Waste stream journal, Vol. 1, no. 1 (Fall 1996)

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL

A Waste Reduction Newsletter of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs

*** VOL.I NO. l

FALL 1996

****

IT'S ONUS

Goals & Garbage

Talkin' Trash-

Ga. Strengthens

* * *

* * *

Approach to

The Public Sector

The Private Sector

Georgia's long-awaited

NEC's McDonough plant

SW Management yard trimmings ban-the State takes responsibility for the Legislature's effort to keep up packaging of the company's

. to 16 percent of the state's monitors and computer

Substantial Progress Since 1990

waste from lined and products. If consumers cannot expanded landfills-went into find recyclers for the expanded effect in September. Surveys polystyrene forms and

found that most Georgia corrugated cardboard used to

Agencies Coordinate communities and citizens were package the products, the

handling their yard trimmings packaging can be mailed back

Even though Georgia has made significant progress in solid waste management over the last six years, failure to meet the 25% waste reduction goal set in the 1990 Solid Waste Management Act has sparked efforts to reevaluate the state's approach and to strengthen cooperation among state agencies.
The amount of waste disposed of in the state decreased between 1992 and 1994, but a series of circumstances caused an increase in disposal to 9.65 million tons or 7.49 pounds per capita per day in 1995. To reach the reduction goal, the t.otal amount of solid waste buried in landfills would have had to decrease to 5.33 pounds per capita per day by July 1, 1996. Though figures for FY96 have not been tabulated, a reduction of such

appropriately before the ban. (See article, page 3 )
* * *
The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority will begin accepting applications for $2.5 million in waste reduction grant funds before year-end. (See article, page 10)
* * *
Applications for the 1997 Georgia Clean and Beautiful . (GC&B) Awards program will be due in mid-January. Look for .more information from GC&B in December.
* * *
The Georgia Peachy Clean Team provided 113 communities supplies for "Let's Keep Georgia Peachy Clean" Cleanup Week in May. The 52 communities reporting cleaned 610 roadside miles, 40 acres of land and 91 illegal dumps with 3,564 volunteers. (See article, page 2)

to NEC for recycling.

* * *

Whether they're cleaning

up the environment or you're

cleaning them from your litter

box, peanut hulls are finding

new lifein. Georgia. BioPlus,

Inc., loc~ted in Ashburn,

recycles peanut hulls into a

flushable cat litter and into. a

granular carrier base for crop

protection

materials.

Scientific Ag Industries of

Atlanta is building a plant in

Blakely to produce high grade

activated carbon from the

hulls; the carbon will be used

to remove contaminants from

air and water.

* * *

Do you need money to

expand your recycling

company? Investors, eco-

nomic developers, solid waste

officials and recycling

companies seeking capital will

cont. on page 5: -

significant proportions is not

expected.

Welcome Waste Stream Journal Premieres
Solid Waste Info
Because We Care

Unexpected Obstacles
Three primary reasons for the disappointing reduction figures have been identified. First, robust
cont. on page 4: BE

Waste Reduction Advisory Council appointed to assist DCA in solid waste efforts. See page 2.

Georgia Keep America Beautiful affiliates win nine national

awards. See page 7.



Monroe County overcomes marketing problems at combined collection and recycling centers (case study). See page 8.

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL FAIL 1996-~---------___,,

Local Celebrities Join Georgia Peachy Clean Team to 'combat Litter

participation by volunteers in 113 communities. In the 52 commumtles reporting results, 3,564 volunteers

For the first time, several state Their messages have been cleaned 610 roadside miles,

departments have combined reinforced with corresponding 40 acres of land and 91 illegal

forces to combat the problem of posters and print advertiselittering along Georgia's roads ments. The Teain hopes to and public places. Through a purchase air time statewide in

dumps. The volunteers contributed a total of 4,053 hours to fill 6,919 trash bags

series of public service the future.

with litter.

announcements, collateral

The Team's other major

The Peachy Clean Team

materials andspecial events, the focus was a statewide cleanup plans to continue its efforts Above: Evander Holyfield and GeorgiaPeachyOeanTeamis held May. 13-19, 1996. with a second statewide the "Camp Evander" kids

promoting a theme of Declared "Let's Keep cleanup effort April 20-26, promote a Peachy Clean

ownership and pride with the Georgia Peachy Clean Week" 1997, and .an increased Georgia. The Camp Evander

slogan, "It's our Georgia.. .let's by Governor Zell Miller, the presence in the print and PSA was filmed at Holyfield's

keep it Peachy Clean."

seven days attracted broadcast media statewide. Fayette County training facility.

TheGeorgiaDepartmentsof +-------~--------------------------

Community A~airs, Natural WASTE REDUCTION ADVISORY COUNCILAPPOINTED
Resources, Public Safety, and

Transportation; the Georgia

DCA Commissioner Jim

Environmental Facilities Higdon appointed a Waste

Authority; and the state's local Reduction Advisory Council

Keep America Beautiful (WRAC) in May, 1996, to

affiliates have contributed assist the Department ill

financial, personnel and developing and implementing

volunteer resources in the waste reduction technical

statewide public education assistance and.. public

campaign. In its first year, the education efforts. The Council

Peachy OeanTeamhas focused also serves as the official

on two primary projects.

advisory boardforthe Georgia

First, the Team produced Clean and Beautiful program. Connie Wiggins ............. Gwinnett Clean &Beautiful Inc.

three public service.

Twenty-one members from

Chairman

announcements focused on changing behaviors and attitudes about littering. The first spot, filmed in an urban setting, encourages children

waste and recycling industries, Georgia's Keep America Beautiful affiliates, environmental organizations and local governments will serve a one-

Charles Bowen .............. United Waste Service Inc. Don Dye ........................ City of Social Circle George Elder...........,..... Southeast Paper Manufacturing Company Laurie Fowler ................ Georgia Environmental Policy Institute Rick Foote .......:............. Hall County Resource Recovery Jeff Gaker ..................... Sanifill of Georgia

and adults to show pride in the state by not littering. The second, featuring Georgia media personality Leroy Powell, reminds viewers they

year term on the Council. Connie Wiggins, executive director of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, chairs tbe group. After three meetings, the

Abby Goldsmith ............. Roy F. Weston Inc. Carolyn Hill .................... Hill & Associates Lisa Hollingsworth ......... Georgia Recycling Coalition Lee Hughes ................... Fort Howard Corporation Jeff Foote ............,......... The Coca-Cola Company Charles J. (Jeff) Mills .... Jordan Jones & Goulding Inc.

probably wouldn't litter "if Council has established goals Tony Rojas .................... City of Moultrie

their Mama was watchin' ." The third spot features
former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield at "Camp

and a plan of action for the upcoming year. The Council also has offered valuable input into the state solid waste plan

Will Sheahan ................. Source Reduction Solutions Charles Slade ............... Greencycle of Georgia Ken Turner .................... Wilkinson County Connie Waller ................ Covington/Newton County Clean & Beautiful .Morris Williams ............... Dougherty County

Evander," teaching children update and learned about Keep Wesley Woolf ................ The Georgia Conservancy

not to litter (and laughing at America Beautiful, Inc. and Mark Woodall ................ Sierra Club Georgia Chapter

how well they mind his the needs of the state's local will look to them to assist us in Above~ Waste Reduction

coach',S whistle).

KAB affiliates.

framing the issues we need to Advisory Council members at

The spots have aired on cable stations throughout north Georgia in purchased and contributed time slots.

. "It is our desire that this council will serve as an active advisory body," said Commissioner Higdon. "We

address and to structure our work program. We appreciate their knowledgeable and enthusiastic response."

their organizational retreat in August, 1996.

2

OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Georgians Came Prepared for September Yard Trimmings Ban

a description of the state's suggested hierarchy for handling

surveyed, 77% responded that they personally maintain a yard. Less

yard trimmings and a

than one quarter

Statewide restrictions on separation of yard trimmings sample ordinance to use

reported handling their

the disposal of yard trimmings before solid waste collection. in establishing yard

yard trimmings in ways that

began September 1, 1996. In the. remaining 44%, it is trimmings restrictions in their were inconsistent with the

Georgia's local governments possible that yard trimmings communities. Since distri- requirements: 21 % said their

were prepared.

are being mixed with solid buting the packet, DCA has yard trimmings were collected

To implement the ban, waste before collection, even responded to more than 150 with other garbage, and 3%

each City, county and solid though these local govern- requests from local said they take their yard

waste management authority ments may not have a policy governments for additional trimmings to a landfill.

must(l) require separation of of collecting them. Of the guidance or technical

Though only 37% of the

yard trimmings from solid counties that do not collect yard assistance with some facet of respondents who maintain

waste before collection a11d trimmings, 55% use unstaffed the yard trimmings law.

lawns were aware of the ban,

(2) keep yard trimmings out drop-off centers or green .boxes of lined and vertically for solid waste collection. This Citizen Participation

the majority, 69%, handle their yard trimmings appropriately

expanded landfills.

method gives little control over

A telephone survey under its provisions. Among

According to the 1995 the types of waste discarded. conducted by Georgia State those who are handling their

Solid Waste Management Survey & Full Cost Report

local GovernmentAssistance

University in June and July of this year showed that most of

yard trimmings appropriately, the most common methods

administered by the Geotgia

Recognizing that a Georgia's residents were were leaving them on the lawn

Department of Community significant number ofcities and handling their yard trimmings (18%), home composting

Affairs (DCA), more than counties had still not addressed in ways appropriate under the (16%), mulching (14%), and

.60% of the responding local the yard trimmings issue, DCA ban as well, whether they were leaving them for collection

governments were meeting the sent local officials an aware of the requirements or separate from household solid

first requirement. Of the 158 information packet containing not. Of the 857 residents waste (13%).

counties responding, 59% . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ; . . . . __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __.;._ _ ___,

reported separating or Case Study: Arlington County, Virginia
requiring yard trimmings to be

separated from solid waste

Arlington County, Virginia addressed the at the point of purchase. The County's only

prior to collection. Of.the 523 problem of grass clippings in its landfill by expense beyond the cost of the rebates was

cities responding, 63% providing $10,000 in rebates for the purchase the $2,800 cost of.producing the flyers.

reported separating or of mulching mowers.

Preston Read, recycling program manager

requiring separation of yard

Begi_nning in April, 1996, the County's fortheCoun:ty,estimatesthatthelandfillcosts

trimmings prior to collection. Department of Environmental Services .........................avoided over the next seven

Only 8% of counties and offered the rebates on a first come,

years-the average life of a

17% of cities reported first served basis to any of its

mower-will pay for the

disposing of yard trimmings. 30,000 refuse collection

program. In addition,

in a solid waste landfill, so customers who purchased

theflyerandpublici-

fewer than 15 % of the particular types of mowers.

ty garnered by the

responding local govern- A $75 credit was issued on

program served as

ments were clearly not in the customer's refuse bill

a public education

compliance with the second for the purchase of an

tool, so even resi-

requirement. Whether or not electric mulching mower,

dents who were not

all of the remaining local $50 for_ a low emission gas

able to take advan-

governments were success- mulching mower and $25 for

tage of the rebates

fully keeping yard trimmings push reel mowers. hi only 25

learned about the

out of their municipal solid days, the County distributed all of

benefits ofgrasscycling.

waste is unclear.

the funds to 160 residents.

By encouraging the

Thirty-four percent of

To advertise the program, the refuse

purchase of electric and low

counties and 21 % of cities collectors hung flyers on residents' collection

emission gas mowers, the rebate program

reported that they do not collect carts. County staff delivered flyers to area educated the public on air quality issues, too.

yard trimmings at all. retailers and met with sales managers to ensure

For more information, contact Preston

However, ofthese jurisdictions, that the rebate information would be available Read at (703) 358-6570.
only. 56% reported requiring L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '

3

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1996-------------------

State Agencies Revisit SWM Plan andLocal Government Assistance Today, over 75 percent are

lined, and almost 25 percent

SWManagement: from page 1

inability to measure waste computerized tracking conform with federal

economic and population reduction progress adequately. systems to monitor the standards. All of these

growth, Olympic construction, Because the number of materials entering the landfill, landfills now have certified

and the devastating floods that landfills statewide dropped24 and none had certified operators, whereas in 1990,

inundated large portions of the percent from 1990 to 1995, operators. Moreover, inmany none did.

state in the summer of 1994 there was some confusion cases, landfill operators were

Local governments have

resulted in much higher about where the waste was removing recyclables from the responded to meet the intent

amounts of waste disposed going. Additionally, in the waste stream after weighing. of the law as well, by

than anticipated.

base year of 1992, most

Finally, because the preparing plans and strategies

Another problem was the landfills had no scales or strategy for achieving waste for ensuring disposal capacity

State Agency SW Responsibilities
Department o1 Community Affairs (404) 679-4940
provides technical assistance to local governments in solid waste management and waste reduction, including recycling and yard trimmings diversion
educates the public in solid waste management
supports local Keep America Beautiful affiliates through the Georgia Clean and Beautiful program
facilitates partnerships for waste reduction and other waste management ventures
administers the annual local government solid waste management survey and prepares an annual report ofstatewide solid waste management activities
coordinates the state solid waste management plan update and administers local government solid waste planning activities
provides staff support for the Waste Reduction Advisory Council
Department o1 Natural Resces, Envtromnental Protection Division (404) 362-2537
regulates solid waste collection and disposal activities
offers technical assistance, especially in the areas of alternative waste disposal technologies, regulatory compliance, and code development and enforcement
administers the Solid Waste Trust Fund, making available a portion to assist DCA and P2AD waste reduction efforts
evaluates new waste handling technologies

reduction involved primarily local governments, there was a focus on reducing residential waste. Subsequent surveys have shown that the majority of the waste stream is made up of commercial and industrial waste.
Recognizing progress
In response to the challenges still facing the state's solid waste management, four state agencies- the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection and Pollution Prevention Assistance Divisions (EPD and P2AD), and the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA)-have joined with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to assemble an Intergovernmental Solid

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
HAVE RESPONDED TO
MEET THE INTENT OF
THE LAW AS WELL
and reducing their waste streams; establishing fee structures to pay for collection and disposcll services; replacing "green boxes" with more efficient collection methods; and establishing recycling and public education programs. Local govermnents have also responded positively to the yard trimmings ban, with most meeting the ban's requirements before the September 1, 1996 deadline (see article, page 3).
Seeking Remedies
Next, the Council addressed difficulties communities were experiencing in accessing financial and technical assistance from

Department o1 Natural Resces, Pollution Prevention Assistance Divtston (404) 651~5120
provides assistance in industrial, commercial and institutional waste minimization
develops programs and activities to encourage businesses and industries to implement waste minimization measures
conducts industrial waste minimization planning
implements a household hazardous waste prevention and management program and a used automotive fluids management program

Waste Coordinating Council. The Council serves as a forum for coordinating activities, sharing information and mobilizing state resources to achieve. more effective solid waste management.
In planning its scope of work, the Council first recognized the progress the state has made as a result of

state agencies for solid waste projects. Communities can now complete a very simple Solid Waste Financial and Technical Assistance Request Form and return it to DCA, regardless of the type of solid waste assistance needed. The form will be routed to the state agency or agencies best suited to address the need. By

Georgia Environmental FacDities Authority (404) 656-0938
provides solid waste management loans and grants for local governments and solid waste authorities (see article on page

the Act. For example, in 1990 only four percent of the state's landfills were lined, and none

providing a single point of contact for solid waste requests~ the system will

10 for new grant program information)

met current federal standards. .allow state agencies to

4

coordinate their efforts and to respond more quickly, efficiently and effectively to local government needs.
As a basis for targeting future efforts, the Inter~ governmental Coordinating Council is undertaking a complete review and revision of the State Solid Waste Management Plan. The team has conducted a number of surveys, including a landfill operators survey, recycling rate survey, household hazardous waste and recycling survey, yard trimmings survey, and a survey of other states' efforts in dealing with commercial and industrial waste.
Additionally, the team has conducted a series of individual focus groups involving local governments; local recycling coordinators; solid waste handling and recycling businesses; major commercial solid waste generators; environmental organizations; DCA's Waste Reduction Advisory Council; and state agency staff.
Input received to date has indicated a need for new methods of tracking progress in solid waste management and waste reduction; means of addressing commercial and industrial waste management and reduction; improved technical and financial assistance to local governments; better implementation of local solid waste plans; and greater public education efforts.
Dr. Jim Kundell at UGA's Vinson Institute of Government has _been asked by the Intergovernmental Council to compile these findings into a draft plan. Completion of the solid waste management plan update is scheduled for May, 1997.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

H I GH LI GH T s

In 1990, the governmental cost of solid waste management

SOLID

programs existed in communities operating local Clean and

was not generally reflected in
fees. It was mostly supported through the property tax. In

WASTE

Beautiful programs. Clean and
Beautiful programs are still strong and vibrant, but

1995, over 75% of local

recycling programs and ser-

governments operating solid MANAGEMENT vices now exist in over 500

waste systems charged a fee for the service.

SINCE

communities, covering some 96% of the state's population.

In 1990, there were no certified landfill operators. There are

J990

In 1990, the majority of solid waste public education

now over 625 certified landfill - - - ' - - - - - - - - - efforts existed in local Clean and

operators in the state.

Beautiful communities. Now,

Essentially all operators have been trained some 264 communities have in place

and certified.

education efforts, covering nearly 80% of the

"Green boxes" have long been a problem for state's population.

local governments. Litter and illegal Most local governments did not separate yard

dumping are but a few of the outcomes. trimmings in 1990. Even before the yard

Today, only 20% of the state's population is trimmings ban went into effect in September

served by green boxes as local governments 1996, 420 local governments reported

initiate other methods of collection, such as separating yard trimmings. This covered some

centralized and staffed drop-off centers.

63% of the state's population.

In 1990, only one local government in the A conservative estimate shows that Georgia

state used a variable rate or unit-based pricing has over 345 companies involved in recycling,

system. In 1995, 24 local governments have both from a processor and end user standpoint.

implemented this type of fee structure, Recycling markets, though they fluctuate,

covering some 6% of the state's population. seem sufficient to handle Georgia's materials.

This number and coverage is expected to In 1990, the number of scrap tires recycled

increase in the years ahead.

was negligible. In 1995, through proceeds

In 1990, few local recycling programs. from the Solid Waste Trust Fund, 7-8 million

existed statewide. The majority of tires were recycled.

Ta/kin' Trash
continuedfrom page 1
gather at the Second Annual Southeastern Recycling Investment Forum on February 10, 1997, in Charleston, SC. Organizers, including EPA Region 4, the S_outh Carolina Recycling Market Advisory Council, the Southern States Waste Management Coalition, and the North Carolina Recycling Business Assistance CerHer, hope to stimulate capital investment in the region's recycling businesses. In addition to

creating new jobs, increased investment should lead to increased capacity for recycling. For more information, contact Paula Longo of DCA's Office of Waste Management at (404) 6793161 or the South Carolina Department of Commerce at (803) 737-0400.
* * *
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) sponsors a Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery recycling program for communities. After signing up with RBRC, participants may collect

household Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries, such as those that power cordless telephones, camcorders and notebook computers, and send them in for recycling at no charge. RBRC even pays for shipping. RBRC is a non-profit organization created by the rechargeable power industry to educate the public about the need to recycle Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries while ensuring that recycling is convenient and inexpensive. For more information, call DCA's Office of Waste Reduction or RBRC directly at (352) 376-6806.

5

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNAL.FALL1996-----------~----'----
DCA's Office of Waste Management

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
is a quarterly publication of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Funding for this publication is provided by the Georgia Solid Waste Trust Fund.
We welcome any comments, criticisms or suggestions for future editions. News releases are welcome. We cannot guarantee we will publish all relea~es, but we do wish to report significant waste reduction news from the state and the region. Please send releases and correspondence to: Editor The Waste Stream Journal Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231 (404) 679-4922 (404) 656-0572 (fax)

Research and Information Division
Leamon Scott, Director ...................................................................................................... (404) 679-4816
Lynn Cobb, Georgia Clean and Beautiful Coordinator ...................................................... (404) 679-4910
Patty Schmidt, Waste Reduction Manager .......................................:................................. (404) 679-4853
Mark Bryant, Consultant .....................:.............................................................................. (404) 679-4998 Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Full Cost Accounting, Ordinances, Variable Rates, etc.), Solid Waste Planning
Renita Davis, Consultant ................................................................................................... (404) 679-4922 Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Yard Trimmings Diversion), Solid Waste Public Iriformation, Solid Waste Annual Report
Christa Ellis, Consultant .................................................................................................... (404) 679-3159 Illegal Dumping Public Education and Technical Assistance
Bill Folsom, Information Specialist, Office oflnformation Services ................................ (404) 679-3160 Solid Waste Management Survey and Full Cost Report
Rhonda Koplin, Consultant ................................................................................................ (404) fJ79-3152 Educational Training, Georgia Clean and Beautiful
Paula Longo, Statewide Recycling Coordinator ................................................................ (404) 679-3161 Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Recycling, Variable Rates, Buy Recycled, etc.)
Carol Morris, Consultant ................................................................................................... (404) 679-3150 Special Projects (Christmas Tree Recycling, Statewide Litter Reduction Campaign, Home Composting), Georgia Clean and Beautiful
Berenice Thomas, Secretary .............................................................................................. (404) 679-3142

Help us serve

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Position _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

you better!

Organization _ _ __

Please tell us what kinds of Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~------

information you need to manage solid waste, yard trimmings and City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ Z i p - - - - - ' - - -

recyclables better in your community. Just take a moment to complete and return the survey below to: Office of Waste Management, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 60 Executive Park South, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231 orfax to (404)679-0572. If you prefer. you may call us to discuss the types of assistance you need. Staff members and phone numbers are listed at the top of this page. Thank you!

In what areas of solid waste would you like to receive training from the Intergovernmental Solid

Waste Coordinating Council (DCA, P2AD, EPD, GEFA, GMA, ACCG)?

D Buying Recycled Products D Financing Solid Waste Programs 0 Full Cost Accounting 0 Illegal Dumping D Keep America Beautifol Affiliation 0 Moving Away from Green Boxes D Public Education 0 Regiona!Coordination D Setting Up Community Recycling Programs

D Solid Waste Rules and Regulations 0 Teacher Workshops on Waste Reduction/
Litter/Recycling 0 Volume-Based Rate Setting D Yard Trimmings Diversion-Promoting
Home Composting 0 Yard Trimmings Diversion-Government/
Commercial 0 Other

D Setting Up Business Recycling Programs

Would you like to continue receiving this newsletter? D yes 0 no

Which of the following workshop format(s) would you most likely be able to attend?

What did you find most useful in this newsletter?

0 morning (3-4 hours)

0 afternoon (3-4 hours)

D full day (6-8 hours)

What would you like to see in future newsletters?

D afternoon and following morning (6-8 hours)

0 other------------

6

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
KABsWin National Awards; NewKABs Forming

Georgia will bring home

nine awards from the Keep .

America Beautiful, Inc.

(KAB) National Awards

Ceremon) to .,~ held

December 12 in Washington,

D.C. Five of the winners will

receive KAB SystemAwards,

which recognize KAB

affiliates for their overall

efforts. Roberta/Crawford Clean & Beautiful and Albany-Dougherty Clean Community placed first in their respective population categories. keep MaconBibb Beautiful, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and DCA's Georgia Clean and Beautiful program will receive system awards in their categories.
Other Georgia awards include:

Did you think the 1996 giving 525 leadership

Olympic Games involved a presentations and 907

massive volunteer effort? community and professional

Well, Georgia's Keep America organization presentations in

Beautiful (KAB) affiliates, their communities. They

with 41 of 57 reporting, reached 89,482 students

involved 315,674 volunteers through 840 school

from July 1, 1995 to June 30, presentations.

1996-more than seven times the 42,500 used to host the Olympic Games.

***
Four new KAB
coordinators attended the

* * *

Georgia Clean and Beautiful

In their annual reports to Executive Directors'

Holleman of BainbridgeDecatur County KAB, John Sparks of the Cherokee Clean Commission; Peggy Hilburn ofPickens County Citizens for a Clean Community, and Rod Marchant of the SumterClean and Beautiful Commission.
***
Dade and Habersham counties have expressed interest in becoming precertified KAB communities

Gwinnett Clean and Keep America Beautiful, Inc., Conference at Red Top and also sent representatives to. .

Beautiful, first place, the affiliates also reported MountaininSeptember: Bud the conference. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

category for non-profit and
community organizations; Welcome

Roswell High School SWManagement:frompage 1

SUADE Club, first place,

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle issues grow almost as quickly

category for youth and as the waste itself.

schools;

But you already knew all of

J&J Industries, Inc. of that. As a local government,

Dalton, first place, Reduce, business or community leader,

Reuse, Recycle category you deal with these problems

for businesses and. pro- daily. The Department of

fessional organizations; Community Affairs does, too,

and

as we educate Georgiacitizens

Albany-Dougherty Clean and assist local governments

Community Commission, . with solid waste management

second place, Educational issues. For years we have done

Awareness category for so through the highly-

non-profit and community successful and well-known

organizations.

Georgia Clean and Beautiful

however, that more could be done, so we created the Waste Reduction & Government Assistance Section. This section, combined with the Clean and Beautiful program, comprises our newly established Office of Waste Management. Ten employees are currently assigned to this office, providing education and technical assistance on such solid waste issues as recycling, yard trimmings diversion, litter reduction, infrastructure, full cost accounting, enterprise funds and variable rates.
The Waste Stream

have developed to serve you better. We hope you will learn from it, but we also hope you will help others learn by sharing your problems and successes in solid waste management. We invite comments, letters to the editor and ideas for articles. We also encourage you to complete the survey on page 6 of this issue. Your input will ensure our future efforts are targeted to your needs. One effort currently underway is the design of a DCA home page on the Internet. We'll give you more information soon.
Again, we hope you enjoy

* * *

program. We recently decided, Journal is one mode we The Waste Streamlournal.

7

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1996 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

WASTE MANAGEMENT &

REDUCTION IN MONROE

COUNTY: A CASE STUDY

About the time the 1990 landfill and develop a new

Georgia Comprehensive Solid waste diversion program.

Waste Management Act signed info law, Monroe County was planning to build

Combined Collection and Recycling

a Subtitle D landfill. The Act's

In 1992, the County

passage meant officials had to established the Collection and

factor an almost paradoxical Recycling Center Program and

equation into the already- hired Maxine Allen, then-

difficult matter of siting and director of the Monroe County

financing a new landfill: how Clean Community Com-

to reduce the amount of waste mission, to lead the program.

that would normally be sent to The two-part objective was

that landfill. Monroe's rural simple: to centralize the

waste management system, existing garbage collection

consisting of over 200 sites, while encouraging

roadside collection boxes and residents to recycle. The

no separate collection or County would construct

hauling fees, did little to collection and recycling

encourage residents to centers at as many locations as

minimize or recycle their necessary to ensure that all

wastes; And with a population county residents were within

of only about 17,000, there three miles of a site. In

seemed to be no way of addition, workers trained to

generating the cash needed to mol,litor the operations and

continue collecting and educate users on the recycling

hauling from the boxes, features of the facilities were

operate a new and expensive to staffeach location. Planners

anticipated that the program could be funded (at least in part) by monies that would no longer be needed to operate some of the County's numerous collection vehicles.
Four years later, a total of seven collection and recycling centers have been developed. Each center contains compactors for disposal ofregular garbage and an array of bins and other containers for recycla- . hies. The centers accept newspapers, cardboard, aluminum, glass, plastics, magazines, steel cans, used motor oil, scrap metals and tires for recycling. Yard trimmings are. accepted for mulching.
Although some of .the centers are apparently more successful than others in terms of amounts recycled, the recycling bins at all seven are definitely being used. Allen is quite pleased, " ...especially considering the fact that before this [program], hardly

Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Maxine Allen
recycles at one ofthe County s
seven convenience centers.
anything was being recycled in Monroe County." She credits the design of the centers and the presence of trained stafffor their success. "People almost have to be educated on recycling when they come to one of the centers," saidAllen. The program director also

"Earth's 911" to Provide Recycling Locations Nationwide

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Postal Service rolled out a national Environmental Recycling Hotline, dubbed "Earth's 911 for the environment," on
October 3. Working in a
public/private sponsorship, the two agencies are offering geo graphically-specific recycling and environmental information through a single, nationally accessible 1-800 and Internet network.
By dialing 1(800) CleanUp and entering their five-digit zip
8

code, callers can access

detailed information about

where to recycle paper, metals,

glass, plastics and some

household hazardous wastes at

locations most convenient to

them. The hotline also

contains general

information on recycled

products,

waste

reduction and

reuse, as well as a

message center
may where callers

leave questions and

comments. The

information and

message center are also available on the Internet at www. l 800cleanup.org.
In the future, the hotline will add a special kids' section and information on topics such as energy conservation, water quality, air quality, composting and small business recycling. Organizers expect that having a
single number for the entire nation will mean it can be easily promoted in the national media and can appear on recyclable products and packaging. DCA assisted with the develop ment of Georgia,'s

section of the hotline by providing lists of recycling coordinators and some recycling locations. State Recycling Coordinator Paula Longo supports the hotline by responding to messages left by Georgians at the message centers.
"We appreciate the recycling coordinators who provided the nuts and bolts of the Georgia section by responding to EPA's requests," said Longo. "If your community's information is not on the hotline, I encourage you to contact me and participate in this worthwhile program."
Longo may be reached at (404) 679-3161..

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " ' - - - GEORGIADEPARTMENTOFCOMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Fast facts: believes that home com- eighth collection and recycling
posting, another method of center. Allen said the County

waste diversion, has increased will definitely increase the

in the County. due to number to ten, and possibly to MONROE COUNTY COLLECTION AND

composting demonstration sites provided at each center

twelve. Her largest challenge is securing stable.markets for

RECYCLING .CENTER PROGRAM

by the local Extension Service and 4-H Club.
Market Problems
The County delivers all scrap tires received at the centers to the BFI tire recycling plant in nearby Butts

materials-difficult because the County does not have the space or equipment to process the materials and does not produce large quantities of materials. She hopes to purchase a baler in the next fiscal year to improve the

1990County Population
How It Works

17,113 (12,603 unincorporated)
Household solid waste and recyclables are collected at staffed drop-off centers; primarily serves the unincorporated population

County. Scrap metals are taken to a recovered materials area at the Monroe County

County's processing capabilities. She also is talking with the City of Griffin and

Number of

Currently seven, with plans forup to seven

Collection Centers additional sites

landfill, where they are Spalding and Clayton counties Materials

Newspaper, .cardboard boxes, aluminum

periodically retrieved by a about joining with Monroe in Recycled

cans/foil, glass, plastic (PET and HDPE),

materials processing company a regional effort.

magazines/catalogs, steel cans, used motor

based in Florida.

"We're low volume gener-

oil, scrap metals (white goods), tires, yard

Most other recyclables, ators, and in order for us to be

trimmings

including newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard and plastic, were previously

able to secure the best, most secure markets, the end-user markets, we need to combine

Length of Time in Operation

4 years

taken to a materials recovery facility in a neighboring
county. That market is no longer available, and Allen has had a difficult time finding other markets that will accept

with large volume generators," Allen said. "For example, it would take our County more than a year to get a trailer load ofHDPE plastic. That's what the end-users want, trailer

Waste Disposal: Contact:

County-owned Subtitle D landfill
Maxine Allen Route 2, Box 722 Forsyth, Georgia 31029 (912) 994-3959

unprocessed materials in the loads. The most stable

small quantities Monroe markets are there."

generates. Until she works out

+ other solutions, a nearby city

.

.

is accepting the materials. Chnstmas Tree Recycling Date Set

Since the Collection and

Recycling Center Program

Georgia's "Bring One for the Chipper" Christmas tree

was established, Monroe recycling program will take place Saturday, January 4,

County has received about 1997. During the seventh annual statewide event,

$8,000 per year for the participating communities will accept Christmas trees for

recyclables it has managed to chipping into mulch and for creating fish and wildlife

sell at market. In 1995, a habitats.

boom year in the markets for

During the 1996 program, 95 cities and counties collected

several recyclable goods; the 278,215 trees at 300 sites. Working with private sponsors,

overall take was closer to Georgia Oean and Beautiful (GC&B) coordinated the event

$12,000. Although this andprovidedpaidadvertising, public service announcements,

revenue falls short of and publicity tools including press kits and camera-ready

covering recycling expendi- aqwork for flyers and tree hangers. Site coordinators also

tures, the County is com- received tree seedlings to give participants.

mitted to continuing and

Similar tools will be provided for 1997 participants by

expanding its program.

this year's sponsors, which include: Georgia Power Co., Georgia Pacific Coi:poration, Home Depot,

Future Plans

Davey Tree Export Company, WXIA-TY, andDCA. One tool, a Chipper mascot costume that can be used to promote Christmas tree recycling at special events, is available year-round from GC&B.

Monroe County is

Previous participants should have received sign-up information. To join the program for the

completing construction of its first time in 1997 or to reserve the costume, call Carol Morris at(404) 679-3150.

9

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1996-------------------

GEFA To Award $2.5 Million in Solid Waste Grants

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) will begin accepting applications for $2.5 million in waste reduction grant funds before the end of this year. .

GEFA's 1996 Recycling and Waste Reduction Grant Program will be funded this fall from Georgia Solid Waste Trust Fund monies collected by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). EPD and GEFA are establishing the program to provide financial assistance to Georgia's local governments
for the reduction, reuse and recycling of solid waste. "Basically, any activity that would establish a new recycling program or enhance arrexisting program will qualify," said James
Thompson, program manager for GEFA. "The real

emphasis is on waste reduction. review proposed activities to

That could be composting, ensure consistency with the

source reduction, volume- community's solid waste

based rate programs-anything management plan.

that reduces the

Single juris-

amount of waste. We

dictions will be

want to expand the "T;HJTJE UrrT.At1l\l7u'7" 11'0 eligible for up to

program beyond

$100,000, multi-

recycling."

EXPAN'IJ Tll.E jurisdictional

In administering PROGRAM applications (for

the funds, GEFA

two cities or a

will participate in a B E Y 0 N' IJ city and a county)

coordinated RECYCUN'G. ,, will be eligible for

statewide waste

up to $250,000,

reduction effort

and regional

with EPD, DCA and the applications (two or more

Pollution

Prevention counties) may go up to

Assistance Division (P2AD) $500,000. Grants will be

of DNR. Input from these competitive, and appli-

state agencies will help to cations will be considered

ensure that decisions are on a first come, first served

made in consideration qf basis until the fonds are

other projects in the state, depleted.

preventing duplication and

For more information,

fostering cooperation and please contact James

support among local Thompson or Paul Burks at

governments. DCA will also (404) 656-0938.

WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30341-2231

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10

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