Issue 48 – February 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
WASTECAP WISCONSIN’S LATEST RESULTS >>>>
WasteCap Wisconsin and its clients have diverted 360,089,584 pounds of construction and demolition waste from landfills, which is 64.8 pounds per person in Wisconsin. The equivalent of 110,178 trees have been saved by recycling wood and cardboard. WasteCap Wisconsin’s construction and demolition projects are currently achieving an average 74% recycling rate.
1. WasteCap Wisconsin News WasteCap WI is moving > WasteCap Wisconsin’s work with Marquette University’s M-LINC program featured in the Journal Sentinel > WasteCap Wisconsin receives new project > U.S. EPA, partners kick off green building design challenge
2. Upcoming Conferences / Events / Job Openings WasteCap’s Construction and Demolition Recycling Training in cooperation with Associated Builders and Contractors Winter Convention > 2009 Southeast Lifecycle Construction Conference > 2009 AROW/SWANA/WCSWMA Joint Winter Conference > The Building Material Reuse Association (BMRA)-DECON '09
3. Welcome New & Returning MembersWalworth County Public Works Division, Titan Building Company, Yaggy Colby Associates and Enviro-Services of WI
4. Recycling News that Affects Your BusinessEkocrete Releases Recycled Concrete Product > C&D Recycling Helps California City Reach Diversion Goal > WasteCap Wisconsin’s, Joe Liebau talk with Brown County about E-waste > Best Buy to expand electronics recycling nationwide > Dell, Goodwill Expanding Reconnect Partnership >Colleges convert waste into biodiesel > Atlanta Declares Itself a 'Zero Waste Zone' >Sainsbury's Aims to Turn All Food Waste into Biofuel
5. Legislative Update
1. WASTECAP WISCONSIN UPDATES / MEMBER NEWS
WasteCap Wisconsin is moving
WasteCap Wisconsin’s Milwaukee office is looking for a new office space and welcomes any suggestions for new locations of about 1,200 ft2. Please email any ideas to John Lottes, jlottes@wastecapwi.org or call 414-961-1100.
WasteCap Wisconsin’s work with Marquette University’s M-LINC program featured in the Journal Sentinel
Click here to read the entire article, http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/39624042.html
The photo in the article shows John Lottes of WasteCap monitoring dumpsters on the construction site of American Transmission Company’s headquarters, which is being built by Mortenson Construction. Mortenson is recycling during construction with the assistance of WasteCap WI.
KM Development Corp hires WasteCap to help Transform Waste Into Resources
KM Development Corp hired WasteCap WI to do Construction Waste Management work for The Brewery, Milwaukee’s newest sustainable neighborhood for the new 9-story mixed use parking structure. To learn more about the building, visit www.thebrewerymke.com. To find out how your construction or demolition project can benefit from these services, go to http://www.wastecap.org/results.htm and contact WasteCap.
KM Development Corp hired WasteCap WI to do Construction Waste Management work for The Brewery, Milwaukee’s newest sustainable neighborhood for the new 9-story mixed use parking structure. To learn more about the building, visit www.thebrewerymke.com. To find out how your construction or demolition project can benefit from these services, go to http://www.wastecap.org/results.htm and contact WasteCap.
U.S. EPA, partners kick off green building design challenge / Contest to reward designs that save resources, costs
In the third year of the Lifecycle Building Challenge competition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and partners including WasteCap Wisconsin are inviting the nation’s architects, product developers, educators, environmental leaders, and students to submit innovative designs that minimize waste, reuse materials, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. eas generated by the contest help jumpstart the building industry toward diverting the more than 100 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris sent each year to landfills in the United States. This free, Web-based competition supports an on-line library of competition entries and green building resources. To learn more, visit
2. UPCOMING CONFERENCES / EVENTS / JOB OPENINGS
May 1, 2009: WasteCap’s Construction and Demolition Recycling Training in cooperation with Decon ’09, the Annual Conference of the Business Materials Reuse Association, Chicago. To register, click here or go to http://www.wastecap.org/training.htm. Questions, contact WasteCap at wastecap@wastecapwi.org or 414-961-1100
2009 Southeast Lifecycle Construction Conference, February 25-26, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia
Lifecycle construction examines the environmental and economic impacts and the overall sustainability of the construction process from planning to final use of the building.
2009 AROW/SWANA/WCSWMA Joint Winter Conference, March 11-13 2009 (Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells) Register at www.arow-online.org
The Building Material Reuse Association (BMRA) conference on building deconstruction, material reuse and recycling—DECON '09 , will be held April 28-30, 2009 in Chicago. For more details, visit http://www.bmra.org/events/conference
3. WELCOME NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS
WasteCap Wisconsin would like to thank Walworth County Public Works Division, Titan Building Company, Yaggy Colby Associates and Enviro-Services of WI for their support of WasteCap Wisconsin and for sharing the vision of transforming waste into resources.
For a complete list of WasteCap’s members please visit www.wastecapwi.org/members.htm
Sign up as a member and read about member benefits at www.wastecapwi.org/join.htm
4. RECYCLING NEWS
COMPUTER / ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Sen. Mark Miller's Bill on E-waste Ready for Introduction.
From Senator Miller’s office:
“This bill requires manufacturers of consumer video display devices, computers and printers sold in Wisconsin to assume responsibility for the collection and proper disposal of electronic devices. This bill is modeled after a similar law in Minnesota. It establishes recycling quotas based on market share and allows for the sale or banking of recycling credits that exceed these goals. The bill provides an additional incentive to recover electronic devices from rural counties.
With more than a year of experience in Minnesota to learn from, we made some adjustments to this bill compared to 2007-08 version of our electronics recycling legislation – 2007 Senate Bill 397.
Electronics scrap (E-Scrap) is the fastest growing component of waste generated in the United States today. The FCC-mandated transition to a new digital television standard in June 2009 will dramatically increase the amount of E-Scrap requiring disposal. The disposal of electronic equipment at the end of its service life poses significant health hazards if not done carefully. Health hazards include cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium and brominated flame retardants. In Wisconsin, an estimated 10,000 tons of computer monitors and 24,000 tons of televisions were landfilled in 2002.
A significant computer recycling industry has emerged in Wisconsin in response to our current ban on businesses disposing computers in landfills. This bill would create additional markets for new electronic recycling enterprises by adding consumer electronics to the landfill ban.”
For more information or a draft of the bill, contact Senator Miller’s office.
WasteCap Wisconsin’s, Joe Liebau asked Wess Damro, the recycling manager for Brown County, a few questions about electronic recycling.
· How important is electronics recycling and why? Electronics recycling is very important because it is a dual issue. First recycling of electronics keeps unnecessary waste from entering landfills. Second, it is a hazardous waste which can hurt the environment if not disposed of properly. So really it is a win-win if electronics are properly disposed of.
· What is the future of electronics recycling? The future is probably going to come with state regulation being passed following the example of other states forcing the producer to be responsible and take back the e-waste for citizens. Businesses though are going to be responsible for setting up their own programs with companies but the new regulations should make that easier.
· What is the best resource/service for people and businesses to learn how and where to recycle electronics? The first place is the DNR. The DNR’s website on e-waste, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/ewaste/, has a large amount of relevant information. Also talking to your local community or county on what they have set up is a great idea. Lastly, for businesses who have large quantities of e-waste going to your supplier and working with them to take back the old electronics would be the best option.
Best Buy to expand electronics recycling nationwide
Source: Waste and Recycling News
Jan. 26 — Best Buy Co. Inc. will expand its electronics recycling program nationwide, Feb. 15. Customers will be able to drop off up to two devices per day at any of the Minneapolis-based retailer´s 1,006 stores throughout the United States. They will accept most consumer electronics, including televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, desktop computers, notebooks, videocassette recorders, DVD players and phones.
To read more, visit http://www.wasterecyclingnews.com/email.html?id=1232987461 or http://www.bestbuyinc.com/news_center/01-27-09/best-buy-electronics-recycling-program-launches-feb-15-all-us-stores
Dell, Goodwill Expanding Reconnect Partnership
Source: Recycling Today
Dell and Goodwill Industries have jointly announced the further expansion of its joint Dell Reconnect Partnership. The two companies will bring the Reconnect program to six more states. The six states are Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont. The six bring to 18 the number of states serviced by the Dell/Goodwill arrangement. Additionally, three cities, Akron, Ohio; Frederick, Md.; and New Haven, Conn., will be added to the Reconnect program. The Reconnect program has been in existence for five years. With the addition, the Reconnect program will be included in around 1,100 sites throughout the country. To read more, visit http://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/news.asp?ID=14701
CONSTRUCTION / DEMOLITION
Ekocrete Releases Recycled Concrete Product
Source: Construction and Demolition Recycling Magazine
Ekocrete Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif., has announced the availability of a new “green” concrete that uses 90 percent recycled and by-product materials. According to the company, it achieves its high percentage of recycled content without sacrificing strength or durability. Ekocrete uses crushed recycled concrete for aggregate, as well as fly ash from coal mills. Other industrial by-products provide nano-fibers for crack reduction and nano-particles for surface density to reduce water penetration. To read more, visit http://www.cdrecycler.com/news/news.asp?ID=4170
C&D Recycling Helps California City Reach Diversion Goal
Source: Construction and Demolition Recycling Magazine
The city of Glendale, Calif., has exceeded the state requirement for diversion of solid waste from landfill for three years and the amount of material diverted continues to rise, according to a report in the Glendale News Press (Glendale, Calif.)The city’s construction and demolition recycling efforts have helped reach those goals, according to the report. Glendale’s C&D recycling program requires contractors submit a deposit, which is returnable upon documenting how they recycled their project’s debris.
To read more, visit http://www.cdrecycler.com/news/news.asp?ID=4209
FOOD WASTE
Colleges convert waste into biodiesel
Source: The Daily Reporter
Dayton, OH (AP) — Forgive the students at Sinclair Community College if they get the munchies when they pass the tractors that cut grass, blow leaves or sweep snow on campus. Oil that once cooked french fries and onion rings is being used to power the vehicles. Students have begun making biodiesel fuel by converting used cooking oil from the dining hall. Biodiesel saves the school a little money on gasoline, gives the students lessons in engineering and chemistry, and removes oil from the waste stream. To read more, visit http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20050553&snippet=f
Atlanta Declares Itself a 'Zero Waste Zone'
Source: GreenBiz
ATLANTA, Ga. — First there was Atlanta’s “Carbon Neutral Zone.” Now the capital of Georgia is proclaiming its downtown area a “Zero Waste Zone.” The Zero Waste Zone was announced last week through a partnership between local restaurants and the convention center that will divert tons of garbage, food scraps and used cooking oil from landfills. To read more, visit http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2009/02/16/atlanta-zero-waste-zone
Sainsbury's Aims to Turn All Food Waste into Biofuel
Source: GreenBiz
MOTHERWELL, UK — The green arms race between the U.K.'s leading supermarkets continued this week as Sainsbury's followed the opening of Tesco's latest energy efficient store with the unveiling of a major zero-waste initiative designed to ensure that all the company's food waste is converted into biofuel. Speaking at a waste conference in Edinburgh yesterday, Sainsbury's environment manager, Alison Austin, said that the company was to fast track the scheme in Scotland and that from the end of next month it would stop sending any food waste from Scottish stores to landfill. To read more, visit http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/01/23
5.LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
From Joe Van Rossum, UW-Extension:
“Governor Doyle presented the Legislature with his budget proposal that will be introduced as Assembly Bill 75, here is a link to the bill: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB-75.pdf
There are a number of provisions within the bill that make changes that will impact local recycling programs, clean sweep programs, landfill operators and others. Below are some of those changes
· Recycling Grants to Responsible Units of Government reduced from $31 million to $30.69 million/year
· Recycling Efficiency Grants to Responsible Units of Government (RUs) are repealed – was appropriate at $1.9 million per year (DNR reduced to $1.4 million in current grant cycle)
· Waste Reduction and Demonstration Grant Program repealed – $500,000/year
· Business waste reduction and recycling assistance program repealed – $1 million/year
· Clean Sweep Program (DATCP–Ag Chemical, Ag container and HHW) eliminated – $1 million/year
· Gives DNR additional authority to grant variances to RUs by creating the following statute…
287.11 (2m) (br) The department shall, at the request of a responsible unit that has been determined to have an effective recycling program under this section, grant a variance that provides that the requirement under sub. (2) (b) as it applies to occupants of single−family residences and buildings containing not more than 4 dwelling units is satisfied if at least 80 percent of those residences and buildings in the region separate the materials identified in s. 287.07 (3) and (4) from postconsumer waste generated in the region.
· Raises the “Recycling Tip fee from $4/ton to $5/ton on Oct. 1, 2009
· Raises the “Landfill Environmental Repair Fee” from $1.60/ton to $5/ton on July 1, 2009
· Provides funds from the Recycling and Renewable energy fund to support the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative – $4 million/year
My disclaimer – as this bill has over 1,700 pages and is certain to change before adoption I have done my best to ensure the accuracy of the above statements and the attached document. I encourage you to review the bill to gauge for yourself how the proposed budget impacts your programs. Please share any inaccuracies or errors you find with me.”
Joseph Van Rossum
Recycling Specialist
UW-Extension – Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center
phone 608-262-0936
WasteCap Wisconsin thanks its sources for the news, information, and ideas in this issue. WasteCap Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide waste reduction and recycling assistance 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, and other matters helping us transform waste into resources. You can view a collection of WasteCap Wisconsin's archived bulletins at 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.
CONTACTS:
WasteCap Wisconsin, www.wastecapwi.org, 414-961-1100
Stephanie Chojnacki, Marketing and Public Relations Manager schojnacki@wastecapwi.org
