Recycle Montana in the Classroom Across Montana; Appreciate your teachers says Recycle Montana's educator!

Photo Update & Teach Appreciation: 

Recycling Presentation in Pablo

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week! Rob Pudner, Recycle Montana's recycling educator said, "I don't know how they do this every single day. After a few presentations I'm exhausted!"

‪#‎TeacherAppreciationWeek‬ ‪#‎ThankATeacher‬

Message from Rob: Schedule Your School TODAY!

Screen shot of print view from yesterday's Missoulian!

Rob on the Road this Week!

Rob is visiting schools throughout the Flathead this week! 

Letter to the editor for Recycle Montana President Candi Zion!

Happy Earth Day, Week, Year!

This April 22^nd is the 45^th anniversary of Earth Day! Communities across Montana are taking this opportunity to celebrate with Earth Day events and even weeklong series of events. Earth Day is a great time to look at what we can do to improve our relationship with the planet. With recycling, this is something we can do all year long!

This Earth Day, Recycle Montana is celebrating a renewed focus on education as a membership organization that includes local governments, recycling advocates, and recyclers. Together, we are looking forward to our new education resources at RecycleMontana.org, expansion of “Don’t Waste Montana” statewide, and more engagement with the public.

“Don’t Waste Montana” is a campaign developed to help rural communities recycle, save money, and conserve natural resources to keep Montana beautiful for years to come. The program was originally developed in Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis & Clark counties, and has since been adopted by Recycle Montana for statewide use. Don’t Waste Montana resources are available at DontWasteMontana.org

Recycle Montana is also re-launching RecycleMontana.org, a resource for community guides, recycling events, and technical assistance. We are expanding forums and our ability to host community discussion. We are starting with a list off Montana’s Earth Day and future related events; please join us online to post your event and learn more about other events in your area.

Happy Earth Day; Lets Recycle All Year!

Sincerely,

Candi

Candi Zion, President 

Recycle Montana

Helena, MT 59624-1360

Recycle Line: 406.461.9106

Waste P2 Update: SMART Schools Nationally Recognized, News, Upcoming Webinars and More!!

Waste Pollution Prevention 
Update by Sandra Boggs

March 25, 2015

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau

Department of Environmental Quality

recycle.mt.gov

Sandra Boggs

News and Updates

1. Montana’s SMART Schools Initiative Gets National Recognition!

Lt. Gov. Angela McLean received an award last week at the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) meeting which recognizes the innovative leadership and practices by Montana Schools.  The award is named the Public Leadership in Energy and Environmental Stewardship” and was presented by General Electric and the NLGA.  The Lt. Governor stated “I’m humbled to receive this award on behalf of the students and teachers making a difference across Montana.”

The SMART Schools Challenge includes an Energy Challenge, a Green School Challenge and a Recycling Challenge.  SMART stands for “Saving Money and Resources Today” and schools have been reducing their energy use, increasing their sustainable practices and conserving resources.  This national recognition is a great boost to the program which will be repeated next year.  Find out more about SMART Schools here:http://governor.mt.gov/Home/SmartSchools/Challenges

Read the press release and Independent Record article here:

http://governor.mt.gov/Portals/16/docs/2015PressReleases/032015LGPublicLeaderInEnergyEnviroStewardshipGERelease.pdf

http://helenair.com/news/local/lt-gov-mclean-wins-national-award-for-environmental-stewardship/article_26f3c923-ef7c-51ae-94d8-65719dab1f59.html

2. First Annual Green Clean Schools Leadership Summit

Healthy Schools Campaign is hosting the first annual Green Clean Schools Leadership Summit in Seattle, WA this summer.  The Summit will bring together facility managers, school decision makers, green cleaning experts and vendors for presentations and panel discussions.  Find out more here:

http://greencleanschools.org/

http://greencleanschools.org/summit/

3. Walmart Doesn’t Want Consumers to Choose between Affordability and Sustainability

Walmart recently launched their Sustainability Leaders shop as an online resource for consumers. As part of a multi-year project to reduce environmental and social impacts throughout their supply chain, Walmart created their own Sustainability Index. In order to receive a Sustainability Leaders badge, companies must be ranked as best in class amongst other Walmart suppliers. If there happen to be many leading suppliers, then all suppliers scoring over 80% on Walmart’s Index receive badges.  Note that the program provides wide recognition of sustainability efforts on a manufacturer-wide basis; it does not identify specific products.  Walmart’s FAQ page states that the badges are reviewed every year. 

The online resource: http://www.walmart.com/cp/Sustainability-Leaders/1229461

4.  “The Weird Reason Why We Recycle Flat But Not Crumpled Up Paper”

Chris Mooney of The Washington Post describes the oddly surprising study of human behavior in regards to some of our recycling habits. It’s an interesting and quick read.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/25/youre-weird-humans-why-we-recycle-flat-but-not-crumpled-up-paper/?tid=sm_tw

Abstract: http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/03/21/0013916515577635.abstract

5.  Focusing on Great Lakes Pollution: Microbeads and MicroFibers

Environmental News reports that microplastic particles are polluting the Great Lakes.

http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20150319/NEWS/150319902/researchers-focus-on-great-lakes-pollution

Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More

Date	Topics
March 26, 2015 11 am – 1 pm Free	Food Recovery Challenge: Tracking Progress Sponsored by EPA Sustainable Materials Management Register Here
March 31, 2015 1 pm – 2:30 pm Free	Energizer EcoAdvanced: Recycled Content Alkaline Battery Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute Register Here
April 9, 2015 Noon  – 3:30 pm Free	Paint Stewardship in Rural Areas Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute Register Here
April 9, 2015 11 am – 12:30 pm Free	Is Your Education Outreach Changing Behavior? Sponsored by College& University Recycling Coalition Register Here
April 21, 2015 11:30 am – 12:45 pm Free	Animal Mortality Composting Sponsored by NRC and RMC Register Here
April 23, 2015 1 pm – 2 pm Free	Take-Back Programs in Rural Areas and the Role of Retailers Sponsored by Product Stewardship Institute Register Here
April 23, 2015 11 am – 1 pm Free	Food Recovery Challenge: Measuring Impact Sponsored by EPA Sustainable Materials Management Register Here

Bin Recycling for Special Events!

D.E.Q. Bin in Loan Program for Special Events

[WasteP2 Listserve formatted for web and republished with permission of author by Recycle Montana.]

Montana Recycles Day this Tuesday, March 24th in Helena!

Recyclers from around the state will be in Helena to celebrate Montana Recycles Day this Tuesday in Helena at the Capitol and Downtown!

Montana Recycles Day 2015 in Helena!

Montana Recycles Day 2015 

March 24th in Helena!

• Recycle Collection for the Legislators, Staff, and Guests of the 2015 Legislature
  
• Household and Electronic Recycling Collection 
• 7:45a.m. to 11a.m. at the South Entrance of the Capitol (on Lockey Street one block east of Montana Avenue
• Collection for paper, plastics, cardboard, aluminum cans, tin cans
• Collection for most electronic items excluding monitors and common appliances (no toasters or microwaves)
  
• Recyclers in the Capitol Rotunda
• Exhibits 10a.m. to 1p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda
• Networking Lunch Noon to 1p.m.
• Beverages provides by the Montana Beverage Association
• Introductions and Awards Program 12:30 to 12:45p.m.
• Recycling Roundtable
• Recycling roundtable with recyclers from across the state from 2p.m. to 4p.m.
• Continued Networking and Meeting the Board session 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.
  
• Recycling the Town: Evening Reception for Policy Makers
• Downtown reception at the offices of Browning, Kaleczyv, Berry & Hoven with the Montana Recycling Association!
• RSVP at 406.431.0815 or email the Montana Recycling Association at Policy@MontanaRecyclers.org
  
• Sign up exhibit, volunteer or be part of Montana Recycles Day 2015 here!