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  • June 30, 2008

     

     

    NMRC Board Meeting - July 11

    The next meeting of the NMRC board members is scheduled for July 11 at 11:00 AM in Bernalillo. All NMRC members are invited. To RSVP please email english@recyclenewmexico.com.

     

    2008 NM Recycling Conference a Huge Success! Recycling Award Winners Announced

    The June 3-4 2008 New Mexico Recycling Conference brought together more than 315 recycling professionals hailing from business, government and non-profit sectors. Over 50 speakers presented recycling-related materials at both breakout and plenary sessions.  Copies of speakers’ presentations can be found at http://www.nmrecycle.org/Conference08_Program.htm  

    The conference kicked off with Jerry Powell’s keynote speech, “Recycling Now Soon and In the Future.” His presentation debunked the three myths of recycling with quantifiable information and material.  His discussion outlined why recycling is a significant waste management strategy; how recycling can work in any community and proof that recycling saves much more energy than it uses. 

    A total of four concurrent breakout sessions took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Topics ranged from Innovations in Organics Handling to Pay-As-You-Throw programs.   

    Session Highlights

    Gary Liss of Sierra Club National Zero Waste Committee discussed, “Sierra Club’s Zero Waste Policy, to Cool the Planet.”  Gary defined Zero Waste as a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use.  Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources and not burn or buy them.   Implementing Zero Waste eliminates all discharges to land, water or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.  Gary went on to explain that Zero Waste is possible and highlighted communities that have successfully implemented the program.  He also sited nature as being the ultimate model for Zero Waste.  His presentation can be found at http://www.nmrecycle.org/Conference08_Program.htm. 

    In Kim Jordan’s, “Getting Curbside Participation Using RecycleBank’s Incentive-Based Design,” Kim explained how the RecycleBank program rewards individuals for recycling.  Recycling carts in participating communities include a computer chip that identifies the cart as belonging to the proper residence.  Each week the collection truck weights the amount of material recycled and records the information through the computer chip.  The process is a quick and automated system.  Recyclers are then sent valuable coupons based on the pounds of material they recycle.  The coupons are from national and local retailers for items.  More information about Recyclebank can be found at www.recyclebank.com and Kim’s presentation is on the http://www.nmrecycle.org/Conference08_Program.htm website.

    Tuesday afternoon featured the New Mexico Recycling Awards, in which 15 individuals, businesses and organizations were recognized for their dedication to recycling within New Mexico. The New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau also presented awards to the top 5 recycling counties for 2006 and 2007. The ceremony featured exhibitor hours, food and drinks and recycled-art artists.  NMRC staff and board members donned recycled fashion outfits to help celebrate the event.

    2008 Recycling Award Winners: 

    Recycling Awards Category

    Winner

    Business Recycler of the year

    Whole Foods Market – Wyoming Blvd, Albuquerque

    City Recycling Program of the Year

    Village of Angel Fire Solid Waste Department

    Community-Based Recycling Program of the Year

    University of New Mexico

    Construction Recycler of the Year

    Cameron Construction, Inc.

    Organics Recycler of the Year

    Soilutions, Inc.

    Post-Secondary School Recycling Program of the Year

    NMSU-Aggie Recycling

    Primary/Secondary School Recycling Program of the Year

    Jessica Owen, Teacher Maggie Cordova Elementary School

    Recycler of the Year

    Barry J. Conant, Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Program Specialist

    Recycling Advocate of the Year

    UNM Wild Friends

    Recycling Event of the Year

    Intel Corporation Electronic Waste Collection Event

    Recycling Processor of the Year

    Master Fibers Inc

    Re-use Recycler of the Year

    Robin Blagg

    Special Award (for programs/persons that don’t fit into any of the above categories.)

    New Mexico Building Branch, AGC (Associated General Contractors)

    State Government Recycling Program of the Year

    New Mexico Department of Transportation District 1 Maintenance

    Tribal Recycling Program of the Year

    Santo Domingo Pueblo

    Winner Highlights:

    Category: Recycling Processor of the Year - Master Fibers

    Master Fibers recycles 70 tons a day!  That’s a lot of cardboard, paper, plastic, carpet pad and metal. They have been doing this in New Mexico for almost 25 years and are the only recycler that will service small business without charging. 

    Hector Valverde with Master Fibers was one of the 28 exhibitors at the NM Recycling Conference 2008.

    Category: Recycler of the Year Award Winner: Barry J. Conant and Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful

             The Recycler of the Year 2008 award was presented to Barry Conant and Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful. From left, NMRC Board President, O. Paul Gallegos, Barry Conant, English Bird (NMRC Executive Director) and Sarah Pierpont (Deputy Director).      

    Barry Conant has excelled as the Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Program Specialist for the past 4.5 years.  During this time, Barry has transformed the America Recycles Day Program in Rio Rancho from a once a year activity to a biannual community collection, including hard to recycle items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, tires, appliances and electronics.  The electronics recycling effort Barry initiated increased the tonnage of recycled electronics from 11 to 17 tons in the course of one year.  Similarly, Barry has initiated recycling programs for materials collected during illegal dumpsite cleanups.  Barry is always seeking new opportunities to collaborate with partners, non-profit organizations, and community members to improve recycling programs and education in Rio Rancho.  Barry’s initiatives have rippled out into communities beyond Rio Rancho, and he is currently assisting a recycling effort in Tierra Bonita, Los Lunas, and Bosque Farms.  Barry Conant and the entire Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Program exemplify the impact of a grassroots recycling approach, one in which individuals, the community and many towns in New Mexico benefit.                                                                                                

    The Wednesday luncheon markets panel discussion was noted as one attendee's, “favorite part, with the guest speakers providing some great statistics and interesting facts.”  Conni Kunzler discussed glass markets, Doug McLeod highlighted paper markets, Steve Thompson discussed aluminum markets, Patty Moore elaborated on plastics markets and Dave Keeling addressed steel markets.

     

    An incredible line-up for the Market Panel keynote session with a host of national speakers, from left: Dave Keeling, Steel Recycling Institute; E. Gifford Stack, NMED: Solid Waste Bureau; Patty Moore, Moore Recycling Associates; Conni Kunzler, Glass Packaging Institute; Doug McLeod, Catalyst Paper and Steve Thompson, Curbside Value Partnership. 

    The conference wrapped up with two special sessions and tours to Jaco Environmental (refrigerator recycling), RASTRA (Styrofoam recycled content building material), Wise Recycling and Enchantment’s Electronics (E-scrap recovery).  The special workshops, entitled "Setting Up Recycling Within the Hospitality Industry" and "Construction and Demolition Recycling" had approximately 50 participants each. 

    Many Thanks to our Conference Sponsors

    New Mexico Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau; Dex; PNM Resources: Intel; SBM Site Services; Livingry Fund of Tides Foundation; Waste Management Recycle America; Associated General Contractors: NM Building Branch; Gordon Environmental; NM Department of Transportation; Plastics Division - American Chemistry Council; Solid Waste Association of North America - NM RoadRunner Chapter; Waste Connections/Camino Real Recycling Center; Can Manufacturers Institute; Durango McKinley Paper Company; Steel Recycling Institute; UNICOR/Federal Prison Industries; Zia Engineering and Environmental Consultants; Whole Foods and Earthstone.

    Environment Department Recognizes Top Five Counties for Highest Recycling Rates in New Mexico                               

    The New Mexico Environment Department recognized Lincoln, Los Alamos, Torrance, Chaves and Bernalillo counties today at the New Mexico Recycling Conference in Albuquerque for having the highest recycling rates in the state in 2006 and 2007. 

    Lincoln County received the first place award for having a 59 percent recycling rate in 2006 and a 67.7 recycling rate in 2007. 

    “We’ve more than doubled the rate of recycling in New Mexico since the beginning of the Richardson administration in 2003,” said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry. “While this is good news, we plan to continue this effort until this recycling becomes second nature for residents. I congratulate Lincoln County for their efforts that helped them attain the top award and also commend, Los Alamos, Torrance, Chaves and Bernalillo counties for their hard work.”

    New Mexico recycles 11 percent of its Municipal Solid Waste compared with four to five percent earlier this decade. The statewide recycling rate was 9.74 percent in 2006 and 10.96 percent in 2007.  Thirty of 33 counties in New Mexico reported some recycling for 2007. 

    Lincoln County achieved the highest recognition by composting large quantities of green waste, including organics such as tree branches and shrubbery that would otherwise have been disposed in a landfill. That county also recycled commodities including paper, cardboard and scrap metal. Municipal agencies, private businesses and residents in Lincoln County contributed to that area’s recycling rate.

    After Lincoln County, Los Alamos County received second place, followed by Torrance in third place, Chaves in fourth place and Bernalillo in fifth place for achieving the highest recycling rates among counties in 2007.  

    The department’s Solid Waste Bureau calculates recycling rates from data provided to the agency in Solid Waste Annual Reports. Those reports compare the total municipal solid waste recycled to the total amount of municipal solid waste generated in each county.

    The awards were presented at the 2008 NM Recycling Conference.

     

    Recycling Certification Courses - Register Now!

     

    For those entering their new fiscal year, take advantage of getting an early registration in for the Recycling and Compost certification courses before the classes start to fill up. Greg Baker is back in the hot seat for the Composting Course and the Recycling Course will include a field visit to the Santa Fe MRF.

     

    Recycling Facility Operator Certification Course

    December 9-11, Santa Fe

     

    Composting Facility Operator Certification Course

    October 7-9, Albuquerque

     

    To register, please go to www.recyclenewmexico.com/cert_classes.htm

     

    National Recycling Congress, September 21-24 in Pittsburgh

     

    The City of Pittsburgh is a perfect symbol for this year's Congress Theme:  Innovation.  The city, once pictured as little more than black smoke stacks has transformed itself, through innovation and leadership, to "America's Most Livable City" with a verdant waterfront and a thriving civic culture.


    Innovation is also at the center of revitalizing our shared future in a sustainable economy and environment.  The National Recycling Coalition and its members and supporters are at the forefront of new and exciting approaches for recovering and reusing the many diverse and valued materials that, just a short time ago in the era of smoke stacks, were casually thrown away.  Recycling remains an evolving American success story, and with ingenuity and leadership, we continue to build our environmental future.


    Innovation is all around us, in all of the elements that make up our materials recovery system.


    Policy: Climate change and energy policy require us to look at the policy dynamics that are the foundation of our recycling programs.


    Management:  Communities and businesses everywhere are focusing on best management practices and continuous improvement programs to ensure that recovery programs are optimized for performance and value.  Corporations world-wide have recognized that environmental sustainability, and its recycling component, are central to the corporate purpose. 


    Finance:  We see the possibility for new means to finance recycling, from the proven models of PAYT, to the innovations in incentive-based recycling and the product stewardship models of e-recycling.  In addition, we see climate change as a springboard for new investment in recycling infrastructure to realize, monetarily, the energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions of recycling. 


    Technology:  To keep pace with the changing nature of our products and packages, and to establish a durable business model for materials recovery, new technology is being demanded by processors from both the public and private sector.


    Education: We are learning how to better educate our citizenry, from where all recycling starts.  The time is ripe for a great national campaign of environmental awareness and consistent environmental behavior.  With innovative research and education programs, we truly can change the world, one container or newspaper at a time.

     

    For more information or to register go to:

    http://events.jspargo.com/nrc08/public/enter.aspx

    Environment Department Awards $260,000 in Grants to Assist Communities Statewide in Recycling and Illegal Dumping Abatement Initiatives

    The New Mexico Environment Department awarded $260,000 in grants to 10 communities and pueblos for recycling and illegal dumping reduction initiatives.  

    The department awarded the 2008 Recycling and Illegal Dumping Grants to the Village of Angel Fire, Lincoln County Solid Waste Authority, McKinley County, Mora County, Santa Ana Pueblo, Taos County, the City of Tucumcari, Guadalupe County, Valencia County and the Pueblo of Zuni.

    “This money will help communities expand recycling programs and combat illegal dumping to protect New Mexico’s landscape and natural resources,” said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry. “We awarded grant money to communities that have a solid plan to improve their areas and who will use the money wisely.”

    The projects, which will receive funding in July 2008, range from local illegal dumping education and cleanup programs to purchasing recycling collection containers for businesses, special events, and drop-off centers (See attachment complete list.). The department received an unprecedented 25 grant applications in its latest grant cycle, which included more than $630,000 in requests.

    The grants provide annual funding to support projects that protect the health and welfare of the environment and residents of New Mexico by preventing and abating illegal dumpsites; promote environmentally sound methods for reuse and recycling; and encourage economic development, community development and collaboration that promotes the efficient and sustainable use of resources, sustainable recycling and a cleaner and healthier environment. 

    The grant program is authorized under the Recycling and Illegal Dumping rules, which were adopted in December 2006. Entities eligible for grant funds include municipalities, counties, tribes, land grant communities, cooperative associations and solid waste authorities.

    Applications for the next grant cycle, which opens next year, are due to the department by April 2, 2009. (For more information, contact E. Gifford Stack at (505) 827-2653 or e.gifford.stack@state.nm.us). Priorities for funding in 2009 include programs that eliminate or reduce illegal dump sites or prevent future illegal dumping and recycling programs which target motor oil, lead acid batteries, cardboard or newspaper.

     

    RAID GRANT RECYCLING PROJECT AWARDS--2008
         
    Applicant Project Title Project Summary Awarded
    Angel Fire, Village of Community Recycling Expansion Purchases a multi-material, large capacity horizontal baler to process regional recyclables.  $ 71,425
    Lincoln County Solid Waste Authority Expanded Recycling in the Ruidoso Retail Business Community Purchases indoor plastic recycling containers to promote and expand recycling by the Ruidoso retail businesses. $8,625
    McKinley County Recycling Expansion Project Purchases recycling collection bins for offices and special events, hires a marketing firm to establish a recycling awareness campaign and an environmental firm to complete a recycling strategic plan. $20,000
    Mora County Motor Oil & Cardboard Recycling Purchases a waste oil furnace for use in heating the transfer station and waste oil collection tanks (partially funded).  $ 15,858
    Santa Ana Pueblo Resource Recovery & Recycling Park Purchases materials to construct a recycling drop-off area, a recycling trailer, and a tuff shed.  $ 20,000
    Taos County Solid Waste Recycling & Illegal Dump Site Program Purchases (2) recycling trailers with multiple compartments which will be placed at solid waste transfer stations to promote recycling. $20,000
    Tucumcari, City of 2008 Recycling Containers Purchases recycling collection bins for offices and special events, and a recycling trailer with multiple compartments for a public drop-off site (partially funded). $10,000
      TOTAL   $165,908
         
    RAID GRANT ILLEGAL DUMPING PROJECT AWARDS--2008
         
    Applicant Project Title Project Summary Awarded
    Guadalupe County Anton Chico Area Illegal Dumpsites Cleans up nine historic illegal dumpsites, installs signage & conducts public forums on illegal dumping (partially funded). $27,100
    Mora County Holman Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Cleans up illegal dumpsites northwest from Holman, installs signage & mails a flyer to residents about illegal dumping.  $19,945
    Santa Ana Pueblo Illegal Dump Clean Up & Site Reclamation Cleans up an illegal dumpsite at the existing solid waste transfer station & reclaims the site for a Resource Recovery and Recycling park, includes a community outreach program. $20,000
    Valencia County Sand Hill Restoration Abates an illegal dumpsite, installs signage & physical barriers where possible, involves local media. $8,106
    Zuni, Pueblo of Illegal Dump Site Clean Up & Closure Cleans up four illegal dumpsites, installs signage & physical barriers where possible, includes a community outreach program. $15,500
      TOTAL   $90,651
     

     

    New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Announce Grant Award Recipients

     

    For the upcoming fiscal year 2009, NMC&B has announced communities around the state who will receive grant awards (listed below). The local entities will use the funds - awarded based on an application process - to help in litter control, elimination and awareness; beautification; recycling; weed and graffiti eradication; overall education; and youth employment to assist in completing projects.
     

    More information about NMC&B at http://www.nmcleanandbeautiful.org/

     

    FY09 Grant Award Recipients  
    City of Alamogordo $72,000
    City of Albuquerque $75,000
    Village of Angel Fire $2,500
    City of Artesia $14,000
    City of Belen $1,600
    Bernalillo County $8,000
    City of Carlsbad $28,000
    Village of Causey $1,100
    Village of Chama $1,800
    Cimarron, Village of $1,200
    City of Clovis $11,000
    Village of Corona $500
    Curry County $4,000
    DeBaca County $800
    Dona Ana County $13,000
    Village of Eagle Nest $2,000
    Eddy County $6,000
    Edgewood, Town of $1,500
    Town of Elida $2,200
    City of Espanola $2,000
    Town of Estancia $700
    City of Farmington $14,400
    Village of Floyd $600
    Village of Grady $500
    City of Grants $4,800
    Town of Hagerman $4,800
    Village of House $500
    City of Jal $900
    City of Las Cruces $27,000
    City of Las Vegas $7,400
    Village of Los Lunas $7,000
    Village of Los Ranchos De Albuquerque $3,800
    Luna County $21,000
    McKinley County $4,000
    Town of Mesilla $1,500
    Village of Mosquero $1,500
    City of Portales $9,600
    City of Raton $4,500
    City of Rio Rancho $60,000
    City of Roswell $21,200
    City of Ruidoso Downs $6,000
    Village of Ruidoso $13,000
    Sandoval County $6,100
    Santa Clara Pueblo $500
    City of Santa Fe $34,000
    City of Socorro $2,400
    Taos County $1,100
    Town of Taos $3,200
    City of Tucumcari $12,400
    Village of Tularosa $6,800
    Valencia County $19,000
    Keep New Mexico Beautiful, Inc. $60,000
    Total $608,400

     

    Call for Recycled Material Artists

    The Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival is celebrating its tenth year on November 14-16 at El Museo Cultural in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Working with Keep Santa Fe Beautiful and their recycling education efforts surrounding America Recycles Day (November 15th), this event attracts thousands of art lovers, trashy shoppers and the eco-conscious holiday gift-giver. 

    2008 artist applications are now available at www.recyclesantafe.org for Art Market vendors, Juried Art Show exhibitors, Trash Fashion & Costume Contest designers and Youth Juried Art Show exhibitors.  For more information contact Sarah Pierpont at 505-603-0558 or skpierpont@yahoo.com. 
     

    US Conference of Mayors Votes to Ban Bottled Water

    WaterWebster.org staff report

    6/23/08

    Mayors representing about 250 U.S. cities voted Monday to ban bottled water from city meetings and offices, except in cases of emergency.

    On a voice vote, members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors supported a resolution proposed by S