Loading ...This morning’s Tennessean reports that nine counties and six cities are recipients of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grants. Nationwide more than 860 stimulus-funded grants were awarded. See the list of recipients and a description of the projects at this link.
Head on over to Franklin this week for all or part of the Annual Tennessee Recycling Conference. A number of County Solid Waste Directors are giving presentations this year to round out an ambitious conference agenda that is packed with useful sessions and practical advice for program managers. This conference is a great forum for networking with southeastern recycling experts and marketers, and is a great value. See the conference agenda at this link.
The University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) is pleased to announce the second phase of the new certification program for solid waste directors, the Solid Waste Professional Certification Program (SWPCP).
UPCOMING CLASSES:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FUNCTIONS (Taught by CTAS Staff)
A series of classes addressing “Local Government Operations and Functions” will be offered at Montgomery Bell State Park on March 3 ‐4, 2010. Each class will be approximately two hours in length and will address:
(1) County Operating Budget; (2) Capital Budgeting; (3) Risk Management; (4) Hiring and Firing; and (5) County Purchasing.
The “Local Government Operations and Functions” classes will begin at 8:00 a.m. (CST) on March 3rd and conclude at noon on March 4th. There are no fees for these classes, but there is a $300 fee to enroll in the SWPCP. If you have not paid this fee, and want to enroll in the SWPCP please return the included invoice. Attendees are responsible for meals and lodging.
Room reservations can be made on line or by phone at:
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MontgomeryBell/index.shtml .
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT IN MSW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (Taught by SWANA)
In November, 2009 CTAS sponsored the first offering of the SWANA course, “Principles of Management in MSW Management Systems”. This is a required course in the SWPCP. If you were unable to attend the November class, this course will be offered again in Knoxville on May 12‐14 at the UT Conference Center. Class will start on May 12th at 8:00 a.m. (CST) and conclude at noon on May 14th. If you are staying overnight in Knoxville you may want to reserve a room at the nearby Knoxville Hilton. Links to the UT Conference Center and the Knoxville Hilton are:
http://www.outreach.utk.edu/Conferences/new/info/directions.html
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/KNXKHHF‐Hilton‐Knoxville‐Tennessee/index.do
MANAGING TRANSFER STATION SYSTEMS (Taught by SWANA)
Another SWANA course, “Managing Transfer Station Systems”, will be offered on March 23‐25 at Montgomery Bell State Park . SWPCP certification requires successful completion of two SWANA course ‐ in addition to the Local Government Operations Classes taught by CTAS. One of the SWANA courses must be the “Principles of Management in MSW Management Systems“. The other course can be any of the SWANA certification courses currently offered by the National SWANA. For more information on the SWPCP program and other CTAS sponsored training see this link.
Note: CTAS will pay registration and exam fees for these upcoming courses if you are a County employee or elected official and are enrolled in either the SWPCP or COCTP program. All TN Chapter SWANA members are invited to attend the SWANA courses, however if you are not a County employee or official, the course registration fees and exam fees must be paid to the TN Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America. Please contact Mary Anderson (mcanderson@montgomerycountytn.org) for information if you are interested in taking any of the SWANA courses but you are not a Tennessee County Government Employee or elected official.
Registration forms for all the above mentioned courses are below:
swpcp-enrollment-invoice
swana-course-registration-form-2010
County Employees/Officials, please indicate which classes you plan to attend and return to CTAS.
SWANA members, please contact SWANA Executive Director, Mary Anderson.
We are excited to offer this training and hope you can take advantage of this opportunity to obtain your SWANA and SWPCP certifications.
Questions? Contact:
–Forwarded for Posting–
The City of Knoxville’s Office of Solid Waste (Public Service Division); Healthy Living Expo; Knoxville Police Department; Knox County Health Department; Knox County Office of Solid Waste Office; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the University of Tennessee’s Academy are partnering to conduct an Unwanted Medications Collection Event and Used Thermometer Exchange.
The goal of the collection is to prevent these pharmaceutical and over the counter products from getting into the water supply – or into the hands of children – and to make sure they are disposed of in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner.
The event is Friday and Saturday, January 29th and 30th, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This event offers residents an opportunity to turn in unwanted and/or outdated and expired prescription medicines, over the counter medications and, used mercury thermometers for proper disposal.
Residents turning in medications or thermometers will receive one free entry to the Healthy Living Expo.
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2010/0125.asp
The Crossville City Council has approved $50,000 for a project that would convert used cooking oil into biodiesel. The city plans to collect the fuel from residents, restaurants, and the school system. The biodiesel will be used in city vehicles and will cut fuel and wastewater treatment costs. Crossville Mayor Justice Graham hopes the project is up and running in about six months.
See the full article here:
http://www.wbir.com/news/green/story.aspx?storyid=111302&catid=137
LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD RATE
Today (January 22nd) is the last day to get the early bird rate for the conference. For only $225 you get a 2010 individual membership and a full conference registration which includes sessions, hands-on demonstrations, formal and informal networking, access to vendors from across the Southeast, and the ever-popular TRC annual auction!
Visit the website to register now! You can pay online or request to be invoiced later. Be sure to check out the udpated program.
Single-day, workshop, tour, and guest registrations are also available online. Exhibit Hall only passes may be purchased for $25.
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HOTEL BLOCK CLOSES JANUARY 26TH
Reserve your room today. The TRC room block closes on Tuesday, January 26th. After that time, the special conference rate of $135 per night will no longer be available. Click here or call 1-888-403-6772 to reserve a room. Ask for group code trctrca. A government rate of $102 per night is also available.
The hotel is located just 20 minutes south of Nashville offers complimentary parking, business center, indoor swimming pool, and fitness room.
–Forwarded for Posting–
A number of public concerns have been raised over the use of tire crumb materials in turf fields and playgrounds. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released results of a limited field monitoring study of artificial-turf playing fields and playgrounds constructed with recycled tire material or tire crumb. The study was intended to gain experience conducting field monitoring of recreational surfaces that contain tire crumb. EPA will use the information to help determine possible next steps to address questions regarding the safety of tire crumb infill in recreational fields.
Key Findings:
*Particulate matter, metals and volatile organic compound concentrations were measured in the air samples and compared with areas away from the turf fields (background levels). The levels found in air samples from the artificial turf were similar to background levels.
*No tire-related fibers were observed in the air samples.
*All air concentrations of particulate matter and lead were well below levels of concern.
*More than 90 percent of the lead in the tire crumb material was tightly bound and unavailable for absorption by users of the turf fields.
*Zinc, which is a known additive in tires, was found in tire crumb samples. However, air and surface wipe monitoring levels of zinc were found to be below levels of concern.
The limited study, conducted in August through October 2008, found that the concentrations of materials that made up tire crumb were below levels considered harmful. However, given the limited nature of the study (limited number of constituents monitored, sample sites, and samples taken at each site) and the wide diversity of tire crumb material, it is not possible, without additional data, to extend the results beyond the four study sites to reach more comprehensive conclusions. A meeting is planned for spring 2010 among interested federal and state agencies to share information about possible contaminant levels from tire crumb/synthetic playing surfaces and discuss whether additional research is needed.
See this recently posted document here:
http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html
A second meeting was held in November to further explore changes to the current Waste Tire Disposal Program in Tennessee. Meeting summaries, task force members, and appropriate T.C.A. Code are linked on this site.
Recycling presents unique challenges for communities with small populations and isolation from major recycling markets. MSW Magazine outlines the mechanisms for successful programs in these areas.
Most will be familiar to you. Some may suggest new approaches for your program. See the full article here.
According to industry sources, building demolitions account for 48% of the C&D waste stream. Renovations account for 44%, or 60 million tons per year. And construction sites generate 8%, or 11 million tons per year. Nationwide, on average, construction and demolition debris consists of the following materials (by weight):
* Drywall-14.4%
* Roofing-12.0%
* Cement, asphalt, brick-23.3%
* Wood-27.4%
* Plastics-0.5%
* OCC/paper-2.7%
* Metal-8.8%
* Miscellaneous mixed-11.9%
Solid Waste programs may find it possible to separate and recycle components of this variable waste stream. See this MSW article for an over view on available processing equipment and basics for costing an on-site salvage operation.
