Waste stream journal, Vol. 2, no. 1 (Fall 1997)

THE C:t\C\5. W3
Pl wi

WASTE

STREAM

JOURNAL

:l./;

A Waste Reduction Newsletter ofthe Georgia Department of Community Affairs

* * * VOL. II NO. 1

FALL 1997

****

IT'S ON US

Winners' Circle
GCB Earns National Award

l 1 Talkin' Trash-

* * *

* * *

The Public Sector

The Private Sector

A Day to Recycle
Ga. Recycles With America

The Cate Road Landfill

As an occupation,

Local Affiliates Also Recognized
Georgia Clean and Beautiful (GCB) was awarded second place in the 1997 Keep America Beautiful State SYSTEM Awards program. A national panel of judges representing government, industry and citizen groups selected GCB from numerous state affiliates competing for these annual awards.
The awards program honors KAB state affiliates that support the growth and maintenance of the KAB system and establish leadership and networking opportunities for KAB affiliates in their respective states. It also recognizes the use of public-private partnerships to prevent litter and improve waste handling practices in communities across the affiliate's state.
"Without the assistance, endorsement and advocacy of our sponsors and partners, none of this would be possible," said Lynn Cobb, GCB coordinator. "We're also indebted to the local KAB affiliates for their support and enthusiastic participation in all of tlie programs we coordinate."

in Glynn County is hog heaven for a group of wild pigs that drops by regularly to root up the daily cover in search of food. The landfill is scheduled to close soon, and officials worry that damage caused by the hogs will increase closure costs. After some locals protested a plari to have landfill workers shoot the . swine because of the landfill's proximity to residences, the Glynn County Commission approved a plan to have archery hunters take care of the hogs.
* * *
Ready to boost PET recycling in your community? The National Association for Plastic Container Recovery (NAPCOR) has developed "PETE's Big Bin," a clear green, bottle-shaped receptacle that holds up to ten cases of single-serve PET beverage bottles. According to Resource Recycling, NAPCOR is giving away a thousand free bins to local non-profit and government organizations. The bins, made from recycled PET, can also be purchased. For information, call (704) 358-8882.
* * *
See PUBLIC on page 9: u:w

"dumpster diving" does not come without its hazards. According to a study published in The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the most common ailments reported by garbage scavengers at free health clinics are infections from lacerations. The research, spurred by the number of injuries scavengers report at the clinics, surveyed 96 people who made an average of $13.21 per day by recycling their finds.
* * *
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island will serve as GHEP's pilot hotel in the Southern Colonial Coast region. With GHEP assistance, the King and Prince launched a waste reduction, buy recycled and environmental concerns program in September. In the first phase, program participants are collecting newspaper, office paper, corrugated cardboard and aluminum .cans for recycling and are using recycled~content containers to do so. The resort will add other materials in future phases.
* * *
See PRIVATE on page 9: u:w

In This Issue

Local Awards
Georgia's local affiliates were also well represented on KAB's awards list. Five programs in Georgia received
SEE GCB on page 4: u:w

New State Solid Waste Management Plan adopted by DCA and DNR Boards. See page 2.
What do all those random letters mean? Check out our commonly used. acronyms on page 3.
1997 General Assembly Session promises excitement in the solid waste area~ See page 9.

Residents Pledge To Increase Recycling
Hope to Win Dream House
More than 200 Georgia organizations participated in Georgia Recycles Day this fall. Georgia's program was part of the first annual America Recycles Day (ARD), a national event that encouraged people all over the country to pledge to recycle more and increase their purchases of recycled products.
The participating organizations, which included nonprofits, businesses, local governments and State agencies, sponsored events to increase awareness of recycling and waste reduction issues and encourage people to sign and return pledges.
In Athens-Clark County, for example, organizers planned a recycling awareness expo-with games (such as bowling with PET bottles) and recycled-materials craftsand a "Clean Out Your Files Day" for local businesses. The community also kicked off a new aerosol can recycling program.
Rome-Floyd County sponsored an aluminum can recycling drive to benefit the local humane society. The pledge cards they collected were entered in a drawing for
SEE ARD on page 6: u:w

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1997 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

NEW PLAN SETS COURSE

FOR SWM EFFORTS

A new Georgia Solid Waste local governments in the SWJ\1

l\1anagementPlan,adoptedthis field and the resultant changing

fall by the Board of Com- need for State assistance; the

munity Affairs and the Board State's expandin_g ability to

of Natural Resources, will work with the commercial and

guide the State's SWJ\1 efforts industrial sectors on waste

over the next five years.

reduction; and improved

The new plan, which is the methods for monitoring,

first revision of the 1990 plan, reporting and tracking waste

reflects lessons learned during reduction progress.

the past seven years. Three

The shift in emphasis does

major shifts in direction form not change the overall intent

its basis: the evolving role of of the original plan-to reduce

generation and disposal of waste in Georgia and to ensure that the remaining waste is managed in an environmentally and economically sound manner.
The revised plan examines issues that have led to changes in the State's SWJ\1 policy. It lists goals and objectives that will give the State direction for addressing these issues and specific actions that comprise the scope of work to be carried out by the various State agencies during the next five years (see table for summary).

GOAL 1: To reduce the amount of solid waste generated and disposed.

Objective 1: To encourage the reduction of solid waste generated by the general public.

Objective 2: To encourage the reduction of solid waste generated by the manufacturing sector.

Objective 3: To encourage the reduction of solid waste

generated by the commercial and institutional

sectors.



Objective 4: To encourage the reduction of solid waste generated by the agricultural sector.

Objective 5: To encourage reuse and recycling by the general public.

Objective 6: To encourage reuse and recycling in state government.
Objective 7: To encourage reuse and recycling in the commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors.
Objective 8: To encourage reuse and recycling in the agricultural sector.
Objective 9: To maintain current, comprehensive information on recycling markets in Georgia and to assist public and private interests in establishing, enhancing, and utilizing these markets.
Objective 10:To ensure an environmentally sound permitting process for solid waste handling facilities that does not adversely affect waste reduction efforts.

GOAL 2: To manage solid waste in an Objective 4: To ensure that on-site industrial solid waste

environmentally sound manner.

handling.facilities are permitted and operated in

an environmentally sound manner in accordance

Objective 1: To encourage local governments to provide. for

with regulatory and statutory standards.

effective and efficient solid waste disposal services.

Objective 5: To ensure ten years of disposal capacity within the

state.



Objective 2: To ensure that all newly permitted solid waste facilities meet stringent, environmentally pro-

Objective 6: To identify and clean up all scrap tire piles.

tective siting, design, construction, operation, Objective 7: To conduct acomprehensive compliance reporting

and closure standards.

and monitoring program of solid waste handling

Objective 3: To ensure that all existing municipal solid waste

facilities.

landfills meet environmentally. protective Objective 8: To establish arisk-based corrective action program

operation standards or close, and that vertical

for municipal solid waste landfills.

and horizontal expansions of existing municipal

solid waste landfills meet environmentally

protective design and construction standards.

GOAL 3: To promote fiscally sound solid waste

management practices supported by

ongoing planning and performance

tracking.



Objective 1: To obtain and effectively utilize funds to implement solid waste management activities.

Objective 2: To seek sources of funding to facilitate applied research and commercialization of waste reduction technologies by the private sector.

Objective 3: To ensure that the reporting requirements of the Act are met.

Objective 4: To determine the effectiveness of the State's solid waste management programs and activities.

Objective 5: To encourage effective solid waste management planning and plan implementation by local governments.
Objective 6: To encourage local governments to develop financing mechanisms for solid waste management programs.
Objective 7: To encourage local governments to establish programs targeted at effectively reducing waste and providing efficient solid waste management services.
Objective 8: To encourage local governments to provide for effective and efficient collection of solid waste, recyclables, and yard trimmings.

DCA, EPD and P2AD developed the plan during the last year, with assistance and input from GEFA, the Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Building Authority, local governments, the University System of Georgia, private businesses, environmental organizations and the general public.
Issues and needs were identified through surveys and studies conducted by DCA and DNR, including a recycling rate survey and a household hazardous waste and recycling survey. A series of focus groups brought input from local governments, solid waste and recycling professionals, environmental. organizations, large waste generators, DCA's Waste Reduction Advisory Council and State agency staff.
Dr. Jim Kundell of UGA's Carl Vinson Institute of Government compiled the input received through these efforts. Dr. Kundell is also the author ofthe original plan.
The draft plan was presented at three public information meetings in September and _October and adjusted to reflect public comment.
"The planning process has been open and inclusive from the beginning," said Paul Radford, director of DCA's Planning, Information and l\1anagement Division. "The plan lays out the steps we need to take in the next five years to ensure that Georgia has a sound system of solid waste management, not just a sound recycling or disposal or pollution prevention program."
When finalized, an executive summary and complete copy of the plan will be posted on DCA's web site (www.dca.state.ga.us) . You may also call Berenice Thomas at (404) 679-3142 to request a copy or e-mail her at bthomas@dca.state.ga.us.

2

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Re-Center Opens
in Gainesville

The Reusable Resource government on its board.

Network of Georgia opened While there are only about 15

the state's first Re-Center similar centers nationwide,

in October. The Gainesville there are already plans to open

facility is accepting overruns, another center in Marietta. At

rejects and scraps from local least two other Georgia

industries for use by teachers, communities have also ex-

parents and non-profit pressed interest in opening

organizations.

centers.

The scraps received

In Hall County, the solid

usually are non-recyclable, so waste management plan calls

materials are being diverted for the establishment of a

from the waste stream. "We reuse center. As a result, the

should have a. net [waste] Network was able to work

reduction, but whether it will through th~local government

be measurable is difficult to to receive about $90,000 in

say," said Hall County Natural grant funding from EPA and

Resources Coordinator Rick GEFA. Though Southeast

Foote, "We won't know if Recycling Corporation has

reduction is from this or from made space available for a

other County programs."

facility in Marietta, funding

Housed in the hundred- is not yet available to open

year-old company store one there.

building of a defunct textile

So far, the Re-Center's

mill, the center will be staffed inventory includes burlap,

full time by the Reusable parac;hute fabric, papercones,

Resource Network. The non- plastic strapping, plastic.

profit organization, an affiliate sleeves, yarn, coated paper and

. of the Institute for Self-Active mat board, as well as other

Education in Boston, has materials. For a small

statewide representation from membership fee, schools, day-

business, schools and local care centers, home schoolers

Reusable Resource Network board members and children alike enjoyed playing with industrial scraps at the opening of the Re-Center

or non-profit organizations dealing with children can pick up materials for use in art, science or other projects.
So, is the Re-Center's main purpose to divert waste from landfills or to support schools and youth? "It's a toss up," says Phyllis Wiritter, codirector of the center.
While the Re-Center does divert waste, it also provides a valuable service for educators. A needs assessment sponsored by the Network found that more than 30 percent of Gainesville's teachers spend more than $150 out-of-pocket to purchase classroom materials each year.
According to information provided by the Re-Center, scraps from manufacturing

can be used for "self active" education, in which students learn through playful experimentation. With materials from the Re-Center, students can practice skills such as counting, grouping and categorizing to learn math or comparing, contrasting and experimenting to learn science.
Wintter said teachers from as far away as East Point and Birmingham, Ala., have expressed interest in memberships.
"Our biggest fear is running out of stuff," said Foote, also a Network board member. "The center has already had calls from teachers all overthe state. We're going to get deluged with requests."

----------------------'---~+ ~~~~~~~~~--~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GCB Ready to Judge

ACRONYMS COMMONLY USED IN

Annual Award Nominations

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL

By now you may have received your nomination for GCB's C&D Construction and Demolition

annual awards: Completed applications must be returned to GCB by January 20, 1998. Awards will be presented at a luncheon at the World Congress Center in Atlanta on March 12, 1998.
As in the past, organizations and individuals will be

DCA Georgia Department bf Community Affairs DNR Georgia Department of Natural Resources EPA U.S. Environrriental Protection Agency

recognized for outstanding waste reduction and environmental improvement efforts. For the second year, the student of the year will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation.

EPD Georgia Environmental Protection Division (DNR) GCB Georgia Clean and Beautiful (DCA) GEFA Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority

. Award categories include man, woman, public works employee and student of the year; community, business and industry, and home composting; environmental improvement and recycling by civic organizations, business and industry,

GHEP Georgia Hospitality Environmental Partnership (DCA) KAB Keep America Beautiful, Inc. MRF Materials Recovery Facility

government, schools, and youth groups; buy recycled programs; and KAB Systems.
If you or someone you know needs a nomination form, please call Rhonda Koplin at (404) 679-3152. You can also print a copy

MSW Municipal Solid Waste P2AD Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (DNR) RDC Regional Development Center

from DCA's web page (www.state.dca.ga.us).

SWM Solid Waste Management

3

GCBand Local KABs Win

during the 1997 KAB Month Chairman of Excellence Awards, while Frank Adams
was selected to receive the

National Awards

1997 Chairperson of

Not many chairmen of

~ GCB from page 1

Excellence Award for his work local KAB affiliates are with Smyrna Clean and willing to give up a long-held,

Beautiful (see article at right better paying job. to manage

1997 KAB SYSTEM Awards for more information).

the community's recycling

(see table below). These

"Georgia KAB affiliates center, so it's not surprising

awards honor community cnnsistently win national that Frank Adams stands out

affiliates working to prevent littering, improve waste

awards because they are so dedicated to waste hand-

in the crowd. Adams was named KAB's 1997 Chair-

handling practices in their ling education in their person of Excellence for his

communities and preserve the natural beauty and environment at the grass roots level across the country.
Southeast Georgia Clean

communities," said DCA Commissioner Jim Higdon. "We are particularly proud of Georgia Clean and Beautiful because their work helps the

commitment to Smyrna Clean and Beautiful (SCB) since its inception in 1984.
To Adams, the 1995 move wasn't a sacrifice, but the

Frank Adams, KAB 's 1997 Chairperson of Excellence, works at a luncheon honoring the City ofSmyrna's workers.

and Beautiful's Distinguished local affiliates thrive."

opportunity to work full-time Recycling Center.

Service Citation was the first

Winners will accept their for something he really cares

Adams' strong involve-

time a regional program has awards at KAB 's "Honoring about. It has allowed him to ment did not begin with his

ever received a KAB award. the Alliance" Awards improve the City's recycling takeover of the center, rather

Albany-Dougherty's affiliate Luncheon on Saturday, efforts by expanding markets, it culminated in it. He was a

also received first place for December 6, 1997, in improving record-keeping and mei;n_ber. of S<?B 's pre-.

Comprehensive Program Washington, D.C.

+ renovating

part of

the

. +

cert1f1cat10n served on

team the

m 1984, has Clean and

1997 KAB SYSTEM Award Winners

Population Category Beautiful Board since its

----F-ir-st_.P_l_a-ce--D-ub-l-in--L-a-u-re_n_s_C_le_a_n_&_B_e_a_u_t-ifu_l_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _15_0_0_1--3-0_0_0_0__ beginning, and has.chaired the

Albany-Dougherty Clean Community Commission 75,'000-150',000

board the last eight years. His consistent participation and

Second Place Smyrna Clean and Beautiful

30,001-50,000

leadership have given the SCB board continuity and exper-

Distinguished Service Citation

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission Southeast Georgia .Clean and Beautiful

75,001-150,000 150,001-500,000

ience that support its ongoing planning efforts.
According to SCB Coor-

dinator Ann Kirk, the key

indicator of Adams' commit-

ment isn't his past or current

involvement, but his focus on

T e eighth annual "Bring One for the Chipper" will be held Saturday, January 3, 1998, at focations throughout Georgia as citizens once again recycle their Christmas trees in exchange for red maple and dogwood seedlings.
The event-sponsored statewide annually by DCA, Georgia Power, GeorgiaPacific, The Davey Tree Expert Company, The Home Depot and WXIA-TV-has been responsible for recycling more than one million trees into mulch or wildlife and waterlife habitats over

the last seven years. Last Christmas season, 123
cities and counties across the state recycled 334,841 Christmas tress at 285 collection sites. More than

building strong programs and

100 communities have signed preparing capable leadership

up for the 1998 event. for the future. "It's a fitting

As it did last year, and well-deserved honor for a

~

GCB is organizing man who is not only an

the event and provi- outstanding chairman, but

ding participating who truly walks the walk as

communities with well," Kirk said.

publicity materials, +



'~ press releases, public state has been mailed

' service announce- information about "Bring One

ments, flyers and tree for the Chipper." Even though

hangers. "Chipper," the published signup deadline

_the official mascot of the has passed, it's not too late to

event, will again be making hold an event in your area. To

numerous appearances at sign up or to reserve "Chipper"

schools, businesses and for an event in your area, call

Christmas parades promoting David Smith at (404) 679-

the event.

3144 or reach him at

Every community in the dsmith@dca.state.ga.us.

4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
F0 0 D FI GHTs

KEEPING IT OuT Next, help

highest per- the discarded "fresh" foods,

those places find
OF THE LANDFILL or establish altern-

centage of fresh which have spoiled.

foods. Rathje

Residents can save landfill

Looking for a new way to atives to throwing

calls this "The

space (and grocery

reduce your waste stream? food away. For

Fast Lane Syn-

money!) by purchasing

Try checking your grocery example, some OF THE FOOD drome," in

only what they will eat,

cart...or the collective grocery Georgia schools cart of the restaurants, retailers compost leftovers and residents in your from their cafe-

PRODUCED FOR H U M A N

which shoppers buyfresh produce with

and by using fresh fruits and vegetables quickly; The USDA

community.

terias; using the

A recent study by the U.S. experience to

Department of Agriculture teach their stu-

CONSUMPTION IN THE U.S.

the good intention of using it and

report urges consumers to learn to prepare proper portions

(USDA) estimated that 27 dents principles in ANNUALLY IS ready made

of meals and to pay

percent of the food produced math, science and for human consumption in the p r o j e c t

THROWN OUT AS

foods in case they don't

close attention to expiration dates on

U.S. annually is thrown out as coordination.

SOLID WASTE.

have time

products, such as milk, to

solid waste. The total food

In the Atlanta

for meals

guard against spoilage.

produced for human con- area, the Atlanta

sumption was estimated at 178 million tons, meaning that 48 million .---

Food Bank collects food that would otherwise be thrown

scratch. At the end of the week, their garbage cans are filled

Information for this article was compiled from reports in Waste News, the Atlanta Joumal-

tons of food are

away by grocery with packaging from the eaten Cons ti tution and The ULS

sent to disposal

stores, restaurants pre-packaged foods as well as Report.

facilities each

and caterers and+-----------------------

year. Of the food

distributes it Use Less Stuff Day
through 700 shel-

thrown away,

ters and community

The holidays are a good

nearly two-thirds con-

groups. Meals .on time to focus on wasting less

sists of fresh fruits and

Wheels programs and food, so the Third Annual

vegetables, milk, grain church food pantries might Use Less Stuff (ULS) Day,

products and sweeteners. The offer a similar alternative to celebrated on November 21, was a

study counted food losses by disposal rn smaller good opportunity for many

retailers, consumers and food- communities.

people to start.

service establishments, not food thrown away before harvest, during transit from

For residents, the best tool for reducing food waste may be source reduction, or buying

Part of the kick-off was a nationwide Waste-Free Lunch Day. In participating schools,

Used with permission of The ULS Report

farms to stores or at the less in the first place. students who brought their lunches used reusable and

wholesale level.

According to Dr. William recyclable containers, while school lunch serving staff

Ifjust five percent were

Rathje, director of The focused on portion control so that less food went in the trash.

recovered, the nation

Garbage Project at the Uni- Schools were encouraged to start composting programs, too.

could save $50 million

versity of Arizona, the

According to The ULS Report web site (www.cygnus-

in disposal costs and

average household group.com), 27 Georgia communities or organizations

feed an additional 4

wastes between 10 participated in Use Less Stuff Day.

million people for one day.

and 15 percent (by

Even though it's too late for this year's special day, it's

0 weight) of the solid not too late to start using less stuff or to plan for your

How can communities address

food it purchases. This community to participate next year. The web site gives tips 0 0 includes only once- for. reducing waste in all sorts of areas, especially during the

food waste locally?

edible. food that has holidays. (Americans produce an extra million tons of trash

First, pinpoint places ""~ ,,jlll!lml been thrown away, not each week between Thanksgiving and New Year's compared

where large quantities of

food debris such as with other times of the year.)

food are likely being wasted. bones, peels and rinds.

If you don't have Internet access, send a self-addressed,

Consider grocery stores,

Households that purchase stamped envelope to The ULS Report, P.O. Box 130116,

restaurants and cafeterias in the highest proportion of Ann Arbor, MI 48113, and request a free copy of The ULS

schools and hospitals.

processed foods waste the YULETIDE. GUIDE: Tips and Gifts to Get More for Less.

5

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1997-----------------~

Pledges To Recycle Could Win Prizes
Irff'ARD from page 1

Georgia/America Recycles Day Quick Facts

Date:

November 15, 1997 (Events took place throughout October & November)

local prizes before they were forwarded to the State.
Pledges from all over the state inundated DCA during the last weeks of November. "We should surpass our goal of collecting 15,000 pledge cards rather easily," said Paula Longo, State recycling

Other Important. Dates:
Theme: How It Worked:

December 3 December 15

Drawing for State Prizes Drawing for National Prizes Presentation of State Prizes

Keep Recycling Working: Buy Recycled

At special events to encourage recycling, people throughout the state and country signed cards pledging to increase their

coordinator. "More than 200,000 pledge cards were distributed statewide. Signed pledges have been pouring into our office faster than we can count them."

recyclillg or their recycled product purchases. Georgia's pledges served as entries for statewide and national drawings for prizes listed below.

Organizations Involved Statewide:

About 200

At press time, the signed pledge cards were still being counted for

Pledge Cards Distributed:

More than 200,000

entry in a statewide drawing for 20 prizes, including a computer with printer donated by BellSouth and a year's supply of Coca-Cola donated by, well, you know who. (Please see the complete list of prizes at right.) The state drawing for prizes will occur on December 3.
Pledge cards will then be forwarded to national organizers, where they will be entered into drawings for the "American Green bream House" (built with recycled and environmentally friendly products and valued at $200,000) and, for kids under 18, a family Disney World vacation. Coinciding with the

Georgia Prizes & Donors

Computer Monitor and Printer Two Family Passes to Sci-Trek Museum Four Passes to Callaway Gardens Gift Certificate for Recycled Plastic Lumber Product One Ton of Crown Three Top Dressing $500 Cash Recycled Plastic Lumber Picnic Table Three $100 Goodwill Store Gift Certificates Compost Carpet Made from Recycled PET Bottles
Weekend Stay at Lake Lanier Islands Case of Re-_Refined Motor Oil Huffy Mountain Bike

BellSouth BFI Callaway Gardens Eastern Plastics, Inc.
Enviro-Cycle Fort James Corporation Georgia Power Goodwill Industries GreenCycle of Georgia Image Industries & American Plastics Council Renaissance Pine Isle Resort
Safety~Kleen
Steel Recycling Institute

national drawing, seven state winners will receive their prizes at a special presentation at Zoo Atlanta on December 15.
ARD sponsors plan to make it an annual event, so mark your calendars now for November 15, 1998. "We will be planning an even

National Prizes

Year's Supply of Coca-Cola Recycled Plastic Lumber Bird House Recycled Tire Playground Surface Family Pass to ZooAtlanta
Family Disney World Vacation American Green Dream House

The Coca-Cola Company The Plastic Lumber Company United Rubber Recycling . Zoo Atlanta

bigger and better Georgia Recycles Day for next year," said Longo. "You can help us by sending in your reports and pictures from .this year and letting us know your ideas for expanding in the future."
For more information, visit the America Recycles Day web site at:
www.americarecyclesday.org or contact Paula Longo at (404) 679-3161 or plongo@dca.state.ga.us.

State

Browning Ferris Industries

Sponsors The Coca-Cola Company

Eastern Plastics Inc.

Enviro-Cycle

Fort James Corporation

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Georgia Power Company

Goodwill Industries

GreenCycle of Georgia The Home Depot Image Industries Safety-Kleen Soft Drink Association Steel Recycling Institute Union Camp -United Rubber Recycling Zoo Atlanta

6

_ _ _ _ _ _ ___,;._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

SOUTHWIRE PROVIDES RECYCLED WIRE FOR

ED:

DREAM HOUSE

RECYCLING BUSINESSES

The American Green DreamHouse, the grand prize to be awarded to an America Recycles Day participant on December 15, will contain electrical wire and cable pro-ducts from Southwire Company, based in Carrollton.

I > THAT NEED MONEY ecycling companies expand their sales and ' seeking capital are operations.

The house is a three bedroom home to be constructed on t.he invited to attend the Third

Lawrenceville-based

site of the winner's choosing. It features an energy-efficient Annual Southeastern Re- Waste Tire Management

design and incorporates as many recycled-content products as cycling Investment Forum merged with Republic

possible, such as car-

in Charleston, S.C. on Industries after a previous

peting made from

February 23, 1998. The forum. As United Rubber

recycled plastic soda

Forum will provide Recycling, the firm

bottles and reprocessed

recycling businesses an introduced its product

paint. Al.I of the

opportunity to meet and Perma-MulchTM in retail

materials and labor for

present business plans to stores across the Southeast

the American Green

potential investors and during November.

Dream House were

financiers. To be eligible

Recycling investment

donated by companies

to participate, companies forums also serve to educate

committed to recycling

must submit business plans investors about the money-

and the environment. The electrical wire
and cable products donated by Southwire Company contain re-

With 1995 sales of $1.9 billion, Southwire is the largest producer of electrical copper and aluminum rod,
wire and cable in the U.S.

by December 1. Nearly 200 investors,
economic developers and entrepreneurs heard business plan presentations by

making opportunities that exist within the recycling industry niche. "The investment forum provides a real service to recycling entre-

cycled copper and

24 recycling companies preneurs and investors

brass. The company is combining the products with a cash from Georgia, North and alike," said Rick Defieux of

donation for a total contribution of $10,000 toward the project. South Carolina, Florida, Edison Venture Fund.

"We support this effoi:t because at the core of our business, Tennessee an.d Maryland at

Southeastern recycling

we believe recycling works and it is an integral. part of our the first two forums. The companies seeking expan-

company," said Roy Long, vice president of Southwire's copper forums gave many of these sion capital should submit

division.

companies the business business plans to the South

Though the America Recycles Day theme emphasizes the training and investment and Carolina Recycling Market

need to purchase products made with recycled content, buying economic development Development Council by

recycled is not an issue for Southwire.

contacts they needed to December 1.

"Ironically, the need to 'buy recycled' is not the problem in the scrap copper market," said Phil Tuggle, one of Southwire's scrap copper buyers. "Strong demand, especially from overseas,

Registration Ted Campbell, (803) 737-0477 or Information tcampbell@commerce.state.sc.us.

is making scrap copper more expensive. If anything, we wish Americans could find more copper for us to recycle;"

Presenter Paula Longo at (404) 679-3161 or Applications plongo@dca.state.ga.us.

~~~~~~----''----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ L__~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.......J

Buy Recycled Vendor Show A Success

When you're the host, the comments received after the recent Buy Recycled Procurement Conference and Exposition are just the kind you want to hear:
"Enlightening; well worth the time." "Informative presentations; great speakers." "Great representation from business and industry." "Plenty of time with the

vendors." "The food and snacks were good." Well, good food is important.
Government and industry purchasers attended the conference to learn the advantages ofbuying products made from recycled materials. More than 30 exhibits featuring

products ranging from compost to plastic lumber gave the 165 attendees anoppor. tunity to see the quality and availability of the products firsthand. Nationally recognized speakers, including Joel Ma:kower, editor of The Green Business Letter, and Fran McPoland, federal environmental executive, addressed the group.

For future efforts, conference organizers are looking at ways to encourage . professional purchasing organizations, such as the National Association of Purchasing Managers, to integrate buy recycled messages and priorities into their programs and procedures.
For more information on buyingrecycled, contact Paula Longo at: (404) 679-3161 or plongo@dca.state.ga. us.

7

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1997-------,--------------

EPD Announces Georgia

EPD will WHAT DO administer the

Community Environmental

You Do? Environmental
Excellence

Excellence Program

program with input from other State agencies, including

DCA, GEFA and P2AD.

Local governments can

industrial, agricultural and (pretreatment, erosion, Participation by local

take the lead in addressing environmental issues and get rewards from State agencies through EPD's new Georgia Community Environmental Excellence Program.
The environmental issues

forestry);

(2) mobile and area-wide air

emissions (cars, mowers,

solvents usage);

(3) excessive amounts of solid

wastes; and



(4) litter.

sedimentation, etc.); Comply with all envir-
onmental planning requirements, including implementation (Georgia Planning Act, watershed protection, wellhead pro-

governments is a voluntary two step process.
The first step is a community decision (resolution) to pursue environinental excellence status. Environmental conditions differ

and solutions facing Georgia

The solutions to these tection, Georgia Solid Waste from community to

today are very different from problems are .not simply Management Act); and

community, and the actions to

those of previous decades. regulatory programs. The Proceed beyond compliance achieve a quality environment

The past sources of pollution solutions include and will to establish local programs in one community will differ

to the air, water and land that heavily rely upon cities and to address nonpoint sources from those in another.

dominated the impact on counties working with their of pollution and to Therefore, a community enter-

Georgia's environment were citizens and industries to implement innovative ing the program will determine,

specific and well-defined: address land use; litter, environmental enhancement in consultation with EPD and

open dumps, uncontrolled stormwater controls, waste programs (litter control, others, the actions needed to

,,.

smokestacks and untreated reduction, pollution pre- waste reduction, pollution achieve a quality environment

municipal and industrial vention, and many other prevention, environmental and will set forth a strategy to

sewage. For the most part, environmental initiatives.

courts, etc.).

meet that goal.

these sources have been

The Georgia Community

"Waste management,

The second step is to

cleaned up and are now highly Environmental Excellence including waste reduction arid achieve and maintain environ-

controlled.

Program is one element of this litter, is just one of the mental compliance and to

The sources of pollution solution. The program is elements for communities to achieve the other goals

that now dominate Georgia's designed to assist and address when they're pursuing beyond compliance as

environment are not as spe- encourage cities and counties Environmental Excellence identified in the strategy.

cific, defined or controlled by to accomplish the following: designation," said Leamon Formal recognition as a

facility-specific environ- Achieve and maintain Scott, director of DCA's Office Georgia Environmental

mental regulatory problems. compliance with all of Waste Management.

Excellence Community will

These sources include:

environmental permits

DCA is working with its be awarded when a

(1) nonpoint water pollution (wastewater, drinking water, Waste Reduction Advisory community meets the second

(stormwater runoff from landfills, etc.);

Council on ideas to recognize step requirements.

various land use activities, Excel in running delegated such as construction, environmental programs
Happy Birthday, GCBEDA!
Judy Bowles and Joan Ellars blow out ten candles to celebrate the Georgia Clean and Beautiful Executive Directors Association's 10th birthday. The cake, held by Henry County Clean and Beautiful Executive Director Jim Menegos, was part of the
celebration at GCB s annual
Executive Directors Conference held at Red Top Mountain Lodge in September. Bowles directs the Albany/Dougherty Clean Community Commission and Ellars heads up the Marietta Clean City Commission.

communities for achieving certain levels of excellence in solid waste management. These achievements could then satisfy the waste management component of the Environmental Excellence program if the community wanted to address other areas, too. Information on the solid waste management recognition program will be announced in The Waste Stream Journal after plans have been finalized.
If your city or county is interested in this program, please contact David Word at EPD at (404) 656-4713.

WHAT Do F?~mal reco.gv G ? mt10n will
.1. OU ET. result in var-

ious rewards to local govern-

ments, including:

Recognition and bragging

rights;

Time expanded environ-

mental

compliance

schedules (if necessary);

Reduced environmental

reporting and monitoring

frequencies;

EPD technical assistance;.

Priority for grants and

reduced interest rates for

water, sewer and solid waste

loans.

8

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

SOLID WASTE INITIATIVES WILL

EPD formed a Solid Waste Ad Hoc Committee with repre-

BE STRONG IN 1998 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

sentatives of the retail tire industry, the solid waste

The Georgia General Reduction Fund,

initiatives are industry, local governments,

Assembly promises to make while Senate Bill

s p o n s o r e d and environmental organ-

life interesting for the solid 63 creates a special

by James, other izations. The Committee has

waste community this winter. recycling license

legislation could met twice, and members are

Severalbillsthatstalledduring plate to generate

also be recon- still working toward a

the 1997 Session will be eli- revenue for the

sidered. For exam- consensus. According to

gible for reconsideration in fund.

ple, two competing EPD's Mark Smith, .their

January.

James' other

bills relating to general direction seems to be

The bill that has received initiatives include a

scrap tires and the toward using funds for

the most publicity is SB 191, the state purchasing

solid waste trust research irito beneficial uses of

"bottle bill." Introduced by bill that sets

furid are pending in scrap tires.

Senator Donzella James (D- minimumrecycled.

the House. Spon-

Other pending bills include

College Park), the proposed content standards

sored by several an effort to require payment to

legislation calls for a 10 and other specifi-

representatives, the secure a permit for certain

deposit on all beverage cations for state agency paper bills both aim to change the environmental services; a

containers (except milk) as an purchases and printing and a sunset date for the trust fund, move to exempt certain items

effort to increase recycling and resolution that creates a Senate one to move it up from 2000 from state sales tax (aimed at

reduce litter.

Recycling and Economic to 1998 and the other to move Crisp County's new solid

According to a recent Development

Study it back to 2005.

waste and recovery facility);

article in the Atlanta Journal- Committee.

In response to the and an attempt to have

Constitution, 26 groups,

Though most solid introductionofthesescraptire cigarette butts specifically

including the Sierra Club and waste-related, carry-over bills during the last session, identified as litter. the Athens-based rock b a n d + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

R.E.M, have endorsed the bill. The issue has also drawn media attention, largely due to rallies around the state, most recently in Athens, Brunswick and Atlanta.
Opponents of the bill say that it burdens not only consumers and retailers, but also local governments. Beverage containers generate 73 percent of curbside recycling program revenues, according to the Georgia Soft Drink Association. Other types of .local recycling programs, such as drop-off collection centers, may also rely on revenues from. beverage containers.
Senator James has

Talkin' Trash, Public language arts and computer expects to continue operating as

rJ:F PUBLIC from page 1
When you're making your holiday wish list this season, think of things your community needs to help reduce its waste. GEFA will

science and can be adapted for Tomahawk did, primarily

middle school use. For accepting cardboard and plastics

information, call (202) 463- for recycling.

2475 or visittheAssociation's web site at www.plt.org.
* * *

***
Rock-Tenn Company of Atlanta entered into a joint

distribute another million

Here is still another way venture with Sonoco Products

.dollars in recycling and waste local governments can reduce Co., of Hartsville, S.C., to form

reduction grants and will begin waste and expenses at the RTS Packaging. According to

accepting applications some same time. Universal Waste News, the new Atlanta-

time during the first quarter of Detailing Service in Cumming based company will bring

1998. Look for an announce- resurfaces emergency light together the current partition

ment with complete details lenses for public safety businesses of the two firms and

after the holidays. Call vehicles at about one-third the will involve units that had about

GEFA's James Thompson at cost of purchasing new lenses. $150 million in sales last year.

(404) 656-0938 for more For more information, call Thepartitionsareprimarilyused

information.
* * *

(770) 888-0317.

to cushion glass during shipping. ***

sponsored five other bills and resolutions that could be reconsidered in 1998. Senate Bill 98, the "zero waste bill," establishes countywide, per capita waste reduction goals, increasing incrementally to reach 100% reduction by 2020. Senate Resolution 56 calls for creation of a Recyclirig and Solid Waste

The American Forest Association's Project Learning Tree has released a new high school curriculum that highlights the complexities of waste management and the positive impact students can make. Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste incorporates science, math, history,

Talkin' Trash, Private
rJ:F PRIVATE from page 1
Smyrna-based USA Waste Services of Georgia, a division of the third largest waste compa'.ny in the U.S., purchased Tomahawk Recycling in September. The acquisition gives USA Waste a MRF in Forsyth County. The company

Fort Howard and 1ames River Corporation recently merged to form Fort James. The new company, which has a strong presence in Georgia, is the largest tissue manufacturer in North America and the second largest in the world. The company uses nearly 2.4 million tons ofrecovered papereach year in its products.

9

THEWASTESTREAMJOURNALFALL1997...,..-_- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL DCA Solid Waste Assistance

is a quarterly publication of the Paul Radford, Director, Planning, Information & Management Division ......................... (404) 679-4934

Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Funding for this publication is provided

Leamon Scott, Director, Office of Waste Management...................................................... (404) 679-4816 Lynn Cobb, Georgia Clean and Beautiful Coordinator ...................................................... (404) 679-4910

by the Georgia Solid Waste Patty Mcintosh, Waste Reduction and Government Assistance Manager .......................... (404) 679-4853

Trust Fund.

Mark Bryant, Consultant .................................................................................................... (404) 679-4998

We welcome any comments, criticisms or suggestions for future editions. News releases

Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Full Cost Accounting, Ordinances, Variable Rates, etc.), Solid Waste Planning
Jeff Darrow, Project Manager, Georgia Hospitality Environmental Partnership .............. (404) 679-1598

are welcome. We cannot

Waste Reduction Assistance for Hospitality Industry

guarantee we will publish all Renita Davis, Consultant .............................,..... ;................................................................ (404) 679-4922

releases, but we do wish to report

Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Yard Trimmings Diversion),

I

significant waste reduction news

Solid Waste Public Information, Solid Waste Annual Report, The Waste Stream Journal

from the state and the region. Please send releases and

Bonnie Fryer, Research Assistant ....................................................................................... (404) 982-3462

correspondence to:

Rhonda Koplin, Consultant:'"' ........ (404) 679-3152

Editor

Education Training, Georgia Clean and Beautiful

The Waste Stream Journal

Paula Longo, State Recycling Coordinator ........................................................................ (404) 679-3161

:_i

Georgia Department of

Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance (Recycling, Variable Rates, Buy Recycled, etc.)

I

Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE

David Smith, Consultant' (404) 679-3144

Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231

Special Projects (Christmas Tree Recycling, Statewide Litter Reduction Campaign,

(404) 679-4922

Home Composting), Georgia Clean and Beautiful

(404) 679-0572 (fax)

Berenice Thomas, Secretary ..............:..............................................:................................. (404) 679-3142

Look for The Waste Stream Journal on DCA's web site at www.dca.state.ga.us.

Patrick Vickers, Senior Information Specialist, Office of Research and Analysis ............. (404) 679-3151 Solid Waste Management Survey and Full Cost Report

COMMUNITY NEWS ...

. . . well, what we could find of it. Trapnell expects a lot of burning. "I don't know how many individuals will go to the little extra effort [to compost]," Trapnell-

:'

In the last issue, we asked you to tell us about your community's successes, solid waste issues and upcoming events

told the Herald. "We're going to have more smoke, andI suffer from it as much as anyone."

for a new section devoted exclusively to local programs. To be honest, we didn't hear from any of you. Here are a few items. wefound, but we'd really like to know
what you think is important in your community. Please send your brief submissions (100 words or less) to:
Editor, The Waste Stream Journal, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 60 Executive Park South, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2231. If that's not convenient, faxthem to us at (404) 679-0572. If faxing is a hassle, try e-mailing us at rdavis@dca.state.ga.us. If writing is a hassle, call us at (404) 679-4922-we'll write it! The deadline for the next issue is January 15.

Rockdale County
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently profiled Chuck Boelkins, head of the Rockdale Recycling and Transfer Station, i1;1 its "Extraordinary People" column.
Boelkins has gone the extra mile to find homes for usable throw-aways that have come through his facility. Two tons of ice cream cones whose expiration date had passed became chicken feed after a search turned up an Atlanta company that could use them. "Gallons and gallons" of unopened paint-along with bricks, concrete blocks, a storm door and a water heaterare now part of houses built by Habitat for Humanity.
Open since 1993, the recycling center not only offers

City ofMetter

residents a place to bring their recyclables and reusables, but

According to the Statesboro Herald, residents of Metter are facing a smoky autumn since the City has stopped collecting yard trimmings. When Candler County closed its inert landfill

it also gives them a source of free mulch and compost. Residents may also bring a saw and take firewood from trees and limbs picked up by County crews.

in September, the City was left without a place to legally dispose

of the debris. Residents are being required to handle their yard

trimmings themselves.



The City is encouraging home composting, but Mayor Billy

All Around the State
The Fall 1997 Phone Book Roundup, a newsletter published by BellSouthAdvertising & Publishing, describes phone book

10

t: LllW

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Linking Agriculture with

Industrial Waste Reduction

Using industrial byproducts in agriculture or through composting could provide opportunities to help Georgia's farmers, cut disposal costs for industries and reduce waste at the same time.
To explore this possibility, P2AD has established an agricultural waste reduction and pollution prevention program in cooperation with UGA's Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and Cooperative Extension Service.
Several projects currently sponsored or supported by P2AD's agricultural program will serve as demonstration projects for others in the state.
AGRICULTURAL TEST PLOTS
The use of by-product soil amendments such as sewage sludge, poultry litter, wallboard, mulched yard waste, various compost mixes, and pulp and paper byproducts is being tested on crops such as cotton, peanuts, com and soybeans.

Test plots are used to evaluate environmental effects, soil quality enhancements and plant growth characteristic effects associated with use of the by-product amendments. Results will be used to show farmers how the use of municipal, agricultural and industrial by-products can help their crop production.
SUMTER COUNTY CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL
This project is demonstrating the benefits of diverting demolished building wallboard for use as a soil amendment on peanut farms. Results to date indicate that its use provides an economical alternative to disposal. Just as important, it provides a source of calcium, which is beneficial to the production of peanuts and other crops.
CITY OF DOUGLAS
This biomass composting project is testing the effectiveness of composting agricultural and urban waste materials with municipal

wastewater sludge. Various mixture.s of biosolids, cotton gin trash and mulched yard debris are being tested at the UGA Bioconversion Research and Demonstration Center to determine which mixes compost most rapidly and emit the least odor. The results of this study will be used to implement a full-scale pilot project to demonstrate the benefits of composting these by-products.
G1LMER!P1CKENS COUNTY POULTRY INDUSTRY PROJECT
Records indicate that in 1995, over 3,000 tons of poultry waste were disposed of in one landfill in north Georgia. Over 6,000 tons of dead birds are produced each year by the poultry industry located in these two counties alone.
The identification of alternatives to disposal of poultry waste is important to the stability an,d growth of the industry and to statewide

waste reduction efforts. Viable opportunities have been identified. Local government officials, solid waste managers and poultry industry representatives are working to identify the issues and barriers associated with the implementation of these opportunities.
For more information about any of these projects, contact Dr. Mark Risse, agriculture pollution prevention specialist at UGA, at (706) 542-2154.

,-1111-1.1" n11-1-

1L_.n.c-1-_1nn1',-''.--'-.1

1'-'1-'1r11c1i

n
,-

nn11-.J

r 1

www.dca.state.ga.us

You'll find: l8f' What's New at DCA
l8f' Past Issues of The Waste Stream Journal
[@" GCB Award Nomination Form

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DECEMBER
15 National Drawing for ARD 15 Presentation of State ARD Prizes

Washington, DC Atlanta

JANUARY

... COMMUNITY NEWS
recycling success stories in. several Georgia communities: The Athens program collected 42 tons of old telephone directories (OTD) from Clarke, Oconee and Madison counties, primarily through the schools... Augusta's program used drop-off locations throughout the city...Brunswick's program is being revived and will cover all of Glynn County... Cobb County was expecting to boost recovery of OTD through a new school program...Gwinnett County has collected 129.5 tons to date, a 20% increase over last year...Henry County's collection more than doubled over last year after Henry Clean & Beautiful instituted a school program and agressively promoted it in the community...Macon complemented limited curbside pick up of OTD ~ith drop-off collection sites at fire stations and city recreation centers and a special directory recycling night at a Macon Braves game...Roswell collected 240 tons, or 35.8 percent of available old phone books...Woodstock collected 60.7 tons, almost double last year's figure, representing 12.9% of total directories in circulation there.

3 7 19-22
20

Christmas Tree Recycling
Waste Reduction Advisory Council Meeting
GA SWANA Landfill Operators Certification Training Workshop
GCB Award Nominations due

Statewide Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Macon
Southern Tech, Marietta

FEBRUARY
2-6 KAB Institute for Executive Directors 23 Recycling Investment Forum

Athens Charleston, SC

MARCH
1-4 Southeast Recycling Conference & Trade Show
2-4 North Carolina Recycling Coalition Annual Meeting
12 Georgia Clean & Beautiful Annual Awards Luncheon
20-21 Georgia Conservancy's Annual Meeting
22-25 EPA Region 4 Lead-Based Paint Conference

Perdido Beach, AL Greensboro, NC Atlanta Savannah Jekyll Island

11

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL FALL1997 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Georgians Pledge to Recycle and Buy Recycled
From the ambitious overhauling of buying habits to the one small step toward making a difference, the pledges made for America Recycles Day are as varied as the Georgians who made them. Below are a few entered in the drawings. Although it's too late to qualify for a prize, it's never too late to change your habits. What will you and your community do?

I am already recycling cardboard and plastic at home. I will add cans and bottles. I will also begin to buy larger quantity (bulk) items and refills of household cleaners.
MARIETTA (Cobb County)
I will use _a recycling box for paper in my classroom.
CLERMONT (Hall County)
My husband and I will recycle all motor oil and filters for our cars. We will buy recycled products and look at labels to make sure the products that we buy are recyclable.
MACON (Bibb County)

I pledge to purchase environ- We recycle everything-all #1-

mentally friendly packaged 5 plastics, newspapers, junk

products; encourage my mail, plastic bags, cans, glass,

-retailers to provide recycled magazines, etc. We've been

products as alternatives to doing this for ten years. My

destructively made and four kids are quite used to it.

packaged products; gladly In fact, when they'relooking

celebrate the efforts of _for something, they'll often

recycling.

ask if I've recycled it. Only

~~~~~~~~- once did I recycle a_ (rather ATHENS (Clarke County) large) check...but I was able

We buy recycled products. We have a two-year old son who is totally disabled and we recycle everything from paper

to retrieve it in time! We're planning to start a compost pile.
~~~~~~~~~-
SuwANEE (Forsyth County)

to plastic. We are going to

propose a recycling program I have been recycling all my

to our neighborhood watch life. I will teach kids to recycle

group.

and not waste anything.

~~~~~~~~~-

LITHONIA (DeKalb County)

CLEVELAND (White County)

G'ORG\t.
[I will] buy more recycled items; support and participate in recycling events; teach classes for youth through 4-H clubs, scouts, and classroom. Continue my strict household recycling program in effect since 1981. I believe!
MONROE (Walton County)
I commit to buy recycled at home and work; think before I buy; encourage the use of recycled-content products at work; and recycle my used motor oil. All in all, reduce, -reuse, recycle.
ATLANTA (Fulton County)

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329-2231
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 1 (800) 736-1155 (TDD).
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please call us or return the mailing label to have your name removed from our mailing list. Thanks!
12

*Printed on Recycled Paper