October 2004

IT'S TIME TO REGISTER FOR NERC'S FALL CONFERENCE!
Join us on October 26 -27, Northampton, MA, to discuss some of the hottest topics in recycling today. NERC's Fall Conference will feature sessions on the slumping beverage container markets; the invisible recyclables - markets for coal ash, foundry sand and paper mill sludge; what we can do as a region to move the recycling industry forward, instead of waiting for national leadership; toxics in packaging - legislation, effects on packaging manufacturers bottom line, and what is still needed to increase its visibility; environmental auditing of electronics - learn why this is important for selecting electronics recycling services and how to conduct your own audit. 

Primary Conference Sponsors WHEELABRATOR BRIDGEPORT, L.P.

Tuesday, October 26, 2004
8:30	Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00	Welcoming Remarks: John Trevor, RI RRC, President, NERC Board of Directors
9:30	Presidential Candidate Kerry's Environmental Platform ~ Laurie Burt, Senior Partner, Foley Hoag LLP President George W. Bush's Environmental Platform ~ Office of Environmental Quality (invited)
10:30	The Latest News on Beverage Container Recycling Markets Overview of Beverage Container Markets ~ Wendy Pratt, NewPoint Consulting PET Markets ~ Mike Schedler, Vice President of Technology, National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) State Efforts to Support the Marketplace ~ Darryl Young, previously head of the CA Department of Conservation
12:30	LUNCH
1:30	The Invisible Recyclable ~ Industrial By-Products Overview of Industrial By-products Beneficial Use Summits and Existing Issues     Mike Giuranna, Solid Waste Specialist, US EPA, Region 3 Overview of Existing Markets for: Coal Ash - John Glenn, Project Manager of C2P2 Initiative, EPA Headquarters Foundry Sand - Chris Moyer, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Foundry Association Paper Mill Sludge - Peter M. Coleman General Manager, Erseco, Inc.
5:30 - 7:30	Social Hour at the Northampton Brewery, sponsored by

Newspaper Publishers Agreement - It's Been Three Years
In 1999 the Northeast newspaper publishers adopted a landmark resolution and commitment to buy recycled content newsprint and to annually report on that usage. The agreement that embodies that resolution includes the following language:

• The Northeast Recycling Council hereby resolves that it is in the public interest to support the recommendations of the Northeast Newspaper Recycling Task Force. NERC's support is contingent upon a buy recycled newsprint resolution consistent with that contained in the Task Force's 1998 report being endorsed by a significant number of newspaper publishers. For purposes of this NERC resolution, a significant number shall mean publishers who represent at least eighty percent of the newsprint consumption by daily newspapers in the region.
  
  NERC further resolves to work in cooperation with those newspaper publishers to evaluate the effectiveness of, and if deemed necessary amend, the buy recycled newsprint resolution after three years to determine the impacts of the resolution on the investment decisions of newsprint manufacturers, and on the economic sustainability of old newspaper recycling in the Northeast. (Emphasis added).

The 80% threshold was achieved in 2001, and thus three-year mark has been reached. NERC is coordinating with the Newspaper Association of America to determine how best to proceed with the review of the Agreement's effectiveness, as described in the paragraph above. A letter of invitation has been sent to the regional newspaper publishers associations to participate in a conference call in October to scope out the issues associated with such a review.

Data from the signatory publishers for newsprint usage in calendar 2003 is expected by the end of October. A report on that usage will appear in the NERC Email Bulletin. For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein.

NERC Participates in International Green Purchasing Workshop
NERC staff recently participated in the Annual Green Purchasing Strategy Workshop that was held in Montreal. The workshop was sponsored by the North American Green Purchasing Initiative (NAGPI) of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation - an international organization created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation to complement the environmental provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Participants in the workshop were federal and state governments from each of the three countries, as well as non-profit organizations working on green procurement. The workshop focused on beginning the development of strategic plans for increased green purchasing of office products (paper and electronic equipment), custodial products and clean energy.

Over the past year, NAGPI has also developed several green procurement tools that can be found in the documents section of their website. Following are some highlights from this list of resources:

• Environmental Purchasing Policies 101: An Overview of Current Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policies, Scot Case, Center for a New American Dream, March 2004
• Environmental Purchasing Priorities: A Brief Overviews of the Products and Services Purchased by North American Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Programs With Recommendations for Future NAGPI Priorities, Scot Case, Center for a New American Dream, March 2004
• The North American Green Purchasing Initiative's Eco-S.A.T. - A Green Purchasing Self-assessment Tool, John Polak and Madeleine Plouffe, TerraChoice, January 2004

For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador.

NERC's Environmental Benefits Calculator Being Updated!
NERC is currently updating its Environmental Benefits Calculator (EBC), with the new EBC expected to be posted on the NERC website by mid-October. The EPA has made several major revisions to its Waste Reduction Model (WARM), which is one of the major analytical tools embedded in the EBC. NERC also reviewed and updated calculations and figures from sources. As a result, NERC's EBC remains the most comprehensive and current EBC available in the United States.

Among the many changes to the EBC will be:

• The addition of carpet, clay bricks, fly ash, and aggregate to the material types.
• Updated the greenhouse gas emission and energy factors to match the latest WARM model. These changes will, for the most part, show an increase in the environmental benefits of recycling.
• Revised figures for fuel; such as the energy content of a gallon of gasoline and the fuel usage for an average passenger car for one year.
• An amended figure for the reduction of CO2 car emissions.

Perhaps the biggest change to the EBC will be the addition of two new environmental impacts tables:

• Table 12. Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions as a Result of Source Reduction, and
• Table 13. Energy Savings as a Result of Source Reduction.

These benefits can be calculated for many of the recyclables currently listed in the Data Inputs worksheet, including scrap metal, magazines, textbooks, dimensional lumber, medium-density fiberboard, carpet and whole computers. 

TPCH Website Updated
The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) website has been updated and contains several new additions. These include:

• TPCH Fact Sheet
• Benefits of State Membership
• Why Should My Industry Association Join TPCH?
• Online membership form
• Dues structure
• State links

Remember! There's a general membership meeting for TPCH on the afternoon of Thursday, October 28^th, Northampton, MA. 

New Hampshire ~ New Board Member
New Hampshire Board Member Pierce Rigrod-Laskey has accepted a new position with the Department of Environmental Services and as such will be stepping down from the NERC Board. He will be working in the state Water Division and be involved in protecting NH's source waters which act for many as drinking water supplies. 

NERC Honored by HelpingAmerica.org
NERC has been selected as the Helper of the Month, May 2004 by HelpingAmerica.org. "The award is given to individuals or organizations that continually commit their lives in helping others." NERC was selected "because of its outstanding contribution and conviction in creating a better American environment by reducing our dependency on sources and encouraging recycling and purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services."

EPPnet Digest
The Digest allows non-EPPnet listserv members to view the informational exchange of environmentally preferable purchasing professionals. The Digest is intended as an educational resource for helping to direct the development and improvement of the EPP products and services available.

This Digest edition contains 13 selected EPPnet messages posted July 1 through September 15. Some of the discussions include people seeking information on laboratory vacuum systems, different recycling collection system and EPP air fresheners and deodorizers. Postings provide publications resources on topics such as green office supplies, biobased products, and EPA purchasing guides. The Digest also has information about international EPP going-ons, such as a paper presented at the 9^th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production. There is also an exchange on Executive Order 13101 and the use of recycled-content paper. The last posting concerns the new Hybrid SUV contract in Washington State.

STATE UPDATES

MAINE

Food Residual Recycling Effort Heads To 'The County'
On Friday September 10^th, a joint SPO/DEP team made up of Sam Morris from the Waste Management and Recycling Program, Mark King from the Remediation and Waste Management Division, and Rick Haffner from the DEP Bangor office traveled to Caribou to roll out the first of several planned regional workshops to promote food waste recycling. The regional workshop objectives are to:

• develop regional partnerships between private and public entities, food waste generators, processors and collection and hauling services.
• produce savings for businesses, institutions, local municipalities, business opportunities for collections and hauling services, creating financial value while benefiting the environment

These partnerships are to be the core of the State's effort to convert the 180,000 tons of food waste generated in Maine every year from waste to a resource.

The workshop was hosted by the Northern Maine Development Commission and coordinated by Connie Bondeson, the Environmental Planner at NMDC.

'Recycle This! Newsletter' Off To the Printer
The latest edition of the Waste Management & Recycling Program's newsletter has now been sent to the printer. However, if you have signed up to receive this quarterly document electronically, it has been delivered to you already. The number of recipients requesting electronic copies continues to grow. The newsletter is also available through the program's website, http://www.state.me.us/spo/recycle/docs/RecycleThisSept2004.pdf. Highlights of the newsletter include updates on Maine Recycles Week 2004 and a focused look at the various 'reuse centers' across the state. 

As School Opens, Students' & Teachers' Thoughts Turn to Recycling, & Hopefully, To Maine Recycles Week 2004
With the deadline for sponsorship at hand, the budget and promotional materials are being finalized for this year's Maine Recycles Week campaign. In this, the sixth year of Maine Recycles Week, support has been provided by 23 businesses and organizations (more than have ever). This statewide event is dependent upon its sponsors for the funding necessary to furnish promotional activities and awards. The Web site is being spruced up to further encourage participation in the statewide poster contest and school event competition. In addition to the cash awards that will be made to the winning schools, the Chewonki Foundation education outreach program will make presentations to the classes of the top three students' winning posters. Maine Recycles Week 2004 should enjoy a tremendous success, and will translate into increased awareness of recycling, purchasing of products that are made from recycled materials, and improved recycling rates throughout the state. 

2003 Solid Waste & Recycling Data Updates
The Waste Management & Recycling Program has received completed municipal solid waste reports from Maine communities that reflect approximately 87% of the state's population. Municipalities who have submitted their completed reports have received a summary data sheet that not only illustrates their program for 2003, but also provides a 10-year history of the community's solid waste management and recycling efforts. Communities who have not provided the annual report are being contacted, in an effort to increase the percentage of responding population in order to achieve a truer data set for how solid waste was managed during 2003 in Maine. Nearly all of the nearly 40 disposal and processing facility reports that also augment that data have been received by the program. The commercial broker survey, a biennial survey completed by an outside contractor to determine the tons of recyclables and compostables generated within Maine during 2003, is due to be completed shortly. These data sets will be used by the program to determine the state's solid waste generation rates, consumption of disposal capacity, types and levels of management programs, and recycling rates of communities and the state. 

MASSACHUSETTS

Paint Product Stewardship National Dialogue
The Product Stewardship Institute convened a national dialogue beginning last December to develop a national agreement for leftover paint management that has brought together representatives from paint industry associations, leading paint manufacturers, top retailers selling paint, environmental/consumer advocates, paint recyclers, paint contractors, state and local government officials, and others. The primary goal of the dialogue is to develop a national agreement that will result in reduced paint waste; the efficient collection, reuse, and recycling of leftover paint; increased markets for recycled paint (including non-paint products); and a sustainable financing system to cover any resulting end-of-life management costs for past and future products. Participants wrapped up the fourth of their four face-to-face meetings on September 20 and 21.

10^th Annual Buy Recycled & Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) Vendor Fair & Conference, Tuesday, October 26, 2004, Worcester Centrum Centre, Worcester, MA
Over the past decade, this event has brought together close to a thousand purchasing and environmental officials, and facility and public works staff for a day of learning, networking and meeting vendors of products and services with environmental and public health benefits. This year's anniversary event is no exception. Over 100 exhibitors of EPPs will be awaiting you to discuss your office, facility or fleet needs. Ten educational workshops will address the cutting edge issues in environmental procurement and sustainable practices. An alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) Ride and Drive will provide an opportunity to drive the newest AFVs available on the market. As always, there is also the chance to take home various product samples and win some exciting prizes! Attendance, parking and meals are free! If you have additional questions regarding the Vendor Fair, please email Dmitriy Nikolayev, Environmental Purchasing Project Specialist.

Status on the Proposed Disposal Ban on Asphalt Paving, Brick, Concrete, Metal & Wood
The DEP is currently reviewing comments received during public hearings in July 2004 regarding a proposed amendment to its Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations at 310 CMR 19.017 banning on the disposal of asphalt paving, brick, concrete, metal and wood. The DEP will prepare responses to the comments received and hopes to have this process completed in late Fall 2004.

The proposed disposal ban is in response to the DEP's Beyond 2000 Solid Waste Master Plan's (SWMP's) goal of reducing non-municipal solid waste (non-MSW) by 88 percent in 2010. In April 2001, the DEP convened a Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Subcommittee to provide input to the DEP's policy discussion related to reducing C&D debris. The C&D Subcommittee, comprised of over 150 stakeholders including contractors, trade associations, municipalities, environmental groups, solid waste handling facility operators and consultants recommended to the DEP a strategy to phase-in a ban on the disposal of asphalt paving, brick, concrete, metal and wood. One of the factors in targeting these specific materials was a determination that recycling and reuse markets exist for each of them. Since the C&D Subcommittee's recommendation to ban the disposal of these materials, several businesses have expressed interest in establishing additional facilities to recycle and/or reuse these materials, further enhancing the recycling and reuse markets. The challenge will be in adding additional C&D materials such as gypsum wallboard, asphalt shingles, carpet and ceiling tiles in the future. It's anticipated the C&D recycling and reuse market infrastructure for these materials will be enhanced as the C&D Subcommittee and other stakeholders continue to divert more C&D material from disposal, allowing Massachusetts to achieve its 88 percent non-MSW waste reduction goal in 2010.

New Construction & Demolition Debris Web Page
The DEP recently launched a construction and demolition (C&D) debris web page to assist contractors, municipalities and residents recycle and reuse construction and demolition debris materials. Located at http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/cdhome.htm, the page features information on tips for making your C&D recycling program successful, case studies documenting source separation techniques and the cost/benefit analysis associated with diverting C&D debris from disposal, and C&D bid specifications for commercial and municipal projects.

The site also features links to organizations involved in Green Building initiatives and directories of business supporting C&D recycling and reuse.

NEW JERSEY

DEP Awards Towns $3.6 Million to Support Municipal Recycling
In mid-September DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced $3.6 million in municipal and county grants to help local recycling programs recover more materials for reuse.

"For the second year in a row we are funding towns and counties for successful recycling operations," said Commissioner Campbell. "This funding represents one step in our efforts to increase recycling rates that have lagged in New Jersey since the mid 1990s."

DEP is updating its Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan to identify ways to increase recycling and composting, as well as to improve source reduction and the removal of household hazardous waste from the normal disposal stream. DEP held public hearings in 2003 to get comments from interested parties on a draft of the plan and expects to release a new proposal for public comment early this fall.

In December 2002, Governor James E. McGreevey signed the Clean Communities and Recycling Grant Act into law to make this funding available for municipal and county recycling efforts after previous funding lapsed. The Clean Communities anti-litter program also regained funding at this time, which amounted to $9.8 million in grants to towns and counties in spring 2004. Clean communities funds can be used to purchase or rent equipment and receptacles, as well as to provide trash bags, gloves and other protective clothing to encourage towns and volunteers to clean up solid waste in their localities.

The recycling grant awards are performance based, specifically on documented materials recycled during calendar year 2002, the latest statistics available for the state. In 2002, New Jersey generated 19.3 million tons of solid waste and recycled 10.3 million tons, or 53 percent of the total amount. This amount includes not only glass, cans, plastic and newspapers from municipal waste, but also scrap iron, concrete, wood and other items from commercial waste. The 2002 municipal solid waste recycling rate was 33 percent, down from a high of 45 percent in 1995. Measures to increase the municipal recycling rate will be a key component of the state's solid waste management plan update.

The remaining 9 million tons of solid waste generated but not recycled in 2002 was disposed of in the following manner: 1.5 million tons, or 8 percent, incinerated in state; 3.8 million, or 20 percent, landfilled in New Jersey; and, 3.7 million, or 19 percent, landfilled out of state.

New Jersey's recycling industry employs more than 27,000 people in New Jersey with total receipts valued at $5.9 billion annually.

Updated "Grass...Cut it & Leave it" Brochure
This popular brochure was updated this summer. The Bureau of Recycling and Planning printed and distributed 50,000 copies. The main focus of this brochure is to discourage the collection of grass at the curb. The new brochure also aims to encourage a more environmentally friendly take on lawn care, including the reduction of chemical use. 

New Jersey Recycling Forum & Association of New Jersey Recyclers 20^th Annual Symposium & Luncheon
On Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the New Jersey Recycling Forum and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR) will sponsor the 20th Annual Symposium and Luncheon at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, NJ. At the Luncheon the Department of Environmental Protection will present awards to honor major achievements attained by individuals, businesses, schools, other institutions, organizations, and the recycling industry in the recycling and source reduction fields. 

Convenience Stores Compliance with Recycling Plan Requirements
In early July, The Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste sent a letter to many corporations that operate chains of convenience stores, informing them of their need to comply with New Jersey's Recycling Act, and requiring submission of a recycling plan, showing how they intend to bring their stores into compliance.

The purpose of this initiative is to divert single-serve beverage containers from the waste stream, by allowing easy recycling by patrons, especially those getting out of cars with empty containers. If collection bins are placed near the garbage cans already provided, patrons will be able to separate their recyclables when they are away from home. The Division pursued this action upon discussion with county officials who reported the general lack of opportunity for citizens to recycle in public or retail spaces. 

NEW YORK

15^th Annual New York State Recycling Conference
The 15^thAnnual New York State Recycling Conference will take place at the Syracuse Holiday Inn on Wednesday, October 20 and Thursday, October 21, 2004. The Agenda includes presentations on:

• New York's Bottle Bill
• Electronics Legislation
• Single Stream versus Dual Stream Recycling
• Meet the Experts from NYSDEC, USEPA, NRC
• Solid Waste Management in Tribal Communities
• Compost Regulatory Issues
• Deconstruction & Reuse

In addition, there will be tours of a single stream recycling facility and a waste-to-energy facility. For information about NYSAR3 and the conference visit the following website http://www.nysar3.org.

PENNSYLVANIA

Electronics Collection Events Scheduled
Lackawanna County Recycling Center, Scranton, PA - October 2^nd. Most types of electronics will be collected. Call Chip Hanuscik, 570-963-6868, for specific information.
Cumberland County Web Link. Carlisle Fairgrounds, Gate 3, Route 34 - October 9^th, 9 - 3. Call Justin Miller, 717-240-6489, for additional information.

Spent Mushroom Substrate
DEP has developed a general permit to address the transfer, storage, composting and processing of spent mushroom substrate. The permit is designed for smaller operations so that all facilities that handle this material can be equally protective of groundwater and surface water.

General Permit for Source Separated Food Scrap Composting
To further encourage recycling within the agricultural community the Department has initiated a composting program for farmers through the general permit process that allows the composting of yard waste; source separated food scraps from food markets, grocery stores, food banks, food distribution centers, school cafeterias, and institutions; source-separated newspaper, and source separated corrugated paper (cardboard). This permit allows farmers to connect with their local community grocery stores, schools and institutions to help them dispose of organic waste in an environmentally beneficial manner, generate income through tipping fees and produce a valuable soil building amendment to use back on the farm.

Recycling Markets Center
In February 2004, DEP issued a grant application for the establishment, support and oversight of the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (RMC). The Department evaluated three proposals submitted in May 2004, and is currently negotiating with the selected grantee. The grant was limited to non-profit corporations and educational institutions. DEP anticipates having the contract (grant) in place by Jan 2005. The mission of the RMC will be to expand and develop more secure and robust markets for recovered secondary materials by helping to overcome market barriers and inefficiencies. The RMC will accomplish its mission through a partnership approach where it will recognize, support and value the contributions to be made by other organizations in addressing recycling market development needs and opportunities in Pennsylvania. Rather than duplicate services offered by existing organizations, the RMC will bring together these entities to create a network of recycling market development service provider 'partners'. The Center will be proactive as well as reactive-it will facilitate as well as direct market development work in PA and serve as the "face" of recycling market development-the first stop for recycling market players to get information and assistance-and will be the engine that coordinates and drives recycling market development efforts. The Center will utilize both materials-specific and cross material strategies to develop and implement programs to stimulate and support markets, as well as support overall market development goals, in a manner that is sensitive to the impact of its activities on existing businesses and industries in PA. And it will utilize intelligent management to ensure that effective management and sufficient organizational capacity exist to implement recycling market development work.

The initial step for the grantee (parent organization) is to establish the RMC as a separate 501 (c) (3) corporation, with its own Board of Directors and Executive Director. This should take approximately 3 months, after which the Executive Director will hire the staff and the RMC should be operational. Although the parent organization will be responsible for appointing the Board of Directors, the RMC Board will not report to the officers or board of the parent organization. The Board will select its own officers, and these officers will be responsible for executing the policies of the RMC Board.

Grant funding is anticipated for a five year period, with the first year grant awarded to the parent organization, and subsequent grants to the RMC. The RMC will most likely contract back with the parent organization for administrative and organizational resources supportive of the RMC. The parent organization will continue to be charged with reviewing the RMC strategic plans, business plans, annual work plans, financial reports, and other reports as necessary to monitor and hold the RMC and its management accountable for meeting agreed upon performance expectations.

Armstrong World Industries Ceiling Tile Recycling Program
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. commercial ceiling tile recycling program is looking for more ceiling tile to recycle and will accept, free of charge with no shipping fees and arrange for a carrier to ship representative approved ceiling tiles from anywhere in the contiguous 48 states to one of Armstrong's plants, provided there is a minimum of 30,000 square feet of used tiles. Anyone interested in using the ceiling tile recycling program should contact their local Armstrong representative at 1-877-ARMSTRONG for specific information. 

RHODE ISLAND

RIRRC Wins A Grant …
Dell Inc. awarded RIRRC $10,000 to further promote its highly successful computer recycling events this fall. RIRRC was one of 20 grant recipients selected from nearly 175 applicants that included state and local governments, higher education institutions and non-profit organizations.

RIRRC began its free statewide e-waste recycling program in 2001. The Dell Grant will be used to add a radio advertising campaign to promote upcoming collection events in Rhode Island.

The grant review board, consisting of Dell, federal government and environmental and recycling organization representatives, based its selections on considerations of the quality of the collection effort, prospects for successful programs, geographic diversity, sustainability of the program beyond the grant period, and the ability to leverage the local community's existing recycling infrastructure. The grant program is one element of Dell's strategy of raising consumer awareness of recycling options for used computers and making those options affordable and easy to use. 

And RIRRC Distributes Grants…
This month, the Board of Commissioners of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation presented $300,000 in grants to 34 R.I. cities and towns to reward them for their successful recycling programs. The size of the grant was in direct relation to the percentage of their total recycling tonnage delivered to the state's MRF in FY 2004. This is the sixth year that Resource Recovery has awarded recycling participation grants. Only municipalities that have contracts with the Corporation are eligible for the grants.