Rachel Eckert

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SustainabiltyBALANCE, with a competative edge

• Rachel Eckert
• NC DPPEA
• Rachel.eckert_at_ncmail.net
• www.p2pays.org

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World Commodity Pool (metals, fiber, minerals,
ores, petroleum and resins, etc)
Nature
Products
Consumers
Disposal

• Recycling feeds the World Commodity Pool and
  makes North Carolina a raw material supplier to
  the world economy

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• Amount of energy saved if copper is recycled
  rather than produced from ore 80-85.
• Copper recovery from one ton of TVs compared to
  one ton of ore 2 to 1
• Life expectancy of world copper reserves at
  current rates and growth in consumption 18 28
  years.

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Climate Change
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Household Recycling

• Estimated lbs of solid waste generated per
  household 1,880
• Estimate recyclable lbs. per household 745
  (40)
• Average NC program collection 226 lbs per
  household served
• Key strategy Transition curbside programs to
  carts

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Reaching 2 Million by 2012
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NC Environment

• NC Climate Action Plan Advisory Group
  http//www.ncclimatechange.us/index.cfm
• Air Quality areas of nonattainment
• New water norm
• Energy Consumption
• 136 mil tons of waste generated in US
  buildings/year
• NC threw out close to 12 mil tons in 06-07

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NCs Green Economy

• Recycling Markets Directory www.p2pays.org/dmrm
• Over 600 businesses
• More than 14,000 people in recycling jobs in NC
• Made in NC and Recycling Means Business
• Biodiesel and Ethanol manufacturers
• Huge electroincs market for southeast US
• Large scale food waste composting facilities
• Growing reuse opportunities
• Habitat for Humanity RESTORE
• Electronics

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Key Recycling Strategies for NC

• Local Government Assistance
• Recycling Market Development
• Education and Outreach
• Organics Diversion
• Policy Development
• Product Stewardship
• Integration with Sustainability

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Recycling Essential to NC Manufacturers
Examples of Products Made in NC
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Glass Commodity Cycle in NC
Glass plants in NC can triple use of cullet
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Demand for PET

• New 280 million lb plant in Fayetteville
• Needs 58 of all domestically recycled soda and
  water bottles.
• 130 million lb. Coca Cola/URRC plant in
  Spartanburg
• Feed materials to new bottles made in Shelby, NC
• Mohawk Carpet in Dalton, GA needs 250 million lbs
  of PET
• Combined demand 660 million lbs
• Total amount of PET bottles in NC 170 million
  lbs.

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Sustainability Options
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1. Reduce and Reuse

• Donate furniture, building materials, and
  electronics to the Reuse Store or local nonprofit
  organization
• Waste Trader at www.ncwastetrader.org/home.aspx
• Biomass Trader at www.ncbiomasstrader.org/home.asp
  x

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2. Recycle

• Mixed Paper, cans and glass and plastic bottles
• Required for bars and restaurants
• Aluminum cans banned from landfill
• Electronics
• Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes
• Markets Directory
• Winston Salem Recycles!! www.cityofws.org/Home/Dep
  artments/RecycleToday
• Local government www.p2pays.org/Localgov
• www.RE3.org and www.ncprojectgreen.com

Tool Kit
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Which of these things are waste?
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Upcoming Disposal Bans

• Pallets Oct 1, 2009
• Pallets generated as CD may go into CDLFs
• Rigid Plastic Bottles October 1, 2009
• Specifically excludes motor oil bottles
• Used Motor Oil Filters Oct 1, 2009
• Televisions Jan 1, 2011
• Computer Equipment Jan 1, 2011

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www.p2pays.org/dmrm
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I try to tell people to recycle!

• But they just dont listen

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Working Your Programs
Watcha need identify markets, policies and
procedures, containers, collection contract or
transportation, training manuals, website and
email list, advertising

• In a nut shell
• Identify perceived and actual barriers
• Select tools to help overcome barriers
• Pilot project to develop commitment and community
  norms
• Evaluate, fine tune, and implement
• Buy-in from the top-down
• Training (staff, students, cleaning crew,
  website)

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• Tools communication and prompts/norms and
  incentives

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3. Think about transportation

• Carpool and promote public transportation
• Create a teleworking policy and/or allow
  alternative work schedules
• Purchase hybrids alternative fuel vehicles for
  your fleet
• Provide benefits to those using these options
  (special parking, flexibility in work schedule)

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4. Buy Green

• Buy recycled content products
• Paper and paper products
• Building materials
• Retread tires, rerefined motor oil
• Mulch and other outdoor equipment
• Green products
• Life cycle cost accounting
• Local
• Durable
• Non-Hazardous
• Energy efficient office equipment printers,
  photocopiers, fax machines, laptops, computers

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Where to Look for Products and Specs

• Existing vendors
• State/Federal Contract
• Internet resources
• Trade exhibitions and shows
• Local stores

www.p2pays.org/epp www.epa.gov/cpg www.epa.gov/epp
www.newdream.org
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5. Retrofit Your Building

• Make them economic and environmentally sound
• Install energy efficient products
• Fluorescent lighting fixtures
• Use water efficient fixtures
• Low flow sinks and showers
• Low flow toilets, waterless urinals, compostable
  toilets

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6. Use Green Cleaners

• Healthier for users and building occupants
• Changes the way cleaning is done, making it more
  efficient and effective
• Minimizes disposal cost of hazardous chemicals
• Use in conjunction with recycled content paper
  products (tissues, towels, toilet paper)

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7. In the Kitchen you can

• Compost
• contract collection for large facilities
• Onsite worm bin for small café or break rooms
• Buy and/or provide local, organic food from
  Farmers Market
• Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils
• If not reusable, use biodegradable products
  (paper or biobased products like earthshell)

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8. Hold Green Meetings

• Zero waste luncheons
• Buying local food
• Teleconference
• Webinars
• Carpool

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9. Green Building

• Design landscape using drought tolerant, native
  plants
• Carpet and other floor coverings
• Paint
• Ceiling tiles
• Windows
• Insulation
• NC Green Building Database www.ncgreenbuilding.or
  g/site/ncg//index.cfm?
• Green Specs

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10. Sustainability Team

• DENR Sustainability Team www.ncprojectgreen.com/D
  ENRsusteam
• Design an
• Environmental
• Management System
• www.p2pays.org/iso

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Did someone ask for a Tutor?

• Supported by DPPEA providing technical
  assistance, education, and training
• Recycling RFPs
• Specifications p2pays and www.epa.gov/epp
• Policies
• Container Vendor List
• Markets, www.p2pays.org/dmrm
• Waste Reduction at www.wastetrader.org
• Education and Promotional Materials, www.re3.org
• EPA CD information http//www.epa.gov/wastes/non
  haz/industrial/cd/index.htm

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www.p2pays.org

• Rachel Eckert
• NC DPPEA
• Rachel.eckert_at_ncmail.net
• 919-715-6505