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 Pre-sorted First Class U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2431 Atlanta, GA An Equal Opportunity Employer If you are disabled and. would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please contact the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at (404) 679-4915 or l (800) 736-1155 (TDD). If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please call us or return this mailing label to have your name removed from our mailing list. Thanks! 10 *Printed on Recycled Paper