Recycling in the
News:
"Conference Here Will Encourage State To Recycle"
By Erin Swinney
Special to The Tribune
June 13, 2006
New Mexico must do a
better job of recycling if it wants to live up to its state nickname, said a
national expert on the subject.
Pete Grogan, a
market development manager for Weyerhaeuser Corp., a forest products company in
Federal Way, Wash., said 92 percent of what New Mexicans deposit into the trash
goes to a landfill rather than recycling stations.
That's one of the
reasons New Mexico - the Land of Enchantment - was ranked 42nd in the nation by a
recent national study, Grogan said.
"There are a lot
of arguments out there about why we can't do better at recycling in New Mexico,"
said Grogan. "It's time to start talking about what's possible, followed by
action."
Grogan is among
the speakers at a recycling conference in Albuquerque. It was hosted by
the New Mexico Recycling Coalition, the state Environment Department's Solid
Waste Bureau and the Solid Waste Association of North America. The meeting was
expected to address climate-specific recycling issues for the arid Western and
Midwestern states.
The conference
included talks from members of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition and the
National Recycling Coalition, as well as other recycling authorities. There were tours of recycling and waste reduction facilities in Albuquerque and Santa
Fe.
The recycling
saga begins almost from the moment plastic, glass and other reusable materials
are pitched into the trash bin.
Most recyclables
- provided they are placed in recycling bins in the first place - are sent to
waste management centers to be sorted. Then they are shipped to refineries on
the coasts. The materials are reused in the United States or are sold to
overseas markets to produce recycled goods.
New Mexico ranked
at 42nd, according to a study done by BioCycle Journal of Composting and
Recycling. It was published in the journal's April issue.
However,
recycling experts say New Mexico's problems are not all of its own making. The
state is far from recycling markets on both coasts, meaning transportation fees
drive up the cost for recyclers. The coasts also have easier access to overseas
markets.
Another
contributing factor is New Mexico's small, far-flung population, plus the fact
it doesn't have the funds to support recycling, said English Bird, executive
director of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition.
One-third of the
state's population has access to curbside recycling services for a fee, but less
than half the population takes advantage of it, officials say.
Each Albuquerque
resident contributes about one ton of trash per year to local landfills,
according to the city's Web site.
E. Gifford Stack,
manager of the New Mexico Environment's Solid Waste Bureau, said the survey's
results could be skewed.
Many other states
included retail and automobile recycling in their calculations, which New Mexico
did not. Nevertheless, Stack said the city needs to improve, and he hopes the
conference will promote change.
"This is a
beautiful state, and people have a great opportunity to practice environmental
responsibility here," Grogan said.
New Mexico Recycling Awards
Announced
The Excellence in Recycling Awards were given
during the conference on Wednesday, June 14th in Albuquerque. Awards are given
every other year. The following awardees have excelled in their diligence to
promote recycling and we thank them for their efforts!
Intermediate
Recycling Processor of the Year: Durango McKinley Paper
Company – Albuquerque Facility
Business Recycler of the Year:
Waste Management New Mexico, Inc.
Best New Business Recycler of
the Year: Enchantment Electronic Recycling
County Recycling Program of
the Year: Los Alamos County
Best New County Recycling
Program: Bernalillo County
City Recycling Program of the
Year: Raton Public Works Department and Raton Residents
for Recycling
Organics Recycler of the Year:
Robert Romero and the Feed Bin
Organics Educator of the Year:
Greg Baker
Federal Facility Recycling
Programs of the Year: Holloman Air Force Base and Cannon
Air Force Base
Innovation for Green Building
Using Recycled Materials: Doug Lacy
Tribal Recycling Program of
the Year: Navajo Nation
Primary/Secondary School
Recycling Program of the Year: Erik Johns & Vista Grande
Elementary School
Primary/Secondary School
Recycler of the Year: Mark Cota, Craft Elementary
Post-Secondary School
Recycling Program of the Year: University of New Mexico
Recycling
Public Educator of the Year:
Sam Romo, Central New Mexico Community College
Non-Profit Recycler of the
Year: Rainbow Recycling
Community-Based Recycling
Program of the Year – Placitas Recycling Program
Legislator of the Year:
Senator Dede Feldman
Reuse Organization
of the Year: Jemez House Thrift Store
State Government Recycling
Program of the Year: NM Energy, Minerals and Natural
Resources Department: Energy Conservation and Management Division
Special Recognition:
Nancy Judd
Special
Recognition: E. Gifford Stack
Recycler of
the Year 2005: Regina Wheeler
Recycler of the Year 2006:
Justin Stockdale
Managing Waste
Conference A Success!
By integrating solid waste
and recycling professional to expand the horizons of the regional "Arid Climate
Landfill Symposium", we brought together folks from Wyoming, Texas, Washington,
California, Nebraska, North Dakota, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada,
Arizona and of course New Mexico. The agenda was planned to hopefully equally
balance solid waste issues with recycling handling representative of this
climate and spread-out states.
A First in Recycling
History: Four Past Presidents of the National Recycling Coalition Board
convening at a state conference. Pictured from left: Pete Grogan (Weyerhaeuser),
E. Gifford Stack (NM Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau), Gary Liss
(Gary Liss Associates) and Susan Hubbard (Eureka Recycling). Photo courtesy of
Greg Baker.
We thank everyone involved in
the conference: our sponsors, our 43 exhibitors, the great line-up of keynoters
and session speakers and the attendees.
One of the "active" sessions
that brainstormed on how to effectively handle Construction and Demolition
Debris at the job site and more importantly how the end-market for those
materials could be better developed, will follow-up with a task force of sorts
to continue the conversation. Anyone can join this and when a meeting time and
date is set, probably at the end of summer, NMRC will announce this. Highlight
photos will be posted in the next edition of Scraps.
Also, speakers presentations
have been posted online at
www.recyclenewmexico.com/conference06.htm
Thank you
to our conference sponsors:
New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste
Bureau (co-host)
Roadrunner Chapter of SWANA (co-host)
Weyerhaeuser Company
Dex
Intel New Mexico
Waste Management New
Mexico
Waste Management Recycle America
Whole Foods
Gordon Environmental
Waste Connections
Southwest Landfill
New Mexico Clean and Beautiful
Earthstone International
New Mexico Department of Transportation
Cascade Engineering
Steel Recycling Institute
NM Building Branch, Associated General Contractors
Keep New Mexico Beautiful
Zia Engineering
Can Manufacturers Institute
Intera Incorporated
Hydro Geo Chem Inc
Environmental Solutions and Design
Wal-Mart
The Snow Company
November's
Recycling Awareness Month - Sign Up Today
Although invites are usually
sent out in August/September, the online registration page for State and School
Coordinators is up and running.
For those who have not
participated before in NMRAM, we offer give-aways and informational support for
events you may plan around November 15, America Recycles Day. Many coordinators
sign up and save their materials for Earth Day activities as well. This year's
give-aways include "Recycle New Mexico" recycled-content T-shirts, posters and
recycled-content rulers (care of Dex). We have our initial sponsors on board:
Weyerhaeuser, Dex, Intel, Keep New Mexico Beautiful and this event is always
held in partnership with the New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste
Bureau. We are also pleased to be able to offer the school Recycling Bin Contest
again this year as well.
Sign up today at
www.recyclenewmexico.com/NMRAM_06.htm
Also, the
electronic pledge form is up and working on the national website. And, the
press release and photos from the recent awarding of the America Recycles
2005 National Prize have been posted.
www.americarecyclesday.org
Holy Ghost Catholic
School Recycling Program
As one of 13 recycling bin
awardees last December under the New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month (NMRAM)
program, I received an update on recycling activities at Holy Ghost Catholic
School in Albuquerque. They had developed a recycling club and a plan in the
Spring of 2005 identifying their goals and needs. The bins from the NMRAM
contest, as well as grant money received from Keep NM Beautiful rounded out a
complete recycling collection program for the school, where paper is collected
in each classroom, and plastic bottles and aluminum cans in hallways and special
events. The Recycling Club used NMRAM materials to educate other students,
create recycling games played at events and during trainings as well. The
students have found that continual education is very important and that trash
always seems to end up in the bins. The group meets 3-4 times a month and sounds
like an amazing group of students. Congratulations goes to Dr. Noreen Copeland,
Principal of the school, the club advisor and all the students!
NRC Congress & Expo
Offers Exceptional Educational Program for Recycling Professionals
The agenda for this year's
NRC Congress & Expo in Atlanta on October 22-25, 2006 has more than 35 sessions
organized into four tracks that reflect the types of sessions that NRC members
have asked for. No matter how long you’ve been in the field or what stage your
program is in, you’ll find sessions that meet your needs.
Track #1: Renewing Recycling
Look beyond the status quo and explore the trends and initiatives that could
shape recycling’s future. This track includes sessions on rebranding recycling,
boosting the national recycling rate, climate change, the role of local and
state governments in product stewardship, international economics,
sustainability, and more.
Track #2: How-To’s on Hot
Topics
Get pragmatic tips and tools that help you get the job done right the first
time. You'll find sessions on multi-family recycling, public education, new
technology, food waste composting on college campuses, and much more in this
track.
Track #3: Success Stories
Learn from what the leading organizations and people in recycling are doing, and
how you can join them. This track includes sessions on business and high-rise
office recycling, C&D, small town recycling, industrial by-products recycling,
community composting facilities, and more.
Track #4: Discussions & Debates
Info and ideas will flow in all directions during these interactive,
audience-driven sessions. We'll talk about ways to move stalled programs to new
heights, motivating consumers to recycle electronics, waste prevention,
competition from landfilling, the outlook for commodity prices, and more.
For up-to-date information on the full Congress &
Expo program, hotel information, and registration forms, please visit
www.RecyclingConference.org
or call 202-347-0450.
Electronic Scrap Recycling - More Options
Than Ever in NM
Click here to view the latest recycling
options in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The document also lists national
computer manufacturers with up-to-date take-back plans for these companies.
Dex Phone Recycling
Schedule
Dex hosts a website that
lists phone book collection time periods and locations around the state.
Click here to see when your area is
scheduled for phone book recycling.
Strategic Plan and
Bylaws Online
To view NMRC's 2006 Strategic Plan, click here.
Our
Bylaws have also been posted online.
Nominate A Great
Recycling Retail Center
Do you or your states or
localities know of shopping centers who are leaders in waste prevention or in
recycling? Who have hosted one-time events related to recycling, such as
electronics take-back events? Who have "cutting edge" landscaping? Who reuse or
recycle their C&D waste from renovation? They, or their retail partners, may
want to send in an application for an America's Marketplace Recycles! award from
the International Council of Shopping Centers--this award program has been
developed in conjunction with EPA.
Award applications are due September 1, 2006. This year, they are open
internationally as well as domestically. The following categories are available
for both large and small shopping centers or retailers.
o New Recycling Program Award
o Expansion of an Existing Recycling Program Award
o Outstanding Retailer Award
o Outstanding Shopping Center Owner/Developer Award
o Public Awareness Program Award
o Community Partnership Award
o Innovative Recycling Program Award
In addition, the judging panel will present a special award to the most
outstanding nominee within these seven categories: the ICSC "Recycler of the
Year". For more information and copies of the award applications, check out
ICSC's website at
http://www.icsc.org/government/index.php
In addition, EPA's website for AMR! is at
www.epa.gov/rcc/amr.htm
Hope Pillsbury
Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division pillsbury.hope@epa.gov
(703) 308-7258
NMRC Board Meetings
The next two board meetings
are open to all NMRC Members. To attend, please RSVP to English Bird at
english@recyclenewmexico.com
1) Friday, July 21, 12-3 PM, Ruidoso, Brownbag,
Forest Service office
2) September 22, 12-4 PM, Santa Fe, Location TBA
Recycling Tidbits
Emptying the
Landfills, One Product at a Time
By Sally Deneen, E
Magazine
Posted on June 23, 2006, Printed on June 23,
2006
http://www.alternet.org/story/37959/
Don't throw
away those exercise videos and ubiquitous AOL
CDs. Jim Williams wants you to mail old
videotapes and CDs to him, so that more than 40
disabled staffers at his ACT Recycling in
Columbia, Mo., can recycle them. And, oh, don't
toss out those used Fed-Ex envelopes or broken
smoke detectors -- their manufacturers take them
back for recycling.
Indeed, these
days, it seems that more castoffs than ever can
be recycled. No matter where you live, you can
recycle a wide range of discards -- aseptic
juice packages, printer cartridges, ordinary
batteries, iPods, PDAs and even cell phones.
Surprised?
Recycling has leap-frogged ahead, meaning if you
haven't checked the recycling scene since the
mid-1990s, it's possible that much of what you
thought you knew is wrong. Not only can you
recycle more things, but your discards are very
much in demand, perhaps more than you realize.
Get this:
Recycling and reuse businesses now employ about
as many people as the auto industry if not more,
according to a 2001 "U.S. Recycling Economic
Information Study" commissioned by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and several
states through an agreement with the National
Recycling Coalition. At least 1.1 million people
now work in the industry, more than triple the
jobs in mining. BusinessWeek in February
pegged the number of auto factory workers at
about 950,000. Demand from industrializing China
and India is helping spur the U.S. recycling
industry, which now provides a "major source of
raw materials," according to Jerry Powell,
editor of Resource Recycling magazine.
"Without
recycling, given current virgin raw material
supplies, we could not print the daily
newspaper, build a car, or ship a product in a
cardboard box," says Powell. "Recycling is not
some feel-good activity; it is one of the
backbones of global economic development." To
his way of thinking, recovering castoffs and
putting them to good use "are key ingredients to
industrial growth and stability."
Article
continues...click on link above to read complete
story.
Packaging
Reduction Tips
The Oregon DEQ,
with assistance from Metro (the regional
government of the Portland metropolitan area),
has developed a web site to help businesses
prevent waste associated with packaging. The
web site,
http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/packaging/index.htm,
includes descriptions of different methods for
reducing packaging waste, checklists for
evaluating packaging, and other information
including a primer on foreign packaging waste
prevention regulations that impact U.S.
businesses selling packaged goods abroad. The
web site also includes case studies of
businesses in Oregon and elsewhere which are
saving thousands – and in some cases millions –
of dollars each year through packaging
improvements. While the contents of the web
site borrow from some existing packaging
resources, many of the case studies,
descriptions of "best practices" and other fact
sheets are original. Recycling considerations
are included, but the site is strongly focused
on prevention and reuse.
Compact
Flourescent Campaign
Link to the web
page for Environmental Defense's new "Make the
Switch" campaign, seeking to encourage Americans
to replace one million standard light bulbs with
energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs:
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/go/maketheswitch
|
Calendar
**July 21, NMRC Board Meeting,
Ruidoso, 12-3 PM. All members welcome.
RSVP to English Bird
**August 11, Recycling
Alliance meeting. 9AM-Noon, Albuquerque. Topic will be
legislative opportunities for Recycling and Illegal Dumping.
RSVP to Gretchen Brewer at NMED at
gretchen.brewer@state.nm.us
**September 8, Recycling
Alliance meeting. 9AM-Noon, Albuquerque. RSVP to
Gretchen Brewer at NMED at
gretchen.brewer@state.nm.us
**September 22, NMRC Board Meeting,
Santa Fe. 12-4 PM. All members welcome.
RSVP to English Bird
**October
22-25, NRC Congress, Atlanta
**Dec 8-9, NMRC Board Retreat
at Sevilleta
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
