State's first public-trained professionals in construction and demolition waste recycling accredited
Thirty-five professionals completed WasteCap Wisconsin's public training program on Tuesday in Oconomowoc making them among the state's first trained professionals in construction and demolition waste management and recycling. "It was good to hear two passionate people preaching about recycling in general and construction and demolition waste in particular," said Ken Barnes of Waste Management and Research Center of Champaign, IL who attended the training program. To read the full article, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/trainingpr2

WasteCap adds new membership benefits
Thanks to the support of our members, WasteCap has made a significant and positive impact on Wisconsin's environment, diverting over 84 million pounds of waste from landfills for recycling into new products and for reuse. To thank our members for their continued support, we offer great benefits to Wisconsin businesses. In the coming weeks, we will be adding two more valuable benefits for our members to enjoy; a membership kit and Lunch & Learns. All members will receive a member kit which will include a membership certificate, welcome letter, resources for recycling, a list of member benefits and a member directory among other useful information. WasteCap will also offer free Lunch & Learns to member organizations joining at the Business Level or higher. Lunch & Learns are hour-long educational seminars to teach your employees about the importance of construction and demolition recycling and about the services offered by WasteCap. To read more about membership benefits and to join, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/join

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2. UPCOMING CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND GRANTS
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Discussion sessions to enhance Wisconsin's recycling programs
Date: May 9 & 11, 2006
The Department of Natural Resources is considering enhancements to the state's recycling program as part of the Department's continuous quality improvement efforts. They would like your input in this process. They are holding listening sessions for businesses, non-profits and environmental groups. For information on times and locations for these sessions, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/wdnrsessions

Wisconsin Green Building Alliance Breakfast Club in Milwaukee, WI
Date: May 16, 2006
Learn about the growing importance of renewable energy at this informative presentation on We Energies Renewable Energy Development Plans on May 16 from 7 - 9 a.m. at the Milwaukee Athletic Club (758 N. Broadway). Cost is $20 for WGBA Members and $25 for non-members in advance. $25 at the door applies to members and non-members. Breakfast buffet will be available, including eggs, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, muffins, coffee and juice. To register, call Connie Lindholm at (414) 224-9422 or connielindholm@wgba.org by noon on Friday, May 12.

Greening the Heartland 2006 in Kansas City, MO
Date: May 17 - 19, 2006
Greening the Heartland 2006 will address green building and sustainability for the Midwestern states. This year's Conference will focus on innovation and the ability to implement sustainability and methods for marketing these practices in the Heartland region. Conference tracks will focus on building types; there will also be an exhibit hall, workshops, and green tours. For more information and to register, visit http://www.greeningtheheartland.org/

7th Annual Paper Recycling Conference/Trade Show and 1st Annual Plastics Recycling Conference/Trade Show in Chicago, IL
Date: June 25 - 27, 2006
Two comprehensive business conferences for recycling professionals including informative programming focused on issues impacting both the paper and plastics recycling markets. The conferences will feature panel discussions with prominent industry leaders and access to 50 leading recycling industry exhibitors. For more information and to register, visit http://www.recyclingtodayevents.com

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3. RECYCLING NEWS THAT AFFECTS YOU
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CONSTRUCTION / DEMOLITION
Survey Says...
Source: Recycling Today
Concrete/asphalt recyclers recovered as much as 140 million tons of concrete and at least 15 million tons of asphalt in 2005, according to a survey of Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) members, making concrete the most recycled material in North America by weight among those surveyed. To read the full article, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/cmrasurvey

Power Plant Waste Eyed For Green Building
Source: Environmental News Network
Henry Liu, a retired civil engineering professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, has a solution to the quandary of fly ash disposal. He wants to bring it into your homes and offices -- literally. Read the full article at http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10328

FOOD WASTE RECOVERY / COMPOSTING
Company ready to start state's first biodiesel plant
Source: The Daily Reporter
Green Bay-based Anamax Corp. plans to start construction on the 12,300-square-foot biodiesel plant next to its existing restaurant-grease recovery plant in DeForest. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from vegetable oil or recycled cooking oil that burns cleaner than traditional diesel, can run most diesel-fueled engines and help reduce dependence on foreign oil. Read the full article at http://www.wastecapwi.org/biodiesel.htm

COMPUTERS / ELECTRONIC RECYCLING
Agreement reached on national switch recovery program
Source: American Recycler
The national program would include a commitment by automakers to provide information regarding mercury switch removal and take responsibility for collection, transportation and recycling of the switches. Auto dismantlers and other who recover switches would submit them to the program for proper management. To read the full article, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/switchrecovery.htm

RECYCLED CONTENT PRODUCTS
Visions of Plastics
Source: Recycling Today
As plastic recycling has become more common and the value of plastic scrap has increased, recyclers are getting acquainted with optical sorting options. Read the full article at http://www.wastecapwi.org/plastics.htm

Choppier Waters
Source: Waste Age magazine
Recovered paper markets take a recent dip, but prices for most grades are at or slightly above the long-range price trend lines, which have been up for almost five years now. Read the full article at http://www.wastecapwi.org/paperrecycling.htm

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4. MEMBER PROFILE - Madison Gas & Electric
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MGE takes responsibility for the environment
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) takes its responsibility seriously to protect the environment while providing reliable service to 137,000 natural gas and 136,000 electric customers in south-central and western Wisconsin. The regulated utility is headquartered in Madison, the state capital.

Construction waste MGE partnered with WasteCap Wisconsin to meet their goal of recycling 75% of the waste from the construction of a new 150-megawatt natural gas power plant on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The West Campus Cogeneration Facility began commercial operation in 2005. Recycling at the construction site saved 2,000 tons of concrete, metal, wood, cardboard, paper and plastic and $103,000 by cutting landfill fees and selling recovered materials. MGE received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Environmental Performance for its construction recycling effort.

Recycling programs As a community energy company, MGE made a commitment more than 20 years ago to reduce and reuse as many products as possible. The company sells scrap wire, iron and other metals for reuse, recycles large amounts of paper and uses recycled paper for its publications. In 2005, MGE recycled 335 tons of scrap iron, aluminum, copper, paper, lead and other material.

Biodiesel fuel MGE uses B20 biodiesel fuel for the 100 trucks and other equipment in its fleet. Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. It is biodegradable, nontoxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. The utility used about 15,000 gallons of biodiesel last year.

Wind, solar, conservation, renewables A wind farm, solar panels, energy efficiency and power from landfill gas and plant by-products also play an important role in MGE's commitment to preserving the environment. Learn more at http://www.mge.com/environment

For a complete list of WasteCap's current members please visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/members.htm.

Sign up as a member or read about member benefits at http://www.wastecapwi.org/join.htm.

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5. LEGISLATIVE / REGULATORY UPDATE
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Wisconsin Solid Waste Legislative Update
Source: John Reindl, Dane County Recycling Manager
In the last month, two bills were adopted by both houses of the Legislature, with one signed by the Governor and one soon to be sent to the Governor. In addition, an administrative rule on quicker organic stability in landfills is moving through the process. To read the full legislative update, visit http://www.wastecapwi.org/legislation/b_may06leg

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7. USEFUL TOOLS / RESOURCES ON RECYCLING
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Computer Recycling
Source: GreenBiz
Perplexed over the growing cache of unwanted computers at your company? Read this GreenBiz Essential to understand why reuse can benefit companies, their communities, and the environment. Then get started clearing out those storage rooms! Read the full article at http://www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/essentials_third.cfm?LinkAdvID=4159

Wood for Building Green - A Practical Guide
Source: GreenBiz
Designed for architects, designers, developers, and builders, this guide features purchasing and specification information for salvaged wood, recycled content, and certified wood products. The tool offers strategies for specifying these types of wood products, and provides resources for achieving wood-related green building program credits. Download the guide at http://www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/tools_third.cfm?LinkAdvID=60586

Buildings Materials Backgrounder
Source: GreenerBuildings
Unlike some industries in which there is a move toward dematerialization, the building industry will always need materials. So the question becomes: what are the best materials and products to use? To address this question one has to consider the overall life cycle of the materials and of the facility and building site as a whole. Read the full article at http://www.greenbiz.com/sites/greenerbuildings/backgrounders_detail.cfm?UseKeyword=Building%20Materials

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8. MATERIALS AVAILABLE / WANTED
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Source: Business Materials Exchange of Wisconsin (BMEx)

MATERIALS AVAILABLE

Wood Fixtures - Moveable, stained wood fixtures for clothing stores. Please call for details. We have about 10-20 fixtures worth. Come apart. Some hardware may be missing but can be ordered. One-time material. Free. In Monona, WI. Code: BA-2751.
Tin Sludge - 3 or 4 barrels of solid, dry tin sludge. pH between 12.5 and 12.9. One-time free material. In Green Bay, WI. Code: BA-2750.
Packing Peanuts - Clean packing peanuts available. Ongoing material. Free. In Milwaukee, WI. Code: BA-2748.

MATERIALS WANTED

Gypsum / drywall - Shredded spreadable material. Will pay fee. In Clinton, WI. Code: BW-2743.
Diesel Truck - Wanted to buy, older fleet truck. Prefer Ford, but not particular. Will pay fee. Code: BW-2741.
Scrap Asphalt Shingles - Large quantity of scrap shingles wanted. To be moved in bulk quantity daily or weekly to northern Illinois (Elburn) facility. Ongoing Need. Prefer free. Code: BW-2560.

If you are interested in any of these materials, or for a complete list of other materials available and materials wanted, please visit the Business Materials Exchange of Wisconsin (BMEx) at www.bmex.org or e-mail bmex@ticon.net.

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WasteCap Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide waste reduction and recycling assistance through business-to-business peer exchange, demonstration, and education for the benefit of businesses and the environment. To further this mission, we have developed these e-mail bulletins to provide you with information about the latest resources, recycling technologies, case studies, legislation, and other matters helping us transform waste into resources. The bulletin also serves as a platform for you to ask questions of other business professionals about waste reduction and recycling issues your company might face.

WasteCap is supported through grants, sponsorships, memberships, and volunteer contributions of time and expertise. Find out how you can take an active role in this innovative nonprofit organization at http://www.wastecapwi.org/join.htm or visit our website at http://www.wastecapwi.org

WasteCap Wisconsin thanks its sources for the news, information, and ideas in this issue, with special thanks to John Reindl, Dane County Recycling Manager and Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin Legislative Committee Member.

You can view a collection of WasteCap Wisconsin's archived bulletins at http://www.wastecapwi.org/bulletin_archive.htm To unsubscribe, send an email to wastecap@wastecapwi.org with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you have been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe directly, send an email to wastecap@wastecapwi.org with "subscribe" in the subject line.

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Shannon Delaney, Outreach Specialist & WasteCap Wisconsin Bulletin Editor
Molly McElligott, Communications Intern
Kimberly Rauwald, Research Assistant
WasteCap Wisconsin
www.wastecapwi.org
sdelaney@wastecapwi.org