N.C. DPPEA will be conducting four event/venue recycling workshops across the state this summer. With the upcoming plastic bottle disposal ban (effective Oct. 1, 2009), it is even more important that we remove this material from our waste stream. Not to mention how valuable plastic bottles are for area recycling markets. The new plastics recycling facility in Spartanburg, S.C. is hungry for material. Join us on one of the following days to learn more about recycling at special events and various venues. Each workshop will be from 10 a.m-2 p.m. and will include time for a networking lunch and a tour of a venue that is currently recycling.
- July 14, 2009 – Greensboro
- July 16, 2009 – Greenville
- August 18, 2009 – Charlotte
- August 25, 2009 – Raleigh (webinar also)
Sign up for the workshops here.
5.28.2009
Training: K-12 Tri-county Teacher’s Workshop: June 15-18, 2009
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
K-12 Tri-county Teacher’s Workshop: June 15-18, 2009
CREDITS OFFERED:
NC Environmental Education Certification (EECs):
PLT-Secondary Module of Municipal Solid Waste ~ Participants can receive credit for EEC – 20 Hours Criteria II and/or III by completing this 4 day workshop. The Municipal Solid Waste Curriculum and Activity Guide module will help you explore the important and current topic of managing our municipal solid waste. Participants must be present the entire workshop to receive these credits
CEUs & NCLB: All participants will receive 2.0 Teacher Renewal Credits (CEUs) & 2.0 No Child Left Inside (NCLB) credits.
REGISTRATION FEE & DEADLINE:
The fee is only $20 for the entire workshop! Participants will receive a Municipal Solid Waste Supplemental Curriculum and Activity Guide, numerous resources & give-aways for your classroom and lunch on Thursday!
Send a registration form & payment to Dru Harrison, New Hanover SWCD 230 Government Center Dr, Ste 100, Wilmington, NC 28403 by JUNE 5th!
5.27.2009
Prescription Medication Disposal
Often when there is a prescription that is no longer in use, the surplus drugs end up lining the shelves of medicine cabinets and kitchen drawers. Although people often forget about these leftover pills, it is important to effectively dispose of the surplus drugs to ward off prescription drug abuse. Seventy percent of individuals 12 and older who abuse prescription drugs get the pills from their friends and relatives.
However, just flushing the pills down the toilet can lead to some serious environmental problems; that is why here at RE3.org we want to let you know of some participating stores that are promoting responsible disposal of these items. In the Raleigh area, six local Food Lion stores will be participating in the “Prescription Pill Drop-Off,” which promotes the responsible disposal of unwanted medications. On Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the stores will take any unneeded or expired prescription drugs.
The event is sponsored by the city of Raleigh Police Department and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. These agencies hope to promote public awareness of prescription drug abuse and provide a viable and convenient location for households to drop off these substances. Representatives will be on hand at the parking lot of the following Food Lion locations on May 30.
4510 Capital Boulevard;
1100 N. Raleigh Boulevard;
1121 Falls River Avenue;
2420 Wycliff Road;
4827 Grove Barton Road;
1601 Cross Link Road.
If you have any unwanted prescriptions stop by and get a head start on your spring cleaning!
However, just flushing the pills down the toilet can lead to some serious environmental problems; that is why here at RE3.org we want to let you know of some participating stores that are promoting responsible disposal of these items. In the Raleigh area, six local Food Lion stores will be participating in the “Prescription Pill Drop-Off,” which promotes the responsible disposal of unwanted medications. On Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the stores will take any unneeded or expired prescription drugs.
The event is sponsored by the city of Raleigh Police Department and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. These agencies hope to promote public awareness of prescription drug abuse and provide a viable and convenient location for households to drop off these substances. Representatives will be on hand at the parking lot of the following Food Lion locations on May 30.
4510 Capital Boulevard;
1100 N. Raleigh Boulevard;
1121 Falls River Avenue;
2420 Wycliff Road;
4827 Grove Barton Road;
1601 Cross Link Road.
If you have any unwanted prescriptions stop by and get a head start on your spring cleaning!
35-55-year-old Demographic Recycling Campaign Logo
Help decide on the logo for our new 35-55-year-old recycling campaign. Please take a look at the logos and voice your opinion by taking this survey. Then, please forward to your friends, family and anyone that is interested, particularly if they fit the age range and are male. This will take no longer than one minute!
5.22.2009
My foray into the reverse vending machine model
So Oregon is a bottle deposit state. They passed their bill way back in 1971. I just had to see this in action for myself. We took our aluminum cans, plastic bottles and our “few” beer bottles to the local grocery store where they have a little area outside for these reverse vending machines.
This was so exciting! The machines read the UPC label off the container. If it is unacceptable (like a Gatorade plastic bottle) it will reject it and spit it back out. Most of our beer bottles, soda cans and water bottles were approved. Evidently the addition of water bottles to the deposit program is kind-of new.
Then the machine gives you a little ticket for $.05 or whatever amount of material you recycled. With that you go into the store and buy groceries and the refund is taken off your bill at the end like a coupon.
Later on in my vacation, I was reading the February issue of the “American Recycler” newspaper (I know I am a dork, reading this on vacation). There was an article in the paper about Oregon’s program. Evidently its recycling rate in 2004 was about 25 percent. Then the rate increased sharply due to an increase in curbside recycling programs implementing carts instead of bins. Sounds like North Carolina.
On that topic, the people I stayed with had to pay a private company for curbside recycling collection. It isn’t part of their municipal utility program.
In another article from “American Recycler” regarding Albertson’s grocery stores putting in more reverse vending machines in OR and CA, it said that “studies show that consumers who return empties during their shopping visit, purchase up to 52 percent more than other shoppers.” That is quite an incentive for grocery stores!
All in all, I learned a lot about how bottle deposit programs work.
Job Posting - CRA Internship
The Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) is seeking a Summer Intern for work on a number of specific projects. The number of hours and funding availability will vary with each project.The candidate will support staff programs and will be working on multiple projects simultaneously.
This position may require some travel and the applicant will be required to have a computer (laptop preferred), internet access, cellphone and reliable transportation. We would prefer that the candidate live in the Raleigh or Triad area of NC, or somewhere in the upstate of SC.
For more information, please contact CRA Executive Director, Gary Bilbro at (919) 395-2406 or gbilbro@cra-recycle.org.
This position may require some travel and the applicant will be required to have a computer (laptop preferred), internet access, cellphone and reliable transportation. We would prefer that the candidate live in the Raleigh or Triad area of NC, or somewhere in the upstate of SC.
For more information, please contact CRA Executive Director, Gary Bilbro at (919) 395-2406 or gbilbro@cra-recycle.org.
5.21.2009
Great Pacific Garbage Patch - North Pacific Ocean Gyre
Imagine this: 6:30 p.m. west coast time; lots of fog. Highway 101 between Crescent City and Klameth. A man and woman in a fuel efficient car, do a quick U-turn into the parking lot of a local youth hostel that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Right behind them another man and woman pull into the parking lot but on bikes. The first couple was headed north and the second couple was headed south.
They both inquire about room availability at the hostel. Unfortunately no male beds are available. As the two couples walk back down the path to the parking lot, the two women begin to chat.
"Where are you from?"
"LA," she says, "And you?"
"North Carolina."
"How long have you been riding your bike?"
"One month," she says. "We are riding from Canada to Mexico conducting talks about the pollution in the North Pacific Ocean Gyre."
"Really? I’ve heard about that. A bunch of plastic trash is swirling around in the ocean where the currents meet and it looks like an island because there is so much of it."
"That’s right. We are with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation," she says. "Last year we sailed a Junk Raft made up of 15,000 plastic bottles from Los Angeles to Hawaii to bring attention to the matter."
After that quick conversation and receiving some information about the ride, the two ladies parted ways.
They both inquire about room availability at the hostel. Unfortunately no male beds are available. As the two couples walk back down the path to the parking lot, the two women begin to chat.
"Where are you from?"
"LA," she says, "And you?"
"North Carolina."
"How long have you been riding your bike?"
"One month," she says. "We are riding from Canada to Mexico conducting talks about the pollution in the North Pacific Ocean Gyre."
"Really? I’ve heard about that. A bunch of plastic trash is swirling around in the ocean where the currents meet and it looks like an island because there is so much of it."
"That’s right. We are with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation," she says. "Last year we sailed a Junk Raft made up of 15,000 plastic bottles from Los Angeles to Hawaii to bring attention to the matter."
After that quick conversation and receiving some information about the ride, the two ladies parted ways.
5.20.2009
Recycling Bins everywhere
There were so many recycling bins in San Francisco they began to blend in. I immediately noticed them in the airport. Then we saw them everywhere on the street, like this one. I am not sure exactly how it works, since the top part looks like the recycling part but it is not large enough to hold stuff. This might just be a trash can with a reminder to recycle welded into the top of it.A couple of things come to mind with this bin. First, we saw lots of street people digging through the trash for cans and wheeling their collection carts through the city. Second, I saw some signs near other recycling bins that said "Material separated at facility." So maybe they have a dirty MRF. Either way, it seemed to be getting the job done.
Then I visited our old intern, Dakota. The city of San Francisco not only uses carts for curbside recycling, it also has curbside cart collection for organics (the green cart). It was so cool!
As we drove up the CA coast we saw these recycling bins at its rest areas and the barrel recycling bins at Humbolt Redwoods State Park.The one place we didn't have recycling was in our hotel. Keep it up CA. Recycle more!
.
5.19.2009
NORTH CAROLINA RECYCLING DATA SENDS MIXED SIGNALS
RALEIGH – Total recovery from local government recycling programs dropped by more than 90,000 tons last year as revealed in a recent analysis conducted by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
According to the FY 07-08 Solid Waste Management Annual Report and an annual performance analysis conducted by the department, recovery from local government programs fell from almost 1.35 million tons to approximately 1.26 million tons. The 90,000 ton decrease represents a 6.8 percent decrease in recovery. During the same period, waste disposed in North Carolina fell roughly 4.7 percent. The analysis identified decreases in yard waste recovery and tire recycling as the primary reasons for the overall decline in recovery.
“Despite this drop in recovery, there are some very positive trends,” said Jim Hickman, local government assistance team leader for the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “If you look at the materials commonly accepted in curbside recycling programs, such as paper and beverage containers, you’ll actually find that tonnage continued to climb. The decline in yard waste recovery is mostly due to the drought – in normal years, yard waste would be 10 to 15 percent higher. However, overall there is still a lot of room for improvement in local recycling efforts.”
The analysis shows that when yard waste and tire recovery data were removed, the state experienced relatively strong recycling growth during the last decade with raw tonnage increasing by more than 28 percent and per capita recovery increasing by more than 10 percent. The average county per capita recovery rate, excluding tires and yard waste, fell slightly from last fiscal year to approximately 113 pounds per capita, while the counties with the top 10 recovery rates remained relatively unchanged.
“Improving the performance of local recycling programs has never been more important to North Carolina, especially when it comes to economic development,” according to Scott Mouw, chief of the Community and Business Assistance Section of the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “We have companies in the state that rely on the flow of materials from recycling programs to sustain and create new jobs. If we are able to meet our ambitious goal to recycle 2 million tons annually from local programs by 2012 and if we successfully implement the upcoming disposal bans plastic bottles, wooden pallets and oil filters, the result will be new employment opportunities for North Carolinians.”
As an example, in the past year, two plastic recycling companies made major commitments to creating recycling jobs in the Carolinas. NURRC LLC recently expanded a PET plastic recycling facility in Spartanburg, S.C. The plant is expected to recycle more than 100 million pounds of soda and drink bottles each year. Most of the recycled resin produced at the plant is shipped to Southeastern Container in Enka, where it is turned back into new soda bottles. And Clear Path Recycling LLC recently announced that it will build a PET plastic recycling facility in Fayetteville. The plant is expected to create 100 new jobs and consume 280 million pounds of recycled soda and drink bottles each year.
A list detailing per capita annual recycling rates for each North Carolina county can be found here. The totals include tonnage recycled by both county and municipal programs within the county. Yard waste, tires and some special wastes are excluded from the totals to allow consistent comparisons from year-to-year.
According to the FY 07-08 Solid Waste Management Annual Report and an annual performance analysis conducted by the department, recovery from local government programs fell from almost 1.35 million tons to approximately 1.26 million tons. The 90,000 ton decrease represents a 6.8 percent decrease in recovery. During the same period, waste disposed in North Carolina fell roughly 4.7 percent. The analysis identified decreases in yard waste recovery and tire recycling as the primary reasons for the overall decline in recovery.
“Despite this drop in recovery, there are some very positive trends,” said Jim Hickman, local government assistance team leader for the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “If you look at the materials commonly accepted in curbside recycling programs, such as paper and beverage containers, you’ll actually find that tonnage continued to climb. The decline in yard waste recovery is mostly due to the drought – in normal years, yard waste would be 10 to 15 percent higher. However, overall there is still a lot of room for improvement in local recycling efforts.”
The analysis shows that when yard waste and tire recovery data were removed, the state experienced relatively strong recycling growth during the last decade with raw tonnage increasing by more than 28 percent and per capita recovery increasing by more than 10 percent. The average county per capita recovery rate, excluding tires and yard waste, fell slightly from last fiscal year to approximately 113 pounds per capita, while the counties with the top 10 recovery rates remained relatively unchanged.
“Improving the performance of local recycling programs has never been more important to North Carolina, especially when it comes to economic development,” according to Scott Mouw, chief of the Community and Business Assistance Section of the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “We have companies in the state that rely on the flow of materials from recycling programs to sustain and create new jobs. If we are able to meet our ambitious goal to recycle 2 million tons annually from local programs by 2012 and if we successfully implement the upcoming disposal bans plastic bottles, wooden pallets and oil filters, the result will be new employment opportunities for North Carolinians.”
As an example, in the past year, two plastic recycling companies made major commitments to creating recycling jobs in the Carolinas. NURRC LLC recently expanded a PET plastic recycling facility in Spartanburg, S.C. The plant is expected to recycle more than 100 million pounds of soda and drink bottles each year. Most of the recycled resin produced at the plant is shipped to Southeastern Container in Enka, where it is turned back into new soda bottles. And Clear Path Recycling LLC recently announced that it will build a PET plastic recycling facility in Fayetteville. The plant is expected to create 100 new jobs and consume 280 million pounds of recycled soda and drink bottles each year.
A list detailing per capita annual recycling rates for each North Carolina county can be found here. The totals include tonnage recycled by both county and municipal programs within the county. Yard waste, tires and some special wastes are excluded from the totals to allow consistent comparisons from year-to-year.
5.07.2009
Mixed messages
Guest Blogger – Michigan Mary
These days there are a lot of mixed messages that are being sent to the consumer. It is hard to know sometimes if the green advertising that comes our way really is based on a company’s decision to do what is right for the environment versus what is best for its financial bottom line.
Recently, we here at RE3.org have learned that some area universities have been contacted by a water bottle company which advertises a natural plastic exterior which is biodegradable. Although initially this may catch the eco-conscious consumer’s attention there is a little more to the story than initially meets the eye.
The pros of this particular bottle is that it is not made from petroleum based methods which we all know causes harmful external effects on the environment around us. The plastic, called PLA or Poly lactic acid, is made out of a renewable resource (corn-based). The company advertises that its product can be recycled; however, because of the alternate processing to make the plastic, it is not able to be recycled like the rest of the water bottles currently available on the market, but it can be composted.
The company advertises that its product can be recycled, but this is enforcing incorrect associations within society. Styrofoam can technically be recycled but the availability of locations that are able to take it is miniscule compared to say, an aluminum can. If individuals start to make false assumptions about what can and can’t be recycled it becomes costly to the companies that actively engage in this practice.
This is a tough issue though because it seems the company is trying to be sustainable and is seeking to alter the current unsustainable practices within society. By creating a bottle that is biodegradable it is hoping to create a greener future. Tell us what you think – would you buy a bottle of water based on how or if it can be recycled? Does the manner in which it can be recycled (put in a bin or composted) matter?
These days there are a lot of mixed messages that are being sent to the consumer. It is hard to know sometimes if the green advertising that comes our way really is based on a company’s decision to do what is right for the environment versus what is best for its financial bottom line.
Recently, we here at RE3.org have learned that some area universities have been contacted by a water bottle company which advertises a natural plastic exterior which is biodegradable. Although initially this may catch the eco-conscious consumer’s attention there is a little more to the story than initially meets the eye.
The pros of this particular bottle is that it is not made from petroleum based methods which we all know causes harmful external effects on the environment around us. The plastic, called PLA or Poly lactic acid, is made out of a renewable resource (corn-based). The company advertises that its product can be recycled; however, because of the alternate processing to make the plastic, it is not able to be recycled like the rest of the water bottles currently available on the market, but it can be composted.
The company advertises that its product can be recycled, but this is enforcing incorrect associations within society. Styrofoam can technically be recycled but the availability of locations that are able to take it is miniscule compared to say, an aluminum can. If individuals start to make false assumptions about what can and can’t be recycled it becomes costly to the companies that actively engage in this practice.
This is a tough issue though because it seems the company is trying to be sustainable and is seeking to alter the current unsustainable practices within society. By creating a bottle that is biodegradable it is hoping to create a greener future. Tell us what you think – would you buy a bottle of water based on how or if it can be recycled? Does the manner in which it can be recycled (put in a bin or composted) matter?
5.06.2009
Coca Cola is where it's at!
Guest Blogger – Margaret
I feel the need to shine light on one of America’s favorite beverage companies, Coca Cola. Traveling to Atlanta for a cheerleading competition I had the fabulous opportunity to visit the Coke factory. The Coke factory is a tourist attraction located in Atlanta where visitors can enter the amazing world of Coke. I was immediately delighted with the host as I noticed the very convenient recycling bins lining the outside walls of the Coca Cola building.
The entire tour of the Coke factory was a fun-filled experience as we made our way through the world’s soda dynasty. From viewing ancient Coke artifacts to meeting the Coca Cola polar bear to tasting Cokes from around the world, the attraction was exciting. Brilliantly structured, the end of the tour takes you enthusiastically inside the Coke gift shop.
Now here is where my love for Coca Cola flourished. Right in the very front of the shop is an entire section of memorabilia directly related to recycling. Coke had T-shirts, cups, mugs, bags, you name it, with fun slogans and images promoting recycling. A favorite of mine was a women’s T-shirt featuring a girl walking toward a guy who recycles with a caption that says, “Chicks dig Recyclers.” Not only is Coke expressing its strong initiatives to recycle, they are also participating in spreading the word to recycle through their trademark gifts! Now if only all of the other bottled beverage distributors would follow Coca Cola’s example of promoting and practicing environmental stewardship.
** Margaret has graduated and is moving on to greener pastures. We will miss her! She has been doing great outreach for us for a year!
5.05.2009
Swaptree.com
Guest Blogger - Michigan Mary
RE3.org is always looking for people and organizations that think outside the box when it comes to sustainability and being green.
Swaptree.com is a Web site that allows you to take old items that you are no longer using and swap them out for another item that you feel would be utilized more. Maybe you have an old book (or several) lying around that’s collecting dust. Someone else may be interested in this item and you get to essentially trade your unwanted item for another you consider more useful. The best part is – it’s free! The only thing you are responsible for is the shipping cost associated with the item.
After you list all the books, CDs, DVSs and video games that you currently have and no longer want, swaptree.com will let you browse through thousands of items which you can select in exchange for your old or unwanted items. You don’t even have to go to the post office to send your items off. The site will allow you to print a shipping label right from your home computer.
Check it out – think green and get that new CD you have been dying to have all at the same time!
RE3.org is always looking for people and organizations that think outside the box when it comes to sustainability and being green.
Swaptree.com is a Web site that allows you to take old items that you are no longer using and swap them out for another item that you feel would be utilized more. Maybe you have an old book (or several) lying around that’s collecting dust. Someone else may be interested in this item and you get to essentially trade your unwanted item for another you consider more useful. The best part is – it’s free! The only thing you are responsible for is the shipping cost associated with the item.
After you list all the books, CDs, DVSs and video games that you currently have and no longer want, swaptree.com will let you browse through thousands of items which you can select in exchange for your old or unwanted items. You don’t even have to go to the post office to send your items off. The site will allow you to print a shipping label right from your home computer.
Check it out – think green and get that new CD you have been dying to have all at the same time!
5.04.2009
5.01.2009
Best Buy Offers Nationwide Electronics Recycling Program
Guest Blogger – Michigan Mary
Best Buy has recently expanded its recycling pilot program to include all of its stores nationally. A pilot recycling program which accepted electronic devices began last year in 117 stores in eight states across the nation. North Carolina was not included in the initial rollout.
This recycling program provides great opportunities for recycling in the triangle area and across the nation. The stores will accept up to two units per day, per household, which can be brought to any Best Buy store location. The stores will be able to accept almost all electronics including: televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, desktop and notebook computers, small electronics, VCRs, DVD players, phones, as well as accessories like keyboards, mice and remotes.
You will be charged a $10 recycling fee for all items that have screens; however Best Buy will automatically give these customers a $10 gift card to help defray the charge. At this time the store is unable to accept: televisions or monitors larger than 32 inches, console televisions; items that contain Freon, including air conditioners, dehumidifiers and mini refrigerators; microwaves; and large appliances.
Kudos to Best Buy for offering this fantastic program to households nationwide! It is providing a vital and needed service to households looking for viable options for their old electronics.
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