Summer 2014
Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania
WANTED EMPTY STEEL AEROSOL CANS
Steel Recycling Institute
ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
Reinford Farms Discovers Greater Sustainability
WE RECYCLE GLASS. We have beneficially re-used industrial by-products since the 1930’s, making us one of America’s original “green” recyclers. We provide a solution to site waste removal, material handling, and cost reduction by engineering “green” uses mainly for the abrasives and roofing marketplaces, but also a variety of additional applications ranging from paint to pozzolanic glass powders.
HAVE GLASS TO RECYCLE? CALL OUR SOURCING MANAGER TO DISCUSS. 1-888-733-3646
NEED A CRUSHED GLASS PRODUCT? WE OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS AND SIZES 1-888-733-3646
• Air blast abrasives • Filtration media • Aggregate for: - concrete - clay brick - fiberglass insulation - paint & coatings Located in Orwigsburg, PA
100% Recycled for 95 years
Ask About Our Single Stream Recycling Option We purchase all grades of recoverable paper for use in our 100% recycled paper mill. We purchase Aluminum Cans, Plastics, Scrap Iron and Metals. We spot roll-off containers, provide gaylord boxes, wheeled hampers and totes. We provide secure off-site document destruction.
6101 Tacony Street Philadelphia, PA 19135
www.newmanpaperboard.com David.Newman@newmanpaperboard.com 215.333.8700 | Fax 215.332.8586
Let us customize a recycling program for your specific needs.
We look forward to hearing from you!
215.333.8700
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Summer 2014
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Anaerobic Digester Reinford Farms Discovers Greater Sustainability
DEPARTMENTS
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President’s Message Member Spotlight
Newman & Company, Inc.
A hundred years of recycled paperboard in Philadelphia
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FEATURES
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Education Penn Waste’s Commitment to Recycling Education Through Original Programs
WANTED:
Empty Steel Aerosol Cans
Plastic Bag Adventures In Centre County Waste Reduction & Recycling in Schools Our Story: Riverside Elementary WEST
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Sustainability County of Erie Waste Diversion Anaerobic Digester Reinford Farms Discovers Greater Sustainability
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Household Hazardous Waste Household Chemical Collections in Western Pennsylvania
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Stewardship
Visit proprecycles.org for Legislative Updates & Reports
The Value of Partnerships in Recycling & Waste Management Palmer Township Transitions to a Fully Automated Program WANTED: Empty Steel Aerosol Cans
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proprecycles.org
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717.236.0800
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112 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania’s mission and purpose is to operate a non-profit non-partisan statewide association of recycling professionals dedicated to promoting and enhancing the recycling, organics management, and waste reduction programs in Pennsylvania.
2013-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee Brenda Schmidt President
Charles Raudenbush, Jr. Vice President
Art Feltes Secretary
Joanne Shafer Treasurer
Robert Watts Ex Officio
Board Members
President’s Message ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
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ROP’s 24th Annual Recycling and Organics Conference promises to be an exciting time for our attendees and exhibitors.This year’s conference takes place July 23rd–25th, 2014 in Washington, PA. Our Conference Committee and the PROP staff have been hard at work hammering out the details. We’re sure to have something for everyone.
What I’m most excited about are our sessions. We’ve lined up national level speakers so that you’ll hear what’s going on around the nation. SWANA, KAB, and NRC will all share the stage as we focus on following the industry’s leaders. Our “Innovative and Successful Programs” certification class will highlight local folks who made a difference in an interesting way. And, our friends at the PA Department of Environmental Protection will provide us with an update. How about that! Information on local, state, and national level programs, all in one place. We’ve planned a very cool class called “Is there an App for That?” This session exposes you to computer programs, applications, and websites that will make your life easier.You’re sure to find me in that session!
Barbara Baker
DEP 902 Grants
Robert Bylone
Did you know that DEP announced a new round of 902 grants? Yahoo! That’s yet another reason to be at the conference. What a great opportunity to visit with vendors and see new and exciting products that you might want to add to your program.
Michael Crist Sally Conklin Jason Yorks Walt Davenport Ellen Keefe Terry Keene Michele Nestor Peter Previte Ann Saurman
Board Elections We are closing in on PROP’s Annual Meeting, which will be your last chance to nominate someone to run for the Board. If you, or someone you know, would like to share your/their time, talents, and treasures with PROP, then be sure to make your nomination from the floor during our Annual Meeting on July 23rd.
Chris Kaasmann Joy Smallwood The written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction of articles or images online or in print without first obtaining written permission from Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc., and/or the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania is prohibited.
Twenty Five Years…and counting Make plans to be in Harrisburg in 2015 for our 25th Annual Recycling and Organics Conference. We’ve already booked the Best Western Premier, the Central Hotel and Conference Center for July 29th–31st, 2015. It’s a wonderful facility that is easy to get to, has great parking, and fabulous food.We’re already working on programming that is sure to be top notch!
Brenda Schmidt President
Susan Lewis, PhD, Editor HOFFMANN PUBLISHING GROUP, INC. Tracy Hoffmann, Publisher 610.685.0914 x201 • Tracy@HoffPubs.com 2921 Windmill Road, Reading, PA
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, not for profit, non-government organization established to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
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WE WANT YOUR RECYCLED AND USED CLOTHING
Hydration at its finest Weis Quality Spring Water bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic. Our passion is to preserve what nature provides.
We buy recycled clothing and consult recyclers, charities, non-profits, church, and school groups throughout North America. We will visit your facility at no charge to facilitate a collection program. We buy used clothing by the pound and will project your financial return on recycled clothing.
Central States Used Clothing www.weismarkets.com • fb.com/WeisMarkets
Jon Harvey / 313.279.0234 harvey@centralstatesusedclothing.com
PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 5
Spr ing 201 4
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PENN WASTE’S COMMITMENT TO RECYCLING EDUCATION Through Original Programs
Kathryn Ross, Director of Sales and Marketing
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O
ver the past two years Penn Waste has reinforced its commitment to reducing the impact of waste streams by setting new recycling standards. In particular, it embraced the expansion of materials collected in single stream recycling for both residential and commercial customers in central Pennsylvania. For example, Penn Waste was the first company in the region to publicly and proactively accept all cleaned plastic
materials 1–7, no matter the neck size, in single stream. It was also first to actively promote the inclusion of aerosol cans and unlimited cardboard collection. Scott Wagner, president and owner of Penn Waste explains that, “as a best practices company, we feel it is our responsibility and obligation to research and invest in new recycling capabilities that will benefit the Central PA region
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by continually decreasing the amount of materials in the trash stream through reassignment into the recycling stream.” Since Penn Waste now accepts a rapidly expanding array of recyclables, it recognizes that many residents do not know how to identify all the items they may now recycle. To assist in this challenge, namely community education, Penn Waste has created two custom programs. Each focuses on supporting recycling education and awareness in residential communities. “What is meaningful to me,” said Amanda Davidson, Marketing Manager “is that Penn Waste, and Scott Wagner in particular, has made a significant investment in education, rather than only focusing on new business acquisitions. These educational efforts exemplify Penn Waste’s commitment to our communities on the deepest level.”
Classroom Education In the fall of 2013 Penn Waste met with leaders from the Central York School District (York, PA) to present its creation of a recycling education module. What evolved from the initial meeting has been a year-long project in which Penn Waste partners and mentors a team of students to create a series of student led, educational programs in support of core curriculum requirements. After eight months of diligent efforts by the team, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The program design has evolved dramatically from proposed concept to actual implementation. The most important change is that instead of the content being created and taught by adults, the program is now one created by students, for students and led by students in the classrooms. In collaboration with an advisor from the school, Kathryn Ross and Amanda Davidson of Penn Waste meet regularly with the four students who form the nucleus of the new program. Ross and Davidson help coach the students and support their progress. During the spring semester, the core team brought in reinforcements from
the school’s Optimist Club. These additional students helped with the classroom events and are becoming part of the 2014–2015 academic year’s program. They call themselves the “Penn Waste Recycling Team.” Comprised of students in multiple grade levels the group represents the future of the program, and as such, promotes the program’s long-term plan for its expansion as the students develop their knowledge base and leadership skills. During the 2013–2014 school year the Penn Waste Recycling Team created three classroom modules that they tested in third, seventh and ninth grade classrooms. Students and teachers offered overwhelmingly positive feedback. Pre and post surveys indicated increased knowledge and appreciation of what can be recycled, how to prepare recyclables, how materials are recycled, what recycled materials become, and why it is important to recycle. While content and activities for each of these programs were designed specifically to be grade appropriate, they all followed a common outline. The in-class events were completely led by the students. Sessions were held at the beginning of each program, continued on page 8
Spring Cleaning? Penn Waste accepts unlimited amounts of recycling… • Paper, Paperboard and Cardboard – Recycle any size! Any quantity! • Break down boxes as flat as possible • High winds or wet weather?
If possible, please keep your recyclables until the next week. Wet paper products are difficult to process.
Local Company. Local Commitment. Printed on recycled paper. Billing/Newsletter Insert 03/2013
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Looking forward to 2016 and beyond, the ultimate goal of the student team is to create programs that could be replicated easily by other school districts. These programs would help ensure that youth continually learn about recycling at key points in their education with the hope that it would affect long-term behavioral change with students, their households and their communities.
TV Educational Segments providing an opportunity for attendees to share what they knew about recycling and what they would like to learn about it. The students then broke into teams of six to eight students and participated in rotating stations of interactive educational games on recycling and recyclables. The seventh and ninth grade programs also featured grade-appropriate clips from the award-winning feature documentary Trashed, featuring Jeremy Irons. In three schools, a very positive response to the classroom events prompted the principals of the schools to ask the students to develop grade-wide presentations and interactive sessions for the 2014–2015 school year. Due to their impressive accomplishments, the students and their programs were recognized by their school board in May, 2014.
Taking a page from NBC’s The More You Know television campaign, Penn Waste created a series of six segments designed to broaden the communities’ understanding of the vast array of materials that can be recycled. The goal for each segment was to present everyday items in seasonally specific or situational settings. Sometimes people inadvertently place items into the waste stream due to habit or because they do not realize that new versions of items are indeed recyclable. Presenting items in their situational settings helps people better understand and remember the range of things that can be recycled. For example, one segment on household items was set in a laundry area with containers for household cleaning arranged for easy viewing. For seasonal awareness, the November segment was on holiday baking and highlighted how the containers and packaging for many kitchen
MAHANTANGO ENTERPRISES, INC. Rubber Recycling Facility
19 years on the job as the curbside container for Commingled Recycling, Yard Waste and Solid Waste. The has proven itself to be durable, economical and versatile. 5 capacities 3 lid options 8 standard colors 2 hot stamp areas
A Pennsylvania Corporation manufacturing the in Pennsylvania
T.M. Fitzgerald & Associates tmfitzgerald.com
1.888.795.0660 | 1.610.853.2008 | fax: 1.610.789.5168 850 West Chester Pike, Suite 303 | Havertown, PA 19083-4442
8 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
• SCRAP TIRE RECYCLING • CLEANUPS & COLLECTION • MANUFACTURER OF LANDSCAPE & PLAYGROUND MULCH • TDF (Tire Derived Fuel) • HORSE ARENA FOOTING • ASPHALT RUBBER • ATHLETIC FIELDS
MAHANTANGO ENTERPRISES, INC. 2100 Old Trail Rd., Liverpool, PA 17045
717.444.3788
www.mahantango.com
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ingredients are recyclable. These 30-second spots ran on two regional stations and had a monthly reach of over 500,000 households and nearly one million adults, meaning each of the six informational segments had a significant regional viewership. Many viewers of the television spots commented that the segments influenced dialog within their homes about what can be recycled and about items they didn’t realize they could recycle. With such feedback Penn Waste feels that the segments accomplished their goal—to get people talking about recycling and sharing what they learned within their sphere of influence. Hopefully this will spur a change of habits within their homes.
To view or link to all six videos, http://www.pennwaste.com/resources/videos
“We have found that most people are open to recycling and will recycle more items— as long as they are able to identify the items as ones that should be recycled. Cans and plastic bottles are no brainers, now we want to get aerosols, metals, other plastics and all sizes of cardboard as top of mind recyclables. Our goal is to create the ‘Did you know that is recyclable?’ dialog within our homes and communities. I am proud that Penn Waste is the regional leader who has taken up this flag for best community practices.” –Scott Wagner
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in Centre County Schools
A Bag’s Life—School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge Amy Schirf, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority Mimi Cooper, Centre Region Council of Governments
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ecycling plastic bags is pretty elementary stuff, right? In fact, it is so simple that 16 schools in Pennsylvania’s State College Area School District showed us how to do it—and in a very competitive way. The initiative called A Bag’s Life —School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge started on Valentine’s Day 2014. It kicked off with a whole lotta love for Mother Earth—and a ton of unexpected snow! The contest challenged students to collect as many plastic bags and plastic wraps as possible for recycling over an eight week period. Schools became creative in meeting the Challenge. Parents sent in bags with their children to school. Students and parents visited local grocery stores to see if they could have their stash of bags for the Challenge and they approached area businesses to see if they had any film lying around that they might have. After a hard fought, wonderful competition, the names of two winning 10 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
Gray’s Woods Elementary students helping to load van.
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schools were announced on Earth Day at a press conference attended by local media, elected officials and representatives from the school district. The Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge began as a national initiative of the Trex Company. Mimi Joy Cooper with the Centre Region Council of Governments and Amy Schirf of Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority organized the effort at the local level. Their hope was that the competition would springboard the message that residents need to recycle their plastic bags and wraps at retail stores, not in their curbside bin. “You can’t just toss bags into a curbside recycling bin,” said Cooper. “It’s really a matter of training us all to take plastic bags and plastic wraps back when we shop at the store. Most retail stores have bins designated for recycling bags. We just need to remember to do it, and there’s no better way to learn than through our children.” Partners in this competition included: the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, the Centre Region Council of Governments, State College Borough, the Trex Company, Weis Markets, Lowe’s Home Improvement and A Bag’s Life. They were all instrumental in the success of the Challenge with donations of time and resources.
All of the plastic bags collected by the schools were baled and taken to Weis Market’s Distribution Center where they will be sent to Trex and then made into plastic lumber.
For participating, each school received a Trex bench (made from 10,000 plastic bags), which was donated by Weis Markets. Additionally, each school received a birdhouse made from—you guessed it— recycled plastic bags and wraps. The winning schools, Park Forest Elementary and Gray’s Woods Elementary, received the bragging rights, enough Trex lumber (donated by Lowe’s) to make a raised garden bed, Weis Choice Compost to fill the bed and $50 in “seed” money to help their garden grow. Park Forest collected the most bags overall (1,497 pounds) and Gray’s Woods collected the most per capita (3.80 pounds per student). Honorable Mention went to CLC Charter School for a close second and an unbelievable effort!
THE CHALLENGE Approximately 4,000 students from the 16 schools competed in the eight-week challenge, recycling a total of 5,631 pounds of plastic bags and film. That’s approximately 360,000 bags.
The 16 participating schools the Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge: CLC Charter School
Lemont Elementary
Corl Street Elementary
Mt. Nittany Elementary
Easterly Parkway Elementary
Nittany Christian School
Ferguson Township Elementary
Nittany Valley Charter School
The State College Friends School
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School
The Goddard School
Park Forest Elementary
Gray’s Woods Elementary
Radio Park Elementary
Houserville Elementary
The Young Scholars of Central PA Charter School
The best part of the Challenge was seeing the excitement of the students. The kids really enjoyed collecting plastic bags and learning about different types of plastic and film that can be recycled. One parent noted that “this competition has changed my life.” Whether or not this will become a yearly competition remains to be seen. However, many schools continue to collect plastic bags and film for recycling at their local grocery stores, which is a wonderful result of this initiative.
On a nationwide level, the School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge boasts the participation of 424 schools that collected over 131,000 pounds of plastic. This translates into approximately 9,779,625 plastic bags being recycled and saved from landfills! This is an outstanding achievement and we commend all the schools for their participation.
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WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING Our Story: Riverside Elementary WEST Paul M. Brennan, Superintendent of Schools Scott Pentasuglio, Principal Riverside Elementary WEST
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t is not by coincidence that the WE in our logo at Riverside Elementary WEST is highlighted. Our recycling efforts have been a success story of shared leadership in action at our school. It reflects the efforts and commitment of our students, teachers, and maintenance staff to make recycling an important priority and to the fact that we are not satisfied with status quo recycling.
Over a period of several years as Riverside WEST enhanced its recycling program, its visibility and competitive energy increased. Today, with a school population of less than four hundred, our school in Taylor, Pennsylvania is out to prove that a small organization can make a big difference! Our district has always recycled, but we knew that there was room for improvement. A few years ago we conducted an audit of our recycling efforts. It revealed that our program was not really very good at all. We were paying two maintenance workers to take multiple trips in a pickup truck to a recycling plant ten miles away. We received no payment for our delivery. More importantly, we needed that manpower in our buildings and the time it took it was precious. 12 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
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At first we took baby steps. We entered a few recycling competitions while we were shopping around for a recycling center that paid. We were able to win some local paper recycling competitions. We also found a recycler that paid a decent rate, and our travel was reduced. In the spring of 2011, we made a connection that would change how we recycle for good. We created a partnership with Anthracite Recycling in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The company agreed to drop off a three compartment roll-off at our school, pick it up when it was full, and drop it back later. They also agreed to pay us a relatively high rate because we were a school. The company is easy to work with and seems as eager as we are to educate our students about the importance of recycling.
students. It is important to ask for feedback periodically from both your students and your staff members. This should be included in the mission of your green team. It is just as important to communicate in a way that is motivating and positive. Our students at WEST have daily responsibilities in recycling their brown breakfast bags, water bottles and Capri Sun containers. They also take active roles within their classrooms to monitor the white paper recycling containers. In past years, recycled art projects have been taken on by students and posted throughout the school. There were also teachers stepping forward to go above and beyond and ran their own green initiatives. Heidi Singleman (a Kindergarten teacher) started a juice pouch recycling program through Terra Cycle. This allowed us to recycle a product that our kids used every day. Shawn Murphy (a fourth grade teacher), targeted our breakfast program. We continue to recycle everything down to the brown bags that the grab and go breakfast is served in. It is amazing to see how fast little things add up. In 2012 and 2013, Riverside Elementary WEST again won the GreenSylvania Paper Award, marking three years in row that our school finished in first place. Additionally, in 2012 we placed first in Pennsylvania and fourth in the nation in Recycle-Bowl, a nationwide recycling competition sponsored by Keep America Beautiful. Our goals are now shifting toward a focus on awareness of recycling and the success schools can have if they get involved. This article is a first step toward that focus as we challenge you and your school/organization to take action and make a difference!
Shortly thereafter, we won the 2011 GreenSylvania Paper Award, a statewide, school competition sponsored by the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP). That year, we also won the Waste Watchers award, also sponsored by PROP. Our success in these competitions enhanced our commitment to making a difference in recycling. We got involved in related activities, such as increasing awareness by door hanging houses (a process in which we put recycling literature on the door knobs of local houses), creating signs to promote awareness with local businesses, and partnering with a local non-profit (Vikings Helping Vikings, Inc.) to host a Holiday Wrap Up. Effective communication is the cornerstone of our program. It is crucial to focus on it constantly. A lack of communication is an easy way to crush morale amongst your staff members and PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 13
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COUNTY OF ERIE
Waste Diversion
Don Blakesley, County Recycling Coordinator Jessica James, Millcreek Recycling Coordinator
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he County of Erie had relied on disposal by landfills as the preferred method of waste diversion prior to Act 101 of 1988. Demographically, the county is made up of 38 municipalities with the bulk of the population centered in the City of Erie, and with only six of its municipalities mandated to recycle. Since 2006, the landscape for waste diversion has advanced to include single stream recycling, leaf & yard waste collection, and in some cases food waste collection. Additionally, several area businesses have begun to see environmental and economic benefits to their bottom lines as a result of changes prompted Drop-off Recycling Centers by the recent sustainability movement.
In 2013, RecyclErie signed up its most unique Crew Member, The Flagship Brig Niagara, a replica of the famous battleship during the 200th anniversary of the “Battle of Lake Erie.” The Niagara was outfitted with recycling bins and is now recognized as the only floating Crew Member of RecyclErie!
These centers operate 24/7 in four rural locations in the county.
Over a period of a few years, the Erie County Recycling Program initiated several new programs. Designed by the County Recycling Coordinator, these programs include:
HHW & E-waste Collection Center
The Center provides monthly collections of 30 types of e-waste and 15 types of household hazardous waste (HHW).
Backyard Composting Classes
This required two-hour training provides a free compost bin. To date, it has trained 350 households.
Annual Recycling Summit
The County Recycling Coordinator develops a State of the County address on the previous year’s recycling & waste tonnages. It also presents awards for the best municipal, commercial and residential recycling programs and the Christine Yurkovic Environmental Excellence Award.
RecyclErie
This initiative promotes incentive-based participation programs for bars, restaurants, and businesses, offering perks such as recycling bins, window decals, certificates, and free advertising for new commercial recyclers, or ‘crew members’.
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The County continues to concentrate on developing effective and efficient recycling opportunities. The 2014 revision to the County Solid Waste Plan will focus on commercial food waste diversion, development of commercial composting infrastructure, increasing multi-municipal curbside collection programs, small business recycling, residential and institutional composting, and an end to the sole reliance of landfilling.
Millfair Compost & Recycling Center The municipalities of Millcreek and Fairview townships have been exploring the addition of food waste to their current composting practices. Their common interest led to a joint venture, the Millfair Compost & Recycling Center. This Center demonstrates that multi-municipal, cooperative programs can and do work for the benefit of their citizens and the County. In addition to residential leaf and yard waste, the complex accepts (for a fee) materials from commercial landscapers and tree services. It sells several sizes of mulch, compost, and wood chips to any county resident. Due to overwhelming demand, the compost product typically sells out by mid-May of each year. This is only 45 days after its opening day on April 1st. The addition of food waste from several small food generators could provide a much needed source of compostable material to lengthen their marketing past late spring.
New Challenges As food waste becomes the 100-pound gorilla to waste diversion, the County will need a commercial composting operation to divert the enormous volumes of food waste generated by colleges and schools, retail grocers, restaurants and medical centers. Also, in the event of a natural disaster, there is not adequate capacity to handle large volumes of storm debris that a centralized location could be expected to accommodate. Statistically, the County’s recycling rate has stayed fairly constant at 28% over the
past eight years. Reaching the 30% or even 35% level will require new multimunicipal curbside recycling programs in rural areas, improved commercial data collection, and continuation of waste diversion efforts through composting and HHW/E-waste programs.
up. This will bring in a new industry: landfill mining (i.e. excavating closed landfill cells to recover the metals, plastics, and other valuable materials). This may seem like a radical approach, but once materials are recovered, new airspace is created, allowing for new waste to be deposited.
Even with the planned revisions to the County Solid Waste Plan, meeting the challenges for 2014 and beyond will require financial commitments from the County, municipalities and local resources. While we cannot forecast with certainty any long-range changes in County needs or population, Erie County plans to be ready for any future growth or influx of population due to migration changes. Erie County has abundant resources, especially land and water. Coupled with an affordable cost-of-living, these characteristics make it an attractive location for businesses.
Finally, at some point, through legislation or local demand, counties, municipalities and private industry will need to provide opportunities and resources (or new tools) to allow us to keep pace with the everchanging waste stream as well as finding new ways to finance these ventures.
Recyclable materials that have been deposited in landfills over the last 40 years will have renewed value as virgin sources dry
Moving Into Retirement:
As this seasoned County Coordinator moves on to perfect my golf game in 2015, I am hopeful that my replacement will continue the work I’ve laid out and put some of those “New Tools” in their bag to meet the new challenges of the day. See you on the first tee, FORE! -Don Blakesley PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 15
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Anaerobic Digester
Reinford Farms Discovers Greater Sustainability
Brett Reinford
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eople often know that their food comes from local farmers, but they may not know that their electricity could have also been created by farms.
At Reinford Farms (a dairy farm) we decided that we would not only milk cows but also create electricity with the help of our anaerobic digester (AD). Since 2008, our farm has been using manure from our 500 dairy cows and combining it with food waste to create a renewable source of electricity sufficient to run our business and about 80 homes.
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We started researching anaerobic digesters in 2006 because we were intrigued by their odor reducing capabilities. What we discovered was that the AD not only reduces odors and produces electricity, but it is a great way to make our farm more sustainable. In fact, many of the things that we are now doing with the AD, we only discovered after we had installed it. We now capture the vast amount of heat the generator produces to heat our house, water, workshop and barns, virtually eliminating the need for fuel oil on our farm. We use the heat to dry our corn, which saves us money on feed costs. Our calves are healthier because we feed them a milk that is pasteurized with the heat from the AD. We did not initially realize all the sustainability benefits that the AD provided for our farm, but are able to use it to pursue more sustainable farming practices.
routine maintenance work. If too much methane gas is produced, it is flared and the gas is burned before it reaches the atmosphere.
Perhaps the biggest environmental benefit is that the AD gives us the ability to recycle pre-consumer food waste. For the last five years our digester has been processing 3,000 to 4,000 tons of food waste per year. Most of the food waste is coming from several large grocery store chains in Pennsylvania. We take a product that would normally be headed for a landfill and use it to create electricity and heat. With many grocery chains looking to divert food waste from landfills, our AD offers them a great option that meets their zero waste-to-landfill objectives and is an environmentally friendly alternative. An anaerobic digester is not a large mechanical machine but rather a controlled environment that allows the natural process of decomposition to do most of the work. The AD works like this: Manure and off-site food waste is collected on the farm. The manure is collected at the end of each barn and flows into a mixing tank. The food waste is brought in by semi-trucks and dumped in a holding tank before it is chopped up by a grinder and put into the mixing tank. The manure and food waste are mixed together and every 4 hours the digester is “fed� automatically from the mixing tank with several thousand gallons of new slurry. On our farm, the AD unit is an insulated in-ground concrete tank, 80 feet in diameter and 16 feet deep. Inside the tank, the manure is heated to 102 degrees and agitated for about 23 days. Naturally created microorganisms feed on the manure and food waste and create methane during the decomposition process.
The slurry that flows out of the digester is then separated by a bio-separator. The liquid, which has a reduced odor, is used as a nutrient fertilizer for our farm’s 1,100 crop land acres. The solids are a nutrient-rich compost that we sell or use for a soft, pathogenfree bedding for our cows. For more than five years, Reinford Farms has used its anaerobic digester to make the farm more community and environmentally friendly. The digester gives our farm an opportunity to promote the agriculture industry and sustainability practices that some farms are now using in the state and throughout the nation. There are costs to purchasing and maintaining an AD but it offers many benefits and can help farms become more sustainable and profitable. In Pennsylvania there are less than 35 farms with anaerobic digesters. Through our partnership with supermarkets and grocery stores, we are able to provide an environmentally-friendly way to process food waste that makes sense for both our partners and our farm.
Methane is collected from the top of the digester and pumped to our methane engine and generator that is made from an old diesel bulldozer engine. The generator runs 24/7 and is only shut down for PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 17
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Household Chemical Collections
Michael Stepaniak Environmental Program Coordinator, Pennsylvania Resources Council
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n 1962, the scientist/environmentalist/ writer, Rachel Carson, said that for the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death. The statement was true then and remains true today. Common and not-so-common household chemical products often pose a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents of Pennsylvania and the nation. If disposed of improperly, these substances can contaminate groundwater and lead to poisonings and other mishaps. Illegal dumpsites pose additional contamination problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average household can accumulate in excess of 100 pounds of common household chemicals including paints and solvents, automotive fluids, pesticides and herbicides, caustic household cleaners, plus a variety of more exotic highly toxic products. So how can residents safely, responsibly, and cost-effectively dispose of these materials? The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) is the Commonwealth's oldest citizen action environmental organization. Its western regional office, located in Pittsburgh, has been providing practical disposal options for these materials in western Pennsylvania since 2003. In fact, 18 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
in Western Pennsylvania
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Over an eleven year period, statistical information gathered at PRC collection events indicates that there is an estimated 100+ million pounds of chemical products in Allegheny County homes alone! The reach of the program has included events in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Somerset, Venango, and Washington counties. All collections are open to any resident of Pennsylvania regardless of their county of residence. Accordingly, PRC regularly sees individuals from adjoining counties participating in the collections, thus making their actual reach much broader than just the host counties. continued on page 20
the Household Chemical and Pharmaceutical Collection (HHC) Program (formerly the Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force) was established as a project of PRC early in 2002 “to facilitate the proper collection and disposal of household hazardous waste and minimize its generation through education in Southwestern Pennsylvania.” The HHC Program was created to fill in numerous gaps in the environmental and human health sectors of the region – namely securing funding, organizing, and running collection events for a variety of materials, educating the public, and forging partnerships among individuals representing governmental, private, and public organizations. Since 2003 PRC and its partners and sponsors have facilitated 71 household chemical and stand-alone pharmaceutical collections in nine counties, capturing well in excess of 3.75 million pounds of materials from over 38,000 households.
On May 3, 2014, the Allegheny County Household Chemical Collection at the North Park swimming pool parking lot attracted 1,308 vehicles and captured over 117,000 pounds of materials.
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The Program’s efforts have been recognized at the local, state and national levels. A partial list of honors includes the President’s Volunteer Service Award, several Pennsylvania Waste Watcher Awards, Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award, and the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
One of the largest and well-established programs of its type in Pennsylvania, PRC handles materials in a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally sound fashion. Proper disposal of chemicals and pharmaceuticals is only half of the problem, however. The other half is educating residents on the health and environmental impact of these materials, on how to minimize their generation, and on how selecting more healthful alternatives could provide the biggest positive impact to their quality of life and environmental well-being. PRC works to educate the public through the distribution of printed and online materials, its website www.prc.org, a dedicated phone hotline (412) 488-7452, educational workshops and presentations, and collaborative projects with local and regional organizations. PRC is committed to facilitating, organizing, and implementing sustainable Household Chemical and Pharmaceutical collections throughout western PA. It is currently working toward establishing a permanent drop-off facility to better serve the public. The overarching goals of this program continue to be two-fold: first, to provide affordable, safe, environmentally sound, and readily available disposal options, and second, to educate residents about minimizing the amounts of waste generated, as well as the health effects of using toxic materials, and alternatives to toxic products.
Recycled Plastics Management Post-Consumer Post-Industrial 1610 Russell Road • Lebanon Pennsylvania 17046
www.goglra.org
Phone (717) 867-5790 Fax (717) 867-5798
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CAPABILITIES
MATERIAL
PROCESSING
LOGISTICS
Materials Sourcing Supplier Relations Brokerage Service Excess Inventory Mgt Product Destruction
HDPE LDPE PP EPS PC
Sorting Baling Shredding Grinding Pelletizing
Transportation Site Containers Warehousing Exporting Mgt Inspections
E-Mail: info@goglra.org
Jeff Fitch
jsfitch@fitchenvironmental.com 215.600.0760 x301 Devon, PA
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The Value of Partnerships in Recycling and Waste Management
Bicky Redman, Project Coordinator for the Adams County Office of Planning and Development
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dams County is a rural area, 520 square miles in size with a 2010 Census population of 101,407. Funding support for waste and recycling programs in the County was impacted when local government lost the ability to assess administrative fees on disposed waste. Therefore, one of the greatest challenges facing Adams County is “doing more with less” and this has led to its partnering with the broader community. In so doing, the County is better able to meet the changing needs of its citizens.
The 34 individual municipalities in the County, comprising 13 boroughs and 21 townships, are responsible for the collection of residents’ waste. In 1996, several of the municipalities approached Adams County in hopes of forming a partnership in which the County would develop and bid waste collection contracts on their behalf. This partnership has become so successful that Adams County now bids for a total of twenty municipalities. The cooperative bid process has led to reduced costs for the municipalities and has furthered the County’s goal of providing additional recycling opportunities for residents. Residents also have an opportunity to recycle free of charge with the Adams Rescue Mission (ARM), a nonprofit homeless shelter and recycling center operating in Adams County. The County’s
partnership with ARM has proven invaluable over the years, and although ARM has offered recycling services to the community since the 1970’s, Adams County’s formal partnership with ARM began in 1992. A series of ongoing County-sponsored 902 grants from the PA Department of Environmental Protection helped fund collection vehicles and processing equipment. Now ARM services residential curbside and drop-off collection sites, while also furnishing services to commercial entities throughout the County.
Another ongoing partnership developed in 1996 with the PA Department of ARM’s partnership with Adams County Agriculture (PDA). Farmers in the County has evolved over the years and ARM has were frustrated that waste haulers would always been willing to meet needs within the no longer allow empty plastic pesticide community. Thinking containers to be placed for collection with back to the early 90’s, regular trash—the only other option was residents wanted an burning (which violates state law.) PDA in option for recycling partnership with Adams County answered their Christmas trees. the challenge by providing funding and ARM stepped up, staffing of a pilot program for recycling the and for a number of containers. Now PDA offers this program years, hosted a drop- across Pennsylvania. off program that processed discarded Another community need met through trees into mulch. In a partnership resulted in the annual the late 90’s, ARM shred-it event, sponsored by ACNB Bank. again responded as the electronics boom Many residents were fearful of disposing began to create an avalanche of discarded of records that contained sensitive and computers. The Mission offered several confidential information, and therefore, successful drop-off collection events at saved documents for years. In 2008, ACNB that time. Again, in 2012, in response stepped up to the plate, along with the to a request from Adams County, ARM administrative assistance of the County, responded ahead of the mandate of the and offered their first shred-it event. That Covered Device Recycling Act and became first event was an overwhelming success as the County’s designated drop-off site for hundreds of residents turned out with boxes recycling of electronic waste. continued on page 22 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 21
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full of materials. Now coordinating this effort on their own each year, ACNB continues to offer this program to meet the ongoing needs of the community. Improper disposal of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals is an emerging issue within the community. It has created concerns regarding safety and adverse effects on the environment. A partnership was formed involving local law enforcement, Adams County, and Collaborating For Youth (CFY), a drug-free community coalition, to address this issue. Working together, this group held their first take back medication collection in 2010. Since that time, the group has held subsequent drop-off events twice each year under the organizational guidance of CFY. The County has also been very successful in partnering with the Adams County Conservation District and the Adams County Department of Probation Services to offer an annual tire recycling event. By only charging participants one dollar per tire and obtaining matching funds from DEP, the County and its partners have managed to eliminate unsightly piles of tires while reducing the potential threat of West Nile Virus. In 2003, Gettysburg College, Adams County and United Way of Adams County took on the task of reducing the trash discarded by college students moving off campus at the end of the school year, and they vowed to eliminate the numerous roll-off dumpsters used for that purpose. After much planning and a few field trips to Penn State’s main campus to learn from the experts, ‘Operation Move Out’ was developed. In its first year, ten tons of saleable items were donated and sold to benefit United Way’s mission to assist the community. Usable food items and personal care products were also accepted and given to local shelters and low-income families. Today the ‘Operation Move Out’ program is known as the “Give it up for Good” sale. Donations have greatly increased over the years along with support to the United Way. By now, you are probably beginning to understand the power of partnerships. Partnerships play an important role and are especially important to those counties or communities that may find themselves not included as a line item in a budget or that do not generate fees from operating disposal facilities. We have to be creative and reach out to local, state and federal partners to meet the needs of our residents. 22 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
Solid Waste, Recycling, and Composting Specialists
full-service environmental and engineering support services composting and organics solid waste plans and feasibility studies recycling programs and evaluations facility designs and permits waste audits and waste minimization RFPs and contracting grant assistance
Camp Hill • 717-737-8326 www.BartonandLoguidice.com
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waste—some of which was from sources outside their community and likely to create a costly problem in the future. As Palmer approached the end of a seven-year, all-inclusive, unlimited waste and recycling contract, township Manager, Christopher Christman, and Recycling Coordinator, Cynthia Oatis, knew they needed to take a hard look at what they could do differently in the next contract. A first step was to establish a set of goals for a new recycling program. After careful investigation and discussions with residents, the environmental steering committee, municipal officials, and Palmer’s Board of Supervisors, the Township developed the following goals for a new contract:
PALMER TOWNSHIP Transitions to a Fully Automated Program
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ocated in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Palmer Township in Northampton County lies just west of Easton. It covers an area of 10.7 square miles and is home to approximately 7,000 households. Categorized as a second class township, Palmer was mandated to recycle under PA Act 101 when the law was enacted in 1988. As with so many townships, Palmer sought a way to best comply with the mandate and to find effective ways to manage its waste and recycling program. So beginning in the 1990s, the Township implemented a single-hauler municipal contract. Although the program worked well for years, Palmer eventually faced some challenges that prompted it to change. This story of its transition to a fully automated waste and recycling program in 2013 offers some interesting considerations and insights.
It is a story of working together, careful investigation, and commitment to making a new process work for the benefit of the entire community.
A Time for Change With its curbside program in place since the 1990s, the recycling tonnages for Palmer remained relatively strong well into 2005, hovering close to the national average. However, despite aggressive education programs, numbers began to decline and correspondingly, so did Act 101 performance grant funding. This prompted Palmer to give serious thought to the situation. The Township identified several reasons for the shift, including its curbside acceptance of an unlimited amount of
• Maintain or improve existing level of service • Improve hauling safety • Control costs and create more equitable program • Reduce waste going to the landfill • Implement single-stream recycling with capability to add other recyclables • Increase the amount of recycling and corresponding grant awards • Position itself for best possible pricing, for the present and future The potential benefits of these goals are evident. If implemented they would position the municipality well for the future with respect to trash and recycling and present a fresh and sustainable approach. Moving ahead required an understanding of the changing economics of the trash hauling business. continued on page 24 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 23
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Investigating the Options Cynthia Oatis, Palmer’s recycling coordinator, researched waste and recycling programs including pay-as-you-throw, various incentive-based recycling options, and automated collection. She spoke directly with numerous haulers, automated cart manufacturers, and approximately 50 communities that had implemented automated programs in order to assess some of the challenges and benefits of the transition.
Waste disposal costs are driven by several factors, but one significant cost is associated with hauling the trash to the landfill. A second factor is the costs associated with building and operating landfills to meet the latest environmental standards. New landfills are simply not being built in this region of the country. With neither of these factors expected to change, the best option for controlling costs in the future is to decrease waste and increase recycling.
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It became clear that automation could help Palmer achieve its goals for enhancing the existing program. For example, automation was the safest option. The U.S. Department of Labor statistics indicates that trash and recycling workers are among the top five in the most deadly job category. With automated collection, the worker stays housed in the cab, so the risk of injury and death are lessened tremendously. This translates to reduced workman’s compensation claims and lower insurance rates for the haulers. Automation would also increase route collection productivity and provide a cleaner curbside appearance. It significantly reduces litter resulting from animals and “scrappers” tearing open bags, or the winds blowing over containers. Palmer’s Board of Supervisors carefully reviewed the research findings and felt strongly that the benefits of a program like this would outweigh the predictable initial resistance on the part of the residents. It also decided to change the parameters of the bid process for the program. The decision to move forward with this progressive approach was unanimous. Palmer would institute a fully automated trash and recycling process.
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A New Bidding Process
The New Program
In the past, the Township structured the bidding process based on one criterion—the successful bidder would assume the costs associated with the collection of waste and recycling from the curb, the disposal of the waste, and the marketing of the recyclables. This time, the township chose to completely redesign the bid process. Instead of having a single contract, Palmer divided the bidding process into three separate specifications. One would be for the landfill disposal of the waste; the second would be the marketing of recyclables; and, the third would be for curbside collection and hauling of the waste and recyclables, including the cost of automated carts for waste and recycling collection.
Palmer’s Board of Supervisors made the progressive decision to provide each of Palmer’s 7,000 households with two 96-gallon automated carts—one for waste and another for recycling. Special collections would be created for bulk waste, white goods, yard waste, and volume (i.e. moving) needs. Reasonable estimates of these items were included in the contract, while excessive amounts would be charged directly to the resident by the hauler, making large waste producers responsible for the cost of their waste. This option also rewarded those that were recycling responsibly. These changes met the goal of making the program more equitable. Waste would be limited to the one 96-gallon waste cart, collected weekly, which would encourage recycling, grasscycling, and donations to local non-profit organizations. The 96-gallon recycling cart made single stream recycling very easy—allowing plenty of space for all recyclables; and newspapers, magazines, and cardboard materials no longer needed to be bundled. The Township was also able to add carton recycling to its program.
Education of the New Program Education for this new program began in the spring of 2012 and continued for a full year. The Township’s recycling coordinator and the environmental steering committee placed articles in the Township’s newsletters, hosted public meetings, and spoke to civic groups, churches, and other volunteer organizations. Some opposition surfaced throughout the year, and it focused mainly on the size of the proposed 96-gallon automated carts. At first glance, the large toters appeared large and unwieldy, but once the residents had the chance to physically move them around, their concerns diminished. Oatis recalls a lovely but adamant senior citizen who diligently attended every public meeting and vehemently expressed her displeasure with the new program. “I ran into her recently and though she still doesn’t love the large size of the carts, she has learned how to maneuver them. And she is thrilled with the cleaner streets, the cost reduction, and the ease of the new recycling program.”
A New Waste and Recycling Program Begins By dividing the bids in this manner, it increased competition and enabled the Township to more accurately measure its improvement/ performance through the years. Palmer would be directly receiving the revenue associated with selling their recyclables. All of this would help municipal officials and residents better understand the economics and sustainability benefits of recycling. As planned, Palmer Township awarded three contracts in the fall of 2012 to separate companies.
This new and exciting waste and recycling initiative began on May 1, 2013, converting a manual residential curbside collection to a fully automated one. Over the course of approximately three weeks, 14,000 carts were delivered by the Township. Oatis’ research on transitioning to fully-automated collection indicated that the first 30 days tended to be rough. She commented, “I learned a great deal about customer service, patience, and the need to take frequent deep breaths!” Despite extensive, earlier educational efforts, Oatis fielded non-stop calls from residents asking logistical and how-to questions, insisting they hadn’t heard anything about continued on page 26 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 25
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the program, or were furious about the size of the carts, etc. At first, calls inundated Oatis and the administrative staff, but after the first 30 days, things improved significantly. As the kinks were worked out and the residents learned how to use and store their carts, the complaints sharply declined.
One Year Later May 1, 2014 marked the one-year anniversary of the new initiative. The 2013 data (with only 8 months of the new program,) shows major increases in recycling and major decreases in waste and program costs. Palmer’s curbside recycling diversion rate has gone from 17.34% to 26.45%. Similarly, the amount of waste that went to the landfill in 2013 dropped 2000 tons from 2012. The Township’s program costs have dropped dramatically from a fixed monthly cost of $163,850 to an average monthly cost of $124,260, moving towards a $500,000 per year savings. The numbers are expected to climb once the contract has been in place for a full calendar year. It is important to note that these program expenses include the amortized cost of the 14,000 carts, but do not include the $250,000 PA DEP grant that Palmer was awarded to offset the cost of implementing this program. The yearly cost to residents dropped from $309 to $280 per year.
while offering significant, long-term economic and environmental benefits to the community. The services essentially remained the same, the curbside appearance and litter problems vastly improved, waste tonnages decreased, and recycling tonnages increased. Palmer Township now receives revenue on its recyclables. Together all of these factors have contributed to lowering the overall program cost.
Palmer Township considers its new program an overwhelming success, but it will continue to fine tune and make adjustments as *For more information of Palmer Township contact needed. It now has a highly successful waste and recycling program Cynthia Oatis at coatis@palmertwp.com that meets all the goals set forth by the municipality. The new program provides a safer, more equitable, cost-efficient service
Quick Facts During the first year of Palmer’s new contract (including the worst winter in 20 years) of a total of 14,000 carts, only seven had to be replaced: one due to a collapsed roof; one destroyed in a car accident; one lid left open, filled with water and froze; another was punctured, probably by a plow. Three more carts were replaced when they melted as a result of residents placing hot ashes in them. Out of 7,100 households, only five have requested a second waste cart. Six have requested an additional recycling cart. 53 residents have availed themselves of the special collection option of having the sanitation worker come up to their garage, take their containers to the truck and empty them, and then return them to the garage. This service is available for elderly, infirmed, or handicapped residents who cannot handle the carts. The biggest area of impact was on the yard waste recovery facility which has received significantly more brush, etc. as a result of residents no longer being able to trash these materials.
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Empty Steel Aerosol Cans Casey Fenton, Steel Recycling Institute
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erosol products are a way of modern life. Whether it’s keeping the mosquitos away in summertime, spraying pans to keep food from sticking or cleaning around the home, families use a vast array of aerosol products in almost every room of the house. Aerosols have also not contained chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) since the 70’s, making it safer than ever to spray away. Yet, when it comes to end-of-life disposal of a container, many consumers simply throw it away, or are left holding an empty steel can wondering what to do next.
According to Greg Crawford, Executive Director of the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), it’s as simple as developing a new habit. “Many aerosol products aren’t in the kitchen where a lot of household recyclables are generated; they’re in the bathroom or the other side of the house, and this creates a little bit of a disconnect.” To help bridge that disconnect, many steel aerosol cans now have a “please recycle when empty” logo to help consumers learn how to properly recycle them. But, local recycling programs looking to maximize the diversion of recyclables from landfills also need to better inform consumers that steel aerosol containers are easily recyclable once emptied through normal use. continued on page 28 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 27
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Most large curbside programs today accept empty steel aerosol cans, but many rural or low population areas lag behind for no compelling reason other than habit. In fact, these containers, when empty, are every bit as recyclable as the steel food can millions of consumers routinely put in their recycling bins.
Some program managers for curbside or drop-off programs are uncertain as to whether steel aerosol should be included with other steel cans; the fear is they may not be entirely empty. “By way of formal testing by the Steel Recycling Institute,” explained Crawford,
Another misconception is that the use of these aerosol products are hazardous due to CFCs. In fact, beginning in 1975, aerosol industry leaders set a new standard by eliminating CFCs from aerosols. This became law in 1978, requiring virtually all aerosol products to be CFC-free. However, a Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO) study shows that nearly 70% of Americans still believe that aerosol products harm the ozone. In fact, aerosol can technology is now an advanced and safe packaging method. The contents are mixed and delivered at the appropriate pre-measured flow. The sealed container and valve mechanism are airtight so the product always stays fresh, won’t become contaminated, leak or spill. They are also tamper resistant and tamper-evident. “We have programs that have been maximizing their steel can diversion by including empty steel aerosol cans for over 20 years. All without incident,” says SRI General Manager David Keeling. “These
When materials in curbside recycling bins are picked up and taken away, they first go to a material recovery facility (MRF). At the MRF, recyclables are loaded on a sorting line. Aerosols, like all steel products, are magnetically attracted. Virtually all MRF’s have magnetic belts which they use to automatically separate steel recyclables. This magnetic belt pulls the steel products out of the line and directs them into a different bin. According to the Steel Recycling Institute’s National Recycling Database, there are over 21,000 locations that accept steel cans, but only a third of those actively publicize their acceptance of aerosol cans. With the help of the SRI, steel food and “we’ve determined that the steel aerosol cans beverage cans have risen from a 15 percent sourced from households are statistically not recycling rate in 1988 to an all-time high of just empty but very empty. The reason they’re 71 percent in 2012. Since the infrastructure empty is because people don’t buy them to already exists for recycling all steel cans, throw away full cans, they use the product empty steel aerosol cans go right along with to its last ‘breath.’ The efficacy of aerosols the flow of other steel cans in the recycling as a package is excellent since virtually all process. And the only thing needed is some of the product stays fresh and usable until education and encouragement. the contents are finally exhausted.” 28 PA Recycler SUMMER 2014
program managers are simply amazed that all collection programs don’t include empty [steel] aerosol cans. They consider it a ‘no brainer.’” For every ton of steel recycled, it conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. It also conserves energy and valuable landfill space.
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Even a single steel can conserves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for four hours. Clearly, every ounce of steel is valuable and it is vitally important not to miss any opportunity to conserve it. Almost every household has some type of steel aerosol can present. People buy them because they are reliable product containers and are effective at their intended purpose. However, once their useful life comes to an end, consumers should take that extra moment to recycle it like they would any other valuable steel food or beverage can. To find out where you can recycle your household steel products, including steel aerosol cans, visit the Steel Recycling Database on recycle-steel.org. If your local curbside or drop-off site does not accept steel aerosol cans, contact your local recycling coordinator. SRI will be glad to assist.
Deacon Equipment Co. Bloomsburg, PA
Exclus
ive
Dealer
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CALL for More Details! 888-233-2266 www.deaconequipment.com PA State Bid & COSTARS Participant
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NEWMAN & COMPANY, INC. A hundred years of recycled paperboard in Philadelphia
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ewman & Company, Inc., a Philadelphia based manufacturer of 100% recycled paperboard, has been in continuous operation since 1919. Founded by David Newman, a scrap metal, scrap paper and rag dealer, the original mill was pieced together from used components. It was situated along the Delaware River in an old tin mill near Center City Philadelphia, PA. In 1952, the second generation of the Newman family built a new paper mill and co-generating power plant at its current location in the northeast section of Philadelphia. The facility has grown considerably, now encompassing over 40 acres. It includes a new power plant that generates two
Left to right: Bud Newman, President & CEO; Rachel Newman Schwartz, Marketing Manager; David Newman, Vice President – General Manager; Jessica Newman Solomon, Sales Manager for U.S. Recycling; Michael Ferman, Vice President – Operations; Susan Ferman Paul, Accounts Manager
megawatts of electricity. In addition to making its own electricity, the power plant produces all of the mill’s steam requirements to service operations, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The mill averages 220 tons of 100% recycled paperboard per day. During his tenure, third generation family member and President/CEO, Bud Newman, expanded the Company, creating three affiliated companies: Mill Corporation, United States Recycling, Inc. and Bridge View Paper, LLC, focused respectively on supply trucking services, wastepaper/fiber and converting materials, all for Newman’s operations. Combined, Newman and it affiliate companies employ approximately 300 people. The third and fourth generation Newman family members run the business today.
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Its 100th year of business is fast approaching. David Newman, the company’s Vice President and General Manager continues to expand the company, explaining: “Through horizontal expansion of all aspects of the operation, Newman continues to strengthen itself and operate in the most efficient manner possible, and at the same time, control more of the variable costs associated with running the business. As an independent paper mill, we strive to rely on internal resources to streamline our effectiveness and success as a company.”
PAPER MILL OPERATIONS The paper mill feedstock is comprised primarily of mixed paper, residential #6 news, boxboard cuttings and double lined Kraft. Pulp substitute grades are also used when the mill is making specialty grades of white top board.
“harvest” its raw material from a broad range of suppliers through direct purchase and service agreements. Examples of these are: municipalities, schools, residue/ screenings from single stream sorting plants, manufacturers, small local businesses with high service requirements and more.
Through the use of its own fleet of rolloff trucks and tractor trailers, Newman & Company hauls over 90% of its daily fiber supply. This enables the company to eliminate the need for brokers and middlemen and net a greater return to its commercial, industrial and municipal recyclable paper suppliers.
Newman is always looking for new opportunities to expand its supply base and will customize its programs to suppliers needs, including the purchase of specialized baling and compacting equipment, customized collection vehicles, trim removal systems, hoggers, conveyors and cart tippers as required.
Newman & Company endeavors to build its customer base with Pennsylvania companies; its efforts to close-the-loop among Pennsylvania-based companies by recycling their products and manufacturing within the State is a large part of Newman’s plan for success.
Fourth generation family member, Michael Ferman, the company’s Vice President-Operations outfitted the mill with process machinery that is capable of removing the considerable contaminants found in the lower grade paper stock the mill runs. This has allowed the mill to more cost-effectively run lower grade furnish to substitute for more costly grades.
NEWMAN’S APPROACH The mill is situated along Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. Its proximity to the “urban forest,” the businesses, resources and users of paper within a hundred mile locale, allows Newman to PA Recycler SUMMER 2014 31
RECYCLING PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2014 Classroom Courses PROP’s award-winning certification program offers both recycling and composting education and training. It promotes the establishment of high professional standards for public and private sector recycling and solid waste managers. It also provides career track for new professionals entering the field. The PROP Recycling Professional Certification Committee completed a tentative 2014 course schedule and the classes are listed here. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for each class are listed after the class number and name. NOTE: Classes may be added or postponed. Dates and locations are subject to change. For more information contact: Michelle Glenny
mglenny@proprecyles.com
Course
CEUs
Date
Location
601
Senior Certified Retreat
0.6
July
Pre-Conference
463
Health & Safety
0.6
July
Pre-Conference
150
Recycling Economics
0.3
July
Conference
205
Managing Organics in Your Community
0.5
July
Conference
230
Organics Collection
0.3
July
Conference
106
Innovative & Successful Programs
0.3
July
Conference
299
Compost Technician Training
0.6
9/9
TBD
351
Program Evaluation
0.3
9/11
Harrisburg, PA
540
Grant Writing
0.3
9/11
Harrisburg, PA
135
Waste Auditing
0.6
10/1
Lancaster, PA
130
Commercial Recycling
0.4
10/2
Lancaster, PA
460
Anti-Littering & Recycling Enforcement
0.6
10/29
The Barn, Western PA
401
Recycling Education
0.3
11/6
TBD
415
Youth Education
0.2
11/6
TBD
Online Classes In session everyday (Can be used for certification and re-certification credits)
CHECK OUT
PROPRECYCLES.ORG for updates, and to register!
Course
CEUs
100
Introduction to Recycling
0.6
200
Backyard Composting Basics
0.3
310
Collection Techniques and Options
0.3
436
Introduction to Special Materials
0.3
438
Special Materials Recycling and Disposal 0.3