Renewable News Spring 2011

15
Spring 2011 www.recyclefloridatoday.org Disney to Keynote RFT Conference will be kicking off the summer with our 2011 Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 5 -7, 2011 at the Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, FL. We will be feature dynamic speakers covering a diverse topics and welcome our keynote speakers, Ms. Tammy Brister and Ms. Kristine Singley of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Tammy is the Manager of Environmental Initiatives for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., and she has been a Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort for 20 years. Her role is to facilitate the implementation of Walt Disney World's environmental strategy through partnerships with internal departments, other Disney parks around the world, and the corporate citizenship She is currently a member of the Sustainable Florida Board of Directors. Kristine is the Program Manager of Environmental Programs for Facilities and Operations Services at Walt Disney World. She is responsible for managing technical program development and implementation of environmental initiatives such as energy conservation and emissions reduction. Attendees can look forward to the following sessions: Legislative Update Hour, New Tools for Recycling, New Technologies in Non-Traditional Recycling Programs, Recycling Education, Commercial Recycling, Targeting Higher Fruit, and Policy Mechanisms to Advance Recycling. Back by popular demand, our “Environmental Round-Robin” networking and interactive RFT discussion session. Attendees will be able to “speed discuss” important environmental issues impacting our state, areas of interest and other hot topics. This year's conference will offer outstanding networking and business development opportunities for the public, private and non- profit sectors. Our sold-out exhibit hall will feature the newest developments in recycling technology, machinery and information. Early event registration for members is $199.00, non-members $299.00 which includes your 2011 annual membership to RFT. The registration rate will increase on May 1, 2011. Group room rates are available until May 6, 2011 at the Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben Franklin Drive Sarasota, FL 34236. Rates are $93.00 + taxes nightly for deluxe and $133.00 + taxes nightly for junior suite accommodations. For reservations call (800) 441-2113 and mention Recycle Florida Today. Visit us online at www .recy clefloridat oda y .org to view our interactive agenda and exhibit hall. You may also register securely online by clicking here. Register today before the rate increases on May 1, 2011 and join us for a productive and informative conference. For more information contact Heather Armstrong at (850) 907-1278 or via email at inf o@recy clefloridat oda y .org .

Transcript of Renewable News Spring 2011

Page 1: Renewable News Spring 2011

SSpprriinngg 22001111

www.recyclefloridatoday.org

Disney to Keynote RFT Conference

will be kicking off the summerwith our 2011 AnnualConference & Exhibition, June5 -7, 2011 at the Lido BeachResort in Sarasota, FL. We will

be feature dynamic speakers covering a diversetopics and welcome our keynote speakers, Ms.Tammy Brister and Ms. Kristine Singley of WaltDisney Parks and Resorts U.S.

Tammy is the Manager ofEnvironmental Initiatives for Walt DisneyParks and Resorts U.S., and she has beena Cast Member at the Walt Disney WorldResort for 20 years. Her role is to facilitatethe implementation of Walt Disney World'senvironmental strategy through partnershipswith internal departments, other Disney parksaround the world, and the corporate citizenshipShe is currently a member of the SustainableFlorida Board of Directors.

Kristine is the Program Manager ofEnvironmental Programs for Facilities andOperations Services at Walt Disney World. She isresponsible for managing technical programdevelopment and implementation ofenvironmental initiatives such as energyconservation and emissions reduction.

Attendees can look forward to the followingsessions: Legislative Update Hour, New Tools forRecycling, New Technologies in Non-TraditionalRecycling Programs, Recycling Education,Commercial Recycling, Targeting Higher Fruit, andPolicy Mechanisms to Advance Recycling.

Back by popular demand, our “EnvironmentalRound-Robin” networking and interactive

RFTdiscussion session. Attendees will be able to“speed discuss” important environmental issuesimpacting our state, areas of interest and otherhot topics.

This year's conference will offer outstandingnetworking and business developmentopportunities for the public, private and non-profit sectors. Our sold-out exhibit hall will feature

the newest developments in recyclingtechnology, machinery and information.

Early event registration for membersis $199.00, non-members $299.00which includes your 2011 annual

membership to RFT. The registration ratewill increase on May 1, 2011.

Group room rates are available until May6, 2011 at the Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben

Franklin Drive Sarasota,FL 34236. Rates are$93.00 + taxes nightly

for deluxe and $133.00 +taxes nightly for juniorsuite accommodations.For reservations call(800) 441-2113 andmention Recycle Florida Today.

Visit us online at www.recyclefloridatoday.orgto view our interactive agenda and exhibit hall.You may also register securely online by clickinghere. Register today before the rate increases onMay 1, 2011 and join us for a productive andinformative conference.

For more information contact HeatherArmstrong at (850) 907-1278 or via email [email protected].

Page 2: Renewable News Spring 2011

recycle

Spring has sprung and it's time to start

looking forward to RFT's Annual Conference.

The RFT Conference Committee is developing

a dynamic agenda to provide a well-rounded

experience for all attendees. There will be

plenty of opportunity to network and learn.

Make sure you register to attend because you

won't want to miss this.

The January Issues Forum was a huge

success. The RFT Board looks forward to

continuing the relationship with our partners at

SWANA to provide resources and information for this winter event. The

event will be held in St. Petersburg at the Trade Winds Resort.

I'd like to thank all of our members and sponsors for your continued

support and participation in RFT. I look forward to seeing you in Sarasota

this June!

Warmest regards,

Susan N. Chapman

Letter from the Chair

RRFFTT LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp

BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrssCChhaaiirrSusan Chapman 561-640-4000, x4315Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach [email protected]

VViiccee CChhaaiirr,, NNoommiinnaattiioonnss CCoommmmiitttteeee CChhaaiirrDon Ross 813-971-8333, x16 Kessler [email protected]

TTrreeaassuurreerrKim Brunson 863-688-7407, x53292Publix Super Markets, [email protected]

SSeeccrreettaarryy

Rob Eck 352-461-3788Rehrig Pacific [email protected]

DDiirreeccttoorrssKaren Bryant 727-774-2752Pasco County [email protected]

Larry Dalla Betta 813-394-1325WM Recycle [email protected]

Lena Davie 813-775-6207Hill and [email protected]

Daniel Dietch 305-443-6401, x59123CH2M [email protected]

Betsy Dorn 561-337-8929StewartEdge, [email protected]

Dee Dee Green 850-937-2159Escambia [email protected]

Steve Lengefeld 321-427-0001SP Recycling [email protected]

Jim Reece 850-609-6168Okaloosa County Recycling [email protected]

EExx--OOffffiicciioo DDiirreeccttoorrPhil BreseeBroward County Office of Integrated Waste [email protected]

CCoommmmiitttteeee CChhaaiirrssCCoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnss Lena Davie

NNeewwsslleetttteerr EEddiittoorr Marissa Segundo

CCoonnffeerreennccee && EEdduuccaattiioonn Pam Shoemaker

LLeeggiissllaattiivvee Ray Moreau

MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp Karen Bryant

NNoommiinnaattiioonnss Don Ross

OOrrggaanniiccss Jim Reece

SSppoonnssoorrsshhiipp Larry Dalla Betta

AAdd--HHoocc CCoolllleeggiiaattee Vacant

Recycle Florida Today, Inc.Heather Armstrong, Association Manager

P. O. Box 15889Tallahassee, FL 32317Phone:( 850) 907-1278

Fax: (850) 907-1293Email: [email protected]

www.recyclefloridatoday.org

Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed in Renewable

News are those of the author of the respective article and not

necessarily the opinions of Recycle Florida Today, Inc.

2010-11

2

Susan Chapman

Happy Earth Day! Recycle Florida Today is working year-round to

help protect our planet. Help share our message at your next event.

Visit the Recycle Florida website at

http://www.recyclefloridatoday.org/ to borrow the RFT membership

recruitment kit to display at your next event.

The kit contains a small, colorful table-top display banner and some

membership brochures that you can use to promote Recycle Florida

Today. When you are done with your event, simply return the banner

and any unused membership brochures in the postage-

paid envelope.

Thank you in advance for helping to increase our network

of recycling industry professionals!

By Karen Bryant, Pasco County Schools Recycling Coordinator & RFT Membership Chair

Members-Only Corner

Are you a social butterfly? Part of social networks like Facebook,

LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, Ning or Xanga? If so, Recycle Florida Today

needs your help. Consider updating your status on your favorite social

networking sites to let others know that you are a proud member of Recycle

Florida Today. Share our website link with others so they too can learn

about the value of being a member -- http://www.recyclefloridatoday.org/

Page 3: Renewable News Spring 2011

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2011Sponsors

RRFFTT wwoouulldd lliikkee ttoo aacckknnoowwlleeddggeeaanndd tthhaannkk oouurr 22001111 SSppoonnssoorrss.

Environmental PartnersPublix Super Markets, Inc.

Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County

WM/Recycle America

Recycling SustainersAlachua County Division of

Waste Management

SP Recycling Corporation

CPR (Commercial Plastics Recycling)

PatronsCH2M HILL

Get Paid 2 Recycle

Highlands Board of County Commissioners

J Grez Transport

Kessler Consulting, Inc.

Rehrig Pacific Company

Sage Eco Solutions, Inc.

SCS Engineers

Southern Waste Systems

ContributorAmerican Chemistry Council

Member Spotlight

WWaanntt ttoo lleeaarrnn mmoorree aabboouutt

bbeeccoommiinngg aa ssppoonnssoorr ooff

RReeccyyccllee FFlloorriiddaa TTooddaayy??

Download a

sponsorship form

today!

Calvin WarrenCommunity Services Supervisor

City of Indian Rocks Beach

How long have you worked for Indian

Rocks Beach? 13 years

How long have you been an RFT member?

3 years

To what other organizations to you belong? American Public Works

Association and Solid Waste Association of North America. I am the Staff

Liaison for the Indian Rocks Beach Environmental Stewardship Board.

What is a typical day for you? A typical day for me encompasses many

things, one minute I may be speaking with a resident about their

residential garbage and recycling service the next I am consulting with

commercial businesses about their services. Some days I'm working with

fleet, container or other vendors securing contracts. Some days I'm

troubleshooting fleet maintenance issues. Supervising a staff of eight, I

encourage them to work cooperatively to find innovative methods of

recycling and provide quality customer service to residents and

businesses.

What do you like best about your job? No two days are alike at my job. I

am intrigued by the Solid Waste Industry, it is much more intricate and

complex than most people realize. There is always more to learn. Recently,

with the addition of our enhanced curbside recycling program our solid

waste program has become more of an integrated solid waste

management system.

How has your outlook about recycling changed since you started? I

began my career with the City on the back of a garbage truck. I was

transferred to the Public Works Department. After returning to the Solid

Waste Department, I realized that recycling did not always have quite the

emphasis that it needed in Solid Waste Management. With added

education and programs, I am much more optimistic with recycling now. I

look forward to continuing education in my community and department.

What do you like best about being an RFT member? What I like best

about RFT is the networking opportunities that the RFT events make

possible. Meeting others in your industry and realizing that they face the

same challenges helps tremendously.

If you had a three wishes for recycling in Florida what would they be?

1. Creation of more end-market users within the State of Florida

that way production of recycled material remains in the state

where it was recycled.

2. Modern state-of-the-art Material Resource Facilities (MRF)

throughout the state.

3. I would like to see more cost-effective options available locally

for hard to recycle items like electronics and glass.

Page 4: Renewable News Spring 2011

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Florida Legislators Call For Study to Investigate

Container Deposit Program

By Conni Kunzler, Communications Consultant,

Glass Packaging Institute

Members of the Florida Legislatureannounced that they will call for a study toexamine the potential for a new program inFlorida to reduce waste and litter, and increaserecycling. Senators Jack Latvala, Dennis Jones,and State Representative Doug Holder joinedwith environmental and beverage containerindustry officials to speak out in favor the needfor the legislature to study a glass depositprogram in Florida.

State legislators cited the potential for abeverage deposit program to help reduce litterand meet the state's 75% recycling goal for2020. The study would also look at the potentialfor job creation and revenue generation. Alsoannounced were results of a University of Floridaeconomic analysis and statewide public opinionsurvey showing support for a container recyclingrefund program.

A UF Bureau of Economic and BusinessResearch report found that 30 million beveragecontainers wind up in landfills, and some aslitter. According to the study, a beveragecontainer deposit refund system creates a

financial incentive to discourage litterand landfill growth while encouragingrecycling. It would also generateunredeemed deposit revenue of

potentially $70 million annually tohelp the state finance servicesand offset other tax burdens.That offset could also result in atleast 280 new high-paying jobs,including recycling andmanufacturing, according to theanalysis.

And a statewide publicopinion survey by McLaughlinand Associates revealed that astrong majority of Florida voters(63%) approve of a proposal for

Results of University of Florida economic studyreleased/public poll showing Floridian's support for beverage container deposit refund programs

continued next column

Florida to create its own recycling refundprogram. A large majority (77%) has a positiveopinion of recycling refund programs at work inother states. An overwhelming majority (82%)approve of Florida setting a goal to achieve a75% recycling rate by 2020, and 83% of votersbelieve a recycling refund program would behelpful in Florida achieving that goal.

Bill Waltz, CEO of Strategic Materials, a largeU.S. glass processor with Florida operations inJacksonville and Sarasota, said his company wasexcited about the survey results.

“The people of Florida certainly care aboutthe environment and implementing a beveragecontainer deposit program will help raise thestate's recycling rate while cleaning up litter,adding green jobs, and benefiting the economyof the state,” said Waltz.

In attendance at the announcement andvoicing support were representatives from FloridaWildlife Federation, the Florida Sierra Club,Florida Audubon, Defenders of Wildlife, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Container Recycling Institute,Strategic Materials Inc., Anchor Glass ContainerCorporation, the Glass Packaging Institute, andVerallia/Saint-Gobain Containers.

Page 5: Renewable News Spring 2011

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Waste Management Partners with Norwegian CruiseLine to Launch Innovative “Live Load” Service

to Increase Recycling at Port of MiamiBy Dawn McCormick , Manager, Community Affairs

Waste Management teamed with Norwegian CruiseLines to provide a “live load” service model at the

Port of Miami increasing recycling rates and service.

A bale of cardboard is loaded into theWaste Management side curtain trailer at

Norwegian Cruise Line's Port of Miami dock.

Waste Management (WM) recently partnered

with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to launch the

innovative "Live Load" service model to meet the

waste and recycling needs of all NCL ships in the

Port of Miami including its newest ship, the 4,500-

passenger Epic.

“The Epic is twice as large, with twice the waste

volume, of any ship we were currently servicing,”

explained Dave Duddy, WM's Maritime Territory

Manager. “Rather than stay with the old model

using multiple roll-off containers and multiple pick

ups, we use a more efficient semi-trailer with a

side curtain to haul the waste in just one trip.”

NCL source separates its waste materials on

board, including glass, cardboard, paper, plastic,

aluminum, steel, e-waste and dry waste. The

materials are then sorted, processed (includes

crushing glass, baling plastics and compacting

cans), baled and placed on pallets. The 30 pallets

are loaded by forklift directly into the curtain side

trailer which arrives dockside the on the same day

and time every week.

“The new service model is faster, cleaner and

more efficient for our customer, and provides their

passengers with a more pleasant experience as

they leave the ship,” said WM sales representative

Sebastian Wagner. “It also benefits port

operations by removing the waste immediately

from the site, and offers better security from a

border patrol standpoint.”

The materials are delivered to Waste

Management's Reuter Recycling Center in

Pembroke Pines, the largest single-stream

recycling facility in the Southeastern United States.

The recyclables are consolidated onto outbound

trucks ready for market. The dry waste is sent to

the firm's nearby Wheelabrator waste-to-energy

plant.

“We are able to provide solutions for all of the

ship's solid waste needs including transport,

recycling and waste-to-energy with zero landfilling

of their waste,” said Reuter District Mame Davis.

“Live Load Service offers us a paradigm shift in

how we manage our waste materials,” said Eric

Wolff, Manager of Environmental Systems for NCL..

“It offers us expanded recycling options with

increased handling efficiency and measurable cost

savings. We are now using this WM service model

for all NCL ships in the Port of Miami and have

asked Waste Management to expand the service

to other ports, including Boston, New Orleans, Port

Canaveral and Tampa.”

Page 6: Renewable News Spring 2011

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Agricultural Plastic Film Waste DisposalProblem Now Solved

by Gene Jones, Southern Waste Information eXchange

Farmers and growers have had a major issue

disposing of waste agricultural

plastic film--the material used in

growing tomato/strawberry

plants and for silage cover. The

bulk of it is currently tossed into

landfills or burned at the end of

the growing season creating

additional management and

environmental problems.

The Southern Waste

Information eXchange, Inc.

(SWIX), a 501(c)(3) non-profit

organization, has found a

sustainable disposal solution for agricultural

plastic film. The film is recycled by a Florida

manufacturer. SWIX has been working on the

development of an end use for the film,

solving the disposal issue while at the same

time creating economic value. SWIX is presently

looking farmers and agri-businesses that utilizeTOP: Farmers often use agricultural plastic in strawberry and tomato production.

BOTTOM: Bailed agricultural plastic to be recycled in Florida

this plastic-film and would like to recycle it. The film must

be bailed and is accepted in quantities of no less than

20 tons.

Recycling this film is the right thing to do. It helps

businesses avoid costly disposal fees and diverts this

waste from our landfills. SWIX has found a way of

maximizing resources, turning waste into reusable

feedstocks.

Any agri-businesses interested in avoiding disposal

costs and making sure the film is

managed properly should contact

Gene Jones at [email protected] or

phone at (800) 441-7949.

To learn more about SWIX and its

industrial and municipal support

programs, please visit

http://www.swix.ws/.

Do Your Ordinances and FranchiseAgreements Deserve a Tune-Up?

By Marc J. Rogoff, Ph. D. and Shani Kruljac, SCS Engineers

Over the past two years, SCS Engineers has

reviewed a vast array of solid waste ordinances and

franchise agreements for communities from Alaska

to Florida, and many states in between. We have

seen a change in the way solid waste and recyclables

are collected and disposed, with new technology, new

mandates and new attitudes influencing the ways we

dispose of our waste. Despite these changes, many

solid waste ordinances and franchise agreements

are severely outdated and in need of revisions.

Using the statewide 75 percent goal as an impetus,

timing may be right to give these tired policies a

"tune-up." A tune-up in this sense entails reviewing

agency operations, policies and procedures and

bringing them in line with national and regional solid

waste industry goals and trends, and more

importantly, aligning policies with stated local

recycling and sustainability objectives. ”“...drafting new ordinances that focus on

waste diversion activities can

significantly increase recycling rates.

Solid Waste Ordinances

Our review of dozens of ordinances, indicate many

do not adequately incorporate current local policies,

regulatory requirements, or community sustainability

objectives. In other cases, definitions used in agency

documents such as its solid waste master plan,

franchise agreements, and inter-local agreements

conflict with terms included in the agency's master

solid waste ordinance or are inconsistent with solid

waste definitions used in the county-wide

continued on page 12

Page 7: Renewable News Spring 2011

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Annual Issues Forum

WRAP-UP

RFT kicked off a great year with our 2011 Issues

Forum, held in conjunction with SWANA's Winter

Conference on January 25th and 26th. With more

than 180 attendees we gathered in Orlando at the

Doubletree Resort International Drive to discuss the

legislative

happenings in the

State of Florida.

Attendees were

able to gain

education from

industry leaders in

both recycling and

solid waste issues.

The two-day event

began with a joint

networking reception. The following day was packed

full of events with multiple offerings of concurrent

and joint sessions. Topics included: The New RFT and

How it Benefits You, Data:Tracking, Management and

Measurement, What Will an Integrated Solid Waste

System Look Like at 75%, and a joint Legislative

Update Panel. We also featured a joint

environmental-round-robin session, this activity

consists of a networking and interactive-discussion

session. Each table was designated with a topic and

a moderator. Individuals select a table with a topic of

their choice and are encouraged to engage in

constructive dialog in an open and inviting

environment. Members moved throughout the room

selecting from ten different topics and moving three

times. It was a great way to meet new members and

learn more about intriguing recycling trends.

Thank you to all our annual and event sponsors

for their support of the event and to all of the

attendees who joined us -- you helped to make it a

great success. Plan to join

us for our Annual

Conference, June 5 -7,

2011 at the Lido Beach

Resort in Sarasota.

Register or learn more by

visiting us online at

www.RecycleFloridaToday

and join us for a

productive and informative

conference. See you there!

“When we tug at

a single thing in

nature, we find it

attached to the

rest of the world.”

~ John Muir

Page 9: Renewable News Spring 2011

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Paint Stewardship Legislation Slated for Introduction in Florida

Florida is one of nine states slated for paint

stewardship legislation to be introduced with

support from the paint industry. Passage of this

legislation could provide Florida local governments

with financial benefits of up to $35 million if all

leftover paint were to be collected and managed

properly. An estimated 10 percent of all paint

purchased in the United States becomes leftover

each year. Paint is a top priority for the product

stewardship movement because it is both expensive

and cumbersome to manage. Under a product

stewardship system, manufacturers are accountable

for reducing the lifecycle impacts of a product,

including paying for recycling or safe disposal.

The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI)

mediated a national agreement among federal,

state and local governments, manufacturers,

retailers, paint recyclers, and painting contractors to

develop model paint stewardship legislation. As a

result of the negotiations, Oregon passed the

nation's first paint stewardship law in 2009. Eighty-

two permanent collection sites (75 of which are

retailers) collected 230,000 gallons of latex and oil-

based paint in the first six months of the program.

The second law passed in California in 2010, and

bills are pending in Connecticut and Vermont.

Thanks to the commitment made by the Florida

Department of Environmental Protection to

participate in these negotiations, the American

Coatings Association will introduce and support

paint stewardship legislation in the state, likely in

the 2012 session.

PSI and the Florida Caribbean Chapter of the

North American Hazardous Materials Management

Association recently launched a statewide product

stewardship initiative that will lay the groundwork for

this important paint legislation. Local governments

in Florida are invited to participate in free product

stewardship webinars and other educational

opportunities as part of this initiative. For more

information see the PSI paint stewardship website or

contact Caitlin McAllister, PSI Associate,

[email protected], (617) 236-8293.

By Scott Cassel, Executive Director of PSI and Caitlin McAllister, Associate for Policy and Programs, PSI

By Ken Koneck, Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc.

Valley Forge Fabrics Honored with Third Emerald Award in RecyclingCategory for Environmental Excellence

The Emerald Award is presented annually by the

Broward County Board of County Commissioners and

Environmental Protection Department to honor

businesses for exceptional commitment

to protecting the environment.

For the third year in a row, Broward

County has selected Valley Forge Fabrics

to receive one of the County's 2010

Emerald Awards in the Recycling category

for environmental excellence.

Valley Forge Fabrics produces

sustainable textiles and the largest

producer of decorative fabrics for hospitality. Valley

Forge's reclamation program has taken effect as the

company has begun to redistribute bedding products

from hotels to global organizations such as The

American Red Cross and local organizations such as

The Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach,

Florida. As of March 1st, 2011, Valley Forge

reclamation program has diverted 3,010,495 plastic

bottles from landfills.

More information, including Emerald

Award application procedures and

guidelines, is available online at

www.broward.org/environment or call

954-519-1257; for Broward County's

Green initiatives, programs and services

go to www.broward.org/gogreen. For more

information on Valley Forge, visit the

website www.valleyforge.com.

PHOTO:

Award winning Tencel+Plus™Lyocell products are the only

certified textiles from Eucalyptus verified by Lenzing Fibers for

both commercial performance requirements and fiber origin.

Page 10: Renewable News Spring 2011

10

The Charleston County, South Carolina

Environmental Management Department is

conducting an Automated Single Stream Collection

pilot with technical assistance from Kessler

Consulting (KCI). Approximately 4,600 households in

Mount Pleasant, James Island, North Charleston,

and West Ashley neighborhoods are participating in

the pilot which began on January 24 and will

continue through July 24. County staff selected these

neighborhoods for their locations in different areas

throughout the county and their historically high and

low recycling participation rates.

The pilot is one element in the county's strategy

to develop the premier integrated solid waste

management program in the Southeast and to

achieve a 40 percent recycling goal. The pilot is

designed to measure participation rates, material

volumes, tons diverted, effect of different cart sizes,

route and labor efficiencies, types of equipment, and

safety improvements for the collection operation.

The development of future, county-wide collection

systems will be based upon the pilot results.

The county currently operates a blue bin, dual

stream curbside recycling collection system which

requires residents to separate paper products from

commingled containers. Residents

participating in the pilot will collect all of

their recyclable materials, both paper

and containers, in newly provided 95-

gallon or 65-gallon roll-carts. Some of

the carts were manufactured from

plastic milk jugs that were purchased

from the County's recycling center.

The County is also testing new,

automated collection equipment as part

of the pilot. The roll-carts are picked up

and emptied by trucks using a

mechanical arm controlled by the driver.

Both side loading and front loading

trucks are being tested by the collection

department. The department anticipates

the automated equipment will allow for a more

efficient, cost effective and productive operation and

will provide a safer working environment for drivers.

Charleston County, SC Tests Automated Single Stream Collection

By Maureen T. Schaefer, Research Analyst, Kessler Consulting, Inc.

Drivers of the automated trucks will avoid the heavy

lifting, repetitive motion, and exposure to traffic that

comes with the traditional collection method. The

County hopes the automated collection will provide

for cleaner neighborhoods as well.

As part of the pilot, the county is also testing a

new radio frequency identification system (RFID).

Each roll-cart has been equipped with an electronic

tag that is read by data management hardware

installed in the trucks. The hardware uses radio

waves to read the tag during pick up and to capture

the location and time of pickup. County staff can

use the collected data to track work orders,

household participation, and assets. The system will

enable staff to quantitatively evaluate vehicle and

equipment performance during the pilot.

Results so far have been overwhelmingly

positive. The average annual pounds set out for

recycling per household has increased 55 percent in

the pilot neighborhoods compared to those who

remain in the blue bin dual stream collection

program. The pilot neighborhoods are achieving a

70 percent participation rate while the county's

average participation remains just 30 percent.

AAuuttoommaatteedd rreeccyycclliinngg ttrruucckkss

The County is also testing new, automated

collection equipment as part of the pilot. The roll-

carts are picked up and emptied by trucks using a

mechanical arm controlled by the driver.

Page 11: Renewable News Spring 2011

11

City of Stuart Adds E-Waste Recycling Center

to Recycling Program

By Mary Kindel, Recycling and Conservation Coordinator

The City of Stuart recently introduced an E-

Waste Recycling Center, available to all City

residents and businesses. In 2007, the City

introduced a full-service automated curbside

single-stream residential recycling program. In

2008, an incentive based commercial recycling

program was implemented, offering local

businesses single-stream and cardboard recycling

services as well. In addition, recycling was made

available in local parks and the City's popular

historic downtown for pedestrian traffic.

“Our latest program is the convenience-based

E-Waste Recycling Center,” said Mary Kindel,

Recycling and Conservation Coordinator for the

City of Stuart. “We wanted to offer the community

a more convenient means to discard electronics

and ensure that these items were properly

recycled.”

This drop-off service center is free and

available for all residents and businesses within

City limits to recycle electronics and other

miscellaneous accepted materials that have

reached the end of their useful life.

Accepted e-waste items at the center include all

electronics with items such as computers,

monitors, keyboards, printers, scanners, fax

machines, televisions, radios, stereo equipment,

VCR/DVD machines, cassette players, cameras,

pagers, cellular phones, telephones, photocopiers,

continued on page 14

Page 12: Renewable News Spring 2011

12

comprehensive plan. Additionally, drafting new

ordinances that focus on waste diversion activities

can significantly increase recycling rates. Many

successful examples of such ordinances exist from

across the country, and can be tailored to fit

individual community's needs.

Franchise Agreements

Franchise agreements are another area which is

ripe for review by agencies. Many existing franchise

agreements do not actively promote recycling and,

even worse, some inadvertently impede such efforts.

As an illustration, we recently helped a community

revise its commercial solid waste agreement for the

first time since it was created, more than ten years

ago. As part of this franchise agreement, haulers

were required to bring all of their commercial waste

to the local landfill. The expected waste tonnage

delivered (and therefore, the amount of tipping fees

owed) was calculated from a decade-old, convoluted

cubic yards per container estimate. If the delivered

waste was lighter than what the formula projected,

then the hauler had to pay the “missing” tipping fees.

This clause obviously discouraged recycling, as the

haulers were incentivized to dispose of anything and

everything in order to ensure they met their

contractual obligations. To remedy this situation, we

recommended that the new franchise agreement

encompass a tiered-tipping fee for commercial waste

delivered to the landfill. In a tiered-fee structure,

lower fees, or no fees at all, are charged for collecting

recyclables as compared to garbage collection

services, thus providing a financial incentive for

haulers to recycle.

continued from page 6

Ordinances

When looking to revamp franchise agreements,

communities should not only find where agreements

hinder recycling, but they should look for ways in

which franchise agreements can actively promote it.

Some strategies to promote recycling in franchiseagreements include:

• Require all franchised haulers to collect recyclables.

• Allow haulers to keep all the revenues from thesale of recyclables.

• Structure franchise fees for haulers to vary according to the overall level of waste diversionachieved. For example, charge 30 percent gross revenue for haulers diverting less than 25 percent, 20 percent if they divert 26-50 percent and 10 percent if they divert 50 percent or more.

• Require haulers to achieve a waste diversion or recycling goal (one that reflects the goals of the municipality in which they serve).

• Require haulers to develop recycling plans.

• Pay franchised residential garbage haulers on the basis of tons recycled, rather than number of households collected.

• Exempt recyclables collection service and the revenues from their sales, if using the “gross receipts” basis for calculating franchise fees.

These examples are just a sampling of thecreative policies devised to encourage recyclingamong franchisees. Perhaps some of these ideaswill inspire you to haul your documents to the garageto undergo some tinkering. After all, if the 75percent goal is taking over the State like a machine,it better be well oiled.

Organic's Full-Day CompostFacility Operator TrainingWednesday, June 8, 2011

Registration for the full day's event is a separate additional

$50.00 per person.

RFT will be offering a one-day compost facility operator training

on June 8 from 9 am to 5 pm in conjunction with its annual

conference. Space is limited so register today!

Page 13: Renewable News Spring 2011

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The future development of the recycling

infrastructure hinges on a critical point: community

investment in the collection of recyclables. During

tight budget times, those investments can come

under critical review, posing the

question: What is the true value of

recycling? It's for that reason the

Southeast Recycling Development

Council (SERDC) recently unveiled

the conclusion of a two-year study

documenting the heavy regional

presence of manufacturers that

depend upon post-consumer

recycled materials.

The study concluded that 206

manufacturers in the Southeast

look to recycled feedstock to fuel

their operations. Such findings are

catching the attention of regional

decision makers. With those

companies account for some

47,525 jobs and $29.4 billion in annual

sales volume.

Increased recycling rates help Florida

manufacturers source good, affordable

manufacturing feedstock. SERDC determined that

Florida is home to more than 15 manufacturers who

rely on recycled-content feedstock.

These Florida manufacturing companies:

• Make more than $1.5 billion in annual

sales,

• Employ more than 2,600 Floridians in the

by Will Sagar, Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC)

SERDC Study: Recycling Fuels Thousands ofFlorida's End-Market Manufacturing Jobs

manufacture of recycled content products.

Beyond manufacturing, the entire Recycling

industry in Florida employs 32,000 people

generating an annual payroll of $765 million and

$4.4 billion in annual revenues.

This isn't a revenue stream, this

is a revenue river!!

Such attention-grabbing

numbers can help move recycling

from the “feel-good” to the “do-

good” category. Anchor Glass

Container employs over 500 at

plants in Tampa and Jacksonville.

There are five paper mills in the

Sunshine State relying upon

recycled fiber. This is creating

1,600 jobs and a half billion

dollars in annual sales. These

plants are located with the yellow

flags on the illustration. Six

plastic manufacturers are

indicated with the turquoise flags.

SERDC’s Policy Director will present the full

details of the research project and provide a live

demonstration of the interactive map at the RFT

Annual Conference in May. More importantly, the

discussion will cover how the information is used to

communicate with elected and appointed decision-

makers to increase the investment in recycling

infrastructure.

This report and other quality sessions will make

for a dynamic conference. See you in Sarasota.

PHOTO: Florida's end-market manufacturing employs 2,600 and brings $1.5 billion in revenue. Map indicates turquoise flags

(plastic manufacturers location), yellow flags (paper mill manufacturers location), and red flags (glass manufacturerslocation).

Page 14: Renewable News Spring 2011

14

RFT Members Welcome

Future Recyclersinto the World

continued from page11

City of Stuart

ink and toner cartridges, batteries (except

automotive), and even microwave and toaster

ovens. Partnering with Intercon Solutions,

www.InterconRecycling.com, all e-waste is

transported and de-manufactured down to the

base grade materials. This program has a zero

waste policy. Electronics will not be sent to the

landfill, incinerated, resold, or exported.

Community outreach and education is a

significant part of the City's recycling program.

“Sammy Sailfish,” the City's recycling mascot is

attributed to much of the recycling program's

success. “Sammy Sailfish” helps to create great

interest in the community and makes recycling

fun!

For further information on the City of Stuart's

Recycling Program, visit www.cityofstuart.us or

call (772)600-1206.

Pam Shoemaker:Brevard County Recycling Coordinator

and RFT Board Member

Pam came to RFT in 2001 as

the Recycling Coordinator for

Brevard County. Pam started

work with Brevard County in

February 1978 in the Library

Services Department. She then

progressed from Executive

Secretary to Books by Mail

Librarian. In 1996, Pam went to work in Palm Beach

County Library System as Circulation Manager of the

Southwest County Library. In 1999, Pam returned to

Brevard County as Animal Services and Enforcement

Customer Service Manager. In 2001 she became

the Recycling Coordinator and began her involvement

with RFT. A former RFT Board member, Pam

currently serves as the Education Committee Chair.

Pam's organization of countless RFT events has

been instrumental in their success. As Pam says

goodbye to an almost 30-year history with Brevard

County, she will continue her involvement with RFT

in the future.

R E T I R E M E N T

RFT member, Jessica Delgrosso had abouncing baby boy, Remy DelGrosso onFebruary 5, 2011. We wish Jessica and hernew family the best as they make their wayto California.

Valerie (Lane) Brown,Sustainability Coordinator forthe City of Dunedin welcomedIsabella Louise Brown on

February 20, 2011.

Kattrina (Dowd) Miller,Recycling Specialist, Cityof Clearwater gave birth

to Kenzie Marie Miller onMarch 30, 2011.