Photo Blog 5 - RE3.org and Greensboro Coliseum

Been to see a show at the Greensboro Coliseum lately? If you haven’t, you’ll be in for a surprise. The facility has started a great recycling program and is making sure to educate those that attend an event there.































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Photo Blog 4 - America Recycles Day 2008 Wrap-Up

More than 375 North Carolinians pledged to recycle more and buy recycled products via America Recycles Day in November. RE3.org gave away multiple recycled content prize packs to Paul in Raleigh, Romelia in Asheville, Mary in Charlotte, Wilma in Mebane, Cee in Hickory and Charliss in Chapel Hill.

Photo Blog 3 - Happy Holidays from RE3.org

Merry Christmas!

Photo Blog 2 - Good Graffiti?

I am torn in my opinion of graffiti. On one hand it is art and on the other hand it is trespassing and vandalism. I am not sure where the graffiti below was created but I do like its message.

Photo Blog 1 - Bins, Bins, Bins

My next few posts are going to be photo blogs. Hope you enjoy.

1. Cisco
Last month I was fortunate enough to be invited to a meeting at Cisco about social media and internet marketing. I learned a lot. If you think you now understand Web 2.0, just wait for Web 3.0. Read more about it here. I also got a great tip. Visit Universal McCann Marketing Agency for lots of info about social media and social networking.

Can you believe how nice Cisco's recycling bins were?















2. Charlotte Convention Center
I was at the Charlotte Convention Center recently for a science teachers conference. While in the exhibit hall I noticed these recycling bins. Unfortunately they were not labeled. They did have these nice banners hanging above them. Learn more about the convention center’s recycling program from the Glass Packaging Institute’s article here.

Last Minute Holiday Gifts You Can Make

Guest Blogger - Clare

RePlayGround

If you’re a DIYer, I found a really creative Web site you can peruse. It’s http://www.replayground.com, and it gives ideas on how to turn your scrap into functional items. Some of it is funky art (the milk/cereal placemat); other crafts are useful and very handy (the jersey tote bag). The site gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make the projects, which is good for someone who lacks creativity (guilty). The site also sells kits that allow you to merge some of your junk with a helpful premade addition. I was intrigued by the “remake it” bottle lamp. It provides the lamp posts, and you provide the bottles for the lamp ‘shade’ (see picture above). A cool Web site for someone with time on their hands and reusing on the brain.

Training: Municipal Solid Waste Workshop

Where is “away”?
A Municipal Solid Waste workshop featuring Project Learning Tree

February 16, 2009: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
February 17, 2009: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
In Elizabeth City, NC

Everyone knows our waste goes "away" when we dispose or recycle it. But where is "away?” This workshop will give you a hands-on look at "away." You will also receive multiple lessons about solid waste and recycling, hear from experts in the field, and walk away with recycling freebies you can use with your school or organization. Participants will also receive the PLT Pre-K-8 Activity Guide and the PLT Secondary Module Municipal Solid Waste to help implement what they have learned into their classroom/programs. Workshop qualifies for Criteria I of EE Certification and CEU renewal credits. A $75 stipend will be given to classroom teachers and others within school districts.

Workshop, lunch, tours and additional materials are provided free of charge.
Print, complete and fax the registration form found here - http://www.p2pays.org/main/Documents/PLTregistration.pdf.

RE3.org Survey Results – Baseball Games, Summer 2008

In the summer of 2008 we held recycling nights at three minor league baseball games throughout North Carolina – the Kinston Indians, the Hickory Crawdads and the Asheville Tourists. We surveyed attendees at each location. Below are the survey results.

Respondents:
51 female, 22 male, 8 no response
Ages ranged from 15-64 (largest group was age 18-34)

Questions:
1. How do you like to spend your free time?
- Listening to or playing music was the most common way people spend their free time with Watching TV/movies second.
- For the 18-34 year old demographic, music was still the number one thing to do but “hanging out” was the second most popular activity.
- The male respondents noted “Participate in an outdoor activity” as their second preference for spending their free time.

2. How do you get your news and information?
- TV was the most common daily source of news.
- For the 18-34 year old demographic, radio, TV and friends all received equal votes for daily news sources.
- The 50-64 year olds had newspaper down as their preferred method of receiving news.
- The most popular way for female respondents to get the news is by TV but men receive news via the phone or radio more often.
- Males in the 17-24 year old age range are most likely to use the Internet as their daily means of receiving news.

3. Brand recognition
- 43% of all respondents had seen the Recycle Guys before. 16% had seen RE3.org before.
- 38% of males had seen Recycle Guys and 25% had seen RE3.org. 46% of females had seen Recycle Guys and 22% had seen RE3.org.
- At the Hickory baseball game more people had seen the Recycle Guys logo (58%) than in the other communities.

Some interesting insights from this data.
- Tag recycling to music events, festivals, radio shows, CD give-aways etc.
- Incorporate recycling into outdoor activities to reach the male population.
- Newspaper is an appropriate method for an older demographic.
- Phone and Internet is a way to communicate with young males.
- TV advertising that has been used in the Hickory area does help brand the Recycle Guys.

New commercials

We are creating some new commercials for an older demographic (35-55). Below are the themes and scripts. Your thoughts?

Jobs Commercial -
Intro: Recycling sustains more than 14,000 jobs in N.C.
Speaker 1: Paula Hoffman, FCR
“Our facility recycles material from throughout North Carolina. I have a job educating about recycling.”

Speaker 2: City of Raleigh employee
“I’ve been collecting recyclables for four years. Thank you for participating in your curbside program.”

Speaker 3: Mylinda Jacobsen, Envision Plastics
“Thanks to recycling, Envision has doubled its workforce since opening in 2001. Thanks for your support.”

Tagged to RE3.org:
“To find out more about how recycling creates jobs go online to RE3.org.”

Cycle commercial -
Intro: "The materials you recycle come back to you in the form of products you buy every day. Putting your recyclables in the collection bin and then buying recycled products keeps the cycle going - creating jobs, saving energy and protecting the environment."

Speaker 1: Step 1: Collection – Mecklenburg County
"The recyclables you drop off at your local convenience center is step one of the recycling cycle. Thank you for doing your part!"

Speaker 2: Step 2: Processing - Green Fiber
"We receive your old newspaper and turn it into new cellulose insulation which is step 2 of the recycling cycle."

Speaker 3: Step 3: Recycled Content Products – Home Improvement Center
"After your old newspaper is turned into new insulation it is distributed to your local home improvement center. Do your part and purchase products with recycled material to complete step 3."

Tagged to RE3.org:
“To find out more about the recycling cycle go online to RE3.org.”

Holiday Recycling News Release

Feel free to use this news release in your community.

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE “GREEN” HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

RALEIGH—The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages North Carolinians to practice environmentally-friendly holiday habits this year.

By reducing waste and “going green,” you may be able to save some green in the process. Studies show holiday preparations, including gift-giving, holiday decorations and food preparation, increase the nation’s trash by an extra one million tons per week during the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

“Now is the perfect time to implement some environmentally-friendly holiday ideas. Not only are people concerned about the economy, but the environment is also a hot topic,” said Kelley Dennings, environmental specialist with the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “Why not make a ‘green’ New Year’s resolution this year as well?”

Some environmentally-friendly and cost-saving ideas include:
- Give home-baked goodies in reusable containers like baskets, tins or jars.
- Give non-materialistic “green” gifts that do not require wrapping, such as gift certificates for massages, to restaurants, cooking classes, sailing lessons, etc.
- Give a gift of time or talent. Take someone to a play, concert or movie. Make gift certificates for a special dinner, pet-sitting or house cleaning. Offer your talents at gardening, photography or financial planning — or better yet, teach someone a skill you possess such as knitting, woodworking or playing an instrument.
- Send holiday e-cards instead of paper greeting cards or make sure the ones you buy have recycled content material.
- When shipping, reuse foam peanuts or other packaging materials.
- If you have several events or parties in a short amount of time, buy food items in bulk. You will save a trip to the grocery and use less packaging.
- Shop at thrift stores for unique gift items or holiday decorations.
- Save all gift-wrapping and decorations to reuse later or wrap gifts in old maps, posters, sheet music, fabric or wallpaper scraps.

Other environmentally-friendly ideas include:
- Give a compost bin, can crusher, water timer, programmable thermostat, rain barrel, house plant, bird feeder, light timers or bat house.
- Use reusable grocery and shopping bags and make sure to recycle the non-reusable ones.
- Try not to use disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware. If you do buy disposable products look for ones with recycled content.
- If a tree is part of your celebration, buy one that can be replanted in your yard. If you can’t replant your tree, compost it after the holidays.

For additional environmentally friendly holiday tips, please visit the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance Web site at: http://p2pays.org/recycleguys/generalholidaywaste.html.

E-mail Tidbits 4 – GA’s special event recycling campaign

Excerpts from the Keep America Beautiful E-Newsletter

Keep Georgia Beautiful decided to create a new, state-wide grant program designed to target a largely untapped source of recyclable materials at special events. Public venues often generate large volumes of recyclable materials representing a missed opportunity to collect valuable commodities and to decrease the amount of material headed to the landfill. Keep Georgia Beautiful realized that communities needed an economical and flexible way to collect recyclable materials at athletic events, concerts, conferences, festivals and other community activities. In addition to capturing a significant amount of material, the program would help instill a recycling ethic in the public by raising their awareness and offering opportunities to recycle not just at home but when they are "away from home."

Leveraging its bulk buying power, KGB created a turnkey trailer filled with everything needed to collect recyclable materials at events. The kits include portable, reusable special event recycling containers, a custom-designed cart to transport the containers and bags, as well as guidance materials for special event planners including an instruction manual, volunteer training and safety information and a collection reporting sheet. These items are provided in a trailer emblazoned with innovative graphics from the state’s exciting new recycling awareness campaign.

Communities were able to choose from one of three designs all featuring people tattooed with a “Recycle 4 Georgia” logo. The recycling containers themselves are designed to minimize contamination and encourage attendees to recycle. Signage is provided for each bin with room for local information to be added. The carts allow easy distribution of the collapsible recycling containers throughout the event site and provide a rack to store the containers in the trailer when not in use. In addition to being eye-catching, the trailers are sized so that they can be pulled by a standard pick-up trailer hitch. In total, 35 trailers were distributed to large and small communities across the state; of those, 32 trailers were awarded to places with a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. Communities are also encouraged to lend their trailers to neighboring areas increasing the overall impact.

Curbside Value Partnership joined the statewide effort by providing advertising, graphic design and local government recycling promotional material support. In addition, the Coca-Cola Company donated $25,000 toward the purchase of trailers and collection containers.

E-mail Tidbits 3 – E-Waste

“Take back my TV” is a campaign launched by the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. According to its Web site the switch to Digital TV will send 10’s of millions of old TV’s to an early grave. Watch its video showing the undead TV ZOMBIES come back from the landfill to get their revenge.

Check out these Business Week articles about E-Waste Recycling.
- E-Waste: The Dirty Secret of Recycling Electronics
- Virginia Targets Supreme Asset Management

E-mail Tidbits 2 - Article

The Popular Mechanics magazine has an interesting article in its December 2008 issue. The main article is titled "Recycling By the Numbers: The Truth About Recycling," and discusses the economics of the recycling industry and local programs. Read the article here.

Thanks to the Green Gov list for this info. However, this article was written before the market downturn.

E-mail Tidbits 1 – Recycling Market Downturn

Like a few previous posts, here are some good tidbits of news and information that have recently come into my e-mail inbox while out of town.

The Georgia Recycling Coalition, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and several industry representatives, released an informative advisory and analysis summarizing the factors that influenced the recent drop in recycling commodity values along with a set recommendations for “weathering the storm:”

- Market prices for recycled commodities were at historic, unsustainable highs – this market correction was expected but exacerbated by the worldwide credit crisis and global recession.

- The number of recycling programs in the country has grown, thus increasing the overall supply of recovered materials.

- As the economy slows the manufacture and sale of new products has slowed thus lowering the demand for paper products and other recyclable materials.

- Asian markets may have overreacted to the financial market crisis by ceasing paper and other recyclable commodity imports.

- When the Asian markets ceased imports, a significant “new” supply of recyclable materials was available in the U.S.; however with a sluggish economy, demand for the existing supply of recyclables was already slowing.

- Demand for recyclables, although reduced in a sluggish economy, will continue; however it will be more localized to the end markets using the materials – transportation is a major factor impacting the market price of recyclable commodities. (In the long run, this may make recycling more sustainable by linking where materials are collected to the users.)

- Lower oil prices have had an impact on recycled plastic commodity prices but may ease the need for recyclable revenues needed to offset high fuel prices for recyclable collection.

Impact to local governments – what to do….
- Don’t over react! Just like the financial markets, now is not the time to sell. Need to stay in the “market” for the long-haul. Markets are cyclical – the cost to restart versus maintaining a recycling collection program during a sluggish recyclable market is significant and should be considered carefully.

- Minimize collection costs. The collection and transportation of recyclables is a major cost of recycling. Single-stream collection programs will minimize collection costs and as market values drop, single stream collection programs will continue to off-set time, labor and cost intensive manual source separated collection programs.

- Minimize processing costs. Identify stable, efficient recycling processors. Automated, efficient processing recycling centers will be key in lowering processing costs while still maintaining a degree of high quality materials for end markets.

- Some local companies may look at this as a feasible time to make upgrades to facilities in order to streamline their operations toward higher efficiency; this should be construed to be a positive move toward future operations, although it may seem inconvenient for the short term

- Hold the course:
1. Recyclables delivered to local end users support local business, jobs and economies;
2. Recycling conserves water and energy, resulting in manufacturing savings thus building stronger local economies;
3. Recycling is a strong component of any livable/sustainable community index; and
4. The cost to process recyclables is typically less expensive than disposal costs.

- Consider short-term collection contracts. If you are considering, or have a long-term contract, include or add a provision to share in commodity processing costs and/or revenues depending upon the market conditions; understanding that recyclable collection is a service many residents want or have come to expect in their community.

- Remember, commodity prices are subject to supply and demand. Market prices have been at an all time high for the past few years, when making decisions on program changes look at a three-year average (at a minimum) of market prices before conceding to renegotiate revenue sharing contracts or modifying a recycling collection program.

Recycle Glass Day – December 10

RE3.org is a proud supporter of the first Recycle Glass Day. As part of Recycle Glass Day, the Glass Packaging Institute conducted a YouTube video competition. Participating packaging sciences students from Cal Poly, Clemson University, Michigan State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, San Jose State University and Stout University of Wisconsin, created videos to help build national awareness about the benefits of glass container recycling to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better the environment.

Watch the videos and rate your favorite!
Celebrate Recycle Glass Day on December 10th.

New Green Shoes from Payless

Guest Blogger - Clare

I don’t own many “green” clothes or accessories. It’s not that I don’t want to eco-fashionable. Plainly speaking, I’m broke and typically “green” clothes are pricey. So when I read about Payless’s new “green” footwear line, I was excited and skeptical. Its Web site reports that the spring 2009 line will include products made from organic cottons and linen, natural hemp, recycled outsoles and the use of eco-smart packaging. They also will cost around $30 a pair. Not bad.

So why am I skeptical? First, what are Payless’s motives for this new “green” line? Is it really concerned about the effect its products have on the environment, or is it just hopping on the caboose of the “green” train before it completely leaves the consumer station? And how can they afford to offer these shoes so low-priced? Are they coming from China, where pollution is unchecked and a farther shipping distance to its customers? If so, how is this eco-friendly?

Read Payless’s statement here. What do you think?

VIDEO OF THE WEEK – RecycleBank

RecycleBank launched The Cycle, an interactive animation developed to help answer the question of “What happens to my recyclables after I put them out and they are collected?” It takes viewers through each step in the cycle: from recycling collection to processing to manufacturing new products from recycled material. The interactive piece is available both on recyclebank.com in the recycling section (http://www.recyclebank.com/recycling) and also via a standalone site at http://www.explorethecycle.com.

I watched this video and would highly recommend it for middle school students, high school students and adults. It has lots of pros:
- It can be downloaded
- Explains how commingled recycling is separated
- It is broken up into chapters and
- It is unbiased towards any commodity.

Mobile Marketing Units Educate about Recycling

While attending a Wal-Mart meeting this past year, I was fortunate enough to meet Linda, Marketing and Media Relations Manager, for the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation. Did you know that it has a large interactive mobile marketing display unit (tractor trailer) all about battery recycling? It was at all the NASCAR races in 2008. See if it is available for your event by contacting Marla Prince (mprince@rbrc.com).

Coca-Cola also has a mobile marketing unit. It was recently at N.C. State’s campus. The unit included recycling bins, a tent, a tractor trailer with multiple flat screen TVs and two outreach workers that staffed a game where people could win Coke promotional items. Learn more about Coke’s sustainability initiatives here. Contact your local Coke rep for more information on its Mobile Marketing Unit.

Answer the Call

Guest Blogger - Clare

I’ve had only four cell phones. I’m one of those people who would rather duct tape the phone back together than to shell out $$$ to get another one. Despite this, I have been holding onto two of my old phones for years because I don’t know what to do with them. They live in a box, taking up space, along with their old chargers in my closet. Sound familiar?

Lucky for us, The Environmental Media Association is launching a national campaign to recycle cell phones. Get this: they will not only tell you where to ship your old phones (and PDAs, beepers, battery chargers etc.), they will PAY for your postage. Simply fill out the form on this Web site and they’ll e-mail you the label. Remember to remove your SIM card and clear personal information before you send the phone off.

Cell Phone Facts (from EMA Web site):
- The average consumer replaces a cell phone every nine months.
- 75% of those phones are sitting around gathering dust.
- There are hundreds of millions of phones waiting to be recycled.

Free Plastics Recycling Webinars

Due to popular demand, the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers is repeating its popular workshop series “Into the Bin and Back Again” with a set of three free, Web-based seminars. Please join APR in these one-hour recycling trainings geared to helping recycling coordinators collect more plastic more efficiently! Each session is offered twice, but you need only attend the session once. Individual registration is required for each session.

To register or for more information, please visit http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/webinar/

Session One:
Getting to Know You: The Ins and Outs of the Plastics Industry
This free, hour-long Web seminar is designed for the recycling program that would like to improve its plastic recycling techniques. Get real tips from the industry to make sure your program is operating free of kinks and at full profit potential. Learn about plastic recycling resources to make your job easier. Leave with a checklist of possible program improvements.
Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST) -or- Wednesday,
Jan. 7, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST)

Session Two:
Plastic Recycling: Switching to All Bottles Collection
This free, one-hour seminar will present a step-by-step approach on switching to all bottles recycling collection. Participants will learn from case studies and will leave with a to-do for easy implementation. Session will provide definitions, specifications and sorting tips.
Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST) -or- Wednesday,
Jan. 14, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST)

Session Three:
Working With the Middle Man: Tools for Efficient Plastic Recycling
Participants in this Web-based workshop will learn how to get the most out of hauler contracts. We'll also discuss when it might be better to market plastic bales directly. Discussion of contract provisions that are beneficial to the community, including reducing contamination, sharing revenue and monitoring performance.
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST) -or- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EST)

Questions about these workshops?
E-mail Keefe Harrison with the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers at postconsumerplastic@gmail.com.