Renewable News Spring 2011
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Transcript of Renewable News Spring 2011
SSpprriinngg 22001111
www.recyclefloridatoday.org
Disney to Keynote RFT Conference
will be kicking off the summerwith our 2011 AnnualConference & Exhibition, June5 -7, 2011 at the Lido BeachResort in Sarasota, FL. We will
be feature dynamic speakers covering a diversetopics and welcome our keynote speakers, Ms.Tammy Brister and Ms. Kristine Singley of WaltDisney Parks and Resorts U.S.
Tammy is the Manager ofEnvironmental Initiatives for Walt DisneyParks and Resorts U.S., and she has beena Cast Member at the Walt Disney WorldResort for 20 years. Her role is to facilitatethe implementation of Walt Disney World'senvironmental strategy through partnershipswith internal departments, other Disney parksaround the world, and the corporate citizenshipShe is currently a member of the SustainableFlorida Board of Directors.
Kristine is the Program Manager ofEnvironmental Programs for Facilities andOperations Services at Walt Disney World. She isresponsible for managing technical programdevelopment and implementation ofenvironmental initiatives such as energyconservation and emissions reduction.
Attendees can look forward to the followingsessions: Legislative Update Hour, New Tools forRecycling, New Technologies in Non-TraditionalRecycling Programs, Recycling Education,Commercial Recycling, Targeting Higher Fruit, andPolicy Mechanisms to Advance Recycling.
Back by popular demand, our “EnvironmentalRound-Robin” networking and interactive
RFTdiscussion session. Attendees will be able to“speed discuss” important environmental issuesimpacting our state, areas of interest and otherhot topics.
This year's conference will offer outstandingnetworking and business developmentopportunities for the public, private and non-profit sectors. Our sold-out exhibit hall will feature
the newest developments in recyclingtechnology, machinery and information.
Early event registration for membersis $199.00, non-members $299.00which includes your 2011 annual
membership to RFT. The registration ratewill increase on May 1, 2011.
Group room rates are available until May6, 2011 at the Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben
Franklin Drive Sarasota,FL 34236. Rates are$93.00 + taxes nightly
for deluxe and $133.00 +taxes nightly for juniorsuite accommodations.For reservations call(800) 441-2113 andmention Recycle Florida Today.
Visit us online at www.recyclefloridatoday.orgto view our interactive agenda and exhibit hall.You may also register securely online by clickinghere. Register today before the rate increases onMay 1, 2011 and join us for a productive andinformative conference.
For more information contact HeatherArmstrong at (850) 907-1278 or via email [email protected].
recycle
Spring has sprung and it's time to start
looking forward to RFT's Annual Conference.
The RFT Conference Committee is developing
a dynamic agenda to provide a well-rounded
experience for all attendees. There will be
plenty of opportunity to network and learn.
Make sure you register to attend because you
won't want to miss this.
The January Issues Forum was a huge
success. The RFT Board looks forward to
continuing the relationship with our partners at
SWANA to provide resources and information for this winter event. The
event will be held in St. Petersburg at the Trade Winds Resort.
I'd like to thank all of our members and sponsors for your continued
support and participation in RFT. I look forward to seeing you in Sarasota
this June!
Warmest regards,
Susan N. Chapman
Letter from the Chair
RRFFTT LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp
BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrssCChhaaiirrSusan Chapman 561-640-4000, x4315Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach [email protected]
VViiccee CChhaaiirr,, NNoommiinnaattiioonnss CCoommmmiitttteeee CChhaaiirrDon Ross 813-971-8333, x16 Kessler [email protected]
TTrreeaassuurreerrKim Brunson 863-688-7407, x53292Publix Super Markets, [email protected]
SSeeccrreettaarryy
Rob Eck 352-461-3788Rehrig Pacific [email protected]
DDiirreeccttoorrssKaren Bryant 727-774-2752Pasco County [email protected]
Larry Dalla Betta 813-394-1325WM Recycle [email protected]
Lena Davie 813-775-6207Hill and [email protected]
Daniel Dietch 305-443-6401, x59123CH2M [email protected]
Betsy Dorn 561-337-8929StewartEdge, [email protected]
Dee Dee Green 850-937-2159Escambia [email protected]
Steve Lengefeld 321-427-0001SP Recycling [email protected]
Jim Reece 850-609-6168Okaloosa County Recycling [email protected]
EExx--OOffffiicciioo DDiirreeccttoorrPhil BreseeBroward County Office of Integrated Waste [email protected]
CCoommmmiitttteeee CChhaaiirrssCCoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnss Lena Davie
NNeewwsslleetttteerr EEddiittoorr Marissa Segundo
CCoonnffeerreennccee && EEdduuccaattiioonn Pam Shoemaker
LLeeggiissllaattiivvee Ray Moreau
MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp Karen Bryant
NNoommiinnaattiioonnss Don Ross
OOrrggaanniiccss Jim Reece
SSppoonnssoorrsshhiipp Larry Dalla Betta
AAdd--HHoocc CCoolllleeggiiaattee Vacant
Recycle Florida Today, Inc.Heather Armstrong, Association Manager
P. O. Box 15889Tallahassee, FL 32317Phone:( 850) 907-1278
Fax: (850) 907-1293Email: [email protected]
www.recyclefloridatoday.org
Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed in Renewable
News are those of the author of the respective article and not
necessarily the opinions of Recycle Florida Today, Inc.
2010-11
2
Susan Chapman
Happy Earth Day! Recycle Florida Today is working year-round to
help protect our planet. Help share our message at your next event.
Visit the Recycle Florida website at
http://www.recyclefloridatoday.org/ to borrow the RFT membership
recruitment kit to display at your next event.
The kit contains a small, colorful table-top display banner and some
membership brochures that you can use to promote Recycle Florida
Today. When you are done with your event, simply return the banner
and any unused membership brochures in the postage-
paid envelope.
Thank you in advance for helping to increase our network
of recycling industry professionals!
By Karen Bryant, Pasco County Schools Recycling Coordinator & RFT Membership Chair
Members-Only Corner
Are you a social butterfly? Part of social networks like Facebook,
LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, Ning or Xanga? If so, Recycle Florida Today
needs your help. Consider updating your status on your favorite social
networking sites to let others know that you are a proud member of Recycle
Florida Today. Share our website link with others so they too can learn
about the value of being a member -- http://www.recyclefloridatoday.org/
3
2011Sponsors
RRFFTT wwoouulldd lliikkee ttoo aacckknnoowwlleeddggeeaanndd tthhaannkk oouurr 22001111 SSppoonnssoorrss.
Environmental PartnersPublix Super Markets, Inc.
Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
WM/Recycle America
Recycling SustainersAlachua County Division of
Waste Management
SP Recycling Corporation
CPR (Commercial Plastics Recycling)
PatronsCH2M HILL
Get Paid 2 Recycle
Highlands Board of County Commissioners
J Grez Transport
Kessler Consulting, Inc.
Rehrig Pacific Company
Sage Eco Solutions, Inc.
SCS Engineers
Southern Waste Systems
ContributorAmerican Chemistry Council
Member Spotlight
WWaanntt ttoo lleeaarrnn mmoorree aabboouutt
bbeeccoommiinngg aa ssppoonnssoorr ooff
RReeccyyccllee FFlloorriiddaa TTooddaayy??
Download a
sponsorship form
today!
Calvin WarrenCommunity Services Supervisor
City of Indian Rocks Beach
How long have you worked for Indian
Rocks Beach? 13 years
How long have you been an RFT member?
3 years
To what other organizations to you belong? American Public Works
Association and Solid Waste Association of North America. I am the Staff
Liaison for the Indian Rocks Beach Environmental Stewardship Board.
What is a typical day for you? A typical day for me encompasses many
things, one minute I may be speaking with a resident about their
residential garbage and recycling service the next I am consulting with
commercial businesses about their services. Some days I'm working with
fleet, container or other vendors securing contracts. Some days I'm
troubleshooting fleet maintenance issues. Supervising a staff of eight, I
encourage them to work cooperatively to find innovative methods of
recycling and provide quality customer service to residents and
businesses.
What do you like best about your job? No two days are alike at my job. I
am intrigued by the Solid Waste Industry, it is much more intricate and
complex than most people realize. There is always more to learn. Recently,
with the addition of our enhanced curbside recycling program our solid
waste program has become more of an integrated solid waste
management system.
How has your outlook about recycling changed since you started? I
began my career with the City on the back of a garbage truck. I was
transferred to the Public Works Department. After returning to the Solid
Waste Department, I realized that recycling did not always have quite the
emphasis that it needed in Solid Waste Management. With added
education and programs, I am much more optimistic with recycling now. I
look forward to continuing education in my community and department.
What do you like best about being an RFT member? What I like best
about RFT is the networking opportunities that the RFT events make
possible. Meeting others in your industry and realizing that they face the
same challenges helps tremendously.
If you had a three wishes for recycling in Florida what would they be?
1. Creation of more end-market users within the State of Florida
that way production of recycled material remains in the state
where it was recycled.
2. Modern state-of-the-art Material Resource Facilities (MRF)
throughout the state.
3. I would like to see more cost-effective options available locally
for hard to recycle items like electronics and glass.
4
Florida Legislators Call For Study to Investigate
Container Deposit Program
By Conni Kunzler, Communications Consultant,
Glass Packaging Institute
Members of the Florida Legislatureannounced that they will call for a study toexamine the potential for a new program inFlorida to reduce waste and litter, and increaserecycling. Senators Jack Latvala, Dennis Jones,and State Representative Doug Holder joinedwith environmental and beverage containerindustry officials to speak out in favor the needfor the legislature to study a glass depositprogram in Florida.
State legislators cited the potential for abeverage deposit program to help reduce litterand meet the state's 75% recycling goal for2020. The study would also look at the potentialfor job creation and revenue generation. Alsoannounced were results of a University of Floridaeconomic analysis and statewide public opinionsurvey showing support for a container recyclingrefund program.
A UF Bureau of Economic and BusinessResearch report found that 30 million beveragecontainers wind up in landfills, and some aslitter. According to the study, a beveragecontainer deposit refund system creates a
financial incentive to discourage litterand landfill growth while encouragingrecycling. It would also generateunredeemed deposit revenue of
potentially $70 million annually tohelp the state finance servicesand offset other tax burdens.That offset could also result in atleast 280 new high-paying jobs,including recycling andmanufacturing, according to theanalysis.
And a statewide publicopinion survey by McLaughlinand Associates revealed that astrong majority of Florida voters(63%) approve of a proposal for
Results of University of Florida economic studyreleased/public poll showing Floridian's support for beverage container deposit refund programs
continued next column
Florida to create its own recycling refundprogram. A large majority (77%) has a positiveopinion of recycling refund programs at work inother states. An overwhelming majority (82%)approve of Florida setting a goal to achieve a75% recycling rate by 2020, and 83% of votersbelieve a recycling refund program would behelpful in Florida achieving that goal.
Bill Waltz, CEO of Strategic Materials, a largeU.S. glass processor with Florida operations inJacksonville and Sarasota, said his company wasexcited about the survey results.
“The people of Florida certainly care aboutthe environment and implementing a beveragecontainer deposit program will help raise thestate's recycling rate while cleaning up litter,adding green jobs, and benefiting the economyof the state,” said Waltz.
In attendance at the announcement andvoicing support were representatives from FloridaWildlife Federation, the Florida Sierra Club,Florida Audubon, Defenders of Wildlife, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Container Recycling Institute,Strategic Materials Inc., Anchor Glass ContainerCorporation, the Glass Packaging Institute, andVerallia/Saint-Gobain Containers.
5
Waste Management Partners with Norwegian CruiseLine to Launch Innovative “Live Load” Service
to Increase Recycling at Port of MiamiBy Dawn McCormick , Manager, Community Affairs
Waste Management teamed with Norwegian CruiseLines to provide a “live load” service model at the
Port of Miami increasing recycling rates and service.
A bale of cardboard is loaded into theWaste Management side curtain trailer at
Norwegian Cruise Line's Port of Miami dock.
Waste Management (WM) recently partnered
with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to launch the
innovative "Live Load" service model to meet the
waste and recycling needs of all NCL ships in the
Port of Miami including its newest ship, the 4,500-
passenger Epic.
“The Epic is twice as large, with twice the waste
volume, of any ship we were currently servicing,”
explained Dave Duddy, WM's Maritime Territory
Manager. “Rather than stay with the old model
using multiple roll-off containers and multiple pick
ups, we use a more efficient semi-trailer with a
side curtain to haul the waste in just one trip.”
NCL source separates its waste materials on
board, including glass, cardboard, paper, plastic,
aluminum, steel, e-waste and dry waste. The
materials are then sorted, processed (includes
crushing glass, baling plastics and compacting
cans), baled and placed on pallets. The 30 pallets
are loaded by forklift directly into the curtain side
trailer which arrives dockside the on the same day
and time every week.
“The new service model is faster, cleaner and
more efficient for our customer, and provides their
passengers with a more pleasant experience as
they leave the ship,” said WM sales representative
Sebastian Wagner. “It also benefits port
operations by removing the waste immediately
from the site, and offers better security from a
border patrol standpoint.”
The materials are delivered to Waste
Management's Reuter Recycling Center in
Pembroke Pines, the largest single-stream
recycling facility in the Southeastern United States.
The recyclables are consolidated onto outbound
trucks ready for market. The dry waste is sent to
the firm's nearby Wheelabrator waste-to-energy
plant.
“We are able to provide solutions for all of the
ship's solid waste needs including transport,
recycling and waste-to-energy with zero landfilling
of their waste,” said Reuter District Mame Davis.
“Live Load Service offers us a paradigm shift in
how we manage our waste materials,” said Eric
Wolff, Manager of Environmental Systems for NCL..
“It offers us expanded recycling options with
increased handling efficiency and measurable cost
savings. We are now using this WM service model
for all NCL ships in the Port of Miami and have
asked Waste Management to expand the service
to other ports, including Boston, New Orleans, Port
Canaveral and Tampa.”
6
Agricultural Plastic Film Waste DisposalProblem Now Solved
by Gene Jones, Southern Waste Information eXchange
Farmers and growers have had a major issue
disposing of waste agricultural
plastic film--the material used in
growing tomato/strawberry
plants and for silage cover. The
bulk of it is currently tossed into
landfills or burned at the end of
the growing season creating
additional management and
environmental problems.
The Southern Waste
Information eXchange, Inc.
(SWIX), a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization, has found a
sustainable disposal solution for agricultural
plastic film. The film is recycled by a Florida
manufacturer. SWIX has been working on the
development of an end use for the film,
solving the disposal issue while at the same
time creating economic value. SWIX is presently
looking farmers and agri-businesses that utilizeTOP: Farmers often use agricultural plastic in strawberry and tomato production.
BOTTOM: Bailed agricultural plastic to be recycled in Florida
this plastic-film and would like to recycle it. The film must
be bailed and is accepted in quantities of no less than
20 tons.
Recycling this film is the right thing to do. It helps
businesses avoid costly disposal fees and diverts this
waste from our landfills. SWIX has found a way of
maximizing resources, turning waste into reusable
feedstocks.
Any agri-businesses interested in avoiding disposal
costs and making sure the film is
managed properly should contact
Gene Jones at [email protected] or
phone at (800) 441-7949.
To learn more about SWIX and its
industrial and municipal support
programs, please visit
http://www.swix.ws/.
Do Your Ordinances and FranchiseAgreements Deserve a Tune-Up?
By Marc J. Rogoff, Ph. D. and Shani Kruljac, SCS Engineers
Over the past two years, SCS Engineers has
reviewed a vast array of solid waste ordinances and
franchise agreements for communities from Alaska
to Florida, and many states in between. We have
seen a change in the way solid waste and recyclables
are collected and disposed, with new technology, new
mandates and new attitudes influencing the ways we
dispose of our waste. Despite these changes, many
solid waste ordinances and franchise agreements
are severely outdated and in need of revisions.
Using the statewide 75 percent goal as an impetus,
timing may be right to give these tired policies a
"tune-up." A tune-up in this sense entails reviewing
agency operations, policies and procedures and
bringing them in line with national and regional solid
waste industry goals and trends, and more
importantly, aligning policies with stated local
recycling and sustainability objectives. ”“...drafting new ordinances that focus on
waste diversion activities can
significantly increase recycling rates.
Solid Waste Ordinances
Our review of dozens of ordinances, indicate many
do not adequately incorporate current local policies,
regulatory requirements, or community sustainability
objectives. In other cases, definitions used in agency
documents such as its solid waste master plan,
franchise agreements, and inter-local agreements
conflict with terms included in the agency's master
solid waste ordinance or are inconsistent with solid
waste definitions used in the county-wide
continued on page 12
7
Annual Issues Forum
WRAP-UP
RFT kicked off a great year with our 2011 Issues
Forum, held in conjunction with SWANA's Winter
Conference on January 25th and 26th. With more
than 180 attendees we gathered in Orlando at the
Doubletree Resort International Drive to discuss the
legislative
happenings in the
State of Florida.
Attendees were
able to gain
education from
industry leaders in
both recycling and
solid waste issues.
The two-day event
began with a joint
networking reception. The following day was packed
full of events with multiple offerings of concurrent
and joint sessions. Topics included: The New RFT and
How it Benefits You, Data:Tracking, Management and
Measurement, What Will an Integrated Solid Waste
System Look Like at 75%, and a joint Legislative
Update Panel. We also featured a joint
environmental-round-robin session, this activity
consists of a networking and interactive-discussion
session. Each table was designated with a topic and
a moderator. Individuals select a table with a topic of
their choice and are encouraged to engage in
constructive dialog in an open and inviting
environment. Members moved throughout the room
selecting from ten different topics and moving three
times. It was a great way to meet new members and
learn more about intriguing recycling trends.
Thank you to all our annual and event sponsors
for their support of the event and to all of the
attendees who joined us -- you helped to make it a
great success. Plan to join
us for our Annual
Conference, June 5 -7,
2011 at the Lido Beach
Resort in Sarasota.
Register or learn more by
visiting us online at
www.RecycleFloridaToday
and join us for a
productive and informative
conference. See you there!
“When we tug at
a single thing in
nature, we find it
attached to the
rest of the world.”
~ John Muir
9
Paint Stewardship Legislation Slated for Introduction in Florida
Florida is one of nine states slated for paint
stewardship legislation to be introduced with
support from the paint industry. Passage of this
legislation could provide Florida local governments
with financial benefits of up to $35 million if all
leftover paint were to be collected and managed
properly. An estimated 10 percent of all paint
purchased in the United States becomes leftover
each year. Paint is a top priority for the product
stewardship movement because it is both expensive
and cumbersome to manage. Under a product
stewardship system, manufacturers are accountable
for reducing the lifecycle impacts of a product,
including paying for recycling or safe disposal.
The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI)
mediated a national agreement among federal,
state and local governments, manufacturers,
retailers, paint recyclers, and painting contractors to
develop model paint stewardship legislation. As a
result of the negotiations, Oregon passed the
nation's first paint stewardship law in 2009. Eighty-
two permanent collection sites (75 of which are
retailers) collected 230,000 gallons of latex and oil-
based paint in the first six months of the program.
The second law passed in California in 2010, and
bills are pending in Connecticut and Vermont.
Thanks to the commitment made by the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection to
participate in these negotiations, the American
Coatings Association will introduce and support
paint stewardship legislation in the state, likely in
the 2012 session.
PSI and the Florida Caribbean Chapter of the
North American Hazardous Materials Management
Association recently launched a statewide product
stewardship initiative that will lay the groundwork for
this important paint legislation. Local governments
in Florida are invited to participate in free product
stewardship webinars and other educational
opportunities as part of this initiative. For more
information see the PSI paint stewardship website or
contact Caitlin McAllister, PSI Associate,
[email protected], (617) 236-8293.
By Scott Cassel, Executive Director of PSI and Caitlin McAllister, Associate for Policy and Programs, PSI
By Ken Koneck, Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc.
Valley Forge Fabrics Honored with Third Emerald Award in RecyclingCategory for Environmental Excellence
The Emerald Award is presented annually by the
Broward County Board of County Commissioners and
Environmental Protection Department to honor
businesses for exceptional commitment
to protecting the environment.
For the third year in a row, Broward
County has selected Valley Forge Fabrics
to receive one of the County's 2010
Emerald Awards in the Recycling category
for environmental excellence.
Valley Forge Fabrics produces
sustainable textiles and the largest
producer of decorative fabrics for hospitality. Valley
Forge's reclamation program has taken effect as the
company has begun to redistribute bedding products
from hotels to global organizations such as The
American Red Cross and local organizations such as
The Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach,
Florida. As of March 1st, 2011, Valley Forge
reclamation program has diverted 3,010,495 plastic
bottles from landfills.
More information, including Emerald
Award application procedures and
guidelines, is available online at
www.broward.org/environment or call
954-519-1257; for Broward County's
Green initiatives, programs and services
go to www.broward.org/gogreen. For more
information on Valley Forge, visit the
website www.valleyforge.com.
PHOTO:
Award winning Tencel+Plus™Lyocell products are the only
certified textiles from Eucalyptus verified by Lenzing Fibers for
both commercial performance requirements and fiber origin.
10
The Charleston County, South Carolina
Environmental Management Department is
conducting an Automated Single Stream Collection
pilot with technical assistance from Kessler
Consulting (KCI). Approximately 4,600 households in
Mount Pleasant, James Island, North Charleston,
and West Ashley neighborhoods are participating in
the pilot which began on January 24 and will
continue through July 24. County staff selected these
neighborhoods for their locations in different areas
throughout the county and their historically high and
low recycling participation rates.
The pilot is one element in the county's strategy
to develop the premier integrated solid waste
management program in the Southeast and to
achieve a 40 percent recycling goal. The pilot is
designed to measure participation rates, material
volumes, tons diverted, effect of different cart sizes,
route and labor efficiencies, types of equipment, and
safety improvements for the collection operation.
The development of future, county-wide collection
systems will be based upon the pilot results.
The county currently operates a blue bin, dual
stream curbside recycling collection system which
requires residents to separate paper products from
commingled containers. Residents
participating in the pilot will collect all of
their recyclable materials, both paper
and containers, in newly provided 95-
gallon or 65-gallon roll-carts. Some of
the carts were manufactured from
plastic milk jugs that were purchased
from the County's recycling center.
The County is also testing new,
automated collection equipment as part
of the pilot. The roll-carts are picked up
and emptied by trucks using a
mechanical arm controlled by the driver.
Both side loading and front loading
trucks are being tested by the collection
department. The department anticipates
the automated equipment will allow for a more
efficient, cost effective and productive operation and
will provide a safer working environment for drivers.
Charleston County, SC Tests Automated Single Stream Collection
By Maureen T. Schaefer, Research Analyst, Kessler Consulting, Inc.
Drivers of the automated trucks will avoid the heavy
lifting, repetitive motion, and exposure to traffic that
comes with the traditional collection method. The
County hopes the automated collection will provide
for cleaner neighborhoods as well.
As part of the pilot, the county is also testing a
new radio frequency identification system (RFID).
Each roll-cart has been equipped with an electronic
tag that is read by data management hardware
installed in the trucks. The hardware uses radio
waves to read the tag during pick up and to capture
the location and time of pickup. County staff can
use the collected data to track work orders,
household participation, and assets. The system will
enable staff to quantitatively evaluate vehicle and
equipment performance during the pilot.
Results so far have been overwhelmingly
positive. The average annual pounds set out for
recycling per household has increased 55 percent in
the pilot neighborhoods compared to those who
remain in the blue bin dual stream collection
program. The pilot neighborhoods are achieving a
70 percent participation rate while the county's
average participation remains just 30 percent.
AAuuttoommaatteedd rreeccyycclliinngg ttrruucckkss
The County is also testing new, automated
collection equipment as part of the pilot. The roll-
carts are picked up and emptied by trucks using a
mechanical arm controlled by the driver.
11
City of Stuart Adds E-Waste Recycling Center
to Recycling Program
By Mary Kindel, Recycling and Conservation Coordinator
The City of Stuart recently introduced an E-
Waste Recycling Center, available to all City
residents and businesses. In 2007, the City
introduced a full-service automated curbside
single-stream residential recycling program. In
2008, an incentive based commercial recycling
program was implemented, offering local
businesses single-stream and cardboard recycling
services as well. In addition, recycling was made
available in local parks and the City's popular
historic downtown for pedestrian traffic.
“Our latest program is the convenience-based
E-Waste Recycling Center,” said Mary Kindel,
Recycling and Conservation Coordinator for the
City of Stuart. “We wanted to offer the community
a more convenient means to discard electronics
and ensure that these items were properly
recycled.”
This drop-off service center is free and
available for all residents and businesses within
City limits to recycle electronics and other
miscellaneous accepted materials that have
reached the end of their useful life.
Accepted e-waste items at the center include all
electronics with items such as computers,
monitors, keyboards, printers, scanners, fax
machines, televisions, radios, stereo equipment,
VCR/DVD machines, cassette players, cameras,
pagers, cellular phones, telephones, photocopiers,
continued on page 14
12
comprehensive plan. Additionally, drafting new
ordinances that focus on waste diversion activities
can significantly increase recycling rates. Many
successful examples of such ordinances exist from
across the country, and can be tailored to fit
individual community's needs.
Franchise Agreements
Franchise agreements are another area which is
ripe for review by agencies. Many existing franchise
agreements do not actively promote recycling and,
even worse, some inadvertently impede such efforts.
As an illustration, we recently helped a community
revise its commercial solid waste agreement for the
first time since it was created, more than ten years
ago. As part of this franchise agreement, haulers
were required to bring all of their commercial waste
to the local landfill. The expected waste tonnage
delivered (and therefore, the amount of tipping fees
owed) was calculated from a decade-old, convoluted
cubic yards per container estimate. If the delivered
waste was lighter than what the formula projected,
then the hauler had to pay the “missing” tipping fees.
This clause obviously discouraged recycling, as the
haulers were incentivized to dispose of anything and
everything in order to ensure they met their
contractual obligations. To remedy this situation, we
recommended that the new franchise agreement
encompass a tiered-tipping fee for commercial waste
delivered to the landfill. In a tiered-fee structure,
lower fees, or no fees at all, are charged for collecting
recyclables as compared to garbage collection
services, thus providing a financial incentive for
haulers to recycle.
continued from page 6
Ordinances
When looking to revamp franchise agreements,
communities should not only find where agreements
hinder recycling, but they should look for ways in
which franchise agreements can actively promote it.
Some strategies to promote recycling in franchiseagreements include:
• Require all franchised haulers to collect recyclables.
• Allow haulers to keep all the revenues from thesale of recyclables.
• Structure franchise fees for haulers to vary according to the overall level of waste diversionachieved. For example, charge 30 percent gross revenue for haulers diverting less than 25 percent, 20 percent if they divert 26-50 percent and 10 percent if they divert 50 percent or more.
• Require haulers to achieve a waste diversion or recycling goal (one that reflects the goals of the municipality in which they serve).
• Require haulers to develop recycling plans.
• Pay franchised residential garbage haulers on the basis of tons recycled, rather than number of households collected.
• Exempt recyclables collection service and the revenues from their sales, if using the “gross receipts” basis for calculating franchise fees.
These examples are just a sampling of thecreative policies devised to encourage recyclingamong franchisees. Perhaps some of these ideaswill inspire you to haul your documents to the garageto undergo some tinkering. After all, if the 75percent goal is taking over the State like a machine,it better be well oiled.
Organic's Full-Day CompostFacility Operator TrainingWednesday, June 8, 2011
Registration for the full day's event is a separate additional
$50.00 per person.
RFT will be offering a one-day compost facility operator training
on June 8 from 9 am to 5 pm in conjunction with its annual
conference. Space is limited so register today!
13
The future development of the recycling
infrastructure hinges on a critical point: community
investment in the collection of recyclables. During
tight budget times, those investments can come
under critical review, posing the
question: What is the true value of
recycling? It's for that reason the
Southeast Recycling Development
Council (SERDC) recently unveiled
the conclusion of a two-year study
documenting the heavy regional
presence of manufacturers that
depend upon post-consumer
recycled materials.
The study concluded that 206
manufacturers in the Southeast
look to recycled feedstock to fuel
their operations. Such findings are
catching the attention of regional
decision makers. With those
companies account for some
47,525 jobs and $29.4 billion in annual
sales volume.
Increased recycling rates help Florida
manufacturers source good, affordable
manufacturing feedstock. SERDC determined that
Florida is home to more than 15 manufacturers who
rely on recycled-content feedstock.
These Florida manufacturing companies:
• Make more than $1.5 billion in annual
sales,
• Employ more than 2,600 Floridians in the
by Will Sagar, Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC)
SERDC Study: Recycling Fuels Thousands ofFlorida's End-Market Manufacturing Jobs
manufacture of recycled content products.
Beyond manufacturing, the entire Recycling
industry in Florida employs 32,000 people
generating an annual payroll of $765 million and
$4.4 billion in annual revenues.
This isn't a revenue stream, this
is a revenue river!!
Such attention-grabbing
numbers can help move recycling
from the “feel-good” to the “do-
good” category. Anchor Glass
Container employs over 500 at
plants in Tampa and Jacksonville.
There are five paper mills in the
Sunshine State relying upon
recycled fiber. This is creating
1,600 jobs and a half billion
dollars in annual sales. These
plants are located with the yellow
flags on the illustration. Six
plastic manufacturers are
indicated with the turquoise flags.
SERDC’s Policy Director will present the full
details of the research project and provide a live
demonstration of the interactive map at the RFT
Annual Conference in May. More importantly, the
discussion will cover how the information is used to
communicate with elected and appointed decision-
makers to increase the investment in recycling
infrastructure.
This report and other quality sessions will make
for a dynamic conference. See you in Sarasota.
PHOTO: Florida's end-market manufacturing employs 2,600 and brings $1.5 billion in revenue. Map indicates turquoise flags
(plastic manufacturers location), yellow flags (paper mill manufacturers location), and red flags (glass manufacturerslocation).
14
RFT Members Welcome
Future Recyclersinto the World
continued from page11
City of Stuart
ink and toner cartridges, batteries (except
automotive), and even microwave and toaster
ovens. Partnering with Intercon Solutions,
www.InterconRecycling.com, all e-waste is
transported and de-manufactured down to the
base grade materials. This program has a zero
waste policy. Electronics will not be sent to the
landfill, incinerated, resold, or exported.
Community outreach and education is a
significant part of the City's recycling program.
“Sammy Sailfish,” the City's recycling mascot is
attributed to much of the recycling program's
success. “Sammy Sailfish” helps to create great
interest in the community and makes recycling
fun!
For further information on the City of Stuart's
Recycling Program, visit www.cityofstuart.us or
call (772)600-1206.
Pam Shoemaker:Brevard County Recycling Coordinator
and RFT Board Member
Pam came to RFT in 2001 as
the Recycling Coordinator for
Brevard County. Pam started
work with Brevard County in
February 1978 in the Library
Services Department. She then
progressed from Executive
Secretary to Books by Mail
Librarian. In 1996, Pam went to work in Palm Beach
County Library System as Circulation Manager of the
Southwest County Library. In 1999, Pam returned to
Brevard County as Animal Services and Enforcement
Customer Service Manager. In 2001 she became
the Recycling Coordinator and began her involvement
with RFT. A former RFT Board member, Pam
currently serves as the Education Committee Chair.
Pam's organization of countless RFT events has
been instrumental in their success. As Pam says
goodbye to an almost 30-year history with Brevard
County, she will continue her involvement with RFT
in the future.
R E T I R E M E N T
RFT member, Jessica Delgrosso had abouncing baby boy, Remy DelGrosso onFebruary 5, 2011. We wish Jessica and hernew family the best as they make their wayto California.
Valerie (Lane) Brown,Sustainability Coordinator forthe City of Dunedin welcomedIsabella Louise Brown on
February 20, 2011.
Kattrina (Dowd) Miller,Recycling Specialist, Cityof Clearwater gave birth
to Kenzie Marie Miller onMarch 30, 2011.