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Part 115 moves out of House NR Committee - The six-bill package that would rewrite Michigan solid waste laws was favorably reported out of committee on Wednesday and will move on to the House Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Howell, who has proved to be an asset in the process, will continue to work with stakeholders to consider all technical amendments and assure a smooth transition through Ways and Means, and eventually to the full House. The timeline is tight for passage of the package through both Houses by the end of the year, but there is a path. Read more here and here...
Marina shrink wrap program update - Registration is closing July 1 for our Marina Shrink Wrap Collection Program. This program allows individuals and marinas to recycle their disposable boat covers by purchasing recycling bags here. Our partner, Bay Area Recycling for Charities, does a statewide run to capture this material from being landfilled. Later, the material is turned into composite decking by TREX, saving resources and landfill space. Contact us to learn how you can be a part of the solution.
EGLE launches first phase Mega Data collection - The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is launching a new data collection initiative, also known as the Mega Data Project. The primary objective is to assemble and provide the baseline data and information necessary to support county development of materials management plans. Through this process the state will also create and share a roadmap for materials management. This initiative supports the State's transition away from a focus on waste disposal to an increased emphasis on managed all materials in more productive ways. The Mega Data project will collect information for this first phase beginning now through September 2020 using a robust and accessible materials management program analysis and planning toll called the Municipal Measurement Program (eMMP), developed by Emerge Technologies. Read more...
Reusable containers safe during pandemic - More than 100 scientists will publish a signed statement on Monday to reassure the public that reusable containers are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid fears that the environmental battle to reduce single-use plastic waste is losing ground over fears of virus contamination, the 119 scientists from 18 countries say reusable containers do not increase the chance of virus transmission. The statement by the scientists, who include epidemiologists, virologists, biologists, chemists, and doctors, says that based on the best available science and guidance from public health professionals, reusable systems can be used safely by employing basic hygiene. Read more...
Resilient Recycling: How MRFs can adapt & thrive - The quality and safety of materials sorting is more critical than ever at materials recovery facilities and for the entire recycled products industry. The recent pandemic is the latest in a series of major disruptions that have impacted the MRF workforce, especially labor for sorting jobs. This playbook highlights some of the latest technologies that help make sorter and other MRF jobs safer, cleaner, and less tedious. Read more...
Potential Energy - With the rapid growth in electric vehicle sales across the world, recycling stakeholders are paying considerable attention to the management of end-of-life batteries from these cars and trucks. Batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) that have reached the end of life are now beginning to appear in sufficient numbers in scrap yards to raise concern about proper management. Though the numbers are relatively small now, sales data shows their volumes will be growing. When an EV battery is no longer suitable for use in an EV, it still retains up to 80% of its charge and can be useful in many applications. Reuse options already in place for end-of-life EV batteries include:
- Reuse in EVs (after battery pack and battery cell testing evaluation) as a refurbished unit
- Reuse of cells or packs in other battery applications, such as drones, wheelchairs, and other devices
- Residential energy storage (combined with solar photovoltaic systems)
- Commercial and industrial energy storage
- Grid-scale energy storage
- Energy storage for renewable energy systems (solar and wind)
- Back-up power
- EV charging (stationary or mobile). Read more...
Real-time recycling data - Founded in 1896, Strategic Materials is the largest recycler of glass in North America. With nearly 500 plants, Strategic Materials supplies recycled glass to manufacturers of glass containers, fiberglass insulation, highway bead, decorative glass, glass fillers, and other specialty glass. For Strategic Materials, quality is a primary measure of success. Yet, when it came to sharing quality data between plants, the company faced a challenge - each plant collected information using their own methods and nomenclature. The company is now using Enact 31 in all plants. Enact provides a cross-plant reporting system that shows real-time data needed to make process corrections. Read more...
Consumers don't connect recycling, supply chain - Immediately following the threat of shutdowns and the beginning of quarantines as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, consumers experienced shortages of paper products, such as toilet paper and paper towels. Despite the widespread shortages and attention they received, new research reveals that most consumers fail to make the connection between their recycling of paper at home and its value in providing feedstock to hep make new products. The good news is regardless, residents report they are keeping up their recycling during the pandemic. According to a national survey conducted last month by the Carton Council of North America, almost one-third of consumers (29%) report they have been recycling more during the pandemic and 56% have been recycling the same. Read more...
Aviation industry must include new waste rules - The aviation industry has been hard-hit by the recent pandemic. In many, though not all countries, environmental performance conditions have been placed upon bailouts of various aviation stakeholders. For instance, in Canada, airlines and others receiving federal relief funds must both report and plan on climate change and related sustainability performance and initiatives. With aviation's recovery in the spotlight, the industry needs to show progress on some environmental metrics, including waste, which will invariably lead to an examination of International Waste (IW) practices. Read more...
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