October 2010
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
Renewing Supporting Member
NERC NEWS
- Make the Most of Your Time & Resources at NERC’s Conference – The Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future
- Join Us for the Annual Meeting of the NERC Board of Directors
- Good-bye & Hello—Change in NERC Executive Committee
- Sims & Panasonic 1st Recycler & Manufacturer to Sponsor State Electronics Challenge
- NERC Staff Joins National Board of Directors
STATE UPDATES
MAINE
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND
VERMONT
OF GENERAL INTEREST
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.
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NERC's mission is to advance an environmentally sustainable economy by promoting source and toxicity reduction, recycling, and the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services. |
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.
TOPICS
MEMBERSHIP
We are delighted to welcome the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition (CRC) as a renewing Supporting Member.
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
Make the Most of Your Time & Resources at NERC’s Conference – The Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future
Be part of a one and a half day Conference that will focus on constructive changes in recycling, and a great price! The following innovative sessions and speakers will be featured:
- Mounting Efforts in Product Stewardship ~ Scott Cassel, Executive Director and Founder of the Product Stewardship Institute
- Innovative Approaches to Waste Management by States and Businesses
- Michael Alexander, President of Recycle Away ~ Beyond Waste
- Resa Dimino, Special Assistant, Commissioner’s Policy Office, New York Department of Environmental Conservation ~ Reinventing a State’s Approach
- Jonathon Baer, Director of Buildings at Princeton University for Aramark ~ The New Business Model
- Lynne Pledger, Northeast Product Stewardship Organizer, Product Policy Institute ~ Local Solutions to Waste Management Issues
- Progressive Activities Advancing Composting
- Jeff Willett, Director, Nantucket Department of Public Works
- Nelson Widell, Partner, Peninsula Compost Group
- Developing Currents in Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling ~ Lilia Snyder, City of New Haven, Small Construction Business Development (invited)
- And Networking, Networking, Networking!
When: November 3 – 4, 2010
Where: Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts
Conference Organizer: Mary Ann Remolador of NERC
Conference Sponsors
Join Us for the Annual Meeting of the NERC Board of Directors
Fall can be marked by many things—falling leaves, cooler temperatures—but the most important feature is the Annual Meeting of the NERC Board of Directors. This year, the meeting will take place on Thursday, November 4, 1 – 4, Northampton, Massachusetts, in conjunction with the NERC Fall Conference. The meeting is open to the public and all are invited to attend. There is no cost to participate in the Annual Meeting, but registration is required.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.
Good-bye & Hello—Change in NERC Executive Committee
With the start of the school year there are some significant changes in the NERC Board of Directors. Jeff Schmitt—who was the President of the Board—was offered the opportunity to retire from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and he took it. Alas for NERC, yeh for Jeff! Jeff has contributed greatly to NERC as the New York DEC Board Member for several years, as well as serving as the Vice President of the Board for the past two years. He will be missed.
Sarah Kite, Rhode Island Board member, has moved from Vice President to President of the Board. We are grateful to Sarah for her willingness to serve as the President and look forward to the energy that she will bring to that position.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.
Sims & Panasonic Step-Up as 1st Recycler & Manufacturer to Sponsor State Electronics Challenge
Industry support for the State Electronics Challenge is growing with two new Sustaining Sponsors stepping forward—Sims Recycling and Panasonic USA. These new Sponsors mark the first recycler and original equipment manufacturer, respectively, to demonstrate their commitment to environmental leadership and decreasing the environmental footprint of computers by supporting the Challenge. They join the ISRI R2/RIOS program as Sponsors.
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Environmental Impact of
The Challenge By participating in the Challenge, each Partner achieves significant environmental impacts. For every 1,000 “green” computers purchased and recycled:
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The State Electronics Challenge is a voluntary program that encourages state, regional, and local governments, including schools, colleges, universities, and other public entities to:
- Purchase greener electronic products.
- Reduce the impacts of computers during use.
- Manage obsolete computers in an environmentally safe way.
Government agencies and organizations participate as "Partners" in the program. The Electronics Challenge program provides Partners with free resources and technical assistance for improving computer asset management practices, and offers annual recognition to Partners that achieve specific goals.
More than 40 government entities—representing more than 55,000 employees—have signed on as Challenge Partners, making a commitment to improve the environmental footprint of their computer assets. For the current list of Partners, visit http://stateelectronicschallenge.net/current_partners.html.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Challenge Program Manager.
NERC Staff Join National Board of Directors
It was announced at the eScrap Conference in New Orleans in September that NERC’s Executive Director, Lynn Rubinstein, will serve on the Board of the newly formed R2 Solutions – a new non-profit organization established solely for the purpose of housing the “Responsible Recycling Practices for Use In Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers,” more commonly known as “R2” or the “R2 Practices." R2 Solutions is designed solely to provide education and outreach, to track implementation, and to assure open, transparent, balanced governance for the standard.
The Board will be responsible for the direction and operations of R2 Solutions. Importantly, however, it will not be responsible, or even have the authority, for updating the R2 Practices. This task will fall to the R2 Governing Council; a multi-stakeholder group made up of experts from around the proverbial electronics recycling table.
In addition to Lynn Rubinstein, R2 Solution Board members are:
John DeVillars works in the area of renewable energy as Managing Partner of BlueWave Capital. As the Regional Administrator for New England during President Clinton’s EPA, he played a central role in the development of national environmental policy for the electronics industry.
John Howard is currently working as an independent public policy consultant after a distinguished career in the field of law. During the Bush Administration, he served as the Federal Environmental Executive and went on to chair EPA’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology.
John Lingelbach is a nationally-recognized environmental mediator who is currently serving as Acting Executive Director of R2 Solutions. From 2006 through 2008, he facilitated the multi-stakeholder development of the R2 Practices.
Pete Regan is currently working with start-up non profits. Previously, he served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of ERM, Inc., the world’s leading global provider of EHS, risk and social consulting services.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director.
STATE UPDATES
MAINE
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The new Matinicus Island recycling shed.
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The Island of Matinicus Gets New Recycling Building
Matinicus Island recently opened their new recycling shed. The recycling buildings, which were constructed with grants from the State Planning Office, were built on the mainland and barged out to the island.
Matinicus is the most remote and seaward of all of Maine’s islands that have an inhabited, year-round population – a total of 51 folks live on Matinicus. The recycling program "founder" and coordinator is Eva Murray.
Maine State Planning Office is Moving
After 42 years of being located in the Gannett House (constructed 1911), which was a wedding gift from William Gannett to his son, Guy P. Gannett, the State Planning Office is moving a bit south and east, relocating to the former Department of Labor Building on 19 Union Street.
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Gannett House, former home of the
Maine State Planning Office for 42 years. |
The home’s characteristic stucco walls and red-tiled roof were rare in Maine. The Gannetts installed some of Augusta’s first examples of electrical home appliances including a wood elevator to bring wood up from the basement to the fireplace in the library, a gas range and gas hot water heater, and even a central vacuum cleaning system. About 10 years after building his State Street residence, Guy Gannett (1881-1954) bought the Portland Press Herald, which was the start of a communications empire that included the Kennebec Journal, the Waterville Morning Sentinel, and radio and TV stations throughout Maine.
Our leaving the “Mediterranean Revival” style architecture and building for a more ‘modern’ office setting will have happened by the time you read this E-Bulletin. Staff email addresses and the mailing address will remain the same but phone numbers will be changing.
MASSACHUSETTS
MassDEP recently welcomed five Wal-Mart Supercenters into the Supermarket Recycling Program Certification.
Through the voluntary initiative, participating stores verify they recycle cardboard, plastic shrink and stretch film, compost food waste and donate to local food pantries. In return, MassDEP provides certain regulatory relief from the waste disposal bans and publishes a list of participating locations on the web. Wal-Mart expects to certify all of their Supercenter locations in the future. Certified stores to date include: Chicopee, Leicester, Leominster, Raynham, and Ware.
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Twelve Massachusetts supermarket chains comprised of 384 stores successfully reduced the distribution of disposable paper and plastic shopping bags by 25% since 2007. These stores represent over 60% of the grocery industry in the State. The reduction in disposable bags was largely attributed to offering reusable bags for sale, providing cash incentives for reusing bags and staff training to increase efficiency in bagging techniques. The partnership between the MassDEP and the Massachusetts Food Association aims to reduce disposable shopping bag use of at least 33% by 2013.
Magic in Malden—Pay as You Throw
MassDEP recently posted a fact sheet about the City of Malden and their Pay as You Throw (PAYT) program launched in October of 2008. With a population of 56,000 and just over 17,000 households, the City reduced trash tonnage by 49%, and increased recycling 74%, saving the city $ 2.5 million. Currently, Massachusetts has 132 municipalities conducting an “incentive based” waste reduction program. Read more about Malden or visit the MassDEP PAYT page.
MassDEP has published its Draft 2010-2020 Solid Waste Master Plan: A Pathway to Zero Waste. This plan maintains the current moratorium on new facilities for incineration of municipal solid waste while it calls for an increase in recycling and re-use of waste materials, and promotion of recycling businesses and green jobs. Six public hearings were held and comments are now under review.
The Draft Solid Waste Master Plan focuses on five main priorities:
- Dramatically increase recycling and re-use and provide assistance to cities and towns;
- Maintain the moratorium on additional municipal solid waste combustion, while developing new performance standards for existing waste-to-energy facilities that achieve higher recycling rates, lower pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and higher efficiency in energy recapture;
- Seize green economic opportunities by building markets, jobs and firms in recycling, re-use and related waste management efforts;
- Increase producer responsibility to reduce waste that needs to be recycled or disposed by municipalities and eliminate products containing toxic chemicals from disposal facilities; and,
- Develop integrated solid waste management systems that minimize the material that must ultimately be disposed of.
A key target of the master plan is to reduce solid waste disposal by 30 percent, from 6.5 million tons in 2008 to 4.5 million tons in 2020, and continue to divert toxic substances from the waste stream. By 2050, Massachusetts should reduce the amount of waste produced by residents and businesses 80 percent, and virtually eliminate products containing toxic chemicals from disposal facilities.
Under the Green Communities Act, certain municipal waste combustion facilities can earn Class II Renewable Energy Credits. These facilities are required to devote 50 percent of the revenue from the sale of the credits to recycling programs approved by MassDEP. It is expected that up to $6 million will be available for recycling and waste reduction programs on an annual basis from this source.
RHODE ISLAND
R.I. Resource Recovery Distributes $680k in Profit-Sharing to Rhode Island Municipalities
On September 1, RIRRC divided $681,014 in profits from the sale of household recyclables to 36 Rhode Island cities and towns.
It has been a difficult year for many municipalities who have faced budget shortages and state aid cuts. The cash relief was welcomed by the officials who arrived at the brief presentation ceremony to claim their checks.
The individual profit-sharing amounts averaged $18,917. Shares were based on each municipality’s recycled tonnage brought to the MRF in Johnston during FY 2010. All totaled, during FY 2010 Rhode Island cities and towns delivered over 92,000 tons of recyclables to the RIRRC MRF.
When the MRF earns profits, RIRRC is permitted to share them with its municipal customers. To qualify for profit-sharing, the municipalities must have contracts with RIRRC for solid waste disposal and recycling, have accounts in good standing, and have not renegotiated or deferred profit-sharing.
Sarah Kite, RIRRC’s Director of Recycling Services, singled out a few municipalities for their recent recycling improvements. Portsmouth, on Rhode Island’s Aquidneck Island, raised their recycling rate from 13 percent to 30 percent in FY10. The town’s recycling committee engaged in a high-profile educational campaign supplemented with special recycling events at their transfer station.
Providence, Rhode Island’s capital city, increased its recycling rate from 10 percent to 13 percent in six months by enacting a “no bin, no barrel” effort, called Green Up Providence. In a nutshell, residents must set out their recycling bins or risk having their trash left uncollected. Despite challenges posed by multilingual and multi-family housing, Rhode Island’s largest city is on track to achieve a 20 percent recycling rate in FY11.
Recycling rates were computed as the percentage of recycling waste processed at the MRF compared with the amount of the municipalities’ waste sent to the Central Landfill for burial.
The average recycling rate was 21 percent, and ranged from 12 percent for the Town of Johnston to 42 percent for Middletown.
VERMONT
Vermont Master Composter Course Offered this Fall
Interested in learning more about the latest processes for producing compost, using compost, and reducing greenhouse emissions? Learn how to build piles, improve soil, enhance plant resistance to disease and insects, produce worm compost, and more!
For just $40, you can take an exceptional course offered by Vermont Master Composter. The fee includes the course plus an extensive “Vermont Master Composter Resource Manual.” This course is designed to increase composting and extend composting information to the public. If desired, course participants may also take part in an Internship to gain practical experience and earn Master Composter Certification by volunteering in community or school composting projects.
The course will be held on four Monday evenings, October 18 - November 8 from 6:00 -9:00 pm. The registration deadline is October 8. Classes will be held at 13 Vermont Interactive Television sites:
- Bennington
- Brattleboro
- Montpelier
- Johnson
- Lyndon
- Middlebury
- Randolph Center
- Rutland
- Springfield
- St. Albans
- Waterbury
- White River Junction
- Williston
This program is managed by UVM Extension Master Gardener with funding from Vermont ANR Compost Center: Waste Management Division. The course is also assisted by volunteers from both the Vermont Master Composter and the Vermont Master Gardener programs. This synergy greatly adds to the value of the course.
OF GENERAL INTEREST
A New Directory for Electronics Recyclers—And High Time
The electronics recycling industry has no definitive directory. www.ElectronicsRecyclingDirectory.com is about to fill that empty space with a comprehensive Web-based marketing tool. It has over 3,000 listings and is easy to use for both viewers and subscribers. Every company with ties to the electronics recycling industry will be able to set apart their products and services and distinguish their companies.
As a marketing tool, the Directory offers information well beyond basic identification—materials handled, services offered, certifications, contact information and detailed company descriptions. Listings can link to e-mails, Websites and online brochures, and feature pictures, videos, slide shows, text descriptions, and mapping.
Directory users can update listings and ads on their own, directly on the Website. Users can search by keyword, by type of company, location, or by material. The Directory also posts current electronic scrap prices.