PDF version

September 4, 2013 Full of Scrap
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Norm’s Swan Song
400 NHtB Recycle Bins Make Their Way into Manchester Pilot Program
Grab Your Spot on the Bus Tour
New Rates on Freon & Refrigerant Recovery
Starbucks: 4,500 Tons of Spent Coffee Grounds Turned into Detergent?
Barcodes to Transform Recycling? You Bet.
Classifieds
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Quote of the Day
a society is defined not only by what it creates,
but by what it refuses to destroy.
John Sawhill
••••••••••••••••••••••••
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
It is with mixed emotions that I must acknowledge the tremendous contributions of
NRRA’s own EPA Environmental Merit Award recipient Norm Staunton, who is
changing careers. He has worked tirelessly to improve and protect the environment
for over five years first with the Association of Vermont Recyclers and then with
NRRA. He will be enjoying the environment up close and personal from the decks of
a fleet of sailing ships in the Bahamas for the winter season and on his beloved Lake
Champlain during the summer months. I would not be surprised if the environmental
awareness so close to his heart is not a feature on every cruise! I can only express my
deepest appreciation for his dedication, his insight, and his professional contributions
to recycling throughout the entire Northeast and beyond, via his work on the National
Recycling Coalition Board. Norm has added his devotion to a better planet to that we
all share daily here at NRRA, and his contributions will not be forgotten nor can they
be overstated. A hearty Bon Voyage to our favorite sailor!
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Farewell from Norm Staunton
After just over five years at the helm of the Association of
Vermont Recyclers and then NRRA’s Grants and Vermont
programs, the time has come for me to take on some new
challenges and, sadly, leave NRRA and the recycling industry. In
fact, by the time this edition of the Full of Scrap comes out, I will
be on to my next adventure.
To you all, I want to convey just how honored I have been to
work with and for you for the last five years. There have been a
number of great successes. Of them, the merger of AVR and with
NRRA’s School CLUB, the massive expansion of NRRA’s
presence in Vermont, the extraordinary development of the
Northeast School Recycling Conference, and, of course, the
overwhelmingly positive response to the Vermont E-Cycles
Program are among those of which I am most proud. For
whatever small role I played in those things, I am truly grateful
for having been a part. For those things that were not such great
successes, I appreciate your patience and accommodation.
To my friends and colleagues in Vermont, the whole crew at Good Point, the NRRA membership, and all those
outside organizations across the country and the globe that have shared our vision, I will truly miss the daily
contact I have had with you all for these years. The camaraderie, partnership, and collaboration you have
offered me have made my work here much more than just a job, but my passion. Thank you all.
To the boards of AVR and NRRA, it has been one of the great honors of my life to serve you and to be the
recipient of the trust and faith you placed in me. The opportunities you have offered me have been beyond
generous.
To the staffs of AVR and NRRA, current and past, what a pleasure it has been to work with you all. You have
all become great important parts of my life and I will miss working with each and every one of you.
Finally, I cannot help but say a very special thank you to two people in particular: Mike Durfor and Caitlin
Meaney. Mike, from the very first time we had coffee at Vermont Law School, you saw potential in our
working together. As far as I can tell, you never once doubted it or looked back. That trust has literally changed
my life. Caitlin, you have been a great friend, constant ally, patient collaborator, and favorite partner-in-crime
this whole time. I cannot repay the debts I owe either of you.
I hope very much to see and work with all of you again. I am hopeful that my schedule will allow me to be at
the NRRA Northeast Recycling Conference next June to catch up with you all. In the meantime, keep up the
good and important work you all do.
Thank you all.
Norm
••••••••••••••••••••••••
NRRA and Good Point Partner on Independent Electronics Plan for
Vermont
Effective on August 29, 2013, NRRA agreed to provide administrative support to the GPR Independent Plan for
VT E-Cycles. The Independent Plan submitted by Good Point is practically identical to the program that exists
now and, once approved, will allow Good Point, with support and administration from NRRA, to continue to
provide outstanding service all of the 100 collection locations we have been working with for two years and
more.
Part of the approval process for the Independent Plan apparently requires that Good Point
provide evidence that the Good Point Independent plan can meet the minimum standard of 85
collection locations in 52 specific locations.
To provide that evidence, NRRA and Good Point are asking any collection location that wishes
to continue to work with us, or simply ensure they have a choice of plans come October 1, sign
and return a non-binding MOU stating your intention to continue to work with Good Point and
NRRA.
We would appreciate it if you can sign up as you have before, and return this MOU to NRRA as
soon as you are able. It is a non-binding agreement that allows for all contingencies.
If you have any questions, please give NRRA a call. GPR and NRRA are committed to
providing you the same high level of service, uninterrupted, as we have over the last two years.
Click here for the new GPR Independent Plan MOU.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Some Recent Developments Warrant a Short Update
First off, the Claremont Waste to Energy facility is ceasing operations this month and will not be accepting
material after 9/16. NRRA is working with several members to find alternate solutions in some cases at a
considerable reduction in cost. Call the office for details from any Member Services Representative.
Secondly, Paint Care is being researched with the aim of possible legislation being introduced in the next
session. Paint Care, if passed as it has in four out of six of the NE States, would allow unused paint – either oil
based or latex – to be returned any time to convenient paint retail locations free of charge without having to wait
for an HHW day event. This would save towns thousands of dollars in HHW costs.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
SCHOOL NEWS YOU CAN USE
Caitlin and Mike (of NRRA) hamming it up at Central High School in Manchester, NH, distributing 200 recycle bins to the classrooms! NRRA staff distributed a total of 400
bins to three Manchester schools selected to participate in this pilot program.
NRRA SCHOOL CLUB Starts Manchester Pilot Program
Just in Time for School Opening
On Tuesday, School Club Coordinator, Caitlin Meaney, was hands on with NRRA Administrative Manager,
Paula Dow, and yours truly as we got to place new recycling bins in three Manchester Schools thanks to a
generous grant from NH the Beautiful.
Shown here (from left to right) are John Dumais, NHtB Chair,
NHtB Board Member Ray Dube, NRRA Executive Director
Mike Durfor, along with Manny Content and Patrick Corey
from Coca-Cola who helped with the bin grant and workshop
support for this Pilot program. This school-year-long project’s
goal is to reinvigorate recycling in the entire school district. A
special thanks goes out to Sean Collins from the City of
Manchester and to Aramark for their staffing assistance and, of
course, to NH the Beautiful for making this program possible.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
NRRA NEWS
Join the NRRA 2013 Fall Bus Tour
Seating Still Available
Call Camille 603-736-4401 x 10 to save your spot
Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Itinerary:
•
•
•
•
•
8:00 ~ 8:30 am Meet and load bus at Concord NH park ‘n ride (Exit 2 off I89) Concord NH
10:00 am ~ Tour the E. L. Harvey materials processing facility & brand new single stream
facility – Westborough, MA
Noon ~ Lunch and drinks provided on the bus
2:00 pm ~ Tour Schnitzer Northeast (scrap metal processor) Everett, MA
4:30 ~ 5:00 pm ~ Arrive back at Concord park ‘n ride
Cost: $50/each (includes lunch)
Due to limited space, this tour is only open to NRRA members, and there is a limit of two attendees per
municipality. NRRA will be sending out invoices to those who register.
~DES Continuing Education Certification provided~
One of the stops on the tour ~ E. L. Harvey, a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Westborough, Massachusetts, is situated on 43 acres.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Freon/Refrigerant Recovery through NRRA
Seasonal Price Reduction - Effective October 1st
NRRA’s Freon Recovery Vendor, Interstate Refrigerant Recovery, Inc. of Foxboro, MA, is reducing its prices
for freon recovery from $9/unit to $8/unit effective October 1st through March 31, 2014. Price is reduced for
NRRA Members.
The unit charge is for refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers evacuated on
your site.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Minimum of 25 units per stop
Units stay on your site to be included in your scrap metal for revenue
Certificates of Recovery are provided with each pickup
Freon Recovery can be done year-round (winter included)
Arrange units upright with backs accessible for freon removal
Call Member Services with questions or to set up freon recovery at your site! (603.736.4401 ext. 11 for
Marilyn, ext. 14 for Adam, and ext. 18 for Bonnie).
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Have You Spotted Any Cool License Plates Lately?
Here is a license plate from one of our favorite recyclers,
Donny Tebaldi at the Keene, NH, Recycling Center. He has
had this unique conservation plate for about a year and a half.
To quote Donny: “The reason why I got this vanity plate was
because I wanted to spread the word and to encourage the
public in and outside of work to recycle and to reduce waste!”
Thank you Donny for sharing your enthusiasm and for your
daily dedication to recycling!
••••••••••••••••••••••••
SCHOOL NEWS YOU CAN USE
Check Out the Latest Full Issue of School News You Can Use – Click
Here!
Back To School!
We have to disagree with Kermit the Frog when he said, “It’s not easy being green.” Guess what? It is totally
easy (sorry, Kermit!).
Going back to school is an exciting time because everything’s new —
teachers, fellow students, supplies. However, it’s not very green to buy a
whole new package of markers when last year’s set works just fine. In
addition to reusing old supplies, we’ve got a great list of ways to be as
green as can be in the new school year.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ride your bike or walk to school.
Use last year’s school supplies.
Buy a canvas and cardboard binders instead of plastic.
Buy recycled paper.
Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic.
Use a lunch box, not paper bags.
Donate last year’s clothes instead of throwing them away.
Buy organic food.
Turn your computer off when you’re not using it.
Decorate your lunchbox.
Make your own bookmarks.
Organize a clothes swap with your friends.
Carpool to sports.
Use refillable pens and pencils.
Reuse your backpack. Decorate it with cool patches.
GREENWorks
August 2013 – Greening Your College Experience
Today’s college students are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact. Yet the typical
college student will spend an average of $53 billion in back to school items each year, according to the National
Retail Federation. Whether you are just starting college or finishing up, save yourself
and your college some money this year by making your college experience more
environmentally friendly with these six tips:
1. Local, Used or Free- College sometimes seems like a revolving door of used items.
Instead of buying new items like plastic drawers, lamps, bins, hangers etc. every year
try re-purposing other students’ unwanted items. Many colleges have programs in place
that collect departing college students’ items and sell them at yard sale-type events,
saving you money while fundraising. UNH hosts a non-profit program called
“Trash2Treasure” that raised $20,000 last year from collecting and reselling items that
otherwise would have been thrown away. Websites like Ebay Local, Craigslist and Freecycle as well as thrift
shops, Goodwill, Savers and other local yard sales provide more re-purposing opportunities. If you plan on
buying new products and are going to school far away from home, buy your supplies and décor close to your
college rather than shipping them halfway across the country.
2. Get Energized- Behind every college student’s desk is a tangled maze of cords. But a simple reorganization
of these cords can save a lot of energy. A “Smart Strip” power strip can tell when you aren’t using an electronic
or when it goes in standby mode, shutting off the phantom energy headed to that electronic and saving you
energy. Using a power strip also allows you to turn it off at night when you aren’t using anything plugged into
it. If you aren’t using any type of power strip you should unplug your chargers when they are not in use and
save on unused, wasted “phantom” energy. Electronics with adapters like cell phone and laptop chargers draw
phantom energy even when they are “off” or not in use. Another way to save resources is to buy compact
florescent, energy-efficient light bulbs. These light bulbs save on energy and last longer. Finally, when you
decide on a micro or fridge, make sure you share with your roommate and buy an Energy Star version.
3. Shopping Spree- Inevitably there are some products you’ll have to purchase. When you do, consider the
following green options. Buy a reusable water bottle: buying plastic water bottles seems like an all too common
trend among college students. Yet using a reusable bottle and purchasing a filtering pitcher will give you water
that is likely cleaner than bottled water and a whole lot greener and cheaper. Most students are not aware that
tap water is more regulated than bottled water. If you buy decorations, buy paper ones that are recyclable or that
you can use next year. Another purchase that is good for the environment is a set of reusable silverware and
dishware. This will eliminate the waste of plastic forks and paper plates. You can also be environmentally
friendly by purchasing “green” toiletries and cleaning products.
4. Keep it Clean- When washing your clothes (which we hope you will do) use cold water, as this will save
energy. Air-dry as much of your clothes as possible on mini-racks available for dorm rooms. If you do use the
dryer, make sure you empty the lint catcher before starting as it will make the dryer more efficient and help
prevent the risk of fire.
5. Keep it Cool- Thermostats preset at 75 degrees are ubiquitous among college dorms in New England.
Colleges choose to take the control from residents and set the building thermostat at a temperature that feels
more like you’re in Florida than in the snowstorm outside. Many proactive college students try to out-smart
their heating system by cracking a window, but heating systems are resilient. The system will work harder to
keep the building warm and will counteract the open window. Although most college students do not have to
pay utility bills for their dorm rooms, keeping your school’s energy costs low helps to keep the cost of attending
college lower and also helps the environment. So if you do have control of your thermostat, keep it at a cooler
temperature. Turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours can save you 5 to 15 percent a year on
your heating bill.
6. A reminder- Although it seems obvious – when the stress of college sets in, the organization of dorm rooms
begins to fall apart. It is easy to forget about things like separating your recyclables from your trash. Please
remember to recycle, and if your college doesn’t provide a recycling bin, you may want to consider purchasing
a small bin as a visual reminder for yourself.
These simple steps can help you become environmentally friendly and also save you a few dollars for all those
books. From the Department of Environmental Services, good luck in your upcoming school year!
###
A publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH (603) 271-3710.
Be sure to visit www.schoolrecycling.net for more great school info and the latest FULL issue of School News
You Can Use!
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Starburst Wrapper Bracelets
Give your kids a spunky style boost with these adorable Starburst wrapper bracelets dreamed up by engineering
student, crafter and Fluffyland blogger Sam. The end result looks so prim and polished, you’d think it took her
hours to make. But the simple folding and weaving technique is easy enough for even the youngest of crafters.
You’ll only need 30 to 36 Starburst wrappers to whip up these cute creations (Now and Later wrappers work
great, too).
••••••••••••••••••••••••
NH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
Best Management Practices (BMPs) at Municipal
Solid Waste Facilities
This Fall DES will hold a series of free workshops intended for solid waste operators
as well as town officials. Participants will receive a reference manual with BMPs and other pertinent
information related to proper management of solid wastes such as asbestos, paint, electronic waste, and
composting. We will also discuss financial incentives related to recycling and developing business partnerships.
The BMP workshops are supported by a federal grant from the US Department of Agriculture to support solid
waste education in rural communities.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Monday – September 16 at Grantham Town Hall – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm / 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Wednesday – September 18 at Lincoln Town Offices – 9:00 am to noon / 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursday – September 19 at Stratford Town Hall – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturday – September 21 at DES Concord - 9:00 am to noon
Tuesday – September 24 at Tuftonboro Old Town House - 9:00 am to noon / 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursday – September 26 at Lempster Town Meeting Hall – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Tuesday – October 1 at Pease International Tradeport – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Friday – November 8 at DES Concord – 9:00 am to noon
Thursday – December 5 at DES Concord – 9:00 am to noon
New Operator Class and Test
The new operator class is for first-time operators and operators that are eligible to upgrade to a higher level.
Priority is given to new/upgrading operators, but experienced operators can use the class as a continuing
education workshop, provided they are present for the whole class. To register, call 603-271-2925 or email
[email protected].
•
•
•
•
Friday, October 25, 2013
Class: 8:30 – 2:30; testing starts at 2:30
DES – 29 Hazen Drive, Concord
Lunch and breaks are provided
••••••••••••••••••••••••
NH THE BEAUTIFUL
NH the Beautiful, Inc. (NHtB) is a private non-profit charitable
trust founded in 1983 and supported by the soft drink, malt
beverage, and grocery industries of New Hampshire. By offering
municipal recycling grants (over $2.5 million) and signs, antilitter programs, and technical assistance to recycling programs,
NHtB is a unique organization that represents a voluntarilyfunded alternative to expensive legislation intended to achieve the
same end results. NHtB supports the NRRA School Education
Program (the Club). The Northeast Resource Recovery
Association (www.nrra.net) administers the New Hampshire the Beautiful programs.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Madison Encourages Recycling at Old Home Week!
“Little Blue-ie” getting the job done in Madison
Madison encourages recycling at Old Home Week using NHtB’s
Recyclemobile! The Solid Waste Advisory Committee joined with the
OHW Committee to encourage supporting the voluntary recycling
program in town. Many residents supported the effort when they saw the
trailer at the events.
The RecycleMobile was developed to help make recycling at special
events low-cost, highly visible and efficient. It is a simple to use, eyecatching recycling unit consisting of a fiberglass box with six collection
holes (3 per side) that is attached to a 4′ by 6′ trailer and houses six – 32
gallon barrels. You will need a 2″
ball to tow the RecycleMobile. And there is no fee to borrow one!
This program is sponsored by the NRRA and New Hampshire the
Beautiful, Inc., and began with generous funding from the American
Plastics Council, Shop ‘n Save and Hannaford Supermarkets, New
Hampshire Soft Drink Association, and the National Soft Drink Association. Contact Camille Gibson at 1-800223-0150 or download form at www.nrra.net/membership/recycle-mobile/.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Chichester Got Their Blue Bags and Look What Happened!
Chichester’s first roadside cleanup event was a
huge success totaling 28 bags, two tires and a mattress set!
Their set-up station was well equipped with blue bags, lots of goodies, and a map for assignments for their
volunteers.
They have two goals. One is to host another event in the spring before the vegetation grows; and the second
goal is to explore options for year round clean-up. Congratulations and kudos to the Town of Chichester on
their cleanup efforts!
There are plenty of bags still available for NH communities. Just fill out an order form located at
www.nhthebeautiful.org /2013_litter_free_town_packet.pdf and mail, email or fax it back to NRRA. Once your
order form is received, NRRA will confirm receipt and contact you to arrange a convenient time for pick up
(Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.). If you have questions about the program, you may call NRRA at
603-736-4401 x 10.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Discounted Bins and Clear Stream Containers Ready for Pick Up
NRRA has received a shipment of NH the Beautiful 14-Gallon Recycling Bins at our Epsom, NH office. Bins
are available for pick up Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See discounted prices below.
•
•
•
Schools – $4.00 per/bin
Towns/Non-Profits – $5.85 per/bin
Businesses – $9.00 per/bin
Please fill out the appropriate order form and either mail, fax or e-mail back. You can also call ahead and just
bring the form with you at the time of pick up.
For more info, visit these links~
•
•
•
•
www.nhthebeautiful.org/clear_stream.php
Schools Order Form
Towns/Non-Profits Order Form
Businesses Order Form
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Grants Program for NH Municipalities
New Hampshire municipalities are eligible to apply for grants toward the purchase price of recycling
equipment. For more information or to apply for a grant, go to
www.nhthebeautiful.org/equipment_grant_app_710.pdf, print & fill out the form and fax it to 603-736-4402. If
you do not have access to the internet, please give us a call, and we can fax or mail a form to you. The next
board of directors meeting is slated for November 21st. Please submit your grant applications by November 7th.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Transfer Station Sign Program ~ Change is Coming – Really it is!
I know, I know – we keep saying that change is coming, and we promise it is! We’re still working on rolling
out a new “used” sign option which will allow towns to get more signs for their points. The final revisions are
being made as of the printing of this issue of FOS. More details soon!
Under the NHtB Sign Program, New Hampshire Municipalities are all eligible to apply for signs (60 points each
fiscal year or until funds run out). The NHtB fiscal year runs November 1-October 31.
To view the complete selection of signs and/or to apply to use your points, click here:
www.nhthebeautiful.org/signs.php Simply print the forms you need, mail or fax them to 603-736-4402. Please
NOTE!!! You can only use points to order signs that are on the list. Words can be removed, but nothing can
be added. Custom signs are available for purchase. Contact the NRRA for details.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
GLOBAL NEWS
Scanning Innovation to ‘Transform’ Recycling?
Re-printed from Recycling International
August 30, 2013 by Editorial Staff
United States: US company Earth911 has been heralded the winner of the inaugural Recycling Innovators
Forum competition, part of the Resource Recycling Conference held in Kentucky earlier this month. The judges
believed that its idea of putting barcodes on recyclable products that can be scanned by smartphones has the
potential to ‘transform’ the recycling industry.
Earth911′s concept instantly leads consumers to a website that provides the recycling specifics of the product in
question, tailoring information to a user’s own location. It beat some 50 other concepts spanning everything
from plastic composites with bio-content to float/sink separation of polypropylene and HDPE.
Judges said they were impressed by the practical and mobile nature of the winning idea. Earth911 was awarded
US $ 20,000 in prize money to help realize the project.
The runner-up, GreenMantra, received US $5,000 in financial support for its method to create industrial waxes
from recycled plastics. In third place was PointGuard Pallet Protector, which was given US $2,000 to support
the development of a recycled plastic product designed to extend the lifespan of shipping pallets.
The Recycling Innovators Forum praised the large number of ‘fresh and creative ideas’ aired during the
competition, hailing this as an ‘encouraging’ sign that continuous progress is being made to capture more
materials for recovery and recycling.
For more information, visit: www.earth911.com.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Starbucks Coffee Grounds Turned into Plastic, Detergent
Used coffee grounds and stale Starbucks bakery goods can now be turned into detergents and plastics thanks to
a City University of Hong Kong lab.
Soon the spent grounds used to make your Starbucks espresso could wind up in your next bottle of laundry
detergent. With some processing, that is.
According to research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society, a new City University of Hong
Kong bio-refinery is testing a method of breaking down organic matter and turning it into everyday products
like laundry detergent, plastic and more. Hong Kong-based Starbucks stores have agreed to send the lab their
spent coffee grounds and stale pastries in an effort to divert some of their food waste.
Hong Kong Starbucks locations produce an estimated 4,500 tons of spent coffee grounds each year, according
to an American Chemical Society press release. Some of the waste that would otherwise wind up in landfills,
composting operations and incinerators will head directly to the City University lab to find an organic solution
to petroleum-based plastics.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
CONNECTICUT NEWS
EPA Merit Awards for DEEP Staffers
Several individuals and organizations from Connecticut – including members of the DEEP staff — were among
the award winners at the recent annual U.S. EPA Merit Awards ceremony in Boston. Tess Gutowski of DEEP’s
Air Bureau received a well-deserved Lifetime Award for all she has accomplished in her more than 30 years of
service to the agency. In addition, a team of people from DEEP’s solid waste unit won a Merit Award for their
efforts to build a 21st century materials management system in Connecticut. Members of the team are: K.C.
Alexander, Sherill Baldwin, Judy Belaval, Diane Duva, Paul Guerrera, Chris Nelson, Joseph Schiavone,
Jennifer Weymouth and Deputy Commissioner Macky McCleary. Find more information about the
Connecticut EPA Merit Award winners and their work.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Mattresses
In May 2013, Connecticut became the first state to pass comprehensive mattress recycling legislation. Public
Act 13-42 requires mattress manufacturers to establish a program to manage unwanted mattresses generated in
Connecticut. The law will assess a fee at the point of sale to finance the program. When a consumer purchases
a new mattress, there will be an additional fee charged. The retailer will transfer this money to the mattress
manufacturers who will use it to pay for transportation and recycling of unwanted mattresses.
Mattress manufacturers are required to submit a plan to the DEEP by July 1, 2014. If approved, the plan will be
implemented in late 2014 to early 2015. In order to provide the mattress industry with the information
necessary to draft the best plan possible, DEEP is convening a Mattress Stewardship Stakeholder Working
Group on September 18th in Hartford. Municipalities, recyclers, mattress manufacturers, environmental
groups, entrepreneurs and any other interested parties are invited and encouraged to participate. For more
information contact Tom Metzner, CT DEEP.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Used Textiles: Donate, Recycle, Don’t Throw Away
DEEP hosted an in-depth Panel Discussion on Textiles Reuse and Recycling at the June 2013 Solid Waste
Advisory Committee meeting. The well attended meeting included an overview on textile recovery rates in
Connecticut, overviews and details from many industry members about how to recover more in our local
communities and a representative from Consumer Protection who spoke of legal requirements of any business
operating in Connecticut – profit or non-profit – especially regarding using and placing collection boxes.
In 2011, the average person in Connecticut threw away an average of 55 pounds of clothing, shoes, and linens –
generating approximately 96,500 tons of trash. Ninety-five percent of these textiles could have been reused and
recycled, saving disposal costs, creating jobs and realizing environmental benefits. Recovered textiles are
generally separated into three grades of reusable or recyclable material – usable clothing (45%), fiber
conversion into padding and insulation (20%) and wiping cloths (30%). Only a small percentage (approx. 5%)
of donated or collected textiles is disposed, usually because the materials are wet, mildewed, odorous, or oily.
DEEP will be working to increase the current textile recovery rate by getting the word out that all textiles (i.e.,
clean and dry) should be donated or collected for reuse and recycling. For more information, contact Jennifer
Weymouth, CT DEEP.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
EPP Paints and Food Service Supplies Now on Contract
State Agencies, municipalities, schools and not-for-profit organizations now have environmentally preferable
products (EPP) to choose from when purchasing paint and food service supplies. The CT Department of
Administrative Services has awarded two new contracts that encourage the use of these green products.
The paint and related products contract makes available paints and coatings that have recycled content and are
low toxicity (low odor, low VOC emitting) products. By choosing low VOC (volatile organic compounds)
paint, you reduce the harmful effects on indoor air quality. The food service supplies contract includes bowls,
plates, cutlery, hot and cold cups, trays, napkins and paper towels, deli containers and sandwich bags. This
contract promotes the use of products that are reusable, unbleached, have recycled content and are
compostable. Food service products with these health and environmental attributes reduce the amount of trash
needing disposal and disposal costs as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
Paint Recycling Program Launched
DEEP estimates that state residents have more than 5 million containers of unwanted paint waiting to be
disposed of properly. A new program began July 1st to collect and recycle latex and oil based paint. It is a result
of Connecticut’s paint stewardship law (PA 11-24) and will be administered by PaintCare, a non-profit
organization. Funded through a fee paid by the consumer when purchasing paint, the program utilizes a network
of retail locations, transfer stations and household hazardous waste collections as drop points for residents. To
facilitate statewide collection points, DEEP issued a General Permit for Collection and Storage of Unwanted
Paint authorizing retailers to collect and store post-consumer paint. For more information on the program,
including drop-off locations, visit DEEP’s Paint Recycling webpage.
Financing the recycling of a product through the purchase price of the product instead of municipal tax dollars
is an example of extended producer responsibility (EPR). This approach is already in place for electronics and
legislation passed this year will establish a similar program for mattresses.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERMONT NEWS
Labels
Every pallet, gaylord, and standalone device of electronics must have a label on it. Labels must be readable
from 25 feet away and include the words “Electronic Waste”. Labels are available from NRRA
at www.nrra.net. Broken items must have an additional label that identifies them as “Broken”. NRRA & GPR
prefer that labels also include:
•
•
•
•
Collection Location
EW#
Accumulation Start Date
Type of Sort
Written Response Plans for Releases
Every Collection Location must have a written response plan, on hand, for dealing with breakage, leakage, and
releases from electronics. Most transfer stations and “Permitted Solid Waste Facilities” have this already as
part of their permit Emergency Response Plan. If you are unsure if you have one or not, or you would like a
template for creating a new one for your location, please contact Karen Knaebel or Kim Lutchko at ANR.
Bills of Lading
Every load of electronics that is shipped requires a Bill of Lading to be filled out. BOLs then become the
weight slips/ sort sheets used by Good Point to track pounds and payments. Every BOL should be reviewed,
signed, and approved by collection locations. In the event of questions or discrepancies between numbers, we
always defer to the BOLs. Collection locations that are also consolidating need to pay special attention to
BOLS to ensure that the allocations to different collection locations are correct.
Media and Public Outreach
NRRA, GPR, and ANR are all seeking feedback and suggestions on Media and Public Outreach to further
develop public awareness and use of the E-Cycles Program. Anyone with ideas or suggestions for outreach
work in the coming program year should contact Karen Knaebel.
Quarterly Reports
NRRA recently sent out Quarterly E-Cycles Reports to every Collection Location for the period April through
June. There is no reporting required at this time. The reports are for reference and data verification purposes
only. Sites that fill out Quarterly Permitted Solid Waste Facility Reports are reminded to NOT include any
electronics numbers in your reporting. Any sites who have questions or concerns about their reports should
contact Norm Staunton. The E-Cycles Annual Reports for all electronics collection activities will be due
sometime in October or November. NRRA will provide registered collectors with all the information and
instructions when the reporting process starts.
Site Visit Check Lists
Collection Locations should be aware that we are currently using Good Point drivers to provide feedback on
collection locations via a site-visit check list. These forms are strictly non-regulatory but do allow us to provide
feedback back to operators and managers about what is noticed while GPR is on site. Don’t be alarmed if a
single piece of feedback is negative; we understand that the forms are a “snapshot” and our concern is with the
pattern over time, not a single visit. If you have questions or would like to see a copy of the site visit check list,
please contact (800) 223-0150 ext. 19.
School Pick-Ups
Collection locations may, at their own discretion and expense, provide “pick-up” service for electronic waste
from schools. Collection locations may not charge or be reimbursed by the E-Cycles program for this service,
but the material collected may be counted as Covered Electronic Devices and recycled for free. This applies
only to K-12 Schools Collection locations interested in using this program or interested in more information
should contact (800) 223-0150 ext. 19.
Updated Posters and Brochures
The Agency of Natural Resources has completed a new printing of updated Collection Location, Landfill
Ban, and Data Security posters, as well as a new supply of the E-Cycles Brochure. Collection locations who
would like new or additional posters/brochures should contact Karen Knaebel at ANR.
One Day Events
Operators who host One Day Collection Events (ODEs) are reminded that there are two parts to the registration
process for ODEs. ODEs must be registered on www.vtecycles.org (put the date of the event in the location
name) and must file for an IWMEA number with ANR. You can contact Kim Lutchko at ANR for more on
either of those processes. Once an event is registered and happens, ODEs must report on their collection
activities as a part of the E-Cycles Annual Reporting process. Each ODE must be reported separately, by its
unique EW#. However, annual or regular events may reuse their EW#s by contacting Kim Lutchko.
If an ‘event’ is taking place at a registered, permanent collection location, then they do not need to submit an
IWMEA application or register the event, as their solid waste permit and current facility registration will cover
the event. Numbers reported for these ‘events’ will be included in the reporting for the permanent location.
If the event is to be held at an ‘off-site’ location, then an IWMEA application must be filed, and once approved,
an online registration completed. If the event dates are known, one IWMEA can be submitted at the start of the
season to cover all the event dates. If the event dates are not known at the start of the season, then an updated
IWMEA must be submitted to notify the solid waste program of the new event date.
The EW #s are site specific, so those operators or sponsors that hold recurring events in the exact same (off-site)
location can re-use the same EW# throughout the event season and from year to year, effective this calendar
year/event season. However, new IWMEA applications must be submitted for approval each year, and the
online registration MUST be updated to reflect the new event date and any updated contact information.
(Updating the online registration also allows the E-Cycles program to post the events on our website to foster
attendance.)
Season totals from all collection activities at a particular location should be reported under the EW# for that
location, and should not be included in the numbers for a permanent collection facility.
Any requests for events or updates should be submitted two weeks prior to the event, or risk being denied by the
Solid Waste Program.
New Collection Locations
NRRA and Good Point are always interested in having new Collection Locations join the program. There is no
limit on the number of locations the program can accommodate. If you know of locations that might be
interested in becoming collection locations, including transfer stations, non-profits, businesses, retailers,
etc. contact (800) 223-0150 ext. 19 with basic contact information and we will take it from there.
School Electronics Collection & Fundraising Events
The Vermont E-Cycles Program provides free drop-off and recycling of computers, monitors, televisions,
printers, and computer peripherals (e.g., mouse, keyboard, scanner) from Vermont Households, 501c3 Charities,
School Districts, Small Businesses with 10 or fewer employees, and anyone dropping off seven or fewer items
at one time. Collection takes place at year-round collection sites statewide and at special one day events.
The Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA), home of the School CLUB, and its recycling partner,
Good Point Recycling, have developed School Collection and Education Fundraiser Events as part of the
NRRA VT E-Cycles Program. Under this plan, NRRA and its partners will provide support and compensation
for Vermont schools that are willing and able to host and staff Electronics Collections Events on their grounds.
During these events, any “covered entity” listed above will be able to drop off any “covered device” at no
charge. Other electronic devices can also be dropped off and there will be a set charge for these devices. The
events will be coordinated with media exposure and educational opportunities for students and the community.
Participating Vermont schools are able to do additional fundraising during the event, but may not charge for the
recycling. Instead, NRRA and Good Point can compensate schools that can provide volunteer labor to help
direct material into sorted bins. Schools also get to recycle their own materials during the events. Many schools
choose to use the funds generated from the event as a way to pay for NRRA School CLUB programs in their
classrooms.
NRRA is particularly interested in marketing these events in Vermont towns without other permanent collection
facilities, but there is no limit on the number or location of events we can support.
We are currently booking School Collection and Fundraising Events for September and would be happy to have
your school partner with us.
For more information on these events, or to register to host an event, please contact NRRA’s School Programs
Coordinator, Caitlin Meaney, at [email protected] or (800) 223-0150 ext 17 or stop by our websites at
www.schoolrecycling.net and www.nrra.net.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
CLASSIFIEDS
For Sale: Lincoln/Woodstock Solid Waste Facility has available this 15 yr. old open top roll-off container.
Interested parties may contact Paul Beaudin @ 603-745-6626.
think outside box . . .
Kevin McKinnon did just that! Kevin, from Colebrook, NH,
utilizes two of his open top containers for storage by inverting
them. One for general storage of some recyclables, etc. and the
other for the Highway Department’s welding iron and
materials, complete with racks. Great idea! Kudos to Kevin and
his staff!
••••••••••••••••••••••••
NRRA CALENDAR
September
•
•
September 11th: M.O.M. Meeting – NRRA Office 9:00am
September 18th: NRRA Board Meeting – NRRA Office 9:00am
October
•
•
October 9th: Fall Tour 8:00am (see above for details)
October 14th: Columbus Day – NRRA OFFICE CLOSED
November
•
•
•
•
November 11th: Veteran’s Day – NRRA OFFICE CLOSED
November 13th: M.O.M. Meeting – NRRA Office 9:00am
November 13th: NRRA Annual Meeting – Makris Lobster & Steak House – Concord
Noon
November 28th & 29th: Thanksgiving – NRRA OFFICE CLOSED
December
•
•
December: No M.O.M. Meeting
December 25th: Christmas – NRRA OFFICE CLOSED