Upcoming Recycling Challenges Provide Opportunities for Montana Schools, Deadlines Fast Approaching

Upcoming Recycling Challenges Provide Opportunities for Montana Schools, Deadlines Fast Approaching 

Upcoming Challenges Reward Schools for Recycling and Reducing Waste, Deadlines Fast Approaching
Several recycling challenges and competitions offer schools and students opportunities to save money and win awards with recycling programs and events. Recycle Montana lists these competitions at RecycleMontana.org, and can help answer questions about these events or with any recycling challenges schools may have year round.
Montana Schools have done well in recent years. For example, Victor School in Victor, MT won the Recycle-Bowl at the state level 2011 and 2012. West Elementary in Great Falls followed, by winning Recycle-Bowl in 2013. “Recycle Montana hopes even more schools will compete in these challenges this year and that all schools and communities plan to celebrate America Recycles Day on November 15^th,” says Mark Nelson, President of Recycle Montana. Schools can visit AmericaRecyclesDay.org for tips and toolkits and submit their events.

The Recycle-Bowl, hosted by Keep America Beautiful, challenges schools to collect as much recycling as possible from October 20 through November 15. Schools must register by October 15^th. The Great American Can Roundup challenges schools to collect as many aluminum cans as possible between November 15, 2014 and April 22, 2015. Schools must register by January 16, 2015. RecycleMania challenges colleges and universities to report all trash and recycling generated during an eight-week period. Prizes are awarded based on recycling percentages and overall waste generated. An orientation webinar will be held on November 19. The GameDay Challenge promotes waste reduction at college and university football games. Schools may register until October 14. Applications for the Montana Saving Money and Resources Today (SMART) Challenge remain open until October 30. All of these challenges are linked at RecycleMontana.org or your can call Recycle Montana(406) 461-9106.
In addition to these challenges, Recycle Montana is pleased to announce the adoption of “Don’t Waste Montana,” a campaign developed to help rural communities recycle and conserve resources. Don’t Waste Montana provides the tools for rural communities to save money, conserve natural resources, and keep Montana beautiful for generations to come. The Don’t Waste Montana campaign was developed in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis & Clark Counties through partnerships funded by a USDA grant. The materials developed are now available statewide and can be customized to communities through Recycle Montana at DontWasteMontana.org. The campaign will compliment Recycle Montana educational outreach, which includes visiting schools across the state.
Recycle Montana works to increase recycling in Montana through education and building partnerships between communities, schools and recyclers. In the last three years, Recycle Montana has reached 23,000 students in over 20 counties across Montana. Schools seeking guest lectures can contact Recycle Montana for more information. Visit www.RecycleMontana.org to learn more.
Upcoming School Recycling Challenges and Links:
*The Recycle Bowl, hosted by Keep America Beautiful, aims to invigorate student participation by challenging schools to establish new recycling programs, increase recycling rates, and/or provide educational opportunities about recycling and waste reduction. Schools can register athttp://recycle-bowl.org/ until October 15.
*The Great American Can Roundup (GACR) “is an easy and fun way to raise money and help the environment. Your school, boy and girl scout unit or US Service Academy units, squadrons or companies can earn money by recycling aluminum beverage cans. The proceeds received from recycling can be used to purchase much needed supplies for your school or unit or can be donated to charity.” The Roundup begins November 15 and schools can register until January 15, 2015. For more details visit http://www.cancentral.com/recycling-sustainability/programs-initiatives/great-american-can-roundup.
“RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over an eight-week period each spring, colleges across the United States and Canada report the amount of recycling and trash collected each week and are in turn ranked in various categories based on who recycles the most on a per capita basis, as well as which schools have the best recycling rate as a percentage of total waste and which schools generate the least amount of combined trash and recycling.  With each week’s updated ranking, participating schools follow their performance against other colleges and use the results to rally their campus to reduce and recycle more.” Find out more information about the November 19 orientation webinar at http://recyclemaniacs.org/.
“The GameDay Recycling Challenge is a friendly competition for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction at their football games. During the challenge, colleges and universities implement waste reduction programs during home football games. Schools track and report waste reductions and disposal data that is used to rank the schools.” Find out more before the October 14 registration deadline athttp://gamedaychallenge.org/.
In addition to these national competitions, Governor Steve Bullock and Lt. Governor Angela McLean recently launched the Montana S.M.A.R.T. Schools Challenge. This challenge is “aimed at saving schools money and promoting health by encouraging energy efficiency, conservation, waste reduction, and green practices in K-12 schools across the state.” SMART (Saving Money and Resources Today) features three challenges for competition among schools: Recycling; Energy Savings; and Green Practices. Prizes, grants, and resources are available to schools that choose to participate and apply by October 30. Visit http://governor.mt.gov/Home/SmartSchools to learn about saving money and resources at your school.
Challenges for K-12 schools include:

·         October 15      Keep America Beautiful Recycle Bowl Competition registration deadline

·         October 30      Governor’s SMART Recycling Challenge application deadline

·          November 15  The Great American Can Roundup begins

Challenges for colleges and universities include:

·         October 14      GameDay Challenge registration deadline

·         November 19 RecycleMania orientation webinar

Upcoming Webinars from the Sustainable Cities Network

​

Aug. 25: Extend the Life of Asphalt Roads with a Soy-Based Rejuvenating Sealer, featuring Robert Cummins, retired Ohio Dept. of Transportation construction manager and Michael Freisthler, owner of BioBased Spray Systems, LLC. - https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/780206854 - Free event sponsored by BioBased Spray Systems.

Aug. 26-28: Facilitating Remote and Online Meetings - Essential Success Skills, featuring Michael Fraidenburg - https://remotemeetings.eventbrite.com - Paid event.

Sept. 4: Sustainability in the City of Austin, Texas, featuring Austin's Chief Sustainability Officer Lucia Athens - https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/311818582 - Free event sponsored by Crescent Electric.

Sept. 9: Converting Biogas into Energy and Vehicle Fuel, featuring Jan Scott of Unison Solutions - https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/832731910 - Free event sponsored by Unison Solutions.

Oct. 9-Dec. 18: Master Class in Behavior Change and Community Engagement, featuring David Gershon - http://sCityNetwork.com/Gershon - Paid event.

Also, don't forget the early-bird deadline for the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference

Pollution Prevention and Lean Principles Workshop May 28-30 in Denver!

Commentary on Montana Public Radio this Evening! "Quality Control Needed for Successful Recycling in Montana!"

Quality Control Needed for Successful Recycling in Montana!

Good evening Montana! Matt Elsaesser here with Recycle Montana. Next Tuesday, April 22^nd, is Earth Day! Earth Day is a great time to discuss day-to-day opportunities to reduce our impact on the planet and build community. The three Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle are always a great way to start the discussion. Reducing our waste by bringing our own mug to the coffee shop or donating our used household items to a local thrift store is pretty strait forward.

Recycling is a bit more complicated. Recycling creates a valuable resource from what would we would otherwise waste. Quality control is essential and partnerships are needed to get recyclables from the recycling bin to a new product in the market or to find a permanent end use in construction or infrastructure. We can all do our part by knowing and following the guidelines of the recycling programs we utilize. The better informed we all are when we recycle, the more effective existing and future programs can be at collecting recyclables and finding the most valuable use for the recycled resource we create.

Glass recycling provides a great example of the importance of quality control. Community glass recycling programs are designed for container glass. Container glass includes bottles and jars one would find at a grocery store—such as a bottle of wine or glass jar of salsa. The many other types of glass, ranging from wine glasses, plates and coffee mugs to light bulbs, home windows, and windshields have different composition than container glass consisting of jars and bottles. These other types of glass, generally durable goods designed for long-term use may have specialized recycling program at their point of sale.

Many successful Montana recycling enterprises start with well-sorted container glass. In Livingston, pulverized glass—glass processed up to a quarter inch with no sharp edges--and sand is used in public work projects, landscaping, and pipe bedding. Pulverized glass from rural communities was used in road base in Interstate 15 near Boulder. Glass in Helena is recycled into cement at a nearby plant in Montana City. Glass collected by a retailer in Bozeman is collected and crushed into large boxes by a local recycling company. The glass is shipped by truck to Salt Lake City for manufacturing a variety of products including insulation. Montana glass ships by rail to Golden Colorado to become new bottles.

Glass contains embodied energy and a variety of resources. Silica or sand is the major ingredient, but sodium carbonate or soda ash, lime, and other additives can make up more than a quarter of glass containers.  Such materials are mined and shipped great distances today.  Glass container recycling provides a valuable base material to be used with less energy in future manufacturing, as an aggregate in local construction and public works projects, and--of course--in new bottles.  Reusing bottles, as done by a local brewery in Missoula maximizes these benefits!

Keeping non-container glass, other recyclables and trash outside of glass collection bins is essential for successful glass recycling. Small safety rings and labels are usual okay, but metal lids should be recycled with like metals and corks should be removed. The glass should be clean and stored without lids from the start. Cleaner, properly sorted material yields a higher quality product that can be recycled into a greater variety of commodities to be used again. While the specific guidelines vary, this is true with all recycling.  

Recyclers compact and bale the most common recyclables-such as cans, cardboard, and plastic for shipping. Glass can only be crushed, requiring handling more similar to construction aggregate. Whether separating recyclables at a local drop-off site or using a single stream recycling bins where compactable recycles are mixed to be separated later, glass requires different handling and equipment. The glass cannot be separated by downstream processing as well as the compactable recyclables and is--at best--more expensive and difficult to sort.

Fortunately, glass has other local uses as well.  Community partnerships can and are making these options work. Recent revelations of the loads of glass being contaminated in Missoula provide an opportunity for all of us to learn how important it is that we follow program directions and encourage our friends and neighbors to do the same. For glass and all recycling, the better job we do, the more valuable the recyclable resource we create together has a community becomes.

A 2004 study by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality found that recycling provided nearly ninety million dollars in revenue and sustained over 300 full-time jobs in Montana. Montana Recycled or diverted three-hundred and fifty thousand tons or twenty-two percent of the 1.6 million tons of the municipal waste generated in 2012, showing a decrease in land-filling and an increase in recycling from 2011. In 2003, the number was only fifteen percent. There is much more to be done with recycling in our homes, businesses and communities. Together, we can continue to further reduce waste and put more resources to good use in Montana. I’m Matt Elsaesser with Recycle Montana. Learn more about recycling online at RecycleMontana.org Have a great evening and keep recycling Montana!

Waste Pollution Prevention Listserve: YNP's Sustainability; Pulverizer Auction; Triclosan eliminated; Free webinar on Organics Mgmt in Small and Tribal Communities

WasteP2 Listserve by Sandra Boggs

April 17, 2014

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau 
Department of Environmental Quality 

News and Updates 

1. Former Employee Reports on Sustainability at Yellowstone N.P. Amy Martin, a current intern at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, reflects on the steps Xanterra Parks and Resorts takes in Yellowstone National Park to reduce waste and operate sustainably with reduced environmental impacts.
http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/yellowstone-park-connecticut-green-lodging-and-me-a


2. Compactor and Glass Pulverizer Being Auctioned 

Headwater Cooperative Recycling has ceased business and is auctioning off two large pieces of recycling equipment. Pate Online Auctions has all the details here:
http://www.pateonlineauctions.com/


3. Big Sky Looking For Another Recycling Location 

http://www.lonepeaklookout.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_fe3f050c-c0dd-11e3-8084-
001a4bcf887a.html


4. Firms Eliminating Triclosan Due to Consumer Pressure 

Triclosan is a chemical found in many beauty products, lotions, sun block and more. Triclosan is a possible endocrine disrupter, and although considered safe by industry experts, consumers have become increasingly opposed to the use of it. Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive and now Avon have all responded to consumer pressure and are phasing out use of the chemical. You can find out more about their efforts here:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/04/08/avon-products-ditch-triclosan/

(Also mentioned are the health concerns associated with the chemical replacing Triclosan.)

5. New Study Finds High Mercury Levels in Remote Lakes 

The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service studied mercury levels within fish

caught inside national parks across the nation. The study found that, in some cases, the mercury levels in fish exceeded the guidelines for human consumption. Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald was found to have fish which exceed the consumption limit, while Yellowstone National Park’s Spillway Lake had fish with elevated levels but only one fish that exceeded consumption guidelines.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/article_143af4e6-c5c1-11e3-a52e-0019bb2963f4.html

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Fish Consumption Guidelines 

http://fwp.mt.gov/fwpDoc.html?id=28187


6. Organics Mgmt in Small & Tribal Communities – Food Scraps, Yard
Waste and Disaster Debris Management : FREE Webinar 

This two-part webinar series is offered by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC, nerc.org). The free webinars feature case studies from Massachusetts, Indiana and North Dakota.

Organics Management in Action in Small & Tribal Communities—Opportunities and Case Studies 

      Thursday, May 1, 2014 
       11am – 12:30 pm MT 

Register Here: 

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/918402628654956802?utm_source=AOR+Contact+List&utm_campaign=67393cfa97-aor_listserve_041614&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_519dc0653f-67393cfa97-406177799

Reducing Food Scraps at Home and Management of Organics in Small and Tribal Communities 

        Thursday, May 15, 2014 
          11am – 12:30 pm MT 

Register Here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4336450027875823617?utm_source=AOR+Contact+List&utm_campaign=67393cfa97-aor_listserve_041614&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_519dc0653f-67393cfa97-406177799



7. Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More

Managing Marine Debris Through Product Stewardship 

Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute 

April 23, 2014 

11:30 am – 1 pm 

$$ 

Sort for Value Matrix, a New Tool for MRFs 

Sponsored by The Association for Post-Consumer Plastic Recyclers 

April 23, 2014 

11 am – 12 pm 

Free 

Establishing a Source-Separated Organic Material Composting Program 

Offered by the U.S. Composting Council 

April 23, 2014 

11 am – 12:30 pm 

$$ 

Deconstruction Webinar Series 

Sponsored by WasteCap Resource Solutions 

April 24, 2014 

12:00 pm MT 

Free 

Product Stewardship for Textiles

Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute 

April 28th, 2014 

12:30 pm – 2 pm 

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Green Procurement, Case Study 

Sponsored by EPA 

April 30, 2014 

11 am – 12:15 pm 

Free 

Nurturing Our Roots, Growing our Future, Annual Conference 

Sponsored by Washington State Recycling Association 

http://www.wsra.net/ 

May 4 -7, 2014 

$$ 

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Reducing Natural Gas Use and Sustainable Bottled Water 

Sponsored by EPA 

May 7, 2014 

11 am – 12:15 pm 

Free 

Pollution Prevention Update in Montana! Glass Recycling Challenges, Compost & Crops, Upcoming Trainings & Webinars, and more!

WasteP2 Listserve

April 7, 2014

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau

Department of Environmental Quality

recycle.mt.gov

Sandra Boggs

Reposted with permission by RecycleMontana.org!

News and Updates

1. Glass Recycling is Problematic in Montana and Elsewhere

Here’s a story in the Missoulian about glass recycling in the state and how some of the more

successful collection programs don’t work if people don’t follow directions:

http://missoulian.com/business/local/how-cost-other-factors-stifle-glass-recycling-efforts-inmontana/

article_36c9aa22-bc50-11e3-a973-0019bb2963f4.html

2. Compost & Food Crops: Protect Your Product and People:

Offered by the U.S. Composting Council, this webinar focuses USFDA proposed regulations for under Food Safety Modernization Act. Proposals include some very restrictive requirements for using compost on certain fresh produce crops. But the fact is, properly produced compost can help protect both people and plants from getting sick.

Topics covered include:

•What is the FDA’s concern?

•What do we know about compost and food safety?

•How one compost manufacturer has successfully sold to growers under the Leafy Green

Marketing Agreement, one of the strictest standards in the market.

April 9, 2014

11 am – 12:30 pm

$55 Members / $95 Non-members

Register here: http://compostingcouncil.org/compost-and-food-crops/

3. Kicking the Bottled Water Habit: FREE Webinar

The Center for a New American Dream and Corporate Accountability International has teamed up to offer this free webinar on organizing campaigns to eliminate bottled water in your community. Includes a special look at successful campaigns on university campuses.

Thursday, April 10

11 am – 12 pm

Register here: http://act.newdream.org/page/s/webinar-bottled-water

4. How to Find Safer Alternatives to Chemicals of Concern

Sponsored by BizNGo and the Washington State Department of Ecology, this webinar is

intended to help manufacturers and product designers lessen the use of chemicals on EPA’s list

of Chemicals of Concern. http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/ecactionpln.html

Thursday, April 10

1 pm – 2 pm

Register here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/610681214

5. New Guidance Available for Making Decisions Based on

“Earth-Friendliness” of Products

The Sustainable Materials Management Coalition issued guidance to assist organizations with

taking a broader view and considering the full range of environmental impacts that products have throughout their lives – from the initial extraction of raw materials through their final disposal. The report, “Guidance on Life-Cycle Thinking and Its Role in Environmental Decision Making,” provides advice that will help governments and businesses make more informed decisions as they seek to buy greener and safer products. Several examples from Oregon are featured. The Coalition is composed of representatives from business, academia, environmental and community organizations, and state and local governments, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

6. Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More

Protecting Your Product and People: Compost & Food ($$)

April 9, 2014 / 11 am – 12:30 pm

Offered by the U.S. Composting Council

Register Here

Kicking the Bottled Water Habit (Free)

April 10, 2014 / 11 am – 12 pm

Sponsored by New American Dream and Corporate Accountability Int’l.

Register Here

How to Find Safer Alternatives to Chemicals of Concern (Free)

April 10, 2014 / 1 pm – 2 pm

Sponsored by BizNGo

Register Here

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Reduce Toxic Chemical Use and Stormwater (Free)

Management

April 13, 2014 / 11 am – 12:15 pm

Sponsored by EPA

Register Here

Transportation Planning (Free)

April 17, 2014 / 1 pm – 2 pm MT

Sponsored by EPA Region 8

http://greenlocalgovernment.org/2014-webinar-series/

Managing Marine Debris Through Product Stewardship ($$)

April 23, 2014 / 11:30 am – 1 pm

Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute

Register Here

Sort for Value Matrix, a New Tool for MRFs (Free)

April 23, 2014 / 11 am – 12 pm

Sponsored by The Association for Post-Consumer Plastic Recyclers

Register Here

Establishing a Source-Separated Organic Material Composting Program ($$)

April 23, 2014 / 11 am – 12:30 pm

Offered by the U.S. Composting Council

Register Here

Deconstruction Webinar Series (Free)

April 24, 2014 / 12:00 pm MT

Sponsored by WasteCap Resource Solutions

Register Here

Waste Pollution Prevention by Sandra Boggs: Green Hotel Webinar Series; School Eco-tech Grants; Victory for Cell Phone Users

WasteP2 Listserve 

March 26, 2014 

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau 

Department of Environmental Quality 

recycle.mt.gov 

Sandra Boggs

News and Updates 

1. Green Hotel Webinar Series: FREE 

The EPA is offering a series of six webinars that will cover sustainability topics for the lodging 

sector. Energy efficiency is featured in several of the webinars, as well as water conservation, 

waste management, green cleaning, stormwater management and more. A total of 18 

presentations are included in the six webinars. Don’t miss this chance to learn from those that 

have implemented changes that save money while saving resources. 

http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/registration-opens-for-green-hotel-webinar-series 

2.Eco-Tech Grants Available to Schools: Captain Planet Foundation 

Sixteen grants will be awarded to schools or non-profit organizations for the purpose of engaging children in inquiry-based projects in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that use innovation, biomimicry / nature-based design, or new uses for technology to address environmental problems in their communities. Schools from all states are eligible to apply.

Captain Planet Foundation: http://www.captainplanetfoundation.org/2014/01/ecotech/ 

3. Compost From Food Waste and Understanding Soil Chemistry and Soil 

Biology on a College / University Campus 

This FREE webinar is hosted by EPA as part of their Food Recovery Challenge. 

12pm Mountain Time 

April 3, 2014 

Register here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/682882026 

4. ISRI Releases Guide to Scrap Metal Laws in All States 

The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has released a guide to the laws governing 

theft of scrap metal and other requirements regarding the buying and selling of scrap metals. 

Find a link to the guide on the homepage of ISRI: www.isri.org 

In addition ISRI has formed a Law Enforcement Advisory Council to assist authorities in 

addressing the problem of scrap metal theft. 

http://www.isri.org/ISRI/Whats_New/2012/Recycling_Industry_Forms_Law_Enforcement_Advisory_Council_to_

Help_in_Fight_Against_Metals_Theft.aspx

5. Paper Reduction: EPA Switching to Electronic Document Tracking 

The EPA continues to work on changing the current manifest system for tracking the movement and disposal of hazardous wastes. The EPA is changing from hard-copy forms to an electronic system. Catch up on the current work and next steps here: 

http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/transportation/manifest/e-man.htm 

The final system is expected to save hundreds of man-hours required for paperwork by the old system while increasing transparency for the public regarding the transport of hazardous wastes through communities.

6. A Victory for Cell Phone Users and Recyclers

A new policy now allows for the ‘unlocking’ of cell phones and switching carriers without

having to change phones. The agreement between the Federal Communications Commission

and major carriers removes a hurdle for cell phone refurbishers and recyclers, as well as

consumers. The U.S. is the only country with copyright laws that block the reuse of technology at the end of a device’s ‘life’.

http://americanrecycler.com/8568759/index.php/news/electronics-recycling/89-cellphone-unlocking-policy-avictory-

for-recyclers

-American Recycler

7. Positively Clean Plastic Recycling

http://www.recyclingtoday.com/rt0114-plastics-recycling-technology.aspx

Advice on successful PET recycling processors.

-Recycling Today

8. Earth Day’s Green Cities Initiative

http://www.earthday.org/greencities/

9. Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More

Date Topics

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Water and Energy Efficiency

March 28, 2014

11 am – 12:15 pm

Sponsored by EPA

Deconstruction Webinar Series

March 27, 2014

12:00 pm MT

Sponsored by WasteCap Resource Solutions

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Food Service and Renovations

April 2, 2014

11 am – 12:15 pm

Sponsored by EPA

University Composting and Understanding Soil Chemistry

April 3, 2014

12 pm – 1:30 pm

Sponsored by EPA

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Reduce Toxic Chemical Use and Stormwater

Management

April 13, 2014

11 am – 12:15 pm

Sponsored by EPA

Transportation Planning

April 17, 2014

1 pm – 2 pm MT

Sponsored by EPA Region 8

http://greenlocalgovernment.org/2014-webinar-series/

Waste P2 Update: Plastics Recycling in Helena, Recycling Olympics, The Science of Using the Recycling Bin and more!

Courtesy of Sandra Boggs!

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau

Department of Environmental Quality

recycle.mt.gov

News and Updates

1.  City of Helena To Offer #1 & #2 Plastic Recycling Soon

Check out this story in the Independent Record to learn more: http://helenair.com/news/local/city-of-helena-to-start-taking-in-some-plastics-for/article_5a0870f8-a1d0-11e3-8b0a-0019bb2963f4.html

2.  S.A.V.E.  Plastics Drive March 14 – 17, 2014.

Volunteers are needed! http://www.savemobile.org/

3.  Recycling Olympics: Which Medalist Are You?

Sherri Hurry works at Republic Services in Billings and makes a comparison between Olympic medalists and folks who recycle.  From the Billings Gazette:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/mailbag/winning-the-recycling-olympics/article_5f530deb-f6bd-533f-83b9-4672e2bd1a38.html

4. The Science of Getting People to Use the Bin: Webinar

This FREE webinar from the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) will provide insight into motivating people to recycle.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

11:00 am -12:30 pm MT. Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/853146937

5. Safer Chemicals in Building Products: How to Get LEED Credit

This FREE webinar includes information on changes to LEED specifications for building products. The new guidelines now include disclosure of ingredients and the reduction of hazardous chemicals.  Find out more:

March 6, 2014

1pm – 2pm MT Register here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/664993782

6.  2014 Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit

Registration is open for this conference which runs June 25-27, 2014. The Summit is located at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  Limited to only 250 people, the Summit will bring together collegiate athletics staff, campus recreational managers, sustainability professionals, and recycling/facility managers.   

http://www.nirsa.org/wcm/partner/CS3-2014/Welcome/wcm/_Grow/Institutes/Sustainability/_2014/Main.aspx?hkey=9d91b0a5-4773-47ee-b20d-dc668725e6f1

7.  Greening Local Government – Great Resources

Visit this website to find information on eleven ways to increase sustainability in your local governments and communities. Here is a list of webinars offered this year, (and if you missed them past webinars are available online).

Purchasing and Office Practices

March 20

1 pm – 2 pm MT

REGISTER NOW

Transportation Planning

April 17

1 pm – 2 pm MT

REGISTER NOW

Water – Conservation & Catchment

May 15

1 pm – 2 pm MT

REGISTER NOW

Green Building & Integrated Pest Management

June 19

1 pm – 2 pm MT

 REGISTER NOW

8. Summit for Recycling: Colorado

The Colorado Association for Recycling has their annual conference coming up in June 8-10, 2014.  Their theme is "The Changing Landscape: How Limited Resources, New Technologies and Human Behavior Are Reshaping the Recycling Industry".

Check out their website: http://www.cafr.org/summit/

9. Deconstruction Webinar Series: FREE

This is the second webinar of a three-part series. In this webinar, you will learn how to identify materials that can be recovered, how to specifically deconstruct them and figuring out the relative value of the materials.

March 27, 2014

Noon Mountain Time

http://www.wastecap.org/events/webinars/

10.  University Surplus Property Association Conference

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

March 23-26, 2014

Conference gives attendees the opportunity to share strategies and tactics that help them meet the needs of their respective universities as well as network with vendors specifically tailored to the recycling, disposal, and infrastructure needs that are unique to Surplus Property Departments. For more information, including registration, click here.

http://universitysurplus.org/

Waste Pollution Prevent Listserve: News & Updates by Sandra Boggs of Montana D.E.Q.!

WasteP2 Listserve

February 28, 2014

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau

Department of Environmental Quality

recycle.mt.gov

Sandra Boggs

News and Updates

1.    University of Montana: Recycling Not Always Pretty

Kasey Rahn writes about The Putrid Side to Green Living in the Montana Kaimin, a publication of the University. http://www.montanakaimin.com/news/article_a669ee90-8d58-11e3-bfdd-001a4bcf6878.html

2. Paying for College Through Recycling

Check out this student in Oregon who works with her family to pay her college costs through recycling. http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/31197626-75/lilly-cans-bottles-stephanie-bottle.html.csp?utm_source=AOR+Contact+List&utm_campaign=fa13ae7c1e-aor_enewsletter_0214&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_519dc0653f-fa13ae7c1e-406177799

3. Is China Losing Buying Power?

Check out this editorial from Resource Recycling about 6% decline in orders from China last year.  http://resource-recycling.com/node/4633

4.  The Science of Getting People to Use the Bin: Webinar

This FREE webinar from the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) will provide insight into motivating people to recycle.

Thursday, March 13 from

11:00 AM -12:30 PM MT. Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/853146937

5.  2014 Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit

Limited to only 250 people, this promises to be a great meeting for recycling staff and students.

http://www.nirsa.org/wcm/partner/CS3-2014/Welcome/wcm/_Grow/Institutes/Sustainability/_2014/Main.aspx?hkey=9d91b0a5-4773-47ee-b20d-dc668725e6f1

6. Summit for Recycling: Colorado

The Colorado Association for Recycling has their annual conference coming up in June.  Their theme is "The Changing Landscape: How Limited Resources, New Technologies and Human Behavior Are Reshaping the Recycling Industry".

Check out their website: http://www.cafr.org/summit/

7. Walmart Phasing Out Hazardous Chemicals in Products

Walmart is making changes in their supply lines again. This time they are promoting better consumer and environmental health by getting away from some seriously unhealthy chemical ingredients in the products they sell. http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/02/28/walmart-starts-promised-chemicals-policy/

Webinar Series by The College & University Recycling Coalition!

Click here to sign up for CURC's 2014 webinars!

Montana D.E.Q. Survery Shows Montana Recycling Continues to Climb!

[Great news from Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Planning, Prevention & Assistance Division!]

RELEASE: DEQ Survery Shows Montana Recycling Continues to Climb

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2014

MONTANA RECYCLING AND LANDFILL DIVERSION RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB

DEQ survey shows recycling on the rise as more waste is diverted from landfills

Helena, Mont. -- The amount of solid waste recycled from Montana landfills continues to rise as residents take advantage of the social and environmental benefits of recycling and composting, according to a recent survey by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). 
The DEQ annually surveys solid waste management facilities such as landfills, transfer stations, compost operations, and recyclers. The latest data from 2012 indicates the state diverts almost 22 percent of its solid waste through recycling and compost efforts.
By statute the DEQ has a target to divert 22 percent of generated solid waste for the calendar year 2015, according to Bonnie Rouse, manager of the Recycling and Compliance Assistance program at DEQ. The state is well positioned to exceed the goal, she added. The survey for 2003 – the first conducted – indicated about 15 percent was either recycled or diverted.
Materials diverted from Montana landfills include paper products, plastics, aluminum, and ferrous and mixed scrap metals (excluding junked automobiles). Organic materials such as landscape waste, sewage sludge, and construction and demolition debris, as well as electronic or e-waste is also either diverted or recycled, Rouse said. 
The survey data indicates more than 1.6 million tons of municipal solid waste was generated in Montana in 2012. Of this amount, more than 350,000 tons were either collected for recycling or otherwise diverted from the waste stream, such as through composting programs. Rouse noted the tonnage landfilled in 2012 actually decreased by almost 103,000 tons from 2011, while the amount recycled or diverted increased by 26,446 tons over the same period.
 “Recycling generates real economic benefits for Montana communities,” noted DEQ Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “Recycling employs people across the state at the same time as it conserves valuable resources and saves energy.”
Rouse said recent state investment in a Hub-and-Spoke recycling program among smaller communities may have contributed to the growth. That program is designed to offer better collection and marketing opportunities by networking neighboring rural towns. Whatever the cause, Rouse said a national recycling calculator indicates the state saved 13.6 million BTUs of energy.  She added the reporting mechanism is “extremely conservative” and that the state likely recycles and diverts solid waste at an even higher rate. The data shows Montanans generate about 8.8 pounds of solid waste per day per person and that about 1.9 pounds per person per day is recycled or diverted from the waste stream. That’s a bit higher than the national average on both fronts, Rouse said.
For more information on recycling and composting in Montana, the public can visit the DEQ Recycling Program on the web at:www.deq.mt.gov/Recycle.  The most recent survey on landfill diversion is available at this page:http://www.deq.mt.gov/Recycle/recycling_statistics_Page.mcpx.  Figures for 2013 will be released in the fall of this year. 

Courtesy of: 

Paul Driscoll

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Planning, Prevention & Assistance Division

Office: 406-444-6421

Chris Saeger
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Communications Director

Office: 406-444-2667

[wastep2] Plastics recycling this weekend; Bin GRANT program; Where's the beef?

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