recycling

America Recycles Day: Get Involved

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:39:41 +0100

from Huffington Post

America Recycles Day, founded in 1997, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States. It serves as a great reminder to all Americans that we are responsible for doing our part for the planet. America is appropriately considered a nation of consumers and every year we use an astonishing amount of resources. Our consumption is significantly disproportionate to our population. It would take more than five Earths to be able to sustain the world population if everyone consumed resources at the same rate as the United States, according to the New Economics Foundation (NEF), an independent research body.

Moreover, according to the Clean Air Council, every year Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times. We use over a billion plastic bags, less than one percent of which are recycled. And according to the EPA, 12.7 million tons of textile waste is generated each year. Only 15% of this is collected for reuse and recycling, the remainder going into landfills.

America Recycles Day is a time to think about how we can recycle and reuse materials of all kinds. I'm thrilled to see young people across the country taking initiative to raise awareness about environmental causes of all kinds, especially recycling. Recently the Student Taskforce for Environmental Partnership (STEP) at Yale University held "Greenfest," on the Yale campus, which educated hundreds of students and alumni about various recycling methods through a series of interactive activities.

11-year-old Eco-Erek, whom I've written about in this column before, collects denim and shoes through drives that he holds across the state of Ohio. This year he collected 2,916 pairs of shoes in an effort to raise money for Project Kaisei, a non-profit raising awareness about ocean debris. He has also collected over 3,800 pieces of denim this year which he will donate to Cotton. From Blue To Green.® where they are manufactured into housing insulation that is used in communities that have been struck by natural disasters. This month Eco-Erek will receive the Environmental Achievement Award from the Ohio Environmental Council.

And now, even some major corporations are showing the willingness to participate at a deeper level than mere window dressings that's common (though not completely unimportant). The apparel company Patagonia launched the Common Threads Initiative recently, focusing on reducing, reusing and recycling clothing and footwear. This is a brave step -- and the right one -- for a company that makes its living off selling new clothes. I assume that just like us, they have realized that environmental issues can be used to boost the bottom-line and the "green-line." I urge you to read more about Patagonia's Common Threads Initiative and join me in applauding their sincere and unprecedented approach to do good for the environment.

There are many ways to celebrate and get involved on America Recycles Day. At USAgain we've chosen to engage with kids through a video contest, which invites K-12 schools to submit short videos (2 minutes or less in length) highlighting how their school is making a difference by 'going green.' We'll award cash prizes to winners and promote the best videos through our online and social media platforms.

America Recycles Day is a day to educate and motivate. It's a day to get neighbors, friends and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when we all work together to raise awareness and make a difference. I encourage everyone, at any age, to get involved with the America Recycles Day through their website. You can find out how they can help you promote your own event. You can also sign their recycling pledge to learn about recycling options in your community and reduce your own personal waste by recycling one new type of material within the month.

Saving Sharps, Saving Money: Recycling Medical Waste

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:08:12 +0100

from Earth 911

How often have you visited the doctor, or had blood drawn, and noticed the nurse drop your syringe or lancet into a box labeled “biohazard?” Consider this: Americans generate 6,600 tons of waste each day and 10 to 15 percent of those used materials include biohazard waste like sharps and syringes.

Now, imagine there was a way to sterilize and renew the plastics and metal that make up those tons of used, dangerous sharp materials. That’s just what Waste Management and BD did.

Used medical sharps are commonly incinerated or treated and discarded in landfills, but new technology has made it possible – and practical – to recycle those sharps. I became passionate about medical waste recycling when Waste Management (WM) partnered with one of the largest medical sharps manufacturers in the world, BD, to tackle the issue.

READ: Discarded Electronics Could Be Next Medical Miracle

Our solution was the BD ecoFinity Life Cycle Solution powered by Waste Management, a system for collecting and recycling used sharps to make new sharps. So far, BD ecoFinity recycles an estimated 70 percent of medical sharps in the waste stream. The process begins when WM collects the sharps collection box full of used sharps.

To prevent injury from disposed sharps, WM does not open the filled containers upon collection. The entire container and contents are sterilized at high temperatures and then shredded. Next, the materials are separated. Metal materials are recovered for recycling and plastic materials are “pelletized” so that they can be used in injection molding for manufacturing more BD Recykleen sharps containers. These sanitary BD Recykleen containers are used in hospitals to collect more used sharps waste and continue the cycle.

Sharps waste is only one piece of the medical waste stream, but recycling programs like BD ecoFinity can have a large impact. As an example, a test of the program at the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Calif., demonstrated that the BD ecoFinity system could divert an estimated 38,000 pounds of sharps waste from landfills annually.

More than 16 billion injections are administered globally each year. Imagine the impact if more hospitals around the world implemented sharps recycling programs. Recycling sharps also does more than save virgin materials and landfill space—it cuts costs for hospitals. American hospitals spend $10 billion annually on waste disposal. This number can be reduced by recycling medical waste, allowing funds to be diverted to other hospital and patient care initiatives.

Recycling medical waste improves sustainability and safety, while also saving hospital resources. It’s a win-win-win solution. Are there any other materials you’ve been surprised to find are recyclable? Will you ask your local hospital if they recycle sharps?”

Noble Elementary recycling pays off

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:07:19 +0100

from Mercury News

Almost fairytale-like, Noble Elementary School this year converted trash into treasure.

But it took a lot more than a fervent wish and a wave of a wand for the Berryessa school to win a $50,000 play structure for the school's empty playground. In a mega-recycling campaign, for one year students and parents saved, sorted and shipped what normally ends up in the trash: empty Doritos bags, Lunchables trays, Elmer's glue bottles, Colgate toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes.

And there was more: Neosporin tubes, tortilla bags and all types of pens and markers. In all, parents collected and sorted into 37 bins items from both home and school, and sent them to Terracycle, a not-for-profit New Jersey company dedicated to recycling the previously unrecyclable.

Last school year, Noble shipped more than 100,000 items that Terracycle turned into fodder for raw materials like plastic lumber and ice chests.

And as often happens when enlisting kids, Noble students, especially the kindergartners, got on board with zeal.

"If you toss something away that was Terracyclable, boy, you were in trouble," said Telma Rangel, the parent who initiated and still oversees the recycling campaign. Even on field trips, kids brought along bags and collected whatever could be diverted from the trash.

Every school day, Rangel, co-chairwoman Season Barrientos and a core of parents collected and sorted the Terracycles. It's a time-consuming and sometimes

messy task. "We hope the kids put just Capri Suns in the bin marked Capri Suns," Rangel said. "Then we can just dump them out and stomp on them."

Noble earned about $2,000 for its efforts. Last summer, the school became one of four campuses in the nation to win one of four play structures, made in part from recycled flip-flops, from Terracycle.

Rangel explained on the survey application why the school deserved a playground: "Because our kids practice being green every day, and they would be honored and thrilled to have a playground made out of flip-flops."

And yes, Terracycle ran a flip-flop recycling campaign last year, collecting the used footwear from customers at Old Navy stores.

But it's not just about money; it's also about environmental lessons and benefits. Instead of the janitor emptying garbage cans six times after the school's staggered lunchtime, now he carries it out only once. Families bringing in recyclables also generate less waste.

Two of Rangel's grown children bring empty bottles and wrappers from their work places. And her husband Gary, serving in Afghanistan, ships his energy-bar wrappers home, reminded by their third-grade daughter Marissa.

On Noble's Yahoo group site, Rangel sends parents reminders: "Halloween's coming up; don't forget to save your candy wrappers."

The new play structure is a daily, tangible reward for their efforts. A few years ago, Noble got rid of its aging out-of-code play structure, and the PTA raised $25,000 to build a new play area and replace the wood chips with recycled rubber chips. But it didn't have enough for a new structure.

"The kids pretty much threw rubber chips at each other," PTA President Manju Ramachandran said. "It's sad, but they're kids!" The PTA still hopes to raise enough to erect an additional structure in the play lot.

Noble is one of more than 40 schools and other organizations in San Jose running what Terracycle calls brigades, or collections of particular items for recycling. And the variety of items destined for a second life is expanding. "Everything comes in a pouch these days. It's easy to put in a lunchbox, but they don't break down in a landfill," said Stacey Cusack of Terracycle.

Many of those throwaways are generated in school lunchrooms, so more schools -- with energetic students and hardworking parents and teachers -- are joining the brigades.

Rangel said she didn't envision how much work the recycling would entail, but the Terracycling, has generated fun and friendships, as well as the play structure.

Green Sky Industries wins recycling award

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:27:54 +0100

from NorthJersey.com

Green Sky Industries, a Clifton-based recycling company with hundreds of municipal and commercial customers, was named one of the state Department of Environmental Protection's annual recycling award winners Thursday.

The DEP cited the company for its "commitment to boosting awareness" about the merits of recycling by bringing recycling lessons to New Jersey classrooms as well as senior citizen groups, local fairs and ecology-based events throughout the state.

"Recycling is one of the best ways for all of us to become engaged in protecting the environment and our natural resources," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in presenting the awards to 10 winners during the 31st New Jersey Recycling Symposium and Awards Luncheon in Neptune. "This year's award recipients prove that we are continuing to think creatively and innovatively when it comes to recycling."

In 1987, New Jersey became the first state to require recycling.

Other award winners included Verizon, Sharp Electronics, the Far Hills Country Day School, TerraCycle and Rutgers University's Department of Environmental Services and Grounds.

Green Sky Industries, a privately held company, was started 45 years ago. It has facilities in Clifton and Carteret. On its website, the company says it is New Jersey's largest private recycler, with 75 municipal contracts covering more than 2 million state residents and hundreds of commercial clients.

The company accepts and processes single stream recycling at both facilities. Single stream pickup of recyclables enables residents to throw cans, paper and plastics into the same bins, which reduces hauling costs and also spurs a higher participation rate in recycling.

The company also specializes in shredding confidential documents and destroying obsolete products. It recently bought a mobile shredding truck.

Hobart receives recycling kudos

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:30:26 +0100

from NWI Times

HOBART | Hobart's ongoing commitment to increase household recycling has been noticed by state officials.

The city of Hobart, School City of Hobart and Lake County Solid Waste Management District were honored with a 2011 Indiana Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.

The certificate of honor was awarded Tuesday at the Lilly Conference Center in Indianapolis.

The award was presented in the Outreach of Education category to Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor and other staff representatives for the Hobart Recycles! partnership.

Hobart Recycles! was established in 2010 to increase the percentage of Hobart households participating in curbside recycling.

Curbside recycling has increased 37 percent and an estimated 75 percent of residents are taking advantage of the city's various recycling opportunities, officials said.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Thomas Easterly presented the award to Hobart and county officials.

"You can be proud of your cooperative endeavor. It's through solid partnerships and initiatives such as this that residents and our environment benefit now and in the years to come," Easterly said.

The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence program was initiated in 1994.

Schriever steps up recycling efforts

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:56:37 +0100

from Schriever Air Force Base News

50th Civil Engineering Squadron

10/19/2011 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Now, more than ever, opportunities are available for residents and businesses to recycle. With the growing population it is becoming critical for everyone to do their part.

>Recycling is an important way for individuals and businesses to reduce waste generated and its negative impact. Recycling conserves natural resources, saves landfill space, conserves energy and reduces water pollution, air pollution and green house gas emissions attributed to global warming.

Together, reducing, reusing, recycling and buying repurposed products make up a comprehensive waste and resource reduction strategy that benefits our natural world and economy.

As the largest user of energy in the federal government the Air Force is leading the way in advocating for conservation and green initiatives.

Locally, as part of the AF goal to reduce its carbon footprint Schriever has stepped up its recycling efforts by providing recycling bins in various locations around base to encourage others to participate in the waste and resource reduction strategy.

The 50th Civil Engineering Environmental office is offering Rubbermaid containers for work centers from: Eight gallon desk side recycle containers to 50 and 95 gallon containers with wheels. Also available is a can crusher with container that can hold 300-400 cans.

Co-mingled or single-stream recycling bins will accept cardboard, metal cans, paper and plastics. Please ensure food debris is removed before placing any material in the recycling container. Never place batteries, fluorescent lamps or bulbs in any recycle or refuse container; these items can be turned in to Doug Chase, 50 CES Environmental Office.

"Schriever's FY11 goal for solid waste disposal and recycling/reuse was 50 percent; sadly the actual amount recycled or reused was well below the goal, coming in at 32.4 percent. The biggest road block to meet this goal is awareness," said Chase.

Last week, new recycling and refuse signs were placed on all dumpsters across base to address any confusion regarding which bins are for recycling. Smaller signs for indoor recycling and refuse containers will soon follow.

Last month, new roll-top containers for recycling toner and inkjet cartridges were placed among the recycling and refuse dumpsters located at Buildings 210 (west end), 300 (east end), 400 (south side) and 720 (southeast corner). Only toner and inkjet cartridges shall be discarded in the roll-top collection bins; any associated cardboard or paper shall be put in a comingled recycling container. For this waste reduction opportunity, personnel can also turn in toner or inkjet cartridges from home.

According to the Air Force Energy Plan it is imperative that the AF creates a culture that is aware of the carbon footprint left behind and still be able to produce combat power, yielding options for America.

Click here for a list of recycling containers avaialble as well as acceptable items for comingled recycling containers. For more information on recycling options contact Chase at 567-4242.

Electronic Recycling: Responsible Ways to Help the Environment

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:43:26 +0100

from Lacey Patch

E-Cycling. No, it’s not a version of extreme bicycling. It's when a person disposes of electronics in a responsible, environmentally friendly way. With so many different gadgets on the market its only a matter of time before they breakdown. Or are replaced by a newer, faster, sleeker model.

In New Jersey, it's actually illegal to discard computers, monitors, televisions and laptops in the general trash. Since Jan. 1, all businesses and households throughout New Jersey must arrange for these items to be recycled, according to state law.

What's this stuff made of, anyway? And how do you recycle it?

In all electronic devices are a certain number of metal and plastic components. Some of these internal parts can be harmful if untreated against weather or moisture. Once an old computer or cell phone is exposed to these conditions in a landfill, process much like degradation occurs. Metal items will rust and leak harmful chemicals into the environment.

Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, commented on how New Jersey residents can responsibly recycle electronics. "We have a website which has information sorted by county, were you can drop off electronics," said Hajna.

The official website of the NJDEP for E-Waste is listed under the Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Program. By clicking http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html you can learn about drop-off sites, what can be recycled and other E-Cycle resources.

Recycling NJ, a website dedicated to proper recycling has a link to where to drop off certain types of electronics. By clicking http://recyclingnj.com/recycle/electronics.html you can read about electronics recycling and what you can do to help the environment. This website even has a few recommendations for selling old electronics that are not ready to be recycled just yet.

In Ocean County, residents can check out the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste's website and search for the best way to recycle your old electronics. By clickinghttp://www.co.ocean.nj.us/SolidWaste/MainPage.aspx go to the "Recycling & Waste" tab near the top of the website and then scroll to the item you are trying to recycle.

For example, computers and televisions are accepted for recycling at the County’s Northern and Southern Recycling Centers.

Residents may bring computers, televisions and associated components Monday through Saturday at either Center from 7:30 am to 3:00 p.m. at no cost.

"A lot of local places like Best Buy and HHGregg and different electronic stores will take E-Waste. A lot of public works departments and county recycling centers take E-Waste." said Hajna, in reference to E-waste.

Another key website to check out for more information about E-Waste is the Campaign for Recycling website: (http://www.campaignforrecycling.org/states/new_jersey/ewaste) Here you will find a lot of information in regards to New Jersey and how you can learn more about the E-Waste dilemma.

Configurable Containers Support Recycling at Every Step

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:56:51 +0100

from Business Wire

AURORA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CleanRiver™ Recycling Solutions, a division of Midpoint International, Inc., has introduced patent-pending waste and recycling containers that are easily configured and reconfigured to meet current and future waste stream requirements. Transition™ TPM Configurable Recycling and Waste Containers can be modified onsite with interchangeable opening plates and movable internal dividers to handle up to four separate types of waste and recyclables in a single unit. These units include 4-color posters and labels that enhance public awareness and improve recycling effectiveness.

“The name Transition is significant because the same container can be used at all stages – from a first step collecting trash or bottles and cans to a full multi-stream recycling and composting program”

Transition™ TPM containers are designed so businesses, institutions and government agencies may implement recycling programs at their own pace and can easily and cost effectively adjust to inevitable changes. “The name Transition is significant because the same container can be used at all stages – from a first step collecting trash or bottles and cans to a full multi-stream recycling and composting program,” said CleanRiver President Dave Jarrett.

Lightweight and portable, Transition TPM Series Recycling and Waste Containers are ideal for cafeterias, banquet halls, dorms, special events, parking garages and other high-traffic areas.

In addition to being stand-alone recycling bins, TPM Series containers have the unique ability to seamlessly and cost-effectively transition into more aesthetically pleasing Transition™ TRH Series recycling stations. The TPM container fits inside the TRH station cabinet and becomes a configurable rigid liner. In addition, the opening plates used with the TPM Series also work with Transition stations.

“Many of our customers identify keeping up with changing waste stream requirements as a significant sustainability challenge. They need to be able to quickly and easily adapt to these changes in order to maximize the return on their recycling investment,” Jarrett added.

Transition TPM Series Recycling and Waste Containers are available in 22-, 36- and 51-gallon sizes. They are molded from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) made from up to 98% recycled content, so the container itself is completely recyclable at the end of its useful life.

Recycling Rising: University Tries Different Methods To Go Green

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:51:03 +0100

from The University Star

Campus recycling has reached new heights since the implementation of a system 10 years ago.

A recycling program of some type has been in effect at Texas State since the 1990s, and most recently the amount of recyclables collected has reach an all-time high.

Students, faculty and staff recycled a total of 272.36 tons of paper and 116 tons of cardboard last year.

“At this point we’re at a record high,” said Jenna Gonzales, website creator and manager for Recycling and Waste Management. Gonzales said recycling on campus has doubled over the last year. This year the university has collected an estimated 80.38 tons of cardboard and approximately 130 tons of mixed paper.

More students are engaged in living environmentally-friendly lifestyles, from reusable water bottles to recycling and organic foods.

From the 1990s to 2010, Texas State recycled by category — paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans and plastics all had separate containers. Last April, Texas State Recycling and Waste Management implemented a new recycling system: single-stream.

Under single-stream recycling, material is divided by type, and all recyclables are dropped into one container. All of the material is loaded into a 30-cubic yard dumpster and then hauled to Texas Disposal Systems.

Since then, the university has recycled approximately 360 cubic yards of loose, non-compacted single-stream material.

Texas Disposal Systems posted promotional videos online to inform residents about single-stream recycling.

Gonzales said single-stream operates a bit differently on campus. She said all empty containers can be placed into any designated single-stream container, and the containers are labeled with a plastic bottle, aluminum or paper sticker.

Recyclable materials include plastics, metal or steel cans, aluminum cans, tin cans and glass bottles. Paper is still recycled in designated paper bins and cardboard should be broken down and placed behind the roll carts.

Gonzales said paper and cardboard are more valuable when kept separated because the university receives a larger return for clean material, which in turn goes back to fund the recycling program.

Taylor Brown, agriculture freshman, said having a color-coded recycling bin in dorm rooms make it easier to recycle.

“It’s not any harder than throwing it away,” Brown said.

In addition to single-stream recycling, Texas State has implemented large cardboard dumpsters at locations on campus.

Recycling and Waste Management sent in a request to formally announce this change to the campus community last week and is awaiting approval.

Looming landfill ban prompts electronics recycling

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:25:58 +0100

from Naperville Sun

That fax machine gave out before your youngest child was born, and now she’s in driver’s ed. There’s really no reason why it is still up in the attic, but if you need another reason to pitch it, consider this: pretty soon it will be illegal to set it on the curb.

On Jan. 1, 2012, Illinois will become one of the 23 states that forbid dumping of electronic waste in landfills.

Required by law to recycle a certain percentage of what they sell, electronics manufacturers will contract with local recycling companies to hit their goals. The recyclers in turn will contract with local collectors — counties, municipalities and private businesses — to gather the materials to be processed.

The money for recyclers comes from the manufacturers as well as the valuable materials contained in electronics: gold, copper and even the plastic used. Sometimes, circuit boards and hard drives can be reused, but if not, the material is recycled.

Although many households have adapted to routinely separating glass, plastics and paper from the rest of their trash and recycling those materials, electronics processing has not kept pace. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, electronic items comprise a relative trickle in the yearly flow seen by the $236 billion recycling industry. Only about 20 percent of the electronic items tossed out each year are recycled, the EPA says. When state law changes at year end, however, interest in the local alternatives for disposing of old televisions, computer monitors and other powered gadgets will surge. Local governments are trying to stay ahead of the curve.

Naperville’s option

Naperville’s electronics drop-off option has caught on very well, according to Beth Lang, strategic services manager for the Public Works Department, who oversees the pilot program. In the five months since the Fort Hill Drive facility opened, residents have brought in more than 100,000 pounds of old gear to be processed, she said.

“It has been extremely successful,” Lang said of the partnership between the city and DuPage County.

Naperville is one of nine county municipalities and townships that have joined forces with the county to collect the items that will be banned as of Jan. 1.

Once they have been dropped off, the materials are moved into a sheltered spot, to preserve those that might remain usable. Creative Recycling Systems hauls away the items and, when it’s feasible, computers and other valuable goods are rebuilt. “They are often given to schools, churches and other nonprofit organization,” Lang said.

The rest is sorted, shredded and processed by entities that recycle metals, plastics and textiles.

Based in Florida, Creative Recycling has a “zero waste” goal.

“Of the thousands of tons of equipment that enter our facilities, less than 1 percent actually enters the waste stream,” the company asserts on its website. “And of that 1 percent, all of it is 100 percent contaminant-free.”

Making it convenient

Convenience is an added value in a pilot program that also began last spring under sponsorship of Will County. The home pick-up service is open to all Naperville residents, including those in DuPage County, said Megan Bistry of Vintage Tech Recyclers Inc. The Romeoville company has processed about 150,000 pounds of electronic goods since the countywide program began in April.

Bistry said a wide array of goods are taken, but televisions comprise the largest portion of the incoming items.

“We get everything, but that’s what we get the most of,” she said.

Naperville residents also drop off a lot of bulky and obsolete TVs, and a lot of people use the option to get rid of old computer monitors.

“We do see our fair share of televisions,” Lang said. “But then we’ll have a day when it seems like everybody is deciding to get rid of their laptops.”

The facility also experienced a spike in old computer components just before school started, suggesting students were being equipped with new hardware, she added.

Once they are brought to the processing warehouses, computers have their hard drives taken out and all information contained on them is erased before they are refurbished for resale or donation, or dismantled for recycling.

“We do recommend that people clean their hard drives off,” Lang said. “However, Creative Recycling does do the data sanitization.”

The company’s practices exceed federal standards designed to protect private data, she added.

Clearing hard drives is optional in the Will County pick up program as well.

“Some people are more comfortable doing it themselves, but either way, the hard drives are wiped clean when we receive them here,” Bistry said.

She said the company hopes to continue the Will County program permanently, and Naperville has a similar vision for its service. Lang said residents have asked for expanded hours; currently items can be dropped off only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While limited resources preclude that at the moment, she is optimistic the program will grow.

“Everything is looking good for it to continue,” she said, adding that details about the drop-off program are being put on an insert going out with utility bills this month. “I think that given the landfill ban, it’s not something that we want to see change.”