused Webinars and tutorials, CVP partnership campaign case studies, best practices, tips sheets and campaign artwork that can be tailored and localized for use in individual communities.

An all-inclusive education campaign resource, CVP Connect is designed to be explored by users at their own pace and on their own schedule. Users will learn about various education topics, including targeting the most effective messages, the principles behind social marketing theory, successful public relations and media outreach techniques and much more. 

Developed in partnership with Emerge Knowledge, the company behind the Re-TRAC Connect data management tool, CVP Connect is made possible by the generous support of CVP's sponsors, including members of the Aluminum Association, American Chemistry Council and Can Manufacturer's Institute.

UNTHA America Announces Spring Trade Show Schedule

UNTHA shredding technology America, Inc. will be appearing at several North American trade shows this spring. Located in Hampton, NH, UNTHA America is a division of the Austrian-based UNTHA shredding technology GmbH, one of the world's leading providers of size reduction equipment for the recycling industry. The shows provide the perfect opportunity for businesses, industries and communities to gain more information about UNTHA America's wide range of products and its ability to customize equipment for any recycling needs.

The first stop on UNTHA America's schedule was the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) show at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 16–18. This is the largest gathering of scrap recyclers in the world, with more than 5,000 industry professionals in attendance. At the ISRI show, UNTHA America featured its RS150 with its four-shaft shredding system. The RS150 first course shreds material, then fine shreds it, all in one single operation. The RS Series has been tried and tested for decades and is well known for its powerful and rugged shredders which easily handle difficult operating conditions and multiple-shift continuous operation. "More than 40 years of expertise is built into the RS Series," says Bernhard Mueggler, president and CEO UNTHA America. "We have more than 8,000 of these shredders in daily operation around the globe."

In April, 2012, UNTHA America went to Portland, Maine and the North American Waste to Energy Conference (NAWTEC). NAWTEC brings together experts from throughout the waste-to-energy field who will discuss the latest developments in research and technology. UNTHA's presentation will feature their XR pre-shredder and TR secondary shredder. Both of these models convert household and industrial waste into secondary fuel. "The beauty of these models is that they do not have to be used with mass burning incinerators," says Mueggler. "They can be used in conjunction with the latest gasification technology, which is very clean and efficient."

Last stop on the spring schedule is the Waste Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on May 1–3, 2012. The Waste Expo, now in its 40th year, is North America's largest solid waste and recycling trade show, serving both public and private sectors. Here, UNTHA America's extensive product line will be featured, giving the expected 11,000 attendees an excellent opportunity to learn more about the recycling equipment available and how it can be designed to suit a wide range of business, industrial and civic needs.

For more information about UNTHA America, please visit www.untha-america.com or call (603) 601-2304.

OF GENERAL INTEREST

Keep America Beautiful: the Quest to Recycle on the Go

We want to let you know about a new initiative of Keep America Beautiful: the Quest to Recycle on the Go. The idea is to promote recycling while out and about by asking recyclers to tweet where they see a recycling bin by using the hashtag #IROGO (I Recycle on the Go).

To encourage and recognize recycling on the go, we are awarding prizes to both individuals who tweet about #IROGO and event organizers who promote the idea at their events. Please see below for information on how you can use IROGO.

Recycling Coordinators: Promote Recycling on the Go (#IROGO) for Prizes

Calling All Recyclers: Tell Us Where You Recycle on the Go (#IROGO) and Win Prizes
The goal of this "Quest to Recycle on the Go" is to promote recycling in public spaces, whether it's at the airport, a basketball game, or your local mall. All you have to do is tweet about it. Just use "#IROGO," tell us where you are (location or event), and be sure to follow @I_ROGO on Twitter so that KAB can track your tweets. In May, five randomly selected recyclers will win $15 iTunes gift cards.

Sample tweets:

  • I recycled at the Maine Mall today. #IROGO
  • #IROGO at Washington Square Park while walking my dog this morning.
  • I recycled my water bottle at the #NCStateFair today. #IROGO
  • #IROGO at the #NCStateFair

Official rules for individuals can be found here.

Visit our Facebook page for more information http://www.facebook.com/IRecycleOnTheGo and our Twitter feed https://twitter.com/#!/I_ROGO