Waste stream journal, Vol. 4, no. 1 (Winter 2000)

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WASTE

STREAM

JOURNAL

4/1

A Waste Reduction Newsletter of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs

* * * VOL. IV NO. I

WINTER2000

**** IT'S ON US

ARD in Georgia

.Talkin' Trash

Statewide Pledges, Events Increase

* * *
The Public Sector

* * *
The Private Sector

Recycling Attention

Keep Barrow Beautiful, The 1998 National Postin cooperation with the Consumer Plastics Recycling

Barrow County Marshal's Study shows that the annual

Office, other county amount of post-consumer
Governor Roy Barnes departments, and Georgia plastic bottles recycled in the

Issues Proclamation to DOT, conducted an un- United States increased to

Begin Area Activities

announced sign sweep that 1.45 billion pounds during removed unlawful signs from 1998, representing a 7 percent

county and state rights ofway. increase in the pounds .of

Once again, Georgians pledged to recycle more and buy recycled products as they celebrated the third America Recycles Day in Georgia. A total of 14,708 Georgians signed pledge cards and took part in nearly 200 events across the state.
Barbara Mason, Director of America Recycles Day in Georgia, was pleased with the wide-range of events sponsored by the numerous groups throughout Georgia.
"The participation we had across .the state was just

.

The executive director of. Keep Barrow Beautiful, Shannon Navarre, said thatthe local citizens expressed their desire to experience the pastoral beauty of Barrow County before growth causes these scenes to disappear.
"Real estate agents, local developers, and local businesses have been warned in the past that the placement of bootleg signs on rights of way is against the law,'' Navarre said. "We do our best to try to find a balance between commerce and environmental protection."

unbelievable," Mason s.aid.

Last year over four

This past year's events weekends, the group removed

kicked offNovember 1O; at the close to 1,000 signs. This fall,

bottles recycled compared to the previous year. Since 1990, plastic bottle recycling has increased six-fold.
"Recycling of all plastic bottles (e.g. milk, soft drink, shampoo, and detergent) increased 7 percent, or 89 million pounds last year," said Pete Dinger, American Plastics Council's director of technology. "Recycling of PET soft drink, PET custom, HDPE natural, and HDPE pigmented bottles all increa:;;ed during the year, bringing the overall recycling rate to 23.5 percent."
The study also shows that the installed capacity to recycle plastic bottles greatly

Georgia State. Capitol with Governor Roy E. Barnes

the group removed 692 during this one-day endeavor.

exceeds the supply. of postconsumer plastic material.

reading a proclamation ''We have had positive ".The capability exists to designating November 15 as comments from the public,'' recycle twice as much plastic

America Recycles Day in Georgia.

Navarre said. "Cars were slowing down to thank us."

material as is currently processed," he said.

"It is a great honor of mine

to declare this America Recycles Day in Georgia,''

***
Renewal Atlanta, which at

***
The Georgia Chapter of

Barnes said before presenting one time was the City of SWANA recently held its

the proclamation to Mason. Fran McPoland, the Chair of

See PUBLIC on page 8: 1&

See PRIVATE on page 8: 1&

the White House Task Force on Recycling, also spoke

In This Issue

about the local importance of

this national event.

Recycling on Georgia Military Bases, pg. 4.

"I had my choice of places America Recycles Day Prize Winners, pg. 7.

to go to celebrate America Recycles Day,'' McPoland

Erasing the Writing on the Wall, pg. 9.

said. "Georgia was one ofthe Keep Georgia Beautiful Hosting Annual Awards Luncheon, pg. 11.

Tool/or Governments
New Video Offers
Educational 'liew
of Composting
Spotlight Shines on City.of Douglas' efforts
The Department of Community Affairs has produced a video aimed at local governments contemplating a large-scale composting program. The video showcases the City of Douglas' composting program that has proven to be successful for the rural, south Georgia town.
The informational video, "Managing Biosolids Through Composting: A Community Approach,'' highlights how Douglas found a cost-effective and beneficial solution for managing two widely available organic materials yard trimmings and biosolids.
"The video provides a beneficial tool for local governments throughout Georgia to use in order to judge whether a program of this type would be the right fit for their community,'' said Rachel Cochran, formerly of DCA, who helped develop the video. "It is a great educational tool and model for other local governments to follow as long as a community has all of the pieces of the project to make it work correctly."
As the video explains, Douglas' distribution of their compost began in 1998, although the vision for the program began several years prior to that. Like many other

SEE ARD on pg. 6: 1&

SEE VIDEO on pg. 3: 1&

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL WINTER2000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chipper Celebrates First Environmental Event ofNew Millennium

Christmas Tree Recycling collection sites on the day of the event.

Gains Warm Reception Thanks to Mild Weather

"Their dedication to this program year after year is what makes 'Bring One For the Chipper' an annual success," she

added.

Once again this year, hundreds of The program, sponsored by DCA, The

thousands of Christmas trees were Home Depot, Georgia Power, Georgia-

collected and recycled as the 10th annual Pacific, The Davey Tree Expert Company,

"Bring One For the Chipper" successfully and WXIA-TV, has been

led off environmental events in the state responsible for the

for this new millennium.

collection and recycling

A total of 140. local governments and of nearly three million

organizations held Christmas tree Christmas trees since

collection. and recycling events the inaugural recycling

throughout the state at 450 locations.

event in 1990.

Many locations collected Christmas Nearly all of these

trees from the day after Christmas through trees were chipped into

the day of the event - January 8.

mulch, but a growing

"We always like to have the event on number of trees are

the first weekend ofthe year because most being deposited into

people tend to .take down their tree after lakes for use as fish

New Year's Day,'' said Heather Leo, who habitat, or into forests

coordinated the event for Keep Georgia for use as wildlife

Beautiful.

habitat.

"With New Year's Day falling on a As they have every

weekend this year, we really had to wait
unt11 the folfowi.ng weekencrfo lioid iJ:i{( --

official event. But the trees have to go

somewhere, so many sites opened early

to prevent the trees from being illegally

dumped," Leo said.

The goals of the event have been to

collect and recycle Christmas trees that

would otherwise be destined for other

forms of disposal, while educating the

general public on the importance of

environmental conservation.

"The program continues to grow, and

with that comes the opportunity to educate

thousands ofGeorgians on the importance

of recycling and caring for the

environment," Leo said.

Although trees are still being chipped

across the state and the total number of

trees collected will probably not be known year, the sponsors of the event

until March, Leo said that a combination donated 100,000 tree seedlings,

of factors led to what appears to be a which were given away in

record Christmas tree collection and exchange for residents dropping

recycling event.

off their Christmas tree at

"Thanks in part to the mild weather, designated locations. A total of

the dedicated coordinators in just about one million tree seedlings have

every county helped boost the total of been given away since the

trees collected this year," she said. program's inception in 1991, Leo

"Although we supply the local said.

coordinators with all of the materials and The event was organized again

information, they do all of the legwork, this year by Keep Georgia

including finding .volunteers to run the Beautiful, which supplied all

2

participants with publicity materials, press releases, public service announcements, flyers, tree. hangers, promotional signs, directional signs, and any other technical assistance needed by the participating locai governments.
The annual eve1 ur 1orts the state's
yard trimmings b<; , l
A dump truck (top) arrives at The Home Depot in Smyrna to deliver 21 Christmas trees from the Governor's Mansion. Georgia First Lady, Marie Barnes (left), gets involved in the action by feeding trees into a chipping machine. A local resident (bottom) loads his truck with the resulting mulch and wood chips.

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

Composting Video Offers Advice
continued from page 1

cities in Georgia, Douglas was faced with a dilemma in 1996 when yard trimmings were banned from Subtitle D landfills across the state. What began as a yard trimmings grinding project quickly grew into a much larger program.
"When we were chipping the yard waste we were giving away about 50% of the final product, but now we are giving away 100% of the compost," said. Douglas City Manager Danny Lewis.
The city decided to collect the two waste streams from its 14,000 residents and, through composting, turn it into a product that benefits the environment and reduces the city's waste disposal costs.
The dewatered biosolids are transported to the composting site, where it is layered between two sections ofmulch and formed itito windrows 5feet high, 10-feet wide at the bottom, and 3-feet wide at the top. A windrow turner mixes the pile every three to five days to produce a final product in about five weeks.
The result is Douglas Natural Pride Compost, and it is being used at more than 200 locations throughout the City ofDouglas and Coffee County. The compost is also given away free to residents of the city.
To begin, Douglas arranged for technical assistance from the University of Georgia Bioconversion Research and Education Center, and financial assistance for equipment and start-up costs through GEFA's Recycling and Waste Reduction Grant Program.
The funding was necessary to get the program jumpstarted, Lewis explains, but the program pays for itself through cost avoidance and

disposal savings. "The question is not how do
you convince the politicians to do it, it's how do you convince them not to do it," Lewis said. "Look at what we were paying just for tipping fees and you can see that the program makes sense."
Lewis explained that the program's capital costs, those expenditures for equipment arid professional consulting, totaled $270,000: The annual operating costs total about $118,000 annually.
But the costavoidance - the savings associated with not having to dispose of these waste streams in a disposal facility - is substantial. The cost avoidance is nearly $500,000- annually - a $150,000 savings in wastewater disposal and a savings of nearly $350,000 from the yard waste.
Lewis cautions, however, that a large~scale composting facility is not feasible for every community. There are a number ofthings to consider including: feedstock, or types of organic materials to be composted; site selection; equipment needs and start-up costs; partnership options; chemically testing organic materials; end use and markets for compost; and the necessary environmental regulations and permits required by EPD.
The City of Douglas was able to counter each of these challenges, the yard waste was easily available, and an 8-acre site was available near the wastewater treatment plant.
If you are interested in starting a large-scale composting program and would like to receive a copy of the free, 17-minute composting video (VHS), please contact David Smith at
DCA (see page 10).

Total Cleanup of McDuffie County

LandfilfFir Co1Ilcf Cost $650,000

A n6ariy month~long fire. in. Thoms~n.was finally.

for, extinguished at a Jajldfill .that has remained controversial several years. The J22~acre Willia.ms-Mesena Road

landfill caughtfire on September'9, 1999; after being cfosed

by EPP in 1991. The fire was discovered when firefighters,

called in to fight. a related brus.h fire,. discovered flames

coming frdh;i under the ground. . . .

..

'Seventy dump-Jruck foads of sand were finally poured

into holes that were created by flatrles and escaping gases

t() snuff out the oxygen feeding the blaze and prevent it froill spreading, ~everal hotspots were continuing to .be

detected, however, weeks. after the. blaze was under control.

.Officials from EPD and the Ge()rgia Forestry Cominiss.iqn.

. feared that: the material in the. landfill - rubber shoe soles,

medical waste and drums of industrial waste - could .cause

hazardous. emissions, although none we.r:e detected. The

exactin:ventofy of i:he materials buried at tlie landfill is not

known, which madefighting the fire even tougher.

EPD closed the site in 1991 for numerous violations .

including the unauthorized acceptance of o.ut-of-state

medical waste, and other hazarqous materials. The landfill

began accepting waste in. the 1940s, long. before any

consideration was given to what was placed in the ground

and thefuture. harm itcould potentially cause. .

One of.fue. problems that plagued the area surrounding

'the laridflll prfortothe fire ',\'.as drillking well contamination.

Ponds and wells 1lear the landfill are currently being tested

for. contaminants to. help' EPD determine what. kind of

cleariup. activities are needed at the site.

EPD has been unable to locate the site's owner, but it did

for issue an administrative.order that resulted in 10 parties
joining togetherfo pay the firefighting work.. . . . . .

EPD had already been working with .the responsible

companies and indivl.duals to organize an evalUation and

possible cleanup.of the site. ,EPbhas identified numerous

other parties that could be responsible for problems at. the

site, but so.far they.have refused to participate inthe cleanup.

Although the fire was initially believed to be COD:tained

to just five acres, the burning undergroutidwaste spread

aloi:ig trenches throughout the site.

.

Officials have est.imated that the total cost of fighting the

fire could. rim as high as $650,000.

UGA Plans Compost Awareness Week
Even during the darkest nights ofwinter, it won't be long before spring is here. The University of Georgia is preparing for the change ofseasons by hosting a number ofevents during Compost Awareness Week - May 1-5. They will hold a Compost Field Day for schoolchildren on May 2, and a Composting Open House on May 3. The week will conclude with a Compost Facility Operators Training, May 3-5. All events will take place in Athens. For more information about the field day or open house, contact Julia Gaskins at{706) 542-1653. For information about the training, contact Cathy Felton at (706) 542-3086.

3

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNALWINTER2000-.- - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - - - - - - -
Diverting Waste on Military Bases:

Mandates boost diversion efforts at Robins, Fort Benning

While local governments continue to strive toward improving recycling figures; military bases across the state continue to post impressive waste diversion numbers:
All of the ' recycling programs taking place on military bases were developed under Federal, State, and Department ofDefense (DoD) regulations, an.d waste reduction goals on bases are mandated by Executive Order.
EO 13101, "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention; Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," requires federally owned and operated facilities to establish goals for solid waste diversion. The DoDhas set a waste diversion rate of 40% by FY2005.
Two military installations in particular - Fort Bemiing near Columbus and Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins have developed comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs to meet and exceed the Federal, State, and DoD recommendations.
The DoD has an important impact on the state's economy, but it is also a major waste generator. But the efforts that the 13 installations are making toward the waste diversion goal have succeeded.
The efforts of just Robins and Fort Benning have diverted nearly 30,000 tons of waste from disposalin 1998.
In west-central Georgia, the Unit.ed States Army Infantry Cent.er and Fort Benning has a long, proud history of implementing actions well characterized .by the theme "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
Although Fort Benning has

an extensive environmental Significant growth has led to figures as the baseline.

program ranging from the the enhancement of the A basewide Qualified

management of endangered facility, an increase in its size, Recycling Program Council

species to ,stormwater and an increase in its was established to . head the

management and hazardous processing efficiency, not to efforts, and it contracted with

waste management, it is the mention the decrease. in the an outside provider of

recycling program that has the amount of material landfilled. recycling services to handle

greatest visible impact.

In 1998 the RMPF the collection and marketing

Efforts to recycle waste processed over 2,560 tons of of the recyclables. After

materials date back to the material for recycling, which issuance of the contract,

earliest days of the post, but was a 55% increase over the recycling service to residents

recently Fort Benning has amount processed in 1997. increased from 25% to 100%.

Coupled with an intensive

educational effort, Robins'

waste diversion efforts have

resulted in a 58% reduction in

waste disposal to the landfill

from its 1992 baseline. The

1998 data also shows that 45%

of the waste stream at Robins

was recycled or reused, which

equates to, approximately

6,400 tons of materials.

Includedin the figures from

Robins is the approximately

3,500 tons of yard waste and

50 tons of horse stable waste

that is composted each year.

About 25% of the, material,

Workers at the Fort Benning recycled materials processingfacility stand in front ofsome ofthe 650 ions ofcardboard that was collected at the facility and recycled in 1998.

which is composted in cooperation with. the City of Warner Robins, is returned to the base for beautification

proactivelypromoted a formal With a 75% participation projeets.

recycling program.

rate, nearly 1,000 tons of Stephanie Bush, a specialist

The major component ofthe recyclables are collected with P2AD, said that the major

Fort Benning "Follow Me" annually through its curbside difference between the

recycling program is the program. On average, success of the waste diversion

recycled materials processing participating families programs on military bases

facility (RMPF). The RMPF contribute about 500 pounds and those practiced by local

was constructed with Army per household annually.

governments is the mai;idates

funding and began operating Just 100 miles to the east, that are set forth by the federal

in 1993. The RMPF has Robins Air Force Base has government and the DoD.

evolved into the center of the already surpassed the DoD "The military programs are

recycling program, with its goal and has exceeded the very unique because some of

reach stretching to all comers even loftier Air Force goal of the programs are mandated,"

of the installation.

, a 50% diversion of waste.

she said. "But there are some

Everything from c.ardboard A solid waste study in similarities, and local

and paper products to cans, August 1993, gave the base governments could learn a lot

glass, and scrap wood is four years to meet the goal, if they are willing to partner

processed through the facility. using its 1992 solid waste with a local military base.".

4

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

Local Governments Needed for Great American Cleanup

The largest organized litter cleanup is taking place in communities across the country, and local governments in Georgia are being urged to sign up for this event.
Keep Georgia Beautiful is organizing the fifth annual statewide litter cleanup, the "GreatAmerican Cleanup," in association with the national campaign designed by Keep America Beautiful.
Formerly known as "Let's Keep Georgia Peachy Clean," the "Great American Cleanup" is the nation's largest organized cleanup, beauti~ fication and community improvement program.
Acro.ss the country in 1999, more than 2 million people volunteered to pick up millions oftons oflitter, renew hundreds of parks, plant thousands of community gardens, beautify thousands of

miles of roadways, and cleanup rivers, lakes, streams, and seashores in the'ir community.
Locally, groups in 122 of Georgia's 159 counties held some sort. of cleanup event. More than 23,300 volunteers donated 102,300 hours to clean 3,300 miles ofroadway,
remove 117 illegal dumpsites, and remove a total of 1.15 million pounds ofwaste from sites in Georgia. "Everybody across the state chipped in and made Georgia a more. beautiful place to live, work and play," said
Heather Leo, the statewide coordinator for the event. "We were able to surpass every goal we set."
Last year's national event was kicked offin Georgia with the start of the record-setting "Mow Across America." Brad Hauter mowed 5,100 miles across the United States,

Volunteers from the Rome-Floyd.Clean Community .Commission admire the clean roadside after last year's GreatAmerican Cleanup.

beginning in Atlanta and finishing two months later in California: . The event raised $200,000 for KAB' and its affiliates.
Among the hundreds of events throughout the .state were several high-profile events. More than 1,300 volunteers donated their time to build 25 houses in one week as part of a litter-free Habitat For Humanity event in Americus, which was held in conjunction with Keep. Sumter Beautiful.
In another marquee event, Coca-Cola invited 200 high school students from across the country to participate in a cleanup in Atlanta.
This year~s event will take

place between March.JO and May 15, Leo said.
"In the past we have concentrated on a two week period," she said. "But there are so many other environmental and charity events that take placeinApril, that we decided to expand the dates of our event to help minimize conflicts."
.Every local government in Georgia and every other organization that participated last year has been sent information about this year's "Great American Cleanup." If you have not received information and would like to . participate, please contact Heather Leo {please see page 10).

.

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Athens~Clarke County Receives Helping Hand with Landfill Contamination

Athens~Clarke County has recently received financial

assistance from EPD to help with the multimillion-dollar

contamination cleanup and containment costs at the .old

Lexington Road Landfill.

The two. oldest secL_, of the landfill have been

monitored sincp ' '8 after landfill employees 'noticed the

well-water,,

1 been drinking had become clouded.

EPD pro ic .xtensive testing and determined that the

landfill was c0ntaminating the. area's groundwater with

traces ofvinyl chloride, chromium, lead, benzene, and other

toxic substanc;es.

.



The site is adjacent to the area?sclliTent landfill, which is

operating under the. federal Subtitle D guidelines requiring

an impermeable clay base under a liner. Even if the liner

breaks, the clay boundary should prevent any contamination

to the groundwater.

.

EPD is providingAthens-Clarke County with $800,000,

and the.consolidated government should eventually receive

the maximum state payout of $2 million. The Georgia

legislature created a cleanup fund by levying a ~0-cent per

ton surcharge on allsolid waste entering landfiils in Georgia.

. Cleanup costs are currently estimated at $10 million,

which includes placing a clay cap on the landfill, buyillg

several homes near the landfill, comiecting as many as 30

other homes to a public water: supply, and planting trees.

Other costs will include continued monitoring of the closed

portions of the landfill for 30 years.

.

lri 1994, Clarke County voters approved a $6 million sales

tax referendum to covedandfill cleanup costs. The Athens-

Clarke County Comm.ission chipped in an additional $2.6

million from.sur:plus funds. .

.

As of)998, more than' 120 MSW landfills in Georgia

reported violations in established groundwater standards.

.Sixteen facilities are currently undergoing cleanups.

5

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL WINTER2000 - - - - - - - - - - . , . . . . - - - - - - - - -
America Recycles Day in Georgia

America Recycles Day
continuedfrom page 1

places I really wanted to go to."
McPoland, who is responsible for all federal recycling programs and implementing all Executive Orders pertaining to recycling, stressed the importance of completing the recycling loop by buying recycled.
"Putting it on the curb is only part of the solution," McPoland said. "If we don't look in the hardware stores, stationary stores, and grocery stores, we are not doing the job we are supposed to be doing.

Th.at is what America Recycles Day is all about."
Many communities .across the state held special events to celebrate America Recycles Day. Keep Sandy Springs/ North Fulton Beautiful hosted a weeklong series ofevents to raise awareness in the community, said Karin Zarin, executive director of the organization.
The KAB affiliate held a compost bin sale that resulted in 1,710 bins being sold. If each unit is put to full use, Zarin said, 555 tons of waste

Georgia Governor Roy E. Barnes (right) stands with (from left to right) FranMcPoland, Gloria Hardegree, Barbara Mason, and Larry Walker after Governor Barnes issued a proclamation recognizing November 15 as America Recycles Day in Georgia.

Environmental singer John Paul Walters entertains students gathered at North Springs High School during an America Recycles Day event sponsored by Keep Sa11;dy Springs-North Fulton Beautiful.

would be diverted from and one-mile fun run that is

landfill disposal annually.

both a foot race and a race to

The group also invited . save the planet. More than

environmental entertainer 165 runners participated in

John Paul Walters to perform this year's race.

10 concerts over a five-clay Other events in the state

period, which attracted more included Hall Clean Council,

than 2,500 local students.

Inc., participating in the Mule

"His musiC really touches Camp Springs Market by

your heart,'' Zarin said. "His providing a recycling

songs are a great way to get our program. Also, Keep Crisp

message to kids. Through the Beautiful held a "Make a

songs, the kids respond Difference Day,'' and handed

positively with actions in the out pledge cards when people

community." .

donated used clothing.

The affiliate also hosted the The Athens/Clarke County

North Fulton Cleanup, a buy- Recycling Division mailed

recycled product exposition, ARD pledge cards to residents

and the second annual "The in their water, garbage and

Race to Recycle'' - a SK race utility bills.

President Clinton Issues Proclamation for America Recycles Day

The following text is taken from President Clinton's proclamation for America Recycles Day, issued November 15, 1999.
In .he. proclamation, President Clinton wrote:
"Recycling is one of the great success stories in America's crusade to protect our environment and preserve our natural resources. Americans have undergone a fundamental change in attitude about recycling during the past

four decades. Where most Americans and many industries were once unmindful of our resources and careless in disposing of waste materials, people across our country now recognize the importance of recycling and have made it part of their daily routines.
"The most effective way we can ensure the continued s~ccess of recycling in America is to expand markets for products that contain recycled materials. Buying

recycled products conserves resources, reduces water and air pollution, saves energy, and creates jobs.
"America Recycles Day unites business and industry, environmental and civic groups, and local, state, and federal government agencies to encourage recycling. This partnership challenges all businesses and consumers in America to increase their purchases of recycled products, to boost their

recycling efforts, and to start new recycling programs.
"The theme for this year's observance - 'For Our Children's . Future ...Buy Recycled Today' - reminds us ofthe profound and long-term implications ofthe actions we take today. By using products with recycled content and creating new markets for such products, we will conserve America's precious natural resources for the benefit of
generations to come."

6

- - - - - - - - - - ' - - - - - ' - - - - - - - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
America Recycles Day in Georgia

Essays Highlight Recycling Efforts

The Steering Committee for America Recycles Day in Georgia spol1sored an essay contest entitled "Back to the Recycling Future."
The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation awarded each winnera $500 savings bond at a presentation at the State Capitol. Winners were chosen from all entries in the three categories. - elementary school, middle school, and high school.
"This year's entries indicated that students are thinking more realistically and more creatively," said the GRC's Gloria Hardegree, "about personal responsibility as it relates to environmental issues."

America Recycles Day in Georgia Creative Writing Contest Winners
Elementary School Winner Jessica Wolf, Fifth Grade Home-Schooled
Middle School Winner Emily Cassandra, Eighth Grade Pinecrest Academy
High School Winner Huck Holder, Ninth Grade Eastside High School
Emily Cassandra, an eighth-grader from Cumming, reads her award-winning essay during ceremQnies at the State Capital.

Weyerhaeuser Honors Schools

Larry Walker of Weyerhaeuser and Gloria Hardegree of the Georgia Recycling Coalition congratulate one of the winning schools.

Ten Georgia schools were honored with the Weyerhaeuser Excellence in School Recycling Award on November 10, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The winning schools were:
+Austin Elementary - Dunwoody +Barnett Shoals Elementary - Athens +Barnwell Elementary - Alpharetta +Battlefield Elementary ~ Ft. Oglethorpe +Gwin Oaks Elementary - Lawrenceville +Sugar Hill Elementary - Sugar Hill +Yargo Elementary - Winder +I.A. Dobbins Middle School Powder Springs +Rome Middle School - Rome +Woodland High School - Cartersville

America Recycles Day In celebration ofAmericaRecyclesDay in Georgia, residents were fnyitedto buy recyded, recyr::lemore,

Georgia Prize Winners orsupport a local r;ecycling event. Allpledges were entered into a random. drawing for local priz.es, and fo.rwarded to the nationaldrawingfor the

DrawingheldDeceniber 1, 1999

"American Green Dream House, " which will be awarded on J)ecember 15, 2000.

Computer and Printer Melissa Foster, Covington

Video Camera Pamela R. Ware, East Point

$1,000 Carpeting Gift Certificate
Shelia A.Jones, Macon

Computer and Printer Rebecca Smith, Auburn
Hom.e Depot Kit #1 Melanie M. Dickenson, Macon
Home Depot Kit#2 Ashley SI1lith, Bogart
Home Depot Kit #3 Courtney O'Connor, Warm~rRobins

One-Year Newspaper Subscription Crystal Wain\Vright, Reynolds
Recycled Plastic Lawn F.urniture Lorie White, Byron
Girl's Bicycle Quintella Thomas, Colbert
Boy's Bicycle Andrew Byrd, Covington

1-Year Supply ofGlass Bottled Soft Drinks

Charles Gratton, Lawrenceville



$500 Savings Bond Matt Wood, Cumming

State prizes sponsors include: I'he American Plastics Council, Anchor Glass, Augusta Newsprint, BellSouthAdvertising & ['ublishzng Co,, BFI, CycleTex, :Fibres International, Georgia Polytech, The Hom(! Depot, Image Ca~pets, Regional Recycling, Turnex, Inc., United Plastics Recycling, Wilson .Waste, and Waste Management/Recycl~America:

7

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL WINTER2000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - -

Kornegay Steps Down as President of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation

After serving as president of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation for two years, Tom Kornegay stepped down from the position in December. He will, however, remain involved with the organization as a board member and as a member of the executive committee.
Kornegay s:;i.id thatalthough a two-year term is not stipulated in the by-laws, he feels that his term was long enough to get many initiatives accomplished and provide continuity. At the same time, he said, periodic change can be healthy.
Under his leadership, the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation went from a small core offour or five active board members to a full working board of 23 members.
"I take great pride in seeing the board grow to more than 20 members that represent a diverse .array of interests and perspectives. That was always my vision," Kornegay said. "But I'm most . proud of getting to a point where we have a strategy in place that will serve .as a roadmap for the Foundation in the future."

Kornegay, the Manager of Plastics for a diverse array of individuals and

Issues Management for BP Amoco industries to work hand-in-hand with the

Chemicals, has served on the board for public sec.tor to advance the Keep

four years. He was namedsecretary of America Beautiful system and other

the group before accepting the role of environmental education initiatives in the

president when Horace Hudson resigned state." he said.

in 1997.

The Keep Georgia Beautiful

"The Keep Georgia . Beautiful Foundation was created to provide

Foundation represents a rare opportunity financial support for environmental

education programs relating to improved

handling and disposal of solid waste.

"The Keep Georgia Beautiful

Foundation board and the DCA staff

represent an incredibly bright and

dedicated group of individuals,''

Kornegay said. "I ow<e them a debt of

gratitude and I will always cherish this

. experience."

Kornegay said he will continue to serve

on the Keep America Beautiful Education

Committee on the national level.

Dave Sheffield, Environmental Affairs

Manager at Pactive Advanced Packaging

Solutions, was named president of the

Foundation and took office in January.

Public

Private

tGTTALKIN' TRASH from page 1

WFTALKIN' TRASHfrom page 1

Atlanta's recycler, was ordered to clean up a 1O~acre site on North Avenue used in its former operation.
A judge made the order after . jailing the company's president for failing to pay $3,339 in fines and failing todean up the waste under a probation agreement. The charges were eventually dropped by the court after an October. hearing due to a procedural error.
Carl Smart, Director of Neighborhood Conservation for the City of Atlanta's Department of Planning, Development and Neighborhood Conservation, explained that although cleanup efforts have begun on the site, there is a long way to go before he is satisfied with the results.
"Work has begun, but it is very slow," Smart said. "The neighborhood and the city have not been pleased with the results up to this point.

annual Landfill Equipment Systems, Inc., has been

Road-E-0, which attracted selected by the Southeastern

equipment operators from Technology Center in

across the state.

Augusta, to operate an

The SWANA Road-E-0 AerobicLandfillProjectatthe

was established to promote Langley Landfill in Aiken

professionalism on the part of . County, SC. The purpose of

the equipment operators and to . the project is to evaluate ihe

create a spirit of competition effectiveness of aerobic

and good will through the landfills in different waste

partieipating organizations. types and compactions.

Christopher Josey, an Previously, ECS success-

equipment operator from fully demonstrated this

Augusta-Richmond County, technology at Columbia

was the overall winner, County's Baker Place

followed by Bobby Leonard Landfill, and Atlanta's Live

and LeRoy Fletcher, both Oak Landfill. Each of the

from the Dalton-Whitfield landfills experienced rapid

Regional Solid Waste stabilization of municipal

. Management Authority.

solid waste, improved

Josey recently finished fourth in the International Scraper Competition, which took place in Scottsdale, AZ.
***

leachate quality, and reduced leachate, methane, and odor.
***
Waste Management Inc., has stretched its stake in

Environmental Control northeast Georgia by

expanding its R&B Landfill in Homer. The $3 million expansion includes a riew 13acre cell, the refurbishing of a number of buildings, and the construction of a new scale house.
Waste Management acquired the site five years ago before the site was lined and was taking in less than 50 tons perday. Since then two Subtitle D .cells have been constructed, but they are both nearing capacity..
The landfill currently accepts 1,500 tons per day, and plans call . for construction of 21 cells with a total remaining capacity of between 20 and 25 years.
The landfill has 24 million cubic yards of permitted capacity remaining. Work is scheduled to begin on a fourth cell at the site next year.
The R&B Landfill serves a 10county area m northern Georgia.

8

&raffiti/flt.irts Program
'Qffers P~ntion Toqls .

Waking up this morning, vandalism occur in areas with

people in communities just obsolete faeilities, poor street

like yours discovered that their lighting,. overgrown lots, low

property, .their street, or their community morale and very

neighborhood had changed little pedestrian traffic.

overnight. They awoke to the sight of
graffiti, left behind by someone with no respect for public or private property. It

Increased resident anxiety, economic decline, and the escalation of even more serious crimes results when graffiti is left unattended in

Local Commiinitles Find'
Success in firaffiti Battle

was probably done by vandals, young adults and children, bored with nothing to do and seeking a means ofexpression.
Over the past two decades, graffiti has become a growing problem for many cities in the United States. In recent years, graffiti writing has even spread

communities. The fear associated with graffiti is more pervasive and damaging to communities than the number of associated criminal acts.
The program addresses the misinformation and the misportrayal of the problem both in the media and on the

Barrow County
Graffiti isn't a big problem in Barrow County. However, should it ever become one, Keep Barrow Beautiful is ready to apply eradication, education and enforcement initiatives outlined in the Graffiti Hurts kit. Meanwhile, Keep Barrow Beautiful .continues its proactive approach by providing preventive information to newsletters, civic groups, newspapers and businesses.

to neighborhoods in rural and street.

Albany/Dougherty County

suburban areas.

The Graffiti Hurts program

A 1.995 study by the also comes with a kit that has

National Graffiti Information been developed that includes

Network estimates the national information about eradication

;c:o~s~ts~!o~Ifr:G:;""'.RA=-""':'"-= ;F::::F:-::1T=. ::1.,, .:..c11t1r,~

to be approximately $7 billion. To combat this growing problem, Keep America Beautiful, Inc., developed a program called Graffiti HurtsCare for Your Community, through a grant from SherwinWilliams Company, producers

that can help comrtmnities and neighborhood groups put together programs that clean up sites marred by graffiti and signal to all that the community and its citizens can indeed take active control of. its appearance, and its future.

Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful approached local governmental officials with the Graffiti Hurts kit via townhall meetings, seminars and workshops. No one likes graffiti, but prior to receiving the kit, officials and residents did not know how to effectively address the problem~ Since the educational meeting, city .commissioners passed a graffiti ordinance mandating a $500 fine Tor people convicted of defacing private and public property. As part of the law, the city will inform property owners that they have 30 days to remove the ':unsightly condition" or reimburse the city for its cost to remove the graffiti. ffthe landowner fails to reimburse the city within 60 days for cleaning, the city will place a lien on the property. Residents have also reacted to the. Graffiti Hurts message and clean-up projects are attracting greater numbers of volunteers.
Roberta/Craw(ord County

of the Krylon spray paint.

This program is dedicated to

raising the awareness of

individuals, groups, and

organizations from every part

of American life about the

harmful effects of graffiti

vandalism.



"The Graffiti Hurts program

"The program has been used successfully throughout the country, including here in Georgia,'' said Lynn Cobb, Manager of Keep Georgia Beautiful. "The problem is widespread and we are eager for more communities to create healthier, safer and

Keep Roberta/Crawford Beautiful believes the best way to prevent graffiti in is to engage directly with young children. The affiliate used the Graffiti Hurts teacher guide to reach out to third graders throughout the community, and the result was extremely positive. Children expressed a real interest and concern for their neighborhood. Teachers, encouraged by student response, agreed to continue the a.nti-graffiti education process. Parents, acting as positive role-models for their children, have become more active in local clean-up efforts.

is focused on educating Americans in schools, in

more livable community environments."

Tifton/Tift. County

commumties, in law Keep Georgia Beautiful has The City of Tifton and Tift County ha~e only recently been

enforcement, and in the media a limited supply of "Graffiti able to apply Graffiti Hurts information to the community. After

that graffiti is not an art, and Hurts" kits available for local conducting several teacher seminars, however, educators are

that it isn't a harmless governments. If you are eager to incorporate activities and programs into the school

problem," said G. Raymond concerned about graffiti in curriculum. In addition, Tifton-Tift County Clean Community

Empson, President ofKAB. your area, contact Lynn Cobb Commission continues to educate neighborhoods, encourage

The highest rates of (see page 10).

graffiti removal and organize clean-up projects.

9

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL WINTER2000 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___.._ _ _ _ _ _ __

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
is published quarterly by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.. Funding for this publication is provided by the Georgia Solid Waste Trust Fund:

DCA Environmental Assistance Program

RICK BROOKS

Director, Planning & Environmental Management Division ........ (404)679-0608

RANDY HARTMANN Director, Office of Environmental Management ........................... (404) 679~4816

LYNN COBB

Manager, Keep Georgia Beautiful ................................................. (404) 679-4910

HEATHER LEO

Program Coordinator ..................................................................... (404).679-1598

We welcome any comments, criticisms or suggestions for future editions. News releases are welcome. We can't guarantee we will publish all releases, but we do wish to report significant waste reduction news from the state and the region.
Please send releases and correspondence to:
David Smith, Editor The Waste Stream Journal Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231 (404) 679-3144 (404) 679-0646 (FAX) dsmith@dca.state.ga.us

PATTI INSINNA.

Special Projects (Christmas Tree Recycling, Statewide Litter Reduction Campaign, Keep Georgia Beautiful Progra~Assistant .............;.................,................,......................... (404) 679-1739.

RHONDA KOPLIN Program Coordinator ..................................................................... (404) 679-3152

Education Training, Awards Program, Keep Georgia Beautiful

.KAREN SABATINI State Recycling Coordinator' (404) 679-3161

SWM Technical Assistance (Recycling, Variable Rates, Buy Recycled)

DAVID SMITH

Program Coordinator ..................................................................... (404) 679~3144

SWM Technical Assistance, SW Public Information, SW Annual Report, The Waste Stream Journal

BERENICE THOMAS Secretary ................................................................,.................... (404) 679-3142

PATRICK VICKERS Sr. Information Specialist, Office of Research and Analysis ........ (404) 679-3151 SWM Survey and Full Cost Report

You may compose any DCA employee's e-mail acldress by using his/her first initial and last name (up to eight characters total) followed by ''@dca.state.ga.us" Example - dsmith@dca.state.ga.us

Check Out :rx::'...A"s Web Site
www.dca.state.ga. us
& KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL' s
Web Site
www.KeepGeorgiaBeautiful.org

DCA. and tfte Office pf Enyironinerital Management
offer its be.st wishes to Rachel Cochran, who recently left
pc;A to join EPD's Water
Quality Branch.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ID 1 1Q!WQ~
34 Pay-As-You-Throw workshop, Savannah 34 Georgia Recycling Coalition Semi-Annual Business Meeting, savannah

ACRONYMS coMMONLY USED IN
THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
C&D Construction and Demolition DCA Georgia Department of Community Affairs DNR Georgia Department of Natural Resources DOT Georgia Department of Transportation EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPD Georgia Environmental Protection Division (DNR) GEFA Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority GHEP Georgia Hospitality Environmental Partnership (P2AD) KAR Keep America Beautiful, Inc. MRF Materials Recovery Facility MSW Municipal Solid Waste P2AD Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (DNR) RDC Regional Development Center

8-9 Keep Georgia Beautiful Executive Directors Association Conference,

Albany



1418 SWANA National Recycling and Solid Waste Collection Conference, Tampa, FL

273/1 Southeast Recycling conference, Perdido Beach, AL
t@1;3n

9 Keep Georgia Beautiful Annual Awards Banquet, Atlanta

305/15 Great American Cleanup, Statewide
m

22

15 compost Awareness Week, Athens 1518 Waste Expo, Atlanta

SWM Solid.Waste Management

10

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

..K..A.B..A..ff.i.li.a.t.e..U.p..d.a.t.e.

The. 56 local Keep America Beautiful

affiliates play an. important .role in their

communities. by raising public awarefzess of

solid waste issues, litterpreve.,,tion, andOther

environment{],! activities:.. This is an update

ofrecent changes that have taken place at a

number. ofthe local affiliates.



Outgoing Executilie Directors
Keep Savannah.Beautiful Susan Williams
Keep. Columbus Beautiful Jessica Barrick
Keep Forsyth Beautiful.Nancy Smallwood
Keep Sumter Beautiful Rob Marchant
Keep Roswell Beautiful Bonnie Lantz
Keep DeKalb BeautifulVivian Eichelberger

. New Executive Directors

Keep Hartwell/HartBeautiful ~ Deborah Gaines
Keep Bryan Coun.ty Beautiful Mary Newton
Keep Pike Cou~ty Beautiful .. David Shivers Keep Columbu.s Beautiful -
Gloria Westin-Smart

Keep Lowndes/.Valsosta Beautifal" Wendi Bergstrom
Keep Toccoa-Stephens Co. BeautifulChristy Apostle
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful Diana Dean

East Point Clean Community System " CemDr11ke .

Keep Cherokee Beautiful -

St.an Hall



Keep R.oswel!Beautiful.-

Janet Liberman

Pickens Citizens for a Clean Community -

Leslie Byington



New Affiliates
Keep Toccoq~Stephens County Beautiful Keep Dade County Beautiful

. Pre-Certifi(!d Affiliates

Keep Centerville Beautiful Keep North Georgia Mountains BeautijUl

For more information about the Keep America Beautiful system, contact Lynn. Cobb (please seepage 10)..

Annual Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards Will

Honor Local Environmental Commitments

Non-Profit Groups, Schools

nominees. must have completed one of

Government Agencies, and

the following initiatives during 1999:

Businesses Eligible for Awards

Conducted a litter prevention or beautification program; fostered

The 22nd Annual Keep Georgia environmental stewardship and/or

Beautiful Awards Luncheon will be held preserved the natural beauty of the

at the Georgia World Congress Center environment; continued an effort in the

in Atlanta on March 9.

areas oflitter prevention, beautification,

The annual event honors individuals, waste minimization, or environmental

organizations, and companies whose stewardship; educated the community

ongoing efforts prevent litter, improve about litter prevention, beautification or

community waste handling practices waste minimization; or minimized the

through recycling and waste impact of waste in the community.

minimization, and preserve the natural Five other awards will be given at the

beauty and environment of Georgia.

luncheon, honoring individual efforts in

The awards program and luncheon are the state.

hosted by Keep Georgia Beautiful. The Woman of the Year "Carolyn

Housed in the offices of DCA, Keep Crayton Award" and The Man of the

Georgia Beautiful is a state affiliate of Year "Steve Reynolds Award" honor an

Keep America Beautiful, Inc. Its mission outstanding woman and man who have

is to build and sustain community demonstrated lifelong leadership in

environmental

ra1smg public

behaviors

awareness about

resulting in a more

solid waste issues,

beautiful Georgia.

litter prevention,

"The awards

and/or the need for

program has been

citizens to partici-

held annually to

pate in activities that

recognize those

preserve and en-

individuals,

hance natural re-

organizations, and

sources and public

businesses which

lands.

have put forth the extra effort to

Keep Smyrna Beautiful is recognized at last year's Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards.

The Public Works Employee of the

make Georgia a

Year honors an

more beautiful place to live," said individual who is directly employed in

Rhonda Koplin, who is organizing the solid waste or related activities by a city

event for Keep Georgia Beautiful.

or county public works department.

"Recognizing those who work hard is The Student ofthe Year Award honors

a form of positive reinforcement that a student who has demonstrated great

ensures the continuation of the mission leadership and dedication in raising

of Keep Georgia Beautiful."

awareness about solid waste issues, litter

Separate awards will be given away to prevention, and the need for their peers

those in four eligible groups - non-profit, to participate in activities that preserve

civic and community organizations; natural resources. The Keep Georgia

youth groups/schools; government Beautiful. Foundation awards a $1,000

agencies; and business/professional scholarship to .the award recipient.

organizations.

The Barbara Mason Executive

Each group is eligible for awards in Director Award honors the local KAB

the following categories: litter Executive Director who has shown

prevention, beautification and exemplary service to the KAB system

community improvement, and the and to their community.

minimization of waste on communities. For information on attending the

Koplin said that in order for groups or Awards Program, contact Rhonda Koplin

individuals to be eligible for awards, (see page 10).

11

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL WINTERZOOO ----~-----'----'-----

GEFA Announces New Round of Grants 2000 Recycling and.Waste Reduction Grant Program

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) is now accepting applications for its grant program to assist . Georgia cities and counties with their efforts to manage municipal solid waste through recycling and reducing waste. at the source.
GEFA is again offeringa grant prograin that provides financial assistance to Georgia local governments. The purpose of the program is to help local governments foster an integrated approach to waste reduction, composting,. and recycling. These funds may not be used for municipal solid waste disposal projects. Only Georgia cities, counties, and solid waste management authorities may receive Recycling and Waste Reduction grants.
Grants of up to $50,.000 will be available to individual cities or counties. Special preference will be given to projects that focus on scrap tire management alternatives, commercial/ institutional waste reduction programs, or

efforts to expand markets for wood waste, . and to encourage tire recyeiing through

municipal wastewater sludge, food . education and research. Some of the

processing waste, construction and funds, however, are used for projects

demolition debris, and carpet/textile waste contributing to overall waste reduction,

management.

like GEFA's grant program.

Eligible activities for funding irn::lude Last year, 27 local governments in

new recycling programs or. enhancement Georgia receiyed grants ranging from

of existing recycling activities and . $8,000 to $30;000.'



financing the capital costs ofrecycling and The more than $500,000 Of total funds

waste awarded went to projects such as

reduction .establishing .recycling centers,

programs. developing backyard composting Priority programs, and devefoping staffed drop~

will be off and convenience centers.

given to scrap tire recycling programs and .Applications for these grants are

innovative programs or projects thatbring available by request and are currently

together new resources and approaches to being accepted through April 3, 2000.

recycling, waste reduction and waste Contact GEFA. Program Manager

management.



James Thompson at (404) 656-0938 if

The grants are made available through you need more information about this

the Georgia Solid WasteTrust FUnd. The grant program, or e-mail him at

trust fund is financed through the $1 fee . thompson@gefa.org to request an

that is charged for each new tire purchased application. Applications can also be

in the state.. The money in the trust fund downloaded from the GEFA website at

is used primarily to cleanup scrap tire piles www.gefa.org.

THE WASTE STREAM JOURNAL
Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329-2231
An Equal Opportzinity Employer
If you would like to .receive this publication in an alternative format, please contact the: . Georgia Department of Community Affairs at (404) 679A915 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!

. Printed on Recycled Paper 12