Fall 2014
Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania
Trigon Plastics The Value of Separation
RECYCLING MARKETS DeFeo Associates ENGAGING RESIDENTS IN RECYCLING Fairview Township’s Yard Waste Recycling Facility
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Trigon Plastics
The Value of Separation
Residents 6 Engaging in Recycling Fairview Township’s Yard Waste Recycling Facility
FEATURES
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Organics Engaging Residents in Recycling Fairview Township’s Yard Waste Recycling Facility
Composting Success The Philadelphia Prison System’s Compost Program
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Education Talkin’ Trash with Westmoreland Cleanways
DEPARTMENTS
Educating Rita the Old-fashioned Way
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Sustainability Trigon Plastics The Value of Separation
Promoting Sustainability:
Editors’s Desk Member Spotlight
Winter Equipment Bursting at the Seams…
Route Optimization & Cost of Service Evaluation
Tire Recycling & Porous Rubber Paving Advantages of Porous Pave
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Visit proprecycles.org for Legislative Updates & Reports
Stewardship Steel Packaging: Always There for You
Recycling Markets Remember Caveat Emptor ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
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.
2014-2015 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 Robert Anderson Barbara Baker Robert Bylone Michael Crist Sally Conklin Jason Yorks Walt Davenport Ellen Keefe Terry Keene Michele Nestor Peter Previte Ann Saurman
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T
ry as you might, keeping up with the latest recycling developments is not easy. As a recycling professional you have many demands on your time and energy.
Certainly, we should strive to be knowledgeable members of the recycling community. Magazines and industry leaders can help us keep up with many of the latest recycling ideas and approaches. PROP hopes that The Pennsylvania Recycler magazine will also help in that regard. But it is not merely a matter of knowing about the latest industry issues. In the end, it may be the real world recycling efforts of programs in Pennsylvania that offer some of the most interesting and enlightening experiences. There are counties and municipalities throughout the State that put great ideas into practice, and sometimes, even the more untested or unconventional ideas, but always they are gaining experience and insight about how to become better recyclers. In fact, all the efforts, detours, setbacks, clever ideas, accomplishments, and successes are part of our recycling community. These programs, large and small, together with a bounty of commercial recycling companies, form a tapestry of inspiring recycling experiences in the State. Don’t we want to embrace this richness? As with recent issues, in each issue going forward, The Recycler hopes to feature at least one county or local program, by way of offering us a chance to appreciate the efforts and accomplishments of our fellow recyclers. Perhaps their stories deal with challenges similar to your own, or maybe they will lead to a greater sharing of experiences. Best of all, knowing about our recycling partners can be inspiring and help us not to feel so isolated in our work. Don’t be surprised that if one day soon I call you about contributing to The Recycler. In the meantime, think about what other recyclers in the State might like to know about your program. Finally, please let me know of townships or municipalities that are doing some stellar work or accomplishing, even in a small way, noteworthy or interesting things. Call me at PROP or email me at slewis@proprecycles.org.
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. 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.
p r o p r ecyc l e s .o r g
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.
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ENGAGING RESIDENTS IN RECYCLING Fairview Township’s Yard Waste Recycling Facility
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n March 2007, Fairview Township opened the gates of a new yard waste recycling facility. Funded in part by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recycling grants, the Facility primarily focuses on yard waste processing. Quickly the Township learned that the ultimate success or failure of the program requires working well with its residents.
Residents did not really understand the purpose of the Facility at first. Many wondered, ‘Why not just put yard waste in the trash?’ In fact, prior to this new program, the only recycling that was done in the Township was of leaf material in the fall and it did not provide for the later use of the processed materials. Traditional urban/rural characteristics of the Township may help explain its initial challenge with recycling. Located in the northeastern corner of York County, Fairview is bordered on its north by the Yellow Breeches Creek and on its east by the Susquehanna River. It covers an area of just under 36 square miles. The Township defines yard waste as PA Act 101 defines leaf waste, “Leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings, and similar material, but not including grass clippings.”
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Fairview has mandatory curbside recycling for most recyclables, but processing of yard waste came only with its new Yard Waste Facility. The interaction of Township residents with its various programs: curbside leaf collection, the mulching program and more recently, electronics has produced a public that now understands how recycling impacts their community and the environment.
Communication and Outreach
The single most important issue in operating any recycling effort is education and communication. Fairview has found it to be essential! It is not merely a matter of opening a new facility, but one of working daily to educate residents on the long term benefits of recycling for the Township. Our communication has taken various paths: newsletters, special mailings, newspaper articles, website postings and direct contact with residents.
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make sure the Facility is open and ready to accept materials and to serve residents wherever possible.
Responding to Residents’ Needs
We have found that developing a good relationship with residents and listening to them is an important part of our success and in the end, this approach has allowed us to expand and become more successful. For example: • We have modified the hours of operation to better suit our residents over the years. They wanted to recycle later on Saturdays. We accommodated that request. • We began scheduling certain days during the spring, summer and fall for special curbside collection at the request of the residents. • We have scheduled holiday tree collections as a result of direct requests from residents.
Building a Community Presence
The Facility has also discovered that an onsite person is essential to the success of the program. The Township feels fortunate to have a person to operate the program that is knowledgeable in the process and able to answer residents’ questions. He knows the names of many residents and often develops a helpful, ongoing relationship with them. This person also makes sure that the material being delivered to the site is acceptable for recycling. He is able to provide guidance about potential use of material once the processed yard waste becomes available for residents to use.
The person chosen to be the ‘Gatekeeper,’ the person that interacts with the public on a daily basis, is extremely important. He is the first person to come into contact with the public. The success of the Facility depends in large upon him and the support staff to
• We worked on a solution to assist residents who want their friends or landscapers to deliver recyclable materials to the facility for them. More recently, residents wanted to know where to dispose of electronics. Originally on an annual basis, the Township partnered with York County Solid Waste Authority for the recycling of electronics. Residents asked for more opportunities, so the Fairview Facility provides them with a permanent drop off location. The benefits of good community relationships can also be seen in the way the Township deals with challenges. Fairview’s reaction to severe storms offers an example of our willingness to respond to community needs. In such situations, we opened the gates for more hours and more days to accommodate the citizens. We contracted with our waste hauler to make special pickups in the neighborhoods to remove
the recyclable debris following storms. Our public works crews now either chip debris from storms curbside or transport the material to the Facility for mulching and recycling.
Yard Waste Facility
Our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of leaf collection. The Township processes the leaf material into, what is often considered, high quality compost. This then becomes available to them the following year for use in their yards and gardens. Our residents may drop off their yard material and return later in the year for the mulch created from it. Hundreds of residents in any given year either drop off material or benefit from the composting and mulching program provided at the Facility. In fact, the high level of public response has prompted the reconfiguration of the Facility and the building of a second access road to accommodate even more incoming material for shredding and later disposition to residents. In all cases, there is no charge to our residents for any of these services. Leaf collection has expanded over the past years. In 2013 over 380 tons of leaf material was processed at the Facility, an increase of more than nine percent over the previous years. Once the material is ready, the residents line up to take the composted material home with them. In 2013, as part of our equipment partnership with Cumberland County, the Facility mulched over 250 tons of woody yard waste. This mulch continues to be made available to our residents for their yards and gardens. The residents are our best method of encouraging other Township residents to use the facility. Often people are more willing to accept the recommendation of a neighbor, especially after seeing the results of the products in area gardens and lawns. continued on page 8 PA Recycler FALL 2014 7
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Benefits For Everyone
Together, education and community outreach has been paramount to the successful implementation and continued use of our recycling facility and all recycling.
Does all of this work? Our residents believe so. In the most recent year, data show that through an effective recycling program
the amount of trash going to the incinerator from the Township declined by 8.6 percent or 496 tons and curbside recycling of household materials increased by 6.23 percent or 92 tons. A continuing educational program reinforces the positive impact of this recycling facility and supports efforts to involve all the players in the community, be they residents, the Township, the York County Solid Waste Authority, adjacent Cumberland County or our waste haulers. Fairview Township Yard Waste Facility has made a positive impact on the community and the environment.
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
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The Philadelphia Prison System’s Compost Program
Laura R. Cassidy, Green Program Coordinator/Project Manager
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s with any institution or community, prisons cannot ignore solid waste or its cost. However, dealing with that waste and developing a recycling program in a large prison system may offer some unique challenges. So it is noteworthy that the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS) has succeeded in reducing both the volume and cost of its solid waste by creating a stable and growing recycling and compost program.
In 2006, the PPS instituted a formal recycling program. A large department of the City of Philadelphia, it has an average inmate population of 8,500 and over 3,000 employees, comprised of both city and contract employees. Covering approximately six square miles in the northeast section of the Philadelphia, PPS has six active facilities. 10 PA Recycler FALL 2014
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Developing a compost program PPS conducted a food waste sort in partnership with its food service provider, Aramark. It estimated that each inmate produces approximately 1.4 pounds of food waste per day. Any saving that might come from diverting the food to a commercial food waste facility would be essentially eliminated by transportation costs. This prompted PPS to develop its own food waste composting program.
Starting a recycling program Before having a recycling program, the cost of dealing with solid waste was approximately a quarter million dollars a year. This served as the principle motivation in developing a recycling program. PPS faced a number of typical startup challenges, but it also had one unique and important hurdle that many commercial establishments do not have, namely: safety and security.
PPS actively pursued a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This grant for $15,000 in 2010 funded the pilot composting program. After carefully canvassing of its campus, PPS decided to develop a central composting location at its inactive Holmesburg facility. The pilot program began August of 2011. continued on page 12
MAHANTANGO ENTERPRISES, INC. Rubber Recycling Facility
Security was a top priority. Before starting its Program, PPS made site visits to other correctional facilities that already had established programs, such as Graterford Prison and Rikers Island. It was one way to anticipate any potential security breaches or problems. PPS’s first efforts focused on outfitting its six facilities with receptacles and educating the inmates and staff on what was appropriate to recycle. After securing funding for the receptacles and placing them in all six facilities, PPS turned its attention to education. It used videos and enlisted the help of inmates in developing educational ideas to promote recycling. Once single stream recycling began, PPS realized that it was diverting approximately 330 tons of recyclables annually from landfills. Certainly this was an outstanding achievement, but PPS realized it could do more. It took another look at the waste stream and asked, “If single stream recycling is taken out of the equation what is mostly left?” Its answer was, food waste or source separated organics.
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717.444.3788
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progressed, the inmates and employees at RCF became increasingly efficient and mindful of the food separation process, thus increasing the daily weight to 500–700 pounds.
PPS designed a program with the assistance of a national composting expert from O2 Compost of Seattle, Washington. It is an aerated system that consists of three bays, with one serving as a mixing bay. Air is forced into the source separated organics (food waste) to speed the decomposition process. The bays were designed with a holding capacity of 300–500 pounds of food waste per day.
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The actual labor operations were supported by inmates from PPS’s Alternative Special Detention Center (ASD), a lower custody facility. ASD inmates conducted daily pickups of source separated organics from the facility that had been selected for the pilot program, the Riverside Correctional Facility (RCF), a women’s facility of approximately 850 women. As the program
The finished product, a high grade compost, is donated to community gardens. It is also available at no cost to all employees and for use by PPS campus grounds keepers.
Pilot to permanent program The pilot program proved to be very successful. From only one facility, RCF, the Prison Sytem diverted an average of over one-hundred tons of waste from its solid waste generation per year. It also reduced
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the food waste disposal through sewage and saved on water costs associated industrial garbage disposals use. Repair and electricity cost associated with disposal use also declined. Although these cost reductions save taxpayers’ dollars, perhaps the best savings is in the fact that it reduces greenhouse gases.
As part of its long term goals, PPS would like to develop and offer formal training to inmates who participate in the Program. It recognizes that for many of the inmates receiving formal training with certification in an ever growing industry, environmental technologies, could have some positive, long term benefits. The participants in the training program will be required to work a specified number of hands-on hours with the Compost Program, and in its planned Orchard Program.
Philadelphia’s Nutter Administration saw this pilot program as a great success. It fit well with the City’s mission to make itself the “Greenest City in the U.S.” It generously awarded PPS a $60,000 grant from the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. With such funding, The PPS Compost Program has demonstrated much success. In PPS could focus on its expansion goal to include all the facilities addition to the many accolades from local publications, correction and to potentially divert as much 1,872 tons from a landfill a year. professionals’ organizations and community groups, PPS has been the proud recipient of PROP’s Waste Watchers Award in 2013 and 2014. For more information, email: Laura.Cassidy@prisons.phila.gov
The best in RECYCLING and WASTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Compost Program inmates construct aerated static compost bays.
Looking to the future PPS plans its expansion in stages. It has already extended the Program to two additional facilities. This required building more aerated bays (equipment and materials). It also involved moving the operations to other locations and adding bays that are longer and wider than the original ones. By autumn 2014, PPS hopes to extend the Program fully to the remaining facilities.
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Talkin Trash with Westmoreland Cleanways
Educating Rita the Old-fashioned Way
John Longo and Ellen Keefe
Ellen Keefe Westmoreland Cleanways
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F
or those of us who grew up with radio as a daily fixture in our lives, we understand that local radio personalities can seem like dear and trusted friends. The voices that greet us each morning with the headlines and introduce the anthems of our generation often become kindred spirits with whom we share a bond. So I was both surprised and pleased to be asked to become part of a radio talk show on 1480 WCNS AM.
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In 2007, when I attended the Westmoreland Fair to announce A small, independent radio station like WCNS has the flexibility its new recycling program, designed by Westmoreland Cleanways, to manage its own programming, and fortunately isn’t dependent John Longo, WCNS station owner, was also there to cover the Fair on impersonal ratings from a larger media market. While it is as a press event. After the Fair, John introduced himself to me and difficult to figure out how many people actually listen to Talkin’ pitched the idea of doing a half-hour show on WCNS’s Saturday Trash, WCNS has a potential reach of over 200,000 listeners in its Morning Talk Block. Wow! John Longo noticed me! broadcast area. For me, the charm of being part of the WCNS family is being part of that broader Westmoreland County community. I never particularly thought of myself as an interesting When I’m out and about visiting local businesses and I hear the local professional—more like a recycling fanatic who radio tuned to WCNS, I feel a bond with the listeners that we’re would talk to anyone willing to listen. But, I trying to reach. When a visitor to the was sufficiently flattered by his interest and Recycling Center gives me a quizzical intrigued enough to give radio a try. look, tilts his head and says, “I know that voice; you’re on the radio,” I know we’re WCNS is one of Westmoreland County’s kindred spirits. few independent stations. Its Morning Talk Block billed as “compelling conversations with interesting local professionals about health, wealth, and lifestyle,” would be a great vehicle to reach thousands of local residents with Westmoreland Cleanways’ message of recycling and environmental stewardship. We agreed to a half-hour timeslot once a month. WCNS radio personality, Joe Gearing, would co-host the show in a casual conversational style, and that would be less intimidating than trying to carry the show myself. Besides, my mother listened to Joe Gearing when I was growing up in Pittsburgh. I was really impressed! In preparation for our first taping (and thank goodness it wouldn’t be live), I prepared a list of leading questions for Joe to review ahead of time. I included a title for the show that I do not remember now. Much to my dismay, I also found out that it would be a one-shot deal, no edits or do-overs. Talk about intimidating! Well, Joe started the countdown to record: “Three…two…one… good morning, and welcome to Talkin’ Trash with Ellen Keefe.” That wasn’t the introduction that I wrote! It didn’t matter. Talkin’ Trash was born. Since that first show seven years ago, Talkin’ Trash has come a long way. Joe eventually retired, and co-hosting duties were taken over by station owner, John Longo. The monthly format gives Westmoreland Cleanways a timely forum to talk about recycling and to announce upcoming programs, from household hazardous waste collections, to International Composting Awareness Week, to the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania. I learn, too, about community interests. First with Joe, and then with John, I found that their questions reflected the interests of the audience they know best. Their questions let me know where we’re doing a good job, and where we needed to work harder or what we needed to explain better.
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WINTER EQUIPMENT
Bursting at the Seams…
W
inter Equipment Corporation of Columbia, PA was established in 1992 by the current owner, Mark O’Neal. It started in a small building of 500 square feet in Emigsville, PA with one service truck, and today it occupies an office/shop facility of 20,000 square feet, with a three-acre yard and seven service trucks. The Company overcame many obstacles since it was established. One of its biggest challenges came with Mark O’Neal’s deployment with the United
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States Coast Guard, first in response to the 9/11 tragedy in 2001 and then again in 2002 for Operation Enduring Freedom. He nearly lost the company due to these deployments. Fortunately, with a Military Reservist Loan, he was able to save the company and bring sales back to a good level, and even beyond. Since facing these challenges, Winter Equipment has earned a place as one of the largest waste handling and recycling
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equipment distributors in Pennsylvania. Its markets reach the entire Mid-Atlantic area, running from New Jersey to Virginia. To date, it has sold and/or serviced over 15,000 customers. Its complete line of waste handling and recycling equipment allows the company to give its customer exactly what they need, from curbside collection bins to recycling trucks. Winter Equipment is a full line distributor, representing the best manufacturers with what they make. This includes industrial trash compactors, cardboard balers, curbside collection vehicles, processing MRF equipment and large industrial augers. Winter Equipment does not only sell equipment, but also provides services and performs installations on site. These
include: full-service contracts, preventative maintenance contracts and OSHA and ANSI inspections.* It also has a complete stocking inventory of parts for several manufacturers, from a simple key switch to a directional valve.
Winter Equipment’s newest distribution line is Sani-Tech Systems, Inc., a company that manufactures a full line of selfcontained and high-capacity, stationary, pre-crusher ‘auger’ compactors that can meet any customer’s needs.
The Company carries baling wire for vertical and horizontal balers. It also stocks three sizes of Toter brand carts, 32, 64, 96-gallons. At any given time, it has over a half million dollars of used/refurbished equipment in the yard, and carries a full line of front-load and rear-load dumpster supplies. It has over 200 primed dumpsters in stock at any given time, available for immediate delivery. With its own tractor trailer, forklifts and service trucks available, Winter Equipment can service and meet with customer’s needs, including deliveries.
Its auger compactor can be used in grocery stores, hospitals and even industrial settings, such as manufacturing and distribution. The auger reduces in size all waste or recyclables by an 8:1 reduction ratio. This is twice as much as a traditional trash compactor. Like an old-style meat grinder, it accomplishes the same thing, size reduction with compaction. One of Winter Equipment’s most recent auger customers had previously used a pre-crusher trash compactor before compacting. This unit filled a 40 cubic yard compaction container every day, five days a week. Winter Equipment replaced that unit with a heavy duty auger compactor. Now the customer has reduced its 40 cubic yard container pulls to twice a week. This translates into a savings of over three loads per week, or $450 in weekly savings, and a yearly savings of $23,400. The auger is by far the most powerful piece of equipment now distributed by Winter Equipment. It gives the customer the best possible size reduction to decrease the hauling bill to the landfill. Winter Equipment continues to grow and is always willing to help you find the right solution to your “waste problem”. Our office staff is waiting to take your call and help in any way possible. Visit our website, www.winter-equip.com, for more information. *Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) America National Standards Institute (ANSI)
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The Value of Separation Tony Foreman, Trigon Plastics, LLC
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n the 1967 film classic The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman’s character is told by a well-meaning, family friend that in thinking about the future he needs only to remember one word “plastics.” Curiously, he uses the plural and not the singular. Perhaps the Hollywood writers knew more than we gave them credit. In 1967, we still had not experienced the first oil shortages. Plastics, being a petroleum-based product, were cheap, plentiful and easy to manufacture. However over the ensuing years, we have had to come to grips with a finite supply of oil and with environmental restrictions on recovery and processing that necessarily lead to higher cost for all plastics.
Fortunately, most plastics lend themselves to a recycling process. Because of the market value of the raw material, plastics warrant recovery and reconstitution, even without considering the obvious environmental benefits. So although recycling plastics presents some challenges, a positive and profitable value can be gleaned from the process. This is where Trigon Plastics, LLC in Newmanstown, PA focuses its efforts. Trigon had developed as a manufacturer of plastic furniture from product extruded from #2 plastic. Challenges and inconsistencies in 18 PA Recycler FALL 2014
Unsorted bales of mixed plastics (above right) repurposed into beautifully vibrant adirondack chairs.
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obtaining a steady source of materials lead Trigon into plastics recycling. Today its principel effort is on recycling plastics. Its sister company, Casual Living Products, manufactures the furniture. Trigon Plastics has discovered value and efficiencies in recovering and separating #1 through #7 plastics, and in baling and marketing the product they do not use.
In the recycling world plastics fall into 1 of 7 types: 1. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET OR PETE) 2-liter soda bottles, personal water bottle containers
2. HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) milk jugs, detergent bottles
3. POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) plastic piping, molded outdoor furniture
4. LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE) grocery store bags, dry cleaning wraps
5. POLYPROPYLENE (PP) caps on bottles, food storage containers
6. POLYSTYRENE (PS) styrofoam cups, take food containers, packaging peanuts
7. Other A catchall category encompassing many plastics that are produced in low quantity.
Plastics encompass a wide range of organic compounds made principally of petrochemicals. Since each type of plastic has a different chemical structure and different valued characteristics, they must be separated from each other before the can be repurposed. Each type of plastic has market value. The recycling challenge begins when, in the course of manufacturing a product from virgin materials, a few different types of plastic are incorporated into a single product, such as a PET (#1) water bottle being topped with a PP (#5) cap. The challenge becomes greater when many types of plastic are combined in curbside collection or industrial waste consolidation. Now we have plastics, plural, and the value of each is compromised by the whole. Trigon Plastics uses its 50,000 square-foot facility in Newmanstown, PA to separate all plastics in order to restore the value of each. Trigon converts them into a usable feedstock material for manufacturers of new plastic items, and bales the mixed plastics. An especially big challenge for the industry is controlling the incoming material. For example, municipalities, collectors and brokers are all subject to market forces. This means that incoming materials remain a moving target. Nick Jovich, Trigon’s Materials Manager, spends time trying to track down and understand the different grades of material coming into the system. Knowing, for instance, that a particular collector or municipality typically has cleaner material is a clear benefit. Using a mix of material better suited to the separation processes insures a more profitable yield and a better end product.
The Process at Trigon
Plastics arrive at Trigon in various forms. Bales are loosened and broken apart to allow the optical scanners to identify primary types of plastic and sort and separate those to be further processed independently. It is at this stage that a surprisingly significant amount of, dirt, gravel, and metal are also culled from the plastic bales. continued on page 20 PA Recycler FALL 2014 19
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Once the primary determination has been made the more rigorous uncoupling and sorting of plastic types begin. The primary parts are shredded into small pieces and further separated by floatation tanks and air separators. The further sorted plastic components are cleaned through a series of processes to remove, label, glues, and other fine detritus. Finally, a hot wash system is used to insure that the plastic is suitable for its intended new use.
transformed into beautiful and functional, high end pieces of lawn art. The functions and uses of products made from reclaimed plastics run the gamut from the lowly plastic bag to bumpers on mega yachts. The value stays with the plastic. The principle challenge in recouping the value of recyclables rests in our ability to process and separate the plastics. Trigon Plastics is continuously exploring and experimenting to find new and better ways to increase the quality and speed of plastic separation.
High Density Polyethylene extrusion line.
Trigon Plastics focuses on separation and processing of primarily HDPE (#2), in clean dry flakes, pellets or profiled extrusions. Currently Trigon Plastics separates and bales both the PET (#1) and (#3 through #7) for resale. Once the plastics are resorted and restored to their primary type, they regain their original usefulness. Much of the recovered HDPE (#2) is extruded at the Newmanstown facility and sold to Casual Living Products in New Holland, PA and is then used to create Breezesta速 outdoor furniture. The addition of UV Stabilizers and colorants allows this product, formerly destined for the landfill, to be 20 PA Recycler FALL 2014
Natural color HDPE pellets.
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Route Optimization & Cost of Service Evaluation Lauren Hayman MSW Consultants
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ecycling professionals understand that recycling programs have costs, and it’s their job to make those programs sustainable. That means that they can’t operate on a system of diminishing returns or rely on grant funding to balance their budgets. The most fiscally responsible way to create a sustainable waste and recycling program may be to mimic private sector haulers: monitor and evaluate program efficiency, understand the cost of service, and recoup costs in equitable ways. Unfortunately, the average consumer is in the dark about the actual cost of recycling programs. Ask most folks about the value of a glass bottle and they’ll probably tell you that it is five or ten cents, the rebate for returning a glass bottle in another state. They don’t know that after recyclables are sorted, they are sold at a price dependent on market indexes. Many consumers inherently know that the price they pay for a service is padded to cover other risk factors and costs. Risks like decreases in markets prices and increases in fuel prices are not usually in the forefront of consumers’ minds when they’re paying collection fees. They feel pretty sure that someone, somewhere in the recycling industry is making a profit. So what can waste and recycling program managers do to feel just and secure about their pricing? Municipalities performing any type of waste or recycling collection service, ranging from waste collection to fall leaf collection or even food waste collection, can do the same
MSW’s Walt Davenport and State College’s Ed Hicks tour State College Borough facilities and the site of facility improvement projects as part of a cost of service evaluation.
thing that private contractors do: monitor and adapt collections and develop program rates based on the practices of collection optimization and cost of service evaluations.
COLLECTION OPTIMIZATION What is it? In brief, collection optimization answers these questions: 1. 2. 3.
Who is served by the collection system? How much material is collected by it? Are collection services performed efficiently?
This process involves evaluating various performance measures and analyzing data. It includes observations of field and facility operations, considerations of routing balance and efficiency, evaluation of collection container size, analysis of manual collections versus fully and semiautomated collections, or identification of the amount of material the average home puts out for collection. A collection optimization project may also include benchmarking, the process of searching for best practices, innovative ideas, and effective procedures and policies, and then adapting them for the continued on page 22 PA Recycler FALL 2014 21
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grants or the goodwill of community leaders without stable funding does not promote sustainability. In fact, sustainability is promoted by fair and defensible rates, developed by cost of service evaluations.
What is it?
benefit of a municipality. Combined with performance measures, benchmarking enables a municipality to see how its solid waste collection system measures against other municipalities with comparable customer bases and service levels.
The Goal of a Project The goal of collection optimization is to identify potential changes or modifications for a program that will make it operate more efficiently. This means making better use of time and equipment and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
Collection optimization may include and be prompted by: • Establishment or update of user fees • Establishment or updates of service levels • Development of volume-based or variable rate collection program • Program expansion • Use of alternative or new processing facilities • Vehicle and equipment use and maintenance • Installation of GPS or RFID technologies • Route development or balancing
22 PA Recycler FALL 2014
Collection Optimization in Action It was a collection optimization project that led Frederick County, Maryland to find that during weekly waste and recycling collections, residential 18 gallon recycling bins were overflowing, and 95 gallon waste carts were not full. The result was a change in container sizes and collection frequency. Frederick County decreased the size of waste carts and increased recycling container capacity. The County now gives residents the option to choose household appropriate waste and recycling cart sizes. The County also reduced pickups to every other week and uses its website and a smart phone app to remind residents of collections. The combination of these modifications dramatically reduced collection costs and increased recycling tonnage.
These evaluations take a look at the full cost of providing services. Most municipalities account for fuel, maintenance, labor, and disposal costs. However, many forget to include overhead costs that can add up quickly. Consider administrative costs, and the cost of keeping on the lights and heat in a maintenance garage, insurance on facilities and vehicles, printers, ink, time spent on the phone educating residents, and more. Some forget to offset disposal costs with revenues received, and others forget to include the costs of peripheral programs like Christmas tree drop-offs. A cost of service evaluation identifies all those costs and can even project how cost will change in the future. It can take into account collection optimization projects, future program modifications, fluctuations in recyclable commodity markets, fuel prices, funding options (cash outlay, leases, debt service, etc.), and other changing factors that affect the cost of service.
The Goal of an Evaluation A cost of service evaluation is a valuable tool that aids in financial planning. It identifies the full cost of waste and recycling collection programs and helps develop fair and correct pricing for offered services.
Cost of Service Evaluation in Action
COST OF SERVICE EVALUATION
Free recycling programs are common among Pennsylvania municipalities. However, most programs cannot be sustainable if user fees are not charged. These ‘free’ programs may be especially challenged when trying to meeting budgetary constraints or if a grant award arrives later than expected. Reliance on
The Borough of State College’s waste and recycling collection program is currently undergoing a cost of service evaluation and rate analysis. The project includes a costs analysis based on each type of collection the Borough provides. It analyzes direct costs and capital purchases. It also allocates administrative costs to determine the precise cost of each of the Borough’s collections. A rate model will provide the Borough with a
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range of rate setting options. The project will help the Borough to recuperate the full cost of its waste and recycling collection program and allow it to operate sustainably into the future.
FUNDING
There is no one-size fits all approach for collection optimization and cost of service evaluations. Costs vary depending on the level of detail and number of services included in each project.
Recycling Technical Assistance The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) fund the Pennsylvania Recycling Technical Assistance Program. The program provides approved applicants with $7,500 in consulting services to address recycling and composting-related topics. Simple collection optimization and cost of service analysis projects may be funded through this simple program. DEP anticipates releasing a new round of applications for the Recycling Technical Assistance Program in fall 2014.
Act 101 Section 902 Recycling Program Development & Implementation Grant
WE WANT YOUR RECYCLED AND USED CLOTHING 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 Jon Harvey / 313.279.0234 harvey@centralstatesusedclothing.com
Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant guidelines and funding priorities change from one grant round to the next, but they always place emphasis on recycling program sustainability. Information on grant rounds is announced by DEP and in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that can be viewed at www.pabulletin.com. A grant may fund up to 90 percent of approved projects, including collection optimization and costs of service evaluations. This is because such projects meet one of the goals of Act 101: development of mature, self-funded municipal recycling collection programs. COMPETITIVE SERVICE & PRICING The program optimization and cost of service evaluation initiatives described in this article are used consistently by private hauling companies across Pennsylvania and the nation to make their for-profit enterprises successful. Municipalities buy the same trucks, employ staff from the same labor pool, and have access to the same tools and technologies as private sector entities. With proper application of program optimization and cost of service evaluation, municipal waste management can be as efficient and competitive as those in private sector while meeting state and local recycling and sustainability goals.
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Advantages of Porous Pave
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id you ever wonder what happens to your used tires when you are finished with them? Discarding our tire waste has always been challenging. Constructed in a manner that makes them UV resistant, flexible and long lasting, tires are
exceptionally durable. The very qualities that please the consumers and give tires a great service life are the same qualities that make it tough for us to dispose of them. If you were to leave a tire out in a field for 100 years, it would still be a tire. It would have lost only a portion of its weight and faded a bit in color, but it would still be a tire. There are roughly 259 million tires discarded in the United States annually, and only a small percentage of them are recycled or re-purposed into usable goods. Tire manufacturers have worked to extend the life of tires by developing higher mileage tires that reduce the number of tires needed per miles driven. However, there are many more vehicles on the road today. So despite advancements in technology, it remains challenging to make headway in tire recycling. Only a small percentage of tires are consumed and/or re-used. Many environmental and industry engineers have worked together to provide more useful ways to repurpose tires while offering maximum benefit.
Some Uses For Recycled Tires
Used tires often serve as an alternative source of furnace energy in the production of cement powder, glass and other products that require extreme temperatures to produce. Tires may also be ground up into chips; the pollutants are extracted and the steel reinforcement is removed via magnets. The steel is then recycled separately. The tire chips have many uses. Ground chips are most commonly used to cover landfills, for mulch, and in the manufacture of rubber mats. A small number of tires are made into art or artistic furniture. 24 PA Recycler FALL 2014
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Making Porous Pave
Perhaps the single best use of the recycled rubber chips is to use them to make paving substrate. Porous Pave, Inc. has been manufacturing and installing a porous paving that actually turns tires into something good for the environment. The paving’s ability to accept storm water is exceptional. The process was originally developed by Firestone engineers. The porous paving accepts over 6,200 gallons of water per hour for every square foot installed. This water may be reused for irrigation, grey water or simply captured to allow for slower seepage into the ground. Impressively, for every two-inch-thick square foot of installed Porous Pave, 300 tires are diverted from landfills. Tires are broken down, chipped, and pollutants are removed. Any steel is recycled separately. Colorant is added to the rubber chips that are then bagged for delivery. Site work should be done to provide a proper clean stone base, which may vary in depth depending on the application. Rubber chips are mixed with a moisture-cured urethane binder at the jobsite and poured and worked into place with standard concrete tools. There are two types of Porous Pave…
Porous Pave is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved and has the highest slip resistance rating available. The XL version may be plowed during snow events, and both are deicing salt and calcium safe. Often Porous Pave is specified for use in municipal projects, zoos, arboretums, trail-way projects and driveways. Increasingly contractors are taking the Porous Pave training program. For additional information on Porous Pave training and products, contact Jim Dowd of Aquarius Supply at jimd@aquariussupply. com or visit the manufacturer’s website www.porouspaveinc.com.
Type 1: POROUS PAVE XL consists of a 50 percent rubber, 50 percent clean, kiln-dried stone aggregate and a urethane binder. Porous Pave XL may be used for low speed vehicular applications, parking stalls, walkways, golf course cart paths, recreation trails, patios, steps, green roofs and much more.
Type 2: POROUS PAVE XLS consists of 100 percent rubber and binder. The “S” in XLS stands for soft. It can be used for playgrounds and swimming pool surrounds.
Also available is a recycled porous foam rubber mat that can be installed underneath Porous Pave XLS rubber surfacing. This can provide up to a 10’ fall rating (playground safety rating) near playground equipment for safety. Porous Pave XL or XLS may also be installed over existing pavements, on wood decks and metal decking as a slip resistant coating. Keep in mind that when used as an overcoat on existing concrete and blacktop, it will not be porous except on its edges. Porous Pave Inc. XL product can be seen in Philadelphia at the Penn State Gridstar project located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard where it was used as a walkway for stormwater management. If you visit Chanticleer Gardens Arboretum located in Wayne, PA, you will find that all the walkways and visitor areas are paved with Porous Pave XL. The sports fan can find Porous Pave XLS in action as Tree Pit surrounds at both Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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Always There for You
it has favorable qualities that promote recycling and ultimately benefits a more sustainable lifestyle. Consumers can feel good about using steel cans because they are made of recyclable material in the form of durable, premeasured packages that ultimately help to decrease food waste that may occur with fresh or frozen counterparts. For decades, Americans have used steel cans and they continue to do so. With over 1,500 canned food varieties available today, the options are nearly endless! Americans use over one hundred million steel food cans every day, enough each year to reach the moon and back seven times! Casey Fenton Steel Recycling Institute
S
teel food cans have long been a part of America’s pantry. Reliable, recyclable and shelf-stable, steel food cans are there when you need a quick snack or an extra vegetable for the family’s dinner. In fact, the convenience of canned food is only one reason why steel cans make good sense for food packaging.
Steel cans provide an efficient and effective way to store food in a package made from North America’s most recycled material. Steel’s very nature offers two important considerations for widespread use: first, it serves well as a safe, effective food packaging material; and second, 26 PA Recycler FALL 2014
A study by the United States Department of Agriculture indicates that 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S. is not eaten. This means the average American family throws out an estimated 25 percent of the food and beverages it buys.
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and more safely, making nutritious food available to those who may not have easy access to, or means of storing, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
Recyclable Steel Cans
Packaged Food in Steel Cans
While misconceptions may persist, many families realize that they don’t have to sacrifice nutrition and health when using canned food. In fact, a finding of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion’s (USDA) notes that “registered dietitians believe that canned fruits and vegetables provide equal or greater value, nutrition, convenience and taste, when compared to their fresh counterparts.”
Addressing the importance of recycling “just one can” has been part of the Steel Recycling Institute’s (SRI) mission since its inception, over 25 years ago. This importance extends to everyone who cares about the environment and sustainability. “The infrastructure for steel can recycling is well in place and has been for several years,” says Gregory L. Crawford, Executive Director of SRI. “The recycling coordinators know the value of a single empty steel food can and consumers should be well aware also.” continued on page 28
Deacon Equipment Co. Bloomsburg, PA
Online resources, like Mealtime.org, highlight significant advantages related to incorporating canned foods into daily our life. Created and maintained by the Canned Food Alliance (CFA), Mealtime.org features free and sharable resources about canned foods, including research, recipes and family mealtime tips. The site provides families with a one-stop source for easy, cost-effective and nutritious recipes that use canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats and seafood.
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Today when families have less time to spend together at the dinner table, efficient and delicious meal options allow extra time to be spent enjoying each other’s company rather than in the kitchen. Research shows that one-third of Americans typically decide what to make for dinner at the last minute, so keeping nutritious foods, like canned fruits, vegetables and beans on hand can help people make healthier eating choices. Fruit and vegetables canned within hours of harvesting retain their nutrients throughout their shelf life. Thanks to impermeable and unbreakable steel packaging, the contents are protected from light, air, gasses, fragrances, oils and fluids, which allows the food to be shipped, shelved and stored more efficiently than other packaging options. This also means the food can travel further
CALL for More Details! 888-233-2266 www.deaconequipment.com PA State Bid & COSTARS Participant
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How do you know the can is steel? Easy, just use a refrigerator magnet. If it sticks, it’s steel! Recycling a single empty steel food container conserves enough energy to watch television for one hour or light a 60 watt light bulb for more than four hours. Additionally, every ton of steel recycled conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. With an estimated ton of steel cans being recycled every 30 seconds, one can easily see how these resources make a significant difference. Steel containers are the most recycled packaging material in North America. Seventy-one percent of all steel containers are recycled and more than 97 percent of Americans have access to local steel can recycling curbside service or a drop-off program. Steel, as a material, is made with an average minimum of 25 percent recycled content. Recycled steel cans then serve as a key ingredient in creating new steel products and are vital to
the steel industry. Melting down recycled steel rather than using virgin materials reduces energy use without any loss of strength or durability of the final product. Finally, when steel cans go into recycling bins, there are diverted from landfills.
Benefits of Steel Packaging “There has been a steady call in recent years to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, seafood and higher fiber foods, such as beans,” says Rich Tavoletti, Executive Director of the CFA. “This can present a challenge for many people managing their food budgets or who rely on food assistance programs, as well as for those who lack easy access to grocery stores. Canned foods can help all families achieve a healthy, balanced diet by providing access to affordable, nutritious and convenient foods that can be purchased and stored until needed.” Steel cans lock in flavor and nutrients; are easy to ship and store; prevent food waste and spoilage with its long shelf life and therefore save households money. When they’re done being used, steel cans are easily recycled, thus conserving energy, resources, and landfill space. They may then be melted down to form new steel products, such automotive parts, kitchen appliances, or more cans. With a full repertoire of benefits, it’s clear that steel cans are going to be use for a long time. Bon appétit!
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RECYCLING MARKETS Remember Caveat Emptor
Wayne D. DeFeo, LEED AP
DeFeo Associates
W
e hear about recycling market trends in nearly every recycling publication. Sometimes we hear that markets are strong, then weak, then trending up or trending down. The Green Fence, global competition, a weak manufacturing sector and demands for increased recycling (at no cost, of course) by elected officials all become important considerations for us. So what is a recycling coordinator to do? First, take a deep breath and relax. Second, if you remember nothing else, remember to base your marketing decisions on the following axiom: caveat emptor, or if you prefer, let the buyer beware.
I am consistently amazed at the number of times recycling coordinators are sold on a promise of strong prices for recyclables and told not to worry about what is going to happen in the future. “Trust us…we know the markets and you don’t,” or so we are told. Often we are given some ‘magic’ formula and told that we should broaden the range of materials we collect in a single container— because there are ‘strong global markets.’ We are also told not to
worry about contamination issues because the markets will absorb these costs. If we completely trust those who tell us not to worry we may find ourselves feeling like a victim of global forces. In the end, we may be left facing programmatic problems. One thing is certain, recycling markets respond to the laws of economics, especially supply and demand, and if we fail to carefully consider market forces, we may, and many of us have, find ourselves on the harsh side of a market decision. continued on page 30 PA Recycler FALL 2014 29
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For example, the Prins Recycling Corporation found itself dealing with financial lost and significant operational and legal challenges after an unexpected downturn in the market in 1995. The company had expanded quickly based on its apparent initial success, but soon found itself with a real problem. “My dream has turned to garbage,” says Mr. Prins, standing in front of a 25-foot-high mountain of newspapers outside his recycling plant in Newark, N.J. “That used to be piles of gold, and now it’s piles of dirt.” (Highflying
Recycler Lands in the Dumps, by Lee Berton, The Wall Street Journal 08/12/1996)
Clearly such highflying recycling will be especially sensitive to unexpected gluts or changes in the market, even global markets. We have all heard about increased enforcement of Green Fence rejection policies. This serves to remind us that we should try to understand as much as we can about the markets and then proceed cautiously, and when possible, with some strategy in mind. Let’s set things straight about markets, market trends and what part we play in this global game of recycling Stratego®. I reference the online game of Stratego® here to emphasize that recycling is a global strategy game. It relies partly on luck, partly on strategic thinking and partly on understanding what others are doing. Markets have been global to greater and lesser degrees since just after World War II. Recycling markets have always been subject to the law of supply and demand and will continue to be. Lastly, and most importantly, markets have been and always will be subject to quality demands.
Consider the Green Fence Timeline below.
Green Fence Timeline
Markets Drop World economic crisis causes prices paid for recycled material to drop
4th Quarter 2008
China issues Article 12 to “regulate the import of solid waste environmental management to prevent the import of solid waste pollution”
In 2011, the U.S. collected 52.8 million tons of recycling and exported more than 23 million tons—a record. About 15.8 million tons went to China, 23% more than in 2010.
China launches “Operation Green Fence“, a 10-‐ month long initiative that kicked off in February to prevent the importation of solid waste-‐ contaminated shipments.
April 2011
Jan – Dec 2011
February 2013
1993
2013
For the past 20 years, we have been exporting our raw materials such as metal, paper, plastic and more, to China instead of recycling the materials here in the U.S
©DeFeo Associates 2014
This timeline reviews the three primary market influences; global marketing, supply and demand and quality.
An Issue of Qualtity
Since the mid 2000s, China has been the primary market for recyclables generated in the United States. Demand was high, prices This means that you need to be conscious were increasing and we began converting of what is happening in the world and keep to single stream recycling to save money. abreast of world affairs. If the economy At the same time, we were being told to is going down in your main market area, expand the variety of materials that we and the demand for the materials that you collect, especially plastic, and to mix it all are trying to sell is dropping, you can rest together. With good intentions, we did just assured that the demand for higher quality that. Unfortunately, some of us forgot to materials will increase. consider a point made by Jerry Powell, the
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Editor of Resource Recycling: it is essential that we not confuse diversion with recycling. We soon learned that many plastics were being sorted in China and elsewhere in Asia with most of the mix being landfilled (a generous use of the word). It seems that at the same time, we had forgotten our lessons from the last thirty years that quality matters most.
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In the end, too many people were collecting a dirty mix consisting of a greater variety of non-recyclable plastics and other recyclables in single stream programs. At the same time, they relied on a single market to accept this increasingly poor quality higher volume mix. Consider the following images. The pictured site (which will remain nameless) is the result of a recycler making promises on market demand, pricing and the type material quality it could accept because of a strong global market. Now, all of this material will either end up in a landfill, an incinerator or as road base. The total cost to all involved exceeds of $1,000,000.
Become Smarter About Market Trends
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Phone (717) 867-5790 Fax (717) 867-5798
E-Mail: info@goglra.org
Anyone that tells you they can predict future markets with any degree of accuracy should be viewed with a very skeptical eye. To emphasize my point, let me say that neither I, nor anyone else, can truly predict the future behavior of markets. Rather, having been in this industry for most of my adult life, what I can offer is some insight about what to keep in mind. • Markets are global in nature and will remain so. • In the commodities arena, recycling markets probably react most clearly to the law of supply and demand. • People will continue to make promises, often absurd ones, about how easy it is to recycle poor quality materials. • Some of us will repeat past errors and fall prey to marketing charlatans. • Markets will always be quality based. Those with the highest quality will win in the end.
One way of thinking about recycling markets is to think a bit like Warren Buffet in terms of investments. Mr. Buffet is known for his thinking in the long term rather than for looking for short-term returns. It may help to view your recycling program in the same way. Moving forward, we would be well-served to educate participants on the need to keep things clean. Equally important, we must have a program goal of providing long-term stability with an emphasis on sale of materials as commodities rather than just trying to increase diversion rates. In expanding collections, add materials slowly only after a market has proven itself. And finally, always a smart strategy, remember, caveat emptor.
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RECYCLING PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2015 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.
Course
CEUs
Date
101
Practice & Theory – Core Course
1.4
3/17 � 18 Centre County
437
Plastic Summit
0.6
4/8
Harrisburg
355
Single Stream
0.3
5/6
Lycoming
352
Recycling Facility Design
0.4
5/6
Lycoming
350
Materials Processing & Marketing
1.4
6/3 � 4
Centre County
The PROP Recycling Professional Certification Committee completed a tentative 2015 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
Location
Online Classes In session everyday (Can be used for certification and re-certification credits)
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 & Disposal
0.2
CHECK OUT
PROPRECYCLES.ORG for updates, and to register!