Updating of Solid Waste Management Plan
The CT DEP is in the process of selecting a consultant to assist
in the development and writing of an updated State Solid Waste Management
Plan. The Plan is required by state statute to establish the following
hierarchy for managing solid waste: source reduction, recycling, composting,
bulky waste recycling, resource recovery, and landfilling. The Plan
will include specific strategies for revitalizing Connecticut's waste
reduction programs. It is anticipated that the contract, which will
run 8 to 12 months, will be awarded within the next couple of months
and that a preliminary draft plan will be prepared within five months
of the award date.
Hear Today, Recycled Tomorrow
Remember the days when a video cassette recorder was the
new thing, a personal computer was something you only used for word
processing at your job, and phone booths were everywhere? Seems like
only yesterday doesn't it? Lots of people have now moved on to a DVD
player, replaced their computer diskettes with CDs, and grocery shop
while talking on their cell phone.
The number of electronic devices we now can buy keeps growing and they
seem to become obsolete right after the purchase. Technology can make
life easier and more fun, but all that outdated equipment and accessories
also create enormous amounts of unwanted and toxic trash.
For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states
that every month approximately 100,000 pounds of CDs become outdated,
useless or unwanted and more than 5.5 million boxes of software go to
landfills or incinerators. CDs and DVDs are made from mainly plastics
and metals, such as aluminum, polycarbonate (a type of plastic made
from crude oil and natural gas), lacquer made from acrylic, gold, chemical
dyes partially made from petroleum products, and numerous other materials
such as water, glass, silver and nickel. When they are manufactured
and eventually disposed, they can release chemicals that contribute
to global warming and create environmental and health problems. When
we "reduce" - like borrowing a DVD from the library instead
of buying it, reuse or recycle them, we conserve natural resources and
decrease the quantity and toxicity of our trash.
DEP employees took steps in that direction 
by
holding a "Techno Trash" swap and recycling collection for
CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, computer disks, audio tapes and jewel cases (the
plastic cases that hold CDs). The event, held on Nov. 16 and 17 during
lunchtime at DEP headquarters, was organized to celebrate America Recycles
Day. Employees swapped things like outgrown Barney videos, an unloved
The Carpenters Greatest Hits CD, and many more under appreciated,
unopened or "why did I ever buy that?" movies, exercise tapes
and music CDs. Someone even took home all of the jewel cases! DEP collected
more than 150 pounds of materials in three "Techno Trash Cans".
The three "cans" of unwanted or damaged materials were sent
to Green Disk for recycling. Green Disk, which is headquartered
in Sammamish, WA, accepts diskettes, CDs, DVDs and jewel cases, video
and audio tapes and their cases, inkjet and toner cartridges, cell phones,
pagers and PDAs (personal digital assistants like Palm Pilots). Although
there is a nominal cost involved to participate in their "Techno
Trash" program, Green Disk provides a "Certificate
of Destruction" with a bonded guarantee that the intellectual property
and all of the materials are disposed of in an environmentally responsible
manner.
Green Disk's primary focus is on reuse, then recycling. They reformat
and re-label outdated, but never used disks from software companies
and then sell them in environmentally friendly packaging. These disks
are thoroughly tested and guaranteed to be virus and error free. They
also sell re-writable CDs in jewel cases made from the high quality
plastics from recycling collections like the one held at the DEP. Even
their packaging is made from recycled paper. So customers can recycle
and close the loop by purchasing products with recycled content.
If you are interested in having a Techno Trash collection at your workplace
or school, you can get details on their website at http://www.greendisk.com.
- Some Tips on reducing CD and DVD waste
- Find out if the information you're looking for on disk is available
over the Internet. If so, you may not need to buy the disk at
all.
- If you do make a purchase, also consider buying the one with
the least amount of packaging.
- Prolong the life of your disks by keeping them out of direct
sunlight and away from heat and water. To repair minor scratches,
rub a mild abrasive (e.g. a non-gel toothpaste) on the non-label
side in a circular motion from the center out-or bring the disk
to an inexpensive commercial refinisher.
- Buy used CDs and DVDs or borrow them to help reduce the environmental
impact associated with manufacturing new products.
- Dispose of unwanted CDs or DVDs only when you have no other
choice. Instead, sell them to used CD stores, share or trade them
with friends or donate them to schools, libraries, or other organizations.
Tips taken from http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff/cddvd/
So what about reusing those damaged or unusable CDs we have accumulated?
Get crafty! For an amazing number of creative ideas go to
http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/cd.html.
Recycling Round-Up
Say it ain't so. No more Garbage Gazette
That's right. But it's not gone - the Garbage Gazette, the oldest
DEP publication (since 1982) has transformed into the "Recycling
Roundup" and, is officially being recycled into the P2
View. The Recycling Roundup will continue the work of
the Garbage Gazette and cover recycling and other solid waste issues
affecting our state. It's a natural fit. Recycling and pollution prevention
(P2) aren't stand-alone issues. P2 is a broad topic encompassed by the
big picture of sustainable development and climate change and waste
and recycling issues are certainly important components of both.
In Connecticut, we have had mandatory recycling since 1991 and
yet, after thirteen years there are still many challenges to overcome,
some old and some new. Connecticut, like most of the rest of the country,
has seen recycling rates level off. We need to get those rates climbing
again. Why?
Because recycling and source reduction result in a myriad of environmental
benefits such as: energy savings; conservation of natural resources;
reduction in pollution emitted to our air and water; water conservation;
and reduction in green house gas emissions. Case in point - source reduction
and recycling issues are so important that the January 2004 report "Connecticut
Climate Change Stakeholders Dialogue: Recommendations to the Governor's
Steering Committee" included in its recommendations that
the state pursue improving recycling and waste reduction efforts as
a way to deal effectively with greenhouse gases that contribute to global
warming. Recycling and source reduction, like P2, help create a
healthier world for future generations and ourselves by minimizing further
damage and depletion of our natural resources. Recycling is one tangible
activity that people can practice daily that illustrates the value of
"thinking globally and acting locally."
But it's economic as well - we are running out of in-state solid waste
disposal capacity. Unless we decrease the amount of waste requiring
disposal, we may have to resort to more costly disposal options (including
increased environmental impacts related to greater transportation distances).
Any increase is a potential drain on already strained state and municipal
budgets.
So welcome Recycling Round-up to the P2
View family. We'll explore potential solutions for dealing with
our complex waste issues. We look forward to hearing from you.
Talking Trash
Over 70 people, including business owners, community leaders, local
and state officials, college students and neighborhood activists, attended
a community forum held in November on the Hartford Landfill. The forum
was a chance for the community to discuss the facts and issues affecting
the upcoming closure of the landfill, a regional facility that accepts
waste and ash from 69 Connecticut towns. The Hartford Neighborhood Environmental
Partnership (HNEP) co-sponsored the event.
The CT DEP's Office of Pollution Prevention initiated the HNEP in 1995
after receiving a grant to work with low-income Hartford neighborhoods
to enhance economic opportunities and quality of life by raising environmental
awareness and furthering environmental compliance. Along with DEP and
neighborhood organizations, the partnership now includes representatives
of city and regional government and non-profits promoting community
gardening and advocating for health and environmental justice. The HNEP
just recently received an award from the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental
Justice for its outstanding efforts to improve Hartford's environment.
For more information, contact the DEP Office of Pollution Prevention
at (860) 424-3297 or visit http://www.dep.state.ct.us/wst/p2/urban/urbanin.htm.
Reading, Writing & Recycling
What has 90 thumbs and finds a second life for leftover lunch, old sneakers
and cell phones?
It's the "Green Thumbs" club at Southeast Elementary School
in Mansfield, Connecticut.
The club was formed four years ago with about a dozen students, several
teachers and the town's recycling coordinator -- although students have
been involved in the school's efforts to "green up" since
1994. At the end of lunch, all students sort their lunch tray and bag
lunch leftovers into three separate barrels - food waste for composting,
drink boxes and milk cartons for recycling, and non-recyclables for
the trash. After receiving a $10,000 Toyota Tapestry grant in 1997 to
purchase a commercial composter for the school, the town's recycling
coordinator was able to expand the composting program to include two
other schools. The club membership has grown over the years and the
students have become environmental leaders at the school.
- "Green Thumbs" is a play on words, not only referring
to growing plants (out of the school's finished compost) but also
the club's emphasis on caring for the earth. Green Thumbs students
participate in fun activities that teach them the various aspects
of sustainability and how to become environmental leaders. The school
recycles all of the mandatory items (glass and metal containers, cardboard
and paper), plus #1, and #2 plastics, sneakers, inkjet and laser cartridges,
fluorescent bulbs, computers, household batteries and cell phones.
Club members visit classrooms to demonstrate how to correctly use
recycling bins. Other Green Thumbs activities include:
- Participating in the composting process - screening it, mixing
it into potting soil, starting heirloom seeds in the spring and
selling the plants.
- Creating gardens in various locations using the finished compost.
- Learning about toxic vs. non-toxic cleaning products and how
to make a non-toxic cleaning solution.
- Holding events at the school to celebrate America Recycles Day
(November 15th), such as a book
swap and a "waste free" lunch.
- Helping distribute "welcome bags" to college students
living in off-campus apartments. The bags contained coupons from
local businesses and instructions on how to recycle at their apartment.
Green Thumbs has been recognized for its efforts by the DEP for their
environmental initiatives. On three separate occasions, the club received
DEP's
Green Circle Award. For more information on Green Thumbs, please
contact Mickey Maheu at
Southeast School. For a manual on how to establish a composting program
at your school, visit DEP's
website.
