How often can that be recycled? & Recycling while you shop this season!

This Earth911 article gives a great overview on commonly recyclable items! This post talks about collection for CFLs, plastic bags, and packaging! 

- Recycle Montana

Pacific Steel's new auto shredder! To Sort or Not to Sort? Opt-Out Option for phone books... Waste Pollution Prevention by Sandra Boggs of Montana D.E.Q.!

1. Pacific Steel & Recycling Increases Capacity: First-of-its-kind in MT

Check out the new car shredder at Pacific’s Lockwood facility:

http://www.ktvq.com/news/pacific-steel-lockwood-facility-completes-first-month-of-operation/

-Provided by KTVQ Billings

2. Single-Stream Collection and Glass Cause Problems for Recyclers

In this video, Waste Management CEO David Steiner explains why WM will not invest in any

more recycling infrastructure until the public is properly educated regarding what is/is not

recyclable. He explains how contamination and glass are destructive to equipment, and

acknowledges that recycling is very confusing to consumers due to a lack of consistency

regarding what is collected. He also reveals that recycling would be much easier to do profitably

if consumers sorted the items instead of putting all recyclables into one bin.

http://finance.yahoo.com/video/waste-management-ceo-didnt-educate-125200599.html

Please note: Montana consumers sort recyclables because:

1. Recyclers here do not have the $$ millions to spend on high-tech sorting equipment.And if such expensive equipment were bought, Montanans do not generate enough garbage or recyclables to pay for the equipment…so waste materials could be brought into the state from elsewhere to make the expenditure profitable.
   
2. Separated recyclables generate the most income from sale to re-manufacturers. Montana is clean and beautiful….without the industrial base of major cities and ports where most recyclables are sought for re-manufacturing. Transporting recyclables to markets outside of Montana is very costly; maximum revenue from recyclables is essential to covering costs.
   
3. Volunteers are not going to sort your trash. There are more small towns than ever in Montana that are recycling; often it is volunteers initiating and operating the programs. “Everybody” wants recycling, but only a small percentage of folks are willing to work events, bundle recyclables, and get them to the nearest recycler. Each time you follow directions and sort properly – you make your community recycling program successful. If you don’t sort right, or you include items that are not meant for the bin…you ‘trash’ recycling programs.
   
4. “Drop-off only” programs are common and employee support is not. Unattended drop-off sites are an affordable way of providing recycling for citizens while minimizing labor costs. Small budgets and limited staff require your engagement to sort recyclables as directed. See #2; your engagement is essential to ensuring the success of any recycling program. If you or others contaminate bins with unwanted materials….they just become another trash can.

3. Check out the attachment regarding phone books…

If you choose to Opt-Out, go here:  https://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandra Boggs
Recycling and Marketing Development Specialist

Recycling, Energy and Compliance Assistance Section
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 200901
1100 Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT 59620-0901
www.recycle.mt.gov

Happy America Recycles Day Montana!

Happy America Recycles Day Montana!

Dear Montana,

This November 15^th is America Recycles Day! More than ever, recycling is something to celebrate all year in Montana. A 2004 study by Montana D.E.Q. found that recycling generated nearly ninety million dollars in revenue, paid over nine million dollars in wages and benefits, and sustained over 300 full‐time jobs. At that time, recycling and composting diverted 176,571 tons of material from landfills or 15 percent of Montana’s waste stream.  In line with national trends, that number has continued to grow!

Community commitment to recycling continues to grow across the state.  Rural and urban areas alike are recognizing the public savings of diverting items from the waste stream back into the economy. One success story is Headwaters Cooperative Recycling. Headwaters paved the way for recycling in communities throughout South-Eastern Montana in Augusta, Beaverhead County, Choteau or more than a dozen other communities. All of these entities are now able to sustain their programs on their own through incorporation of recycling into their public works departments, private partnerships, or community efforts.

The 2004 study noted that “recycling in Montana is more than just a fad, it is a real industry.” This America Recycles Day, we see that Recycling is more than just a good idea; it is something we all do in support of our community and our economy. Learn more about recycling success stories in Montana at RecycleMontana.org

Happy ARD Montana

Sincerely,

Mark Nelson, President

Recycle Montana

Helena, Montana 59624-1360

Pollution Prevention update by Sandra Boggs of Montana Department of Environmental Quality!

1. There is Money in the Trash webinar: 
TODAY: November 12, 2013
Time: 12:00 PM MST http://www.wsra.net/events/event_details.asp?id=369389

Christopher Laughman, of Graybar Electric, Inc., will describe how Graybar successfully
implemented a landfill diversion program which resulted in 50% cost reduction year-over-year. https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=701358&sessionid=1
&key=661B0A6F7B9330372E114285F01A725C&sourcepage=register
Sponsored by Washington State Recycling Association

2. North DakotaWebinar: Tracking Recycled Paper Purchases 
The Responsible Purchasing Network’s Webinar describes effective strategies for gathering,
interpreting and presenting information on recycled paper purchases. You'll also hear how the
State of North Dakota's procurement office and print shop are working together to put some of
these best practices in place as part of their Greener Paper Project.

3. Retail Dining Operations: Opportunities for Source Reduction and 
Effective Materials Management 

Webinar: Thursday, December 12
11:00-12:00 pm MST
Register https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/703038408

Collecting food waste in retail dining operations is challenging but the opportunities for food
waste reduction are immense. Join us as we look at successful “reduce and reuse” strategies,
food donation programs, and unique materials management solutions for the dining hall and
“dining on the run.”

4. Crackdown on False Biodegradability Claims on Plastics 
False marketing claims catch up with manufacturers of paper plates, ‘biodegradable’ additives,
plastic shopping bags and more. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/10/greenactions.shtm

5. Green School Purchasing Resources
The Responsible Purchasing Network offers the following resources to schools:

The Healthy Purchasing for Healthy Schools guidance document, the Green Schools Buying 
Guide, and a recording of the webinar: Green Purchasing for Schools: Save Money and
Reduce Your Environmental Footprint.