United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(OS-305)
EPA/530-SW-91-022
Fall 1991
jUneusable News is the
L T\ quarterly newsletter of the
EPA Office of Solid Waste's
Municipal and Industrial Solid
iWaste Division. Reusable News
~ reports on the efforts of EPA
=and others to safely and effective-
^ly manage the nation's garbage,
hand provides useful information
"" about key issues and concerns in
MSW managements
^- In This Issue
-• EPA's Role in Market
Development (p. 1)
• Habicht Testifies on Green
-_ Marketing Issues (p. 2)
• Community Recycling: One
. Person Can Make a
r Difference (p. 2)
• Project ROSE Helps Used
Oil Recycling Blossom at
— Walt Disney World Co.
(P-3)
'-•. Seattle Tilth Teaches
""- City-Dwellers to Compost
(P- 3)
* Wisconsin and Minnesota
Team Up for Recycled
Paper Purchase (p. 3)
• The Power of the Purse:
Cities Plan to Invest in
Recycled Products (p. 4)
* Upcoming Conferences
(p. 5)
• New Standards Promote
Improved MWC Operations
(p. 5)
EPA's Role in Market
Development
Last June, Don R. Clay, Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response, along with EPA colleague Richard D. Mor-
genstern, delivered a joint statement before the Congressional Subcommittee on
Transportation and Hazardous Materials. In their testimony, Clay and Mor-
genstern described EPA's current activities in developing markets for recycled
goods and outlined the federal government's role in this area.
Because markets are essential for successful recycling, EPA has focused
considerable attention on stimulating the market demand for products made
from recycled materials through a three-pronged program that involves:
• Establishing procurement guidelines for purchases involving federal funds.
• Providing information, guidance, and technical assistance to
states and localities to assist them in their planning and
implementation efforts.
B Providing recycling information to the public so that individuals can
incorporate recycling into their daily lives.
Procurement
Clay and Morgenstern pointed out that since government expenditures on
the federal, state, and local levels constitute 20 percent of the Gross National
Product, procurement guidelines should have a significant impact on develop-
ing strong markets for recycled goods. So far EPA has established guidelines
for cement containing fly ash, paper and paper products, lubricating oils,
retread tires, and building insulation, and is working on three more procure-
ment guidelines. Clay added, however, that government agencies are not
required to buy products containing recycled material if the products are not
comparable in price and quality to alternative goods.
Clay reported the most progress in the area of paper purchases. He com-
mended the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Government Print-
ing Office (GPO) for realigning a large portion of their paper purchasing practices
with EPA guidelines by using products with the recommended minimum content
standards for recycled paper. EPA is currently working with the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) in developing a notice for tax information booklets
explaining the procurement program and reminding taxpayers
to recycle their booklets when possible. According to Clay,
suppliers of recycled paper are responding robustly to the
guidelines and improving the quality of their ""~\//:
product. '•"
(Continued on page 8)
Reusable News is printed on recycled paper.
-------
Habicht Testifies on Green Marketing Issues
Deputy Administrator of EPA,
F. Henry Habicht II, testified at
the Federal Trade Commission's
(FTC's) public hearings on environ-
mental claims in product labeling
and advertising last July. Habicht
expressed EPA's belief that provid-
ing the public with accurate informa-
tion about the environmental
attributes of products and providing
industry with a common set of
guidance for the use of terms have
great potential for environmental
benefit. In particular, Habicht en-
couraged the use of specific claims
that give consumers a real basis for
comparing environmental attributes
of products.
Representatives of both EPA and
the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs
(OCA) participated with FTC in the
hearings. The three groups are part
of an Interagency Task Force on
green product labeling. In his tes-
timony, Habicht pledged to provide
technical assistance to the FTC,
should FTC decide to issue industry
guides on environmental labeling.
Particularly relevant will be i'nforma-
tion received by EPA on its notice
describing options for use of the
terms recycled and recyclable in
product labeling.
The hearings were held to help FTC
determine whether it should develop
industry guidelines on environmental
marketing. In order to make this deter-
mination, FTC requested information
on the types of environmental adver-
tising claims being made, the nature
and extent of consumers' knowledge
and perception about environmental
claims, and evolving science and
technology relating to environmental
claims. In addition, FTC asked for
comments on several industry and
state petitions for FTC guidelines.
Opening remarks for the hearings,
which were held at FTC in Washington,
DC, were made by FTC chairperson
Janet Steiger. In addition, many inter-
ested parties from states, industry,
environmental and consumer groups,
and others spoke at the hearings.
Community Recycling: One Person
Can Make a Difference
Bob Kerlinger, a businessperson
from the Chesapeake Bay com-
munity of Poquoson, Virginia, recently
received a U.S. EPA Administrator's
Award in the citizen category for his
achievements in recycling. Kerlinger
saw a recycling need in his community
and filled it. Kerlinger found that in
order to recycle his household trash,
he had to drive to various drop-off
locations for different recyclables. The
inefficiency of this type of system
prompted Kerlinger's decision to form
the Poquoson Recycling Center in his
spare time.
Since various civic groups in the
city were already involved in recy-
cling efforts, Kerlinger coordinated
with them to move their drop-off
sites to a centralized location on a
city-owned municipal parking lot. In
addition, he broadened the groups'
efforts so that many more recyc-
lables could be collected. Presently,
the Center recycles aluminum (cans
and bulk); glass; steel cans;
cardboard; paper (newspaper,
mixed, computer, and ledger); some
plastics; passenger car tires; car
and boat batteries; and used oil.
Kerlinger's role has evolved from
coordinating the establishment of
the Center to identifying new
markets for recycled materials.
The success of the facility has been
tremendous. When the Center first
opened in January 1990, the original
goal was to recycle 250,000 pounds of
trash in the first year. This goal was far
exceeded; more than 777,600 pounds,
or 20 percent, of the city's trash were
recycled during that year. This saved
the city of Poquoson over $7,000 in
landfill fees. In addition, the Center
brought in over $6,000 from sales of the
collected materials, which was divided
among the civic groups who operate
the Centertofund community improve-
ment projects.
According to Kerlinger, the reasons
for the success of the Poquoson
Recycling Center are threefold. First,
the Center is staffed by citizen volun-
teers. Also, the city plays a supportive
role and picks up the costs for taking
collected materials to marketplaces.
Finally, all proceeds received from
recycled materials are returned to the
volunteer groups who work at the
Center. These three elements ensure
that city officials as well as residents are
directly involved and that those who
perform the work see the benefits of the
financial savings first-hand.
Kerlinger is aware of a growing in-
terest in recycling, particularly in the
youth of the community. In order to
take advantage of that interest, plans
are being made to further encourage
recycling through a "block captain"
program. This program would desig-
nate individuals as block captains,
who will be responsible for helping
their neighbors recycle and acting as
a source of recycling information.
Kerlinger also plans to help his
community with backyard compost-
ing. He will use other successful
municipal composting programs, in-
cluding the city of Seattle's, as models
for his community. (See "Seattle Tilth
Teaches City-Dwellers to Compost,"
pages).
Kerlinger is a prime example of how
an individual can make a difference. His
success in turning trash into treasure for
the residents of Poquoson makes him a
role model for other concerned citizens
throughout the nation.
For more information, contact Bob
Kerlinger at (804) 868-7199. §
-------
Project ROSE Helps Used Oil Recycling
Blossom at Walt Disney World Co.
"or over 14 years, a trailblazing
program in Alabama has worked
to stimulate the collection of used
automobile oil for recycling. Project
ROSE (Recycled Oil Saves Energy)
has taken the lead in helping com-
munities across the state develop
used oil recycling programs tailored
to local circumstances. Now, with
support from EPA, this nonprofit or-
ganization is drawing on its experi-
ence to help the Walt Disney World
Co. and its governing body, the
PROJECT;
recycled oil saves energy
Reedy Creek Improvement District
(RCID), start up a used oil recycling
program for its 35,000 employees.
Project ROSE has built an exten-
sive infrastructure for recycling used
automobile oil generated by do-it-your-
selfers (DlYs) throughout Alabama.
The program uses extensive publicity
and education to develop the momen-
tum to start local used oil recycling
programs, and then coordinates the
(Continued on page 7)
Seattle Tilth
Teaches
City-Dwellers to
Compost
Seattle Tilth Association, an urban
organic gardening organization,
was recently awarded a U.S. EPA Ad-
ministrator's Award in the nonprofit
category for its Community Compost-
ing Education Program. Through this
innovative program, trained volunteers
teach other city-dwellers how to com-
post yard and food wastes. Citizens are
learning through Seattle Tilth's pro-
gram, and others like it across the coun-
try, that kitchen and yard wastes should
be viewed as valuable resources, not
just garbage.
As part of Seattle Tilth's program,
volunteer community educators called
"Master Composters" are thoroughly
trained in basic composting methods,
compost biology, system design, trou-
bleshooting, and techniques for dealing
with the public. After the training and a
supervised internship, the Master Com-
posters spend a minimum of 40 hours
spreading the word about composting.
Public outreach activities include slide
presentations; displays at fairs, festi-
vals, and parades; tours of compost
demonstration sites; classroom
presentations; and the distribution of
how-to brochures and bin design flyers.
Approximately 5,300 tons of Seattle's
yard waste are being diverted from
the waste stream annually as a result
(Continued on page 4)
Wisconsin and Minnesota Team
Up for Recycled Paper Purchase
The states of Wisconsin and Min-
nesota recently joined forces to pur-
chase 4.5 million pounds of recycled
paper 1o be used in high-speed copy
machines. By working together, the two
states were able to request a larger
volume of paper than either could sing-
ly. This made it economically feasible
for paper companies to meet the states'
recycled paper needs, while decreas-
ing the purchase price of the paper.
Governor Tommy Thompson of Wis-
consin initiated the effort in the spring
of 1990, and the bid was awarded last
March. The states were careful to apply
very high standards to the quality of
paper they were interested in purchas-
ing. They prequalif ied the papers based
on copy quality, machine jamming, ex-
cessive maintenance costs, and paper
handling difficulties. In addition, the
papers were required to consist of 50
percent recycled paper, including 10
percent postconsumer waste.
The successful bid was ap-
proximately $225,000 lower than last
year's price paid for virgin copy paper.
"The new price advantage for recycled
paper will help agencies remain within
budget guidelines and still make a
worthwhile contribution to the state's
environmental goals," said Jim
Johnson, Wisconsin's Division Ad-
ministrator of State Agency Services.
According to Dan Wehrman,
Procurement Recycling Coordinator in
(Continued on page 8)
^S-
-------
The Power of the Purse: Cities Plan to Invest
in Recycled Products
The United States
Conference of
Mayors, representing
over 900 cities, is helping
its members find new
ways to cut down on
solid waste. With many
municipal recycling
programs having difficul-
ty expanding because of
the low demand for
some recycled goods,
the Conference has ral-
lied hundreds of cities
around a program that
uses the purchasing
power of local govern-
ments to improve the
market for these
products.
Supported by an EPA
grant, the Conference
launched the national
"Buy Recycled" cam-
paign over a year ago.
This campaign helps
communities stimulate
demand for recycled
products by changing
their purchasing habits.
Since spending by state
and local governments accounts for
over 12 percent of the U.S. Gross
National Product, this program is able
to exercise tremendous leverage,
boosting recycling throughout the
country.
Mayors Announce Recycling Award Winners
f, s part of its effort to increase the feasibility of recycling, the
f"% Conference of Mayors organized the first annual National Recy-
cling Awards Program this year, culminating in the announcement of
the Grand Award Winners and the release of the 1991 Recycling
Cities Guide at the annual meeting last June. Funded by the H.J.
Heinz Company Foundation, the project is aimed at recognizing,
encouraging, and publicizing innovative recycling programs in cities
across the United States.
The awards program solicited applications from both member
and non-member cities in late 1990. Over 150 applications were
received in two award categories: large and small municipalities.
The first-place winners from each category, Minneapolis, MN,
and Olympia, WA, received a $20,000 grant to support their
programs. Eight other cities were named Special Award Winners
for their work: Madison, Wl; Memphis, TN; New York, NY; Seat-
tle, WA; Bellingham, WA; Bethlehem, PA; Newton, MA; and
Union City, NJ.
The Conference of Mayors then compiled a new recycling re-
source, the 1991 Recycling Cities Guide, which details the
programs of all the applicants. The Conference of Mayors and the
Heinz Foundation hope that by publicizing solutions to recycling
challenges, municipalities will be able to share their expeirtise arid
facilitate program development. For more information about the
1991 National Recycling Awards Program, or to obtain a copy of
the 1991 Recycling Cities Guide, contact the Conference of
Mayors at (202) 293-7330.:"'
The campaign began with the crea-
tion of the "Buy Recycled" Technical
Assistance Group, which is dedicated
to helping cities initiate and sustain a
recycled products purchasing program.
This advisory group is made up of local
officials and leaders in
the recycling field. One
of the first efforts of the
group was the develop-
ment of an assistance
package for cities inter-
ested in structuring a
procurement program.
The package contains
sample programs,
guides to purchasing .re-
cycled products, and
details of EPA's pro-
curement guidelines.
The campaign also
supports new programs
by acting as a clearing-
house for referrals. The
Technical Assistance
Group is connected with
a nationwide network of
experts who can work
one-on-one with local
officials, helping them
resolve procurement
issues.
Last January, cam-
paign organizers issued
| an "Earth Day Challenge"
i to publicize the program
and increase participa-
tion. By Earth Day, over 275
municipalities had either begun or were
planning to begin a recycled products
procurement program.
(Continued on page 6)
Seattle Tilth Teaches City-Dwellers to Compost
(Continued from page 3)
of this program. This saves the city an
average of $378,000 a year, after sub-
trqcting the costs of the education
program.
Seattle Tilth also staffs a Compost
Hotline, which has received over
10,000 questions and requests for in-
formation since its inception in 1986.
Recently, the association expanded the
Hotline's hours of operation to handle
the increasing number of incoming
calls.
Seattle Tilth gets its name from an
Old English word for the quality of
cultivated soil. The organization's
composting program is only part of
C
its broader gardening efforts,
which include the maintenance of
gardens and the preparation of
workshops. The gardens are set up
as demonstrations of how to gar-
den organically in small areas, and
the workshops cover a variety of
issues from creating a backyard
wildlife refuge to planning for winter
gardening.
For more information about the
Master Composters' Program, send a
self-addressed stamped envelope
with your request to Seattle Tilth As-
sociation, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue
North, Seattle, WA 98103.1
-------
Upcoming
Conferences
2nd National MSW
Conference
'PA is issuing a call for abstracts for
,its second U.S. MSW conference,
entitled "Moving Ahead." The con-
ference will be held:June 3 to 5,1992, at
the Hyatt Hotel in Crystal City in Arlington,
Virginia. The abstracts should be 1-page
summaries of original work and focus on
one of nine major conference topic areas:
1) integrated solid waste planning and
management; 2) economics and costs; 3)
source reduction and reuse; 4) recycling;
5) composting; 6) combustion; 7) land
disposal; 8) involvement, education, and
outreach; or 9) special wastes.
The first U.S. MSW conference, "Solu-
tions for the 90s," was an innovative
forum for information exchange on
state-of-the-art policies, technologies,
and research, as well as future trends
and practices. The next conference will
continue that tradition. Attendees will
also move ahead to discuss implemen-
tation of programs.
Last year's conference drew over 800
attendees, and the same turnout is ex-
pected in 1992. Attendees will include
state and local officials, members of
citizen interest groups, representatives
from industry, and members of the
scientific, technical,1 and academic com-
munities. :
EPA's conference manager is Susan
Mann. She can be reached at (202)
260-6263. For more information on sub-
mitting abstracts, registration, and con-
ference logistics, call Bhawna Agarwal
at (301)585-2898.
6th Annual HHW
Conference
TA's 6th Annual Household Hazard-
•ous Waste (HHW) Conference will
take place in Seattle, Washington, on
December 4 to 6. The conference will
educate attendees, about HHW and
foster communication on complex HHW
management issues. Over 500 people
from across the nation are expected to
attend. --
This year's conference will also em-
phasize source reduction. Other topics
to be discussed include battery collec-
tion and the management of motor oil.
Representatives from state and local
governments, environmental interest
groups, industry, and academia will'be
attending and speaking at the con-
ference. For more information, call
Tracy Bone of EPA at (202) 260-5649.
New Standards Promote
Improved MWC Operations
To help ensure municipal waste com-
bustors (MWCs) are designed and
operated safely and effectively, EPA
has promulgated new regulations for
these facilities. The regulations will
mandate proper operation of MWCs by
establishing good
combustion prac-
tices and by re-
ducing stack
emissions.
In addition,
under the 1990
Clean Air Act
(CAA) Amend-
ments, EPA is
reviewing and ex-
panding these
standards to in-
clude additional
categories of con-
trols that will fur-
ther minimize
potential risk to
human health and
the environment.
MWCs are
being used in-
creasingly by
communities to
help them manage their solid waste. To
ensure the safe operation of these fa-
cilities, EPA promulgated New Source
Performance Standards and Emissions
Guidelines in February 1991. Currently,
these regulations apply to both new and
existing MWCs with capacities greater
than 250 tons per day. The guidelines
specify:
• Good combustion practices, includ-
ing maximum load level limits, car-
bon monoxide limits, flue gas
temperature limits, operator certifi-
cations, and emissions monitoring.
• More stringent paniculate emission
limits.
H Organic emission limits, measured
as dioxins and furans.
H Acid gas controls for sulfur dioxide
and hydrogen chloride.
H Nitrogen oxide emission limits (for
new sources only).
Now, EPA is reviewing and broad-
ening these standards in accordance
with the requirements of the CAA
Amendments. EPA is required to estab-
Incinerators that burn MSW and generate
energy, called waste-to-energy combus-
tors, have grown rapidly In the United
States in number and capacity. Today,
there are 130 waste-to-energy facilities in
this country that:
lish numerical emission limits for lead,
mercury, and cadmium, and extend the
limits on nitrogen oxide established un-
der the New Source Performance
Standards to existing facilities as well.
In addition, in 1992 these regula-
tions will be
extended to in-
clude smaller
MWCs that proc-
ess less than
250 tons per day.
Are able to handle
nearly 100,000 tons
per day, or 20 per-
cent, of the total
MSW generated in
the nation.
Save the equivalent
of over 76,000 bar-
rels of crude oil daily
(if converted into
electricity).
Generate enough
power to provide the
electricity for 1.2 mil-
lion homes.
While EPA's
New Source
Performance
Standards and
Emissions
Guidelines are a
significant step
forward in the
safe and effec-
tive operations
of MWCs, the
residual ash
generated by
combustion
must also be ad-
dressed. The
CAA Amend-
ments Of 1990
exempt MWC ash from being regulated
as a hazardous waste under RCRA
Subtitle C until November 15, 1992.
During this 2-year moratorium,
MWC ash is subject to (1) current
federal regulations in 40 CFR
Part 257 governing disposal of
solid waste; and (2) state regula-
tions, where they exist, govern-
ing municipal waste combustion
ash management. Currently, EPA
is conducting research on MWC
ash disposal and utilization
methods.
Combustion can complement a
community's integrated waste
management strategy by sub-
stantially reducing nonrecyclable
waste, thereby preserving limited
landfill space. These regulations
should assist solid waste
decision-makers by making effi-
cient combustors a more viable
option for their MSW manage-
ment plans. For more information,
please contact Mike Johnston of
the EPA Office of Air at (919) 541-
5604.1
-------
Hot Off the Hotline
uestion: I've come across numerous references
to ^omething called "life-cycle analysis." What
I exactlyl is it, how does it help the environment, and is
it something I should be doing?
nswer: The phrase "lifel-cycle analysis" often is used in connection with
claims concerning a product's "environmental friendliness." Fundamentally,
a life-cycle analysis is the identification and evaluation of the environmental
impacts of a product, processj, or activity from "cradle-to-grave." Environmental
impacts may occur at all stages of the life of a product or process, including raw
material acquisition, manufacturing, transportation and distribution, use, recy-
cling, and final disposal. '
Life-cycle analyses cain be used to educate consumers, make
design/manufacturing decisions, and provide information in support of public
policy decisions. However, life-cycle analyses are still in their infancy in terms
oi providing complete information; agreed upon methods for how they should
be conducted are still being explored. Consumers should know, therefore, that
because a variety of methodls are being used to prepare life-cycle analyses,
there may be conflicting assessments of a product's environmental impacts. To
avoid such conflicts, EPA is preparing a systematic framework for developing
life-cycle analyses. i
Life-cycle analyses heighten our awareness of the fact that few products are
absolutely "environmentally friendly." Virtually all products require energy, use
raw materials, release emissions to the air and water, and generate waste as
a by-product. Although consumers cannot generally conduct their own life-cycle
analyses on products, they cah learn about the products they use, and purchase
those that have specific benefits for the environment (e.g., products that create
less solid waste or are made with recycled materials). EPA hopes that life-cycle
analyses eventually will assist consumers in making more informed choices
regarding the products they purchase. However, until the method for conducting
life-cycle analyses becomes Standardized, we encourage consumers to exer-
cise caution in their reliance 6n life-cycle information.
The folldwing publications are available at no charge from
the EPA' RCRA/Superfund Hotline. Call (800) 424-9346
Monday;through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST ,
Environmental Fact Sheet: Yard Waste Composting
(EPA/53!0-SW-91-009). Explains what yard wastes are,
why they are being banned from some landfills, and why leaf burning is not
considered a suitable management practice. The fact sheet also defines
composting, explains the composting process, and describes how compost can
be used. I
Procurement Guidelines for Government Agencies (EPA/530-SW-91 -011). Ex-
plains in a four-page fact sheet'what EPA's procurement guidelines are, to whom
the guidelines apply, and what requirements must be followed.
Recycling in Federal Agenciei;(EPA/530-SW-90-082). Describes in a succinct
pamphlet successful and innoyative recycling programs that have been initiated
in the federal government, and lists resources available to federal agencies.
Used Oil Recycling (EPA/530-J3 W-90-068). Describes successful used oil recy-
cling programs around the coujntry, provides statistics on used oil recycling, and
lists available informational materials related to used oil recycling.
The Power of the
Purse: Cities Plan
to Invest in
Recycled Products
(Continued from page 4)
To keep the momentum going, the
"Buy Recycled" campaign and the city
of San Diego organized the first Ven-
dor Show for manufacturers of recy-
cled products at the Conference of
Mayors Annual Meeting in San Diego
last June. Municipal officials took the
opportunity to learn more about the
range of products available and to
make contacts with these vendors.
The next step, according to Richard
Kochan, the Coordinator of the nation-
al "Buy Recycled" campaign, is to help
municipalities institutionalize their
programs. The Conference of Mayors
is currently surveying participating cit-
ies to identify those officials concerned
with recycled products procurement.
The goal is to encourage these officials
to oversee purchases, making sure the
program is followed by all depart-
ments. The campaign also is helping
local governments pass ordinances
mandating the purchase of recycled
products, so these practices will con-
tinue regardless of personnel changes.
Another effective way the campaign
is helping communities is by negotiat-
ing with state governments to allow
municipalities to buy recycled goods
through state purchasing departments.
This increases the purchasing power of
the state, while allowing cities to buy at
a lower price than they would otherwise
receive. Thirty-eight states are now
granting municipal governments the
opportunity to purchase recycled
goods through this system.
So how does the campaign build on
such success? "Our focus in the com-
ing year," said David Gatten, Senior
Environmental Advisor at the Con-
ference of Mayors, "is to work with
those communities that have estab-
lished programs to make sure they are
able to grow in sophistication and
amount of product purchased."
For more information on the na-
tional "Buy Recycled" campaign,
contact Richard Kochan of the U.S.
Conference of Mayors at (202)293-
7330, or Daria Willis of EPA at (202)
260-6690.1
-------
Project ROSE Helps Used Oil Recycling Blossom at
Walt Disney World Co.
(Continued from page 3)
efforts of established networks by
matching buyers of used oil with collec-
tors. This strategy relies heavily on
recruiting leaders from local organiza-
tions, who then work with Project
ROSE to help introduce and support a
recycling program in their area.
The joint used oil project between
Project ROSE and RCID began
when environmental coordinators of
the two groups recognized that a
corporation-based oil collection
program could recycle a great deal of
employee-generated used oil.
Employees find such programs con-
venient, since they can bring their
used oil to work, and corporations ap-
preciate the positive publicity Most
importantly, since the program is an
established company operation, it is
likely to be around for a long time.
The idea took off when Project
ROSE received a grant from EPA in late
1990 to develop innovative ways to
reach out to DlYs, This funding allowed
Project ROSE to begin plans for an oil
recycling project with RCID, starting
with a 3-day pilot program held last
May. Since drop-off collections need
high visibility to work, Project ROSE
helped the Environmental Control
Department of the Walt Disney World
Co. publicize, the event. The two of-
fices conducted a survey of all
employees to introduce them to the
collection (and estimate the participa-
tion rate), and promoted the event in
the company newspaper.
After this successful pilot program,
which collected over 300 gallons of
used oil, the organizers looked toward
the next step. Project organizers
found the employees were very en-
thusiastic about the first collection,
but recognized that regular collec-
tions and continued publicity were
needed to increase participation.
Many of the survey respondents
wrote that they would be more com-
mitted to used oil recycling if more
frequent collections were planned.
To respond to this need, project or-
ganizers are scheduling a follow-up
survey, followed by more drop-off
collections.
Janet Graham, the Coordinator of
Project ROSE, commended the
Walt Disney World Co. on the
project, saying "the environmental
stewardship displayed by the En-
vironmental Control Department has
made the program a reality." Project
ROSE hopes to use this experience
to help other companies develop
used oil recycling programs of their
own. For more information, write to
Project ROSE, P.O. Box 6373, Tus-
caloosa, AL 35487-6373, or call
(205) 348-4878.1
"
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Wisconsin and Minnesota
Team Up for Recycled
Paper Purchase
(Continued from page 3)
Wisconsin's Bureau of Procurement,
successful joint recycled paper bids
depend on the ability of the participating
states to agree on a variety of issues:
• Paper specifications.
• Performance standards.
• Paper use.
• Definitions of key terms, such as
"postconsumer content" and
"recovered materials."
• Practical ordering details, such as
delivery quantities.
In addition, paper distribution among
several states must be considered early
in the process since distribution could be
constrained by the location and
transportation capabilities of the mill.
Accordirig to Johnson, the paper in-
dustry has responded well to the
recycled paper market and will create
the supply to meet the demand. In fact,
although vendors were given the option
to bid less than the total 4.5 million
pounds, all offered the full amount. In
light of their positive response, the
states plan to encourage industry to
increase the quantity of postconsumer
waste in their paper.
The joint effort was so successful that
Governor Thompson and Minnesota
Governor Ame Carlson plan to invite
Iowa and Illinois to participate in the next
cycle of paper purchases.
For more information, contact Dan
Wehrman at (608) 267-6922. @
EPA's Role in
Market Development
(Continued from page 1)
In efforts to stimulate the growth of
markets for recycled products, EPAhas
initiated outreach programs to in-
form manufacturers and govern-
ment purchasers (including those at
the state and local levels) about the
guidelines.
Technical Assistance
In the area of technical assis-
tance, Clay and Morgenstern
described how the Agency is helping
to bring together buyers and sellers
of recyclables through a series of
regional hotlines, clearinghouses,
and purchasing cooperatives. These
cooperatives enable communities to
join together to participate in bulk
transactions and benefit from lower
prices.
EPA is also providing state and
local officials with technical assis-
tance on implementing recycling
programs. A peer-matching program
has been set up that joins government
officials who are trying to implement
recycling programs with experienced
peers from other communities.
Moreover, in order to promote the pur-
chase of environmentally sound
goods, EPA plans to devise definitions
for the terms recycled and recyclable
to be used on product labeling. Finally,
EPA is actively supporting the Recy-
cling Advisory Council, an organiza-
tion working to remove barriers in the
recycling market.
Public Education
Clay and Morgenstern emphasized
that recycling, unlike many other en-
vironmental problems, is an area in
which individuals can make a dif-
ference through their own actions.
And the latest polls indicate that en-
thusiasm for recycling is growing
throughout the nation. To instill recy-
cling habits in individuals, EPA has
developed educational materials,
recycling publications, and a national
advertising campaign.
Next Steps
Individuals and businesses have
taken great strides since the publi-
cation of An Agenda for Action in
1989, which established a goal of 25
percent solid waste reduction and
recycling by 1992.
In the coming years, EPA plans to
work even more closely with other
federal agencies to encourage and
assist in the collection of recyclables
and the purchase of recycled
products. The Agency will also con-
tinue its work with all sectors of
society to make recycling a reality.fi
The mention of publications, products,
or organizations in this newsletter
does not constitute endorsement or
approval for use by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Communications Services Branch (OS-305)
Office of Solid Waste
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business, Penalty for Private Use $300
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