New Mexico Recycling Coalition

NMRC Annual Meeting to Address Climate Change in Relation To Recycling, May 23

Our 2007 NMRC Annual Membership Meeting has been scheduled for May 23 at the University of New Mexico Rotunda in Albuquerque and will focus on climate change in regard to recycling as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mark your calendars for May 23 to attend this great networking and educational meeting!

Speakers:

Senator Dede Feldman, keynote speaker

Jim Norton, NM Environment Department Environmental Protection Division Director and Climate Change Executive Task Force committee member

Chuck White, Waste Management expert on climate change and recycling/solid waste implications

You can register online at www.recyclenewmexico.com/Annual_Meeting2007.htm

Recycling Certification Course, May 15-17

Register asap as the May 15-17 Recycling class in Farmington is indeed filling up fast. The next round of Recycling and Composting classes do not return until the Fall.

New Mexico Recycling Listserve

If you are not already on the NMRC listserve, please sign up today at to http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/nmrecycling

As a listserve member, you can expect 1-2 emails weekly with questions about processing or call-outs for material. The NMRC board has committed to making this a useful resource and we encourage all NMRC members to take advantage of a real-time resource for seeking answers to their questions.

If we lost you awhile back, consider re-joining. We now monitor all listserve submittals so you will not be bombarded with irrelevant information.

National Recycling Coalition Conference - Early Bird Deadline April 20

Experience the premier national recycling and sustainability conference in Denver this year from September 16-19, 2007. The first round of early bird discounts is offered until Friday, April 20th, offering NRC members a rate of $445. If you are a regular member of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition, you can receive this discount. If you are a NMRC Associate member, please call English Bird at 983-4470 to be upgraded to the Individual level. The $445 rate saves you $250 off onsite registration rates.

The National Recycling Coalition is pulling together another incredible conference for NRC members and other recycling and sustainability professionals. Here's a sneak preview of some of the exciting features of this year's program:

The addition of several "Featured Sessions" to the schedule that will be like mini-plenary sessions with top-notch speakers on hot-button topics.
The addition of several three-hour workshops to the Monday and Tuesday schedules so you can pick between in-depth training and our traditional educational sessions.
Increasing your networking opportunities, offering attendees more time to directly interact with speakers.
For states like New Mexico, who struggle with rural or low-volume issues, this conference, since it is based in the Rocky Mountain West, will be tailored more to your needs than most of the other NRC conferences.

New Mexico Recycling Business Highlights:

Perennial Toys Launches Recycled Duck Toy

Perennial Toys, a global brand connecting children to earth’s habitat introduced its initial product line just in time for Earth Day 2007.

Initial brochures taunted, “move over rubber ducky…the King Eider has landed.” Rubber ducky may not initially need to worry because the King Eider Habitat gift set is available only online and locally at Explora Museum. The Perennial Toys initial collection displays as New Mexico Bank & Trust’s “business of the month” at the Jefferson and Ellison branch and as a vendor at La Montanita Co-op on Central during Earth Day’s salute on April 22.

The King Eider Habitat Gift Set, the first in the company’s Arctic bath habitat series, includes a King Eider Arctic duck bath toy and an iceberg (both made from phthalate-free plastic containing recycled content) designed by Navajo artist Daryl Tom, baby-duck-shaped natural glycerin soap, an educational coloring book, Arctic 1-2-3 children’s book, King Eider flexible magnet and a drip-dry carry bag for $34.95.

Perennial’s packaging features “Nothing-To-Throw-Away,” a concept that reduces landfill waste and stands as a model for other business. Further, one percent of purchases go to conservation organizations.

Under the direction of Albuquerque’s Holly Hitzemann and Jan Atcitty, Perennial Toys (who is also a member of NMRC) pledges a four-pronged mission that includes the conservation and education of natural resources/endangered species, use of recycled materials, preservation of indigenous cultures and contract with firms hiring disadvantaged or disabled persons. Perennial is also committed to using New Mexican firms and is currently vending to nine local firms and individuals including Navajo artist Daryl Tom, R&R Drafting, Casa de Lobo Modeling, AromaWerks, Peli Packaging, Smart Associates, AlphaGraphics, Carla Hall – writer, and Connecting Point Communications.

Hitzemann plans to release a second Arctic gift set, the Narwhal Habitat Gift Set later this summer when she introduces the River Otter Habitat Gift Set, the first in the River Series. The River Otter series will tie directly to regional efforts, spearheaded by Defenders of Wildlife and Amigos Bravos to re-introduce the river otter to the region.

Perennial Toys are available Explora in Albuquerque or online at www.perennialtoys.com. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Merrigan, 505-280-9772 cell or Email at Maryellen@merrigangroup.com

Stall Chips Product Created with Recycled Cardboard in Clovis

Bob & Regina Dart, owners of High Plains Farm & Ranch Supply, have launched a superior animal bedding product made out of 100% recycled cardboard called Southwest Select Stall Chips. The bedding can be used for a wide range of animals including horses, alpacas, llamas, pigs, goats, sheep, birds and kennel animals. It is absorbent, odor-free and requires less material than conventional bedding products such as wood chips on an annualized basis. The very low dust content of the product and the fact that it does not break down and become dusty under the animals makes this a very healthy alternative for animals living in enclosed environments. The material is also a no-brainer as an excellent compost material after use in the stall.

Production began March 2007, using a shredding system designed and manufactured by International Paper Shredders, Inc. The IPS machines are used primarily in the document destruction industry. The material is conveyed into the machine, where it is initially cut into strips, then diced into smaller chips. Along the way the dust is extracted. A hydraulic ram system compresses the bedding and delivers it into 40 pound bags for distribution. The machinery takes up a small footprint in the warehouse and can be operated by as few as 2 people for limited production runs.

One of the keys to the product and success of the operation is the quality of the cardboard. Dart said that clean, dry cardboard that is free of contaminants such as plastic and staples is the standard that they strive for. Baled cardboard is preferred from an operational efficiency standpoint and we can accept bales ranging in size from just a couple of hundred pounds to 1500 pounds or more. One key in the baling of the cardboard is that it not be compacted in the heavy-duty balers as this crushes the corrugation of the cardboard, which reduces cushion comfort for the animals as well as its absorbency. Dart said that they are working with City of Clovis solid waste management to tap into the cardboard supply that they are diverting from the landfill system. They are also working with some of the area industries that generate cardboard waste in their operations to relieve them of their disposal burdens as well. Even so, they are in need of other sources of raw material supply.

Dart said that as awareness of this new bedding alternative increases and demand grows our need for raw material will continue to increase. Their long-term business model projects raw material requirements of up to 140 tons per month.

If you would like more information about this healthy, environmentally friendly and responsible product please visit www.stallchips.com. If you have cardboard supplies you would like to discuss supplying to the operation please contact Bob Dart at 505-715-4465 or 505-693-5839 or Jim Lysaght at 505-693-3002. E-mail correspondence may be directed to southwestselect@llanocorp.com.

The High Plains Farm & Ranch Supply Stall Chips Production Machinery. The gentlemen are standing near the bagged finished product.

Post-Secondary Institution Recycling Program Training, June 27

The New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau will host a recycling training program targeted at New Mexico's approximately 50 colleges and universities on June 27 in Albuquerque at the UNM Rotunda North. NMED:SWB has

received a grant from the America Forest and Paper Association to fly in AF&PA's 2006 winners for best university recycling programs. The guest speakers will include Jack Debell from University of Colorado, Karyn Kaplan from University of Oregon and Linda McCormick from the University of New Mexico (recipient of the NMRC 2006 Best Post-Secondary Recycler award). For more information, please contact Jill Holbert, NM Environment Department, jill.holbert@state.nm.us or 505-827-0129.

Earth Day Around New Mexico II

Santa Ana: May 12, 10 AM - 4 PM, Environmental Fair, More information from Laura Pena at lpena@santaana.org or 228-6924

Santo Domingo Pueblo is celebrating Earth Day on April 20. There will be presentations by various organizations, informational booths, entertainment, arts & crafts booths, food booths, traditional story-telling, book fair, door prizes, poster contest, essay contest, rock climbing, tree planting, nature tours (bosque area), and we're providing lunch for everyone. We expect over 500+ participants. Any questions call 465-0055.

Sandia National Laboratories is celebrating Earth Day on April 19th this year. Dr. Paul MacCready, famous for inventing the first flying machine powered solely by a human, will be our speaker. Dr. Paul MacCready will be discussing the Future of Transportation. The celebration will also include a variety of displays and demonstrations representing the "virtual house of the future". For example, there will be exhibits on composting, recycling, lighting efficiency, water efficiency, materials to make your home green, and much more.

Albuquerque: La Montanita Co-op Market, Nob Hill, April 22, 10:30AM - 6 PM. Environmental vendors, music and a great family day.

Santa Fe: La Montanita Co-op Market, April 28, 10-2. Turn Off TV, Turn on LIfe Children's Fest. Environmental booths and fun. Join High Desert Worm Ranch who will be displaying their Red Wiggler Teaching Manual. Info at www.lamontanitacoop.com

Red Wriggler Teaching Manual Released

High Desert Worm Ranch, based in McIntosh New Mexico has released an educator's resource entitled "The Red Wriggler Teaching Manual". The guide was written by Ellen Heath in conjunction with her sister Kate Heath, who runs the worm ranch.

Manuals are available for $25 and target different study areas, from science, social studies, math and language arts. A complete educator's kit includes the manual, plastic bin, a 15-inch rubber worm, a brick of coir, a pound of worms and is sold for $65.

More information on the manual and teaching kits set-ups can be found at www.redwrigglerranch.com or call 505-384-5302.

Solid Waste Management Plan Passes EIB

The Environmental Improvement Board heard and passed the Solid Waste Management Plan on Tuesday, April 3. Look for the final version of the Plan at www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swb

Regional Recycling Round-Up

Albuquerque Update: Albuquerque is preparing to launch their new multi-family recycling collection program. They have purchased new automated-bins for the program and hard at work planning the details. Albuquerque's electronics recycling collection event last month netted 78,295 lb (39 tons). The event used Natural Evolution as the electronics processor. An Albuquerque business called Earth Day Recycling will accept CDs/DVDs in any quantity for recycling. Contact Javier Solis at Earth Day Recycling at 505-615-7069.

Rio Rancho Update: In the Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Spring Recycling event, participants brought in even more material than in their fall event. Items collected included: cardboard (3820 lbs), mixed plastics (220 lbs), newspaper (640 lbs), phone books (1200 lbs), aluminum (56 lbs), stainless steel (16 lbs), cell phones (104), eye glasses (260 pairs), hearing aids, tires (258), appliances (141), food/clothing/shoes donated to local charity, ink/print cartridges, electronics (27420 lbs), propane tanks (37) and scrap steel metals (1000 lbs). Congratulations on an amazing collection!

Santa Fe Update: The new MRF facility is holding an open house to the public this weekend on Saturday, April 20th and then a HHW Collection day on Sunday, April 21. More details at www.cajadelrio.com. justin Stockdale, the recycling director for the Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency was interviewed for a national program about rethinking recycling. Following is the link to that podcast: http://www.americathegreen.com/atg-21-rethinking-recycling-with-justin-stockdale/

Los Alamos Update: Los Alamos has approximately 500 lbs. of cafeteria food waste (free of contaminates) per week that needs to be recycled. If you have information on a composting faiclity or pig farmer interested in the material, please contact Angelica Gurule at 606-1638 or agurule@lanl.gov. You can also contact Greg Baker at NMED @ 827-2780 for more information.

Hobbs Update: On March 19, 2007 the City of Hobbs Commission awarded the contract for the construction of a recycling drop off and processing center. The contract for the facility construction and with the baler was just a little over $500,000. It looks like sometime this fall the citizens of Hobbs and the rest of Lea County residents will have a real recycling center. Waste Management is contracted to operate the center for the City and the facility is located on the Waste Management owned closed Hobbs landfill.

Tesuque Update: The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $220,000 to the Pueblo of Tesuque. This grant is part of a multi-year project to enhance the overall ability of the department to provide for the tribe's environmental needs. The funds will be used to provide the tribe with current information pertaining to environmental sciences thereby increasing the technical capacity of the staff to conduct and assess environmental issues as they arise.

We would love to include regular updates on your community's recycling efforts. Please e-mail english@recyclenewmexico.com with your news.

Eight Northern Pueblo Indian Council Logo Contest

The Office of Environmental Technical Assistance needs a new logo and is asking for artists to submit designs by May 25.

Click here for an Informational flyer with complete information.

Call for Composting Papers

The US Composting Council Conference and Tradeshow is slated for February 9-12, 2008 in Oakland, California.

Abstract Submission Deadline: June 15, 2007

Abstract Guidelines available at: Abstract Guidelines

Climate Change Information Re: Recycling

Stop Global Warming

A U.N. climate change report released April 6 details the possible effects of global warming -- food shortages, more hurricanes, more wildfires, coastal flooding and more. Find out what steps you can take to help save the environment and stop global warming.

Reusable Bags
http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/top-tips-stop-global-warming?deeplink_level0=0

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/top-tips-stop-global-warming?deeplink_level0=8

Organics Recycling and Climate Change

In California, a major workshop on 3/19/07 was held by the California Resource Recovery Association regarding "Reducing Greenhouse Gases through Expanded Composting" (see http://www.crra.com/crranews/articles/organic_workshop.html for Powerpoints that are now on line).

EPA Proposes Revision of Solid Waste Definition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a modification to the definition of solid waste to streamline the regulation of hazardous secondary materials. According to the agency, the proposal would provide for the recycling of such materials as solvents, metals and certain other chemicals.

"This proposal recognizes that recycling secondary materials can both help the environment and reduce costs," said Susan Bodine, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, in a press release. "By encouraging legitimate recycling practices that are environmentally protective, this proposal presents a win-win for the environment and the economy."

The agency is accepting public comment on the proposal for 60 days following the proposal's publication in the Federal Register. The docket number is EPA-HZ-RCRA-2002-0031.

For more information on the proposal, visit http://epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/dsw/abr.htm.

Grants

Best Buy Announces Electronics Recycling Grant Program

Large electronics retailer, Best Buy, recently unveiled a recycling grant program to encourage non-profit organizations and communities to host electronics recycling events. Grants will range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the size and scope of each organization's event program and the recycling need in the area. This adds to other Best Buy recycling programs including free drop-off kiosks, recycling events, services and haul-away programs and mail-in cell phone recycling...Read More »

All qualified organizations are invited to apply. Grant applications are available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=725063232472, or via www.bestbuy.com/recycling or www.e4partners.com. Priority will be given to those applications completed by Earth Day, April 22, 2007.

Jobs

Denver Recycles/Solid Waste Management (City and County of Denver) is seeking a program administrator to assist the program manager in the educational operations of the City's solid waste and recycling collection services. Responsibilities include administering educational and promotional programs for the residential solid waste and recycling collection services; operations and education for seasonal and special recycling programs; and providing support in contract management. Hiring Range: $46,440.00 - $57,996.00

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY. For more information or to apply: www.DenverGov.org/jobs

Recycling Tidbits

GAO Report on MSW Recycling

On January 29, 2007, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the report, "Recycling: Additional Efforts Could Increase Municipal Recycling" (GAO-07-37, dated December 29, 2006). The report is available at: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-37.

EPA Earth Day Tips

Green Tips - EPA's Earth Day Web site has tips on everyday choices individuals can make to save energy, reduce waste and use water more efficiently. - http://www.epa.gov/earthday/

San Francisco Bans Plastic Bags

The City of San Francisco passed legislation to ban the use of plastic bags in grocery stores and large chain pharmacies. The law, which is to go into effect in six months to a year, states that any large grocer or pharmacy with more than five locations in the city must issue only bags made of recycled paper, disposable plastic or a free canvas bag. For years the plastic bags, nicknamed "Witches' Knickers" for getting caught in the trees, have been a target of derision since they consume landfill space taking hundreds of years to decompose and increase demand for oil, and are rarely recycled...Read More »

Waste Authority Exchanges Greenhouse Gas Reduction Credits

Through its membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange, the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) conducted the first transatlantic exchange of project-based greenhouse gas credits.

"PURE" the Clean Planet Trust (PURE), London, England, requested the purchase of 7,500 emission reduction credits and will buy them from LCSWMA at a rate of $4.25 per metric ton for a total of $31,875. PURE is a registered charity dedicated to combating climate change through carbon offsetting.

World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association

The World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association is a new non-profit which
is trying to improve recycling exports overseas by adapting principles
similar to "Fair Trade Coffee". More info at www.wr3a.org

Omaha declares recycling education campaign a success

Recycling rates in Omaha, Nebraska rose by over six percent during a four-month public education campaign by the City of Omaha Public Works Department in partnership with the Curbside Value Partnership (Washington). The Omaha PW reported a 40-percent increase in recycling bin requests, as well. The CVP partnered with Omaha to increase the volume and value of recyclable materials collected after a switch to single-stream recycling did not generate the volumes city leaders had hoped. The campaign is ongoing and more information about it is available online at www.omaharecycles.com.

From the Resource Recycling electronic newsletter

E-Scrap 2007: The North American Electronics Recycling Conference

October 24-25, 2007

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

www.e-scrapnews.com

Plastics Recycling 2008: The North American Plastics Recycling Conference

February 26-27, 2008

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL

www.plasticsrecycling.com

Calendar