I had a great time attending the Claiborne County Recycling Center Open House this month. The program has received funding for recycling equipment through the Tennessee Department of Conservation to pay for costs associated with initial equipment purchases. Having dedicated equipment and storage for recyclables allows the County to move forward on their waste reduction goals while saving money that other wise would be required for landfill tipping fees and waste hauling. Great Job, Claiborne!

Read the full article below:

–From The Claiborne County Progress, September 16th, 2009– Recycling expanded in Claiborne County
Ashley Collingsworth; Staff Writer Published: September 16, 2009

Claiborne County can now bail all of its recyclables thanks to a grant from TDEC. The county will no longer have to transport them outside of county to outside contractors. Cardboard, newspaper, plastic and magazines will all be bailed at the landfill and then stored until 20 tons have been accumulated. Once they reach 20 tons they will be sold to the highest bidder. The county also accepts oil, batteries, E-Waste and paint. These items can be dropped off at two convenient centers. Sunnyside on Highway 63 and Tazewell across from the Road Department will accept the items. There are plans in the future to expand to some smaller centers. If you are unsure as to where to deliver your recyclables, you can ask the center personnel and they will direct you to the location. The process of placing your recyclables in proper containers will cut down on labor costs.

Mike Russell, Director of Solid Waste, would like to than the County Commission for their cooperation and support in the extra funding to make this project possible. He would also thank County Mayor Joe Tyler Duncan, Ms. Erlinda McMeel, Director of Economic and Community Development, Ms. Kim Raia, CTAS and special thanks to Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority Board for working side by side with him in making this recycling project possible. For information on which center accepts your recyclables, you can call the landfill at 423-626-2080 or 423-851-1928.

TDEC recently announced 2010 Recycling Equipment Grants for local governments and qualifying non-profit organizations. Funds may be used to purchase equipment for new recycling programs, to improve existing operations, or to prepare recyclable materials for transport or sale.

Grant priority is given to applicants that employ developmentally disabled individuals, as defined in T.C.A. §33-1-101 and to applicants that want to start, extend, or modify a paint recycling and diversion program.

All other applicants will be scored and grants awarded based on the merits of the applications’ narratives.

All applications must be received, on or before the deadline of Friday, October 15, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. Applications received after this time will be returned without action.

For more information or to obtain applications, please call Ron White at (615) 532-4967 or visit the TDEC Web site at:
http://tn.gov/environment/swm/grants/regrant.shtml

–ARRA Act Funding for Recycling and Landfills–
Funding totaling more than $28 million is available for some 27 local governments from the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for recycling and landfill gas projects. The State of Tennessee will receive an additional $13.8 million. Communities on the funding list are encouraged to use this money to cover the capital expenses of starting or expanding recycling programs. In some cases, for example, funding may help cover the costs of transition to single stream collection or other efficiency upgrades. Investing in processing equipment is also an excellent potential use of the funds. In addition, communities may spend the money on landfill gas projects. Access to the funding requires development of an Energy Efficiency Strategy approved by DOE which must be submitted at the time of application or within 120 days of award. The application deadline is June 25, 2009.

For more information, including a list of direct distributions for Tennessee, go to: www.eecbg.energy.gov/grantalloc.html.

–Forwarded by Larry Christley, TDEC–

PAYT is the SMART (Save Money And Reduce Trash) solution that entrepreneurial cities around the country and the world are using to provide the ” 3 Es ” (i.e., Environmental Sustainability, Economic
Stability and Equitable Services) to their citizens.

In today’s tough economic climate, U.S. cities and states are struggling to pay for vital services while also trying to create jobs and curb their Climate Footprints. But, is it possible for states to generate
environmental sustainability and economic stability in a fair and equitable way for their citizens? Good News…Yes!

Watch this short video to learn how all of us “Recovering Waste-aholics” can cost-effectively conserve both natural and fiscal resources.

Learn valuable tips about the proven formula for states to be SMART (i.e., Save Money And Reduce Trash) by employing the dynamic duo of a robust education campaign in combination with clear, market-based price signals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr_RIIb2CYg

If your city cannot politically afford to raise taxes to pay for the rising costs of municipal services… consider this successful economic incentive that has spread exponentially to over 7,000 cities nationwide.

Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) charges for garbage services like a utility rather than out of the tax base or a flat fee.
This simple program has been proven to be the most environmentally and fiscally effective way to reduce wastes, cut our greenhouse gases and save cities millions of dollars. Learn more at <www.epa.gov/payt>

Please forward the video to your city officials and environmental organizations for distribution.

Enjoy and All the Best,

Jan Canterbury, PAYT Project Manager
Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division
USEPA

–From the Tennessean–

City reconsiders recycling partnership
SPRING HILL - City leaders on Tuesday will vote on a recycling partnership and are expected to pick a firm to design a wastewater plant expansion. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen is willing to rethink its 5-4 vote in December against a partnership between the city and Maury County. It would cost the city $1,350 for the one-year contract to operate a recycling center behind Food Lion on Stephen P. Yokich Parkway. Mayor Danny Leverette asked the board to reconsider after hearing that the city could save an estimated $23,721 in landfill fees by diverting garbage through recycling. County Commissioner Glen Hasse said that savings would happen if Spring Hill residents are able to match the county’s existing participation in recycling, which averages 67.4 pounds per person. Hasse stressed that it’s important for more people to recycle since the state hasn’t approved a new landfill in the past 12 years. He said communities are unprepared to deal with what will happen when the existing landfills are out of space. “If this continues, we’ll all be in trouble,” he said. “The best way to take care of this problem, and it should be done on an emergency basis, is recycle.”

The board meets 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Town Center Parkway.

Link to the complete article here:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090216/COUNTY090101/902160311/1164/COUNTY09

You may receive “Governing” Magazine in your office.  This is a great magazine and they also have a great online resource for local governments interested in benchmarking.

Check out ENVIRONMENTAL data compiled by Governing Magazine.  This includes info on Superfund, Air Quality, TRI, Alternative Fuels, Drinking Water, State Environmental Spending, and Municipal Waste Management.  The site also looks nationwide at issues related to infrastructure, health, finance, public safety, and information technologies.

See the resource center link here.

http://sourcebook.governing.com/topicmain.jsp?cat=18#18

According to Tennessee non profit recycling broker RMCT, the December ‘Yellow Sheet’ prices for recyclables has dropped again for the month.

Some recent price quotes provided by RMCT–

Corrugated Containers (OCC)–$20.00 - $25.00 per ton
Newsprint (ONP)–$25.00 - $30.00 per ton
Sorted Office Paper (SOP)–$90.00 - $100.00 per ton
PET #1 Plastic–$0.02 per lb
HDPE #2 Plastic–$0.075 per lb
Mixed Paper–$5.00 or less per ton

See the RMCT website, or give them a call if you need help moving materials in this volatile market.
Phone: 877-873-7628
Website: http://www.rmct.org/

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a new policy that will broaden its consulting efforts with intergovernmental partners when new regulations and policies cost more than $25 million. This is a significant lowering of the previous consultation threshold of $100 million.

This change in policy was encouraged by groups such as the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. See the LGEAN website for more information.

http://lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=1393

Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced today that 27 used oil collection grants totaling $399,850 have been awarded to establish, upgrade and expand used oil collection centers in communities across Tennessee.

“This straightforward approach to dealing with a potential cause of pollution has a direct positive impact on the water quality of our lakes, streams and groundwater in Tennessee,” Bredesen said. “I’m pleased we can provide these grants to encourage community collection centers where ‘do-it-yourselfers’ can conveniently recycle their used motor oil.”

Tennesseans who change their own motor oil generate more than one million gallons of used oil each year, which can pollute soil and water and interfere with the operation of sewer systems when not properly disposed. The General Assembly authorized the Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 to assist local communities in collecting used oil and reducing its negative effects on the environment. Tennessee’s Solid Waste Management Act requires counties to have at least one place in the county where used oil can be properly disposed. Used oil collection grants are funded by a two cent deposit on every quart of oil purchased in the state.

The first priority for grant funding is to establish collection sites in underserved areas. Other grants will fund improvement or replacement of equipment in existing public and private facilities. Equipment purchased through Oil Collection Grants can include containers, used oil burners, containment structures, shelter covers and other items.

See the list of recipients at the link here.

You also can visit http://tn.gov/environment/swm/oil/ or call toll-free at 1-800-287-9013 for more information concerning used oil collection centers, operating hours, requirements for collection locations that accept commercial used oil and other facts about used oil.

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced today that 19 recycling equipment grants have been awarded for projects to help reduce landfill waste across Tennessee. These grants total more than $417,000.

“I’m pleased we have a mechanism to help support waste reduction efforts for our counties,” Bredesen said. “This program plays an important role in our state’s strategy to encourage recycling and to reduce the amount of solid waste that goes into landfills in Tennessee.”

Recycling equipment grants may be used to purchase equipment for new recycling programs, improve and expand the operation of an existing site or prepare recyclable materials for transport and marketing. Grants may be awarded to counties, cities, non-profit recycling organizations and solid waste authorities across Tennessee to help reach or exceed the goals set forth in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991. Each recipient is required to match the state grant on a sliding scale basis. Local matching funds toward these 19 projects total nearly $167,500.

The grant program was authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and is supported from the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund, which is administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The fund receives its revenues from a state surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in landfills and from a fee on new tires sold in the state.

More information about recycling equipment grants may be found on the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Web site at http://www.tn.gov/environment/swm/grants

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Tisha Calabrese-Benton
Communications Director
Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation
865.594.5442 - Knoxville Office
Tisha.Calabrese@state.tn.us