Senator Dede Feldman & Representative Jeanette Wallace Bring In $1 Million Recycling Bill

 

A bill supporting recycling has been introduced in the NM Legislature under Senator Dede Feldman's (SB193) and Representative Jeanette Wallace's (HB184) sponsorship. The legislation, titled "Local Recycling and Waste Collection Assistance Act", would specifically fund recycling, diversion, household hazardous waste and electronic waste collection from a one-time $1 million appropriation. If legislation is passed, the grant funds will become available in 2008.

 

For current information check out our Bills webpage at www.recyclenewmexico.com/Bills.htm.

 

Taos Uses Crushed Glass for Snowy Roadways

 

During the recent snowstorms, the Town of Taos has creatively been using their stockpiled glass. Barry Gober, Town of Taos Recycling Director, sets his Andela GP-1 Pulverizer to the smallest, beach sand size to create a fine material that is then blended with salt by the Taos Streets Department. The Streets Department actually must first screen the fine glass material to remove any large pieces before mixing and applying. Barry is careful that no safety glass enter the pulverizer and with a large percentage of the glass being clear, the product mixes almost seamlessly with the salt. In spring, the street cleaners come through to clean up an left-over residue. Normally the Town of Taos gives away small quantities of crushed glass or sells it for $5/yard for dumptruck loads. Many local home builders request colored bottles, and the recycling staff sets those bottles aside. Barry says the the salt/glass mix adds extra traction and helps conserve the salt.

 

For more information, contact Barry Gober at bgober@taosgov.com or 758-9679. 

 

Recycling Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

 

Using data from EPA's Climate Change website, NMRC has created a New Mexico-based Fact Sheet detailing the benefits that recycling brings to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thus supports the mitigation of climate change affects.

 

Recycling, with it's conservation of natural resource extraction, is able to reduce large quantities of energy expense and emissions with the re-use of materials. By diverting materials from the landfill, reduced methane emissions can be calculated as well. Ton for ton, recycling reduces more pollution, saves more energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions more than any other solid waste management option.

 

Using data from NM's 2005 quantity of 117,000 tons of material recycled, we can estimate that the equivalent of 40,000 cars were removed from the road in greenhouse gas emission savings.

 

For more complete information, online resources and a chart detailing the different amounts of energy saved per commodity, click here to download the NMRC Fact Sheet. This is also posted on our website home page.

2007 Recycling and Composting Facility Operator Certification Class Schedule Set

The class schedule for the certification courses has been set for 2007 as follows:

Compost Facility Course:

April 17-19, Ruidoso Downs (limited to 30 seats so register asap!)

October 23-25, Albuquerque

 

Recycling Facility Course:

May 15-17, Farmington

December 4-6, Albuquerque

A registration flyer will be mailed out early February. You can register at any time online at www.recyclenewmexico.com/cert_classes

Save the Date! NMRC Annual Meeting Scheduled May 23

 

Our 2007 NMRC Annual Membership Meeting has been scheduled for May 23 at the University of New Mexico Rotunda in Albuquerque. We will most likely hold the meeting in the morning with a brief membership meeting and then a couple guest speakers. We will announce the topic theme in the next round of Scraps.

 

For now, mark your calendars for May 23 to attend this great networking and educational meeting!

 

 

 

Presidential Executive Order Supports Recycling

 

On January 24th, 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Executive Order,
"Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation
Management." The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency,
acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable
energy, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water
conservation. In addition the order requires more widespread use of
Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and
continually improve these sustainable practices. "This is a timely and
strategic step forward, building upon the many and notable accomplishments
of the Federal community. As a result, we will be more efficient and
effective in meeting our mission, while at the same time leading by example
in the areas of environmental and energy stewardship", said Edwin Pinero,
Federal Environmental Executive.

For a copy of the E.O., please go to:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070124-2.html
 

Glass Use in New York

by Brenda Grober, Environmental Services Unit, Empire State Development

New York has found few if any adverse impacts that can be tied to the use of processed, recycled glass in roadway or any other applications.

During the past 15 years or so, the State of NY (Empire State Development, NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Syracuse University, Columbia University, etc.) has invested in several R&D projects looking at beneficial uses of glass aggregate in all kinds of applications, including road sub-base, embankment construction, as a drainage and/or filtration media, as a component of asphalt, as a component of concrete, as a blast media, as a landscape media, etc. What we've found, in general, is that crushed, processed container glass between 1/2 -3/8" is not sharp and does not pose a threat to those handling it. It does not pose respiratory concerns like silica sand, as Bob Kirby noted in his response. It is an inert material that does not chemically react or bind with other materials.

To the contrary, recycled glass aggregate and sand serves well in all of these end uses. The biggest stumbling block for us to greater use remains the cost to sort, crush and clean the material. Another drawback to the use of glass in these types of applications is the need to have thousands of tons of material available at one time in close proximity to the user. Most of the DOT-related uses require lots of glass all at once.

Even so, our DOT does have specifications in place for several of these applications, and when they can find enough material in one place that meets the spec at the right price, they are using it. Our Central NY DOT regional office has even used recycled glass to help control non-point source runoff along roadways (see attachments). It cost less than traditional aggregates used by DOT in roadside drainage projects and proved to be better at capturing particulates because of its angularity (typical alternative aggregates are more rounded) and a suggested negative charge imparted to the glass during processing that helps attract positively charged contaminants.

Also, feel free to contact Mr. Chris Anderson at NYS DOT's Syracuse Regional Office. He also has several power point presentations and data on projects using glass to date. He can be reached at (315) 428-4628 or canderson@gw.dot.state.ny.us

In addition, another great resource and a company we've helped with R&D, and now capital assistance, Andela Tool & Machine can offer information about recycled glass end-uses, the chemical and physical properties of processed glass (they did their own MSDS assessment) and examples of the use of glass in any of these applications. Andela, which started as a glass processing equipment manufacturer that has branched into glass processing and sales, has a lot of history trying to develop, test and promote glass in alternative end-use applications. Feel free to reach out to Cynthia Andela for more information at (315) 858-0055 or andela@recycle.net 

Brenda Grober
(518) 292-5342
bgrober@empire.state.ny.us

Ronald McDonald House Introduces New Mexico Pop Tab Recycling Program
 

WHY POP TABS?
Pop tabs are easily removed from the can and allow any individual or community group to participate. Tabs are smaller and cleaner than cans, taking up less precious storage space.

Many schools have become involved in the program as service projects or as a learning tool in the classroom. Children especially like the program because it’s a way that they can help other children.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE MONEY?
When a sufficient quantity of pop tabs are accumulated a volunteer at the New Mexico Ronald McDonald House takes the load to a local recycling center where the tabs are turned into cash.

The money raised from this project is used to provide miscellaneous food and household goods for use by the families that stay at the House.

WHAT SERVICE DOES THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE PROVIDE?
When a child is seriously ill or injured and cannot receive the needed medical care in their own community, the family is sent to Albuquerque to seek treatment. The New Mexico Ronald McDonald House is an 18-bedroom facility where families live while their child receives medical care.

We are their “home away from home” where they can sleep, cook a hot meal, do their laundry and still be close to the hospital. Sometimes the child is in the hospital and sometimes the ill child stays at the House while receiving treatment.

We appreciate your help in collecting pop tabs and raising money to support the New Mexico Ronald McDonald House.

 

To participate contact: Stella Lavis, Events & Marketing Manager, Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico, 1011 Yale NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, phone (505) 925-2220, salavis@comcast.net, www.rmhc-nm.org 
 

Regional Recycling Round-Up

 

Albuquerque Update: The city moves forward in preparation for their multi-family recycling program, requiring recycling service to buildings with 25+ units. Mayor Martin Chavez will soon release a Sustainable Green City initiative that includes Albuquerque becoming a Zero Waste community. The solid waste division is also looking into holding 3-4 electronic waste collection events for the public this year.

 

University of New Mexico Update: UNM Recycling received a $4000 grant from the UNM Vice President for Student Affairs to build and
install two outdoor recycling/trash collection units. The units were drafted and will be built by the UNM Physical Plant Department from
specifications furnished by the Recycling Department. The units will have four sections with individual lids and will be filled from the top: one section will be for commingled aluminum/plastic/glass/tin cans; one section will be for newspaper/white paper/mixed paper. The other two sections will be for trash. The units will be constructed from recycled content plastic lumber and will use recycled steel drums as internal receptacles.

Las Cruces Update: After piloting curbside collection in two neighborhoods, the city council has voted to place the program on hold due to funding issues. A recycling center is currently under construction as part of the city's transfer station and should be completed in 2007.

 

Santa Fe Update: The Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency hopes to open their Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the next week for operation.

 

Gallup Update: The McKinley County Citizens Council has finally encourage a local recycling business to accept glass for recycling. Gallup now has venues to recycle paper, newspaper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum and glass.

 

Southwest Solid Waste Authority Update: Silver City is looking into implementing a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) collection system. SWSWA, in partnership with Phelps Dodge, has completed abatement of over 36,000 illegally dumped and stored tires on private property in North Hurley.   The partnership was part of an agreement between Phelps Dodge Tyrone, Inc. and SWSWA. 

 

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

 

Phone Book Recycling Update

 

With the help of many local partners, Dex is pleased to promote phone book recycling options in Albuquerque (including Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, etc) from December 28, 2006 through February 17, 2007.  Dex Phone book recycling is available during phone book delivery.  Visitwww.dexonline.com/recycle to search for specific drop-off locations and collection dates for Albuquerque and cities around New Mexico.

 

 

Jobs

 

UNM Safety Officer

UNM is advertising for a University Safety Officer. This is a new position that will manage all the EH&S efforts at UNM. The position closes on 2/2/7. Check the UNM Human Resources website for details. www.unm.edu
 

NMED:Solid Waste Bureau Permit Section Manager

In the New Mexico Environment Department's Solid Waste Bureau, the position of Manager for Permit Section is being advertised via the State Personnel Office (SPO).  You may examine the job description, requirements, and application procedures on the Solid Waste Bureau website, http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/SWB/employmentopp.htm.  Or, you may visit the SPO website, http://www.spo.state.nm.us/NMState_Recruitment/NMRecruitment_JobSearch.htm, click on the Search and Apply for Jobs Online box at bottom right, and scroll to either January 18 date, or job ID # 4971 (note: the search function is - unfortunately - not always working).   Applications close at the end of the day, February 5, 2007.   

 

 

Calendar

 

**February 20, C&D Recycling Task Force Meeting, 9:30 AM, ABQ. RSVP to english@recyclenewmexico.com

**March 16, NMRC Board Meeting, Santa Fe, 12-4 PM

**March 29, CFRP Training for Forest Professionals, Ruidoso Downs. More info from sarah@recyclenewmexico.com

**May 23, NMRC Annual Meeting and Workshop, UNM Rotunda North, Morning

**July 20, NMRC Board Meeting, Rio Rancho, 12-4 PM

**September 16-19, National Recycling Coalition Congress, Denver

**September 21, NMRC Board Meeting, Los Alamos, 12-4 PM

**Nov 30-Dec 1, NMRC Board Retreat, Albuquerque area

 

 

If you have questions about any of the above information or have articles for future Recycling Scraps, please e-mail or call me. 

 

English Bird

Executive Director

New Mexico Recycling Coalition

PO Box 24364, Santa Fe, NM 87502

english@recyclenewmexico.com

(505) 983-4470

Fax (505) 466-6266