Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee

Agenda for August 31, 2011 Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting

2011-08-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Show Low City Hall

1. Call to order – introductions

2. Reports:

August 27 electronic waste recycling event (Steve North and Byron James)
City of Show Low curbside recycling program

3. “Treecycle” 2011/2012 (Byron James)

4. Household hazardous waste recycling day - options and opportunities (Holiday Van Sciver)

5. Maintaining the Recycling Committee Web site (Steve North)

6. Open discussion and reports from attendees

7. Summarize follow-up items and schedule next meeting

2nd Annual White Mountains E-Waste Collection Day a Huge Success!

2011-03-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

The City of Show Low, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, Navajo County, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Little Colorado River RC&D, Walmart, Waste Management and E-Waste Harvesters partnered to present the 2^nd Annual White Mountains E-Waste Collection Day at the Show Low Walmart on August 28, 2011. The event was a huge success as more than 160,000 lbs. of old electronic components and equipment was collected—a 280% increase over 2009 (57,000 lbs.) The City of Tempe’s ERIC (Educational Recycling Information Center) mobile unit was on-site to provide recycling education.

Christmas Treecycle Program Goes Regional and Continues To Grow

2011-03-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

The City of Show Low, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, Town of Snowflake, Town of Taylor, Snowflake Power Company, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Larson Waste all partnered to provide region-wide Christmas tree recycling for the public this past holiday season and it turned out to be very successful. 28,800 lbs. of Christmas tree biomass was collected from the three drop-off locations (Show Low, Snowflake/Taylor and Pinetop-Lakeside) over a two-week period. Snowflake Power ground up the recycled trees and used it as fuel at their biomass plant in Snowflake. Plans are to continue to expand the program next year by adding drop-off locations in the Winslow/Holbrook and Springerville/Eagar areas.

Agenda for May 3, 2011 Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting

2011-03-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Show Low City Hall

1. Call to order – introductions

2. Christmas tree recycling (“treecycling”)

Last season’s results
Planning for next holiday season

3. August 27 electronic waste recycling event

Event specifics
Marketing

4. Presentation: White Mountain Apache Tribe recycling programs (Terry Hill)

5. Open discussion

Reports from attendees
Plastics/food wrap recycling
Glass recycling
Status of local municipal recycling efforts/programs

6. Summarize follow-up items and schedule next meeting

Adjourn

Agenda for October 13, 2010 Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting

2010-10-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

1. Call to order – introductions

2. Events recap:

August 2010 electronic waste recycling events
September 11 White Mountains Green Festival

3. Next year’s electronic waste recycling program

4. Planning for Christmas tree recycling (“treecycling”)

5. Report on publicity efforts

6. Open discussion

7. Summarize follow-up items and schedule next meeting

8. Adjourn

2nd Annual Free White Mountain E-Waste Collection Day

2010-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

The City of Show Low, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, E-Waste Harvesters (Phoenix, AZ.), Walmart, the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, Navajo County and the Little Colorado River RC&D are sponsoring the 2nd Annual White Mountain E-Waste Collection Day to be held on August 28, 2010 from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. at the Show Low Walmart. Items that will be accepted at this free event include TV’s, computers, monitors, printers, batteries, chargers, cell phones, VCR’s, CD and DVD players, fax machines, small appliances, cables and cords. “ERIC”, a hands-on interactive recycling exhibit, will be on hand to provide fun and education for the whole family! Drop-off bins will be available for paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin cans and plastics 1-3. For more information, call 928-532-4124.

Blue Hills Environmental and ADEQ Partner on Recycling at Round Valley/Eagar Transfer Station

2010-07-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

Recycling bins are now available for the public at the Round Valley/Eagar Transfer Station courtesy of a partnership between Blue Hills Environmental and ADEQ. Hours of operation for drop-off are Tuesday -Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recyclable items accepted include:

Plastic shopping bags
Aluminum cans
Cardboard
Paper and newspaper
Steel and tin cans
Plastics 1 & 2

Electronic items are also accepted including:

Computers
Keyboards
Printers
Phones
Monitors
Scanners
Fax machines
Cell phones

For more information, call 928-333-1628 or 928-337-2357.

Agenda for July 7, 2010 Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting

2010-06-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

1. Call to Order – Introductions

2. Upcoming events:

Sustainability Workshop, July 23-24.
Electronic waste recycling event in Show Low and various “satellite” events (August).

3. Report from Publicity Subcommittee

4. Update on NEARA Trailers

5. Recycling in Apache County

6. Open Discussion

7. Summarize Follow-up Items and Schedule Next Meeting

8. Adjourn

Minutes from April 14, 2010 Meeting

2010-06-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

Introductions:

Maria Donaghy, Chairperson
Margaret White, Co-Chairperson
Steve North, City of Show Low
Mark Williams, Larson Waste
Joel Johnston, Navajo County
Kay Dyson, Interested Party
Kent Schysper, Interested Party

Report from Chairperson, Maria Donaghy:

Events planned for Earth Day on/around April 24th.
Solar cooking & sustainability workshop held at NPC Snowflake.
Other activities held at other NPC campuses.
WMAT celebration held in Whiteriver.
City of Show Low endorsement of Earth Day celebration at NPC.
Discussed planned August 28th electronic waste recycling event at Show Low Wal-Mart. Possible activities to be included:

tire recycling.
educational classroom trailer.

Maria is ever and always updating her list of places and items to recycle and the list of recipients of that list.

Publicity Sub-Committee Report:

Mary Raines-Montano (not present) is working on newspaper article.

Larson Waste Presentation:

Mark Williams-Larson Waste Representative

Larson Waste has containers on their property for cardboard, white paper, and metal. No fee for dumping.
Larson will also dispose of medical waste items on a fee schedule.
Larson hauls to St Johns, the Blue Hills site.
Mark also stated that to make recycling work, it has to be a cooperative joint effort from all parties involved; individual, business, city, and county.

Report from Co-Chairperson, Margaret White:

Efforts to get NEARA trailer on the Snowflake NPC Campus.
Working on getting a concrete pad poured for the placement of a cardboard recycling container.
There is an on-going non-cardboard paper recycling project; spear headed by Keith Webb.
One of the faculty transport plastic 1 and 2, and aluminum to NPC Holbrook to be recycled there.

Open Discussion:

Discussed the plausibility of glass recycling.
There are a few locations to dispose of medical waste in the area.
Most efforts are hampered by the lack of funds in all areas of recycling; start to finish.
There needs to be awareness and responsibility taken by all to make this work.
Discussion on the placement of the NEARA trailers.

Next meeting:

2nd Wednesday in June; June 9th.

July Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting Scheduled

2010-06-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

The next Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Show Low City Hall; 550 N. 9th Place. Items for discussion include the upcoming E-Waste Collection Day in Show Low. A full meeting agenda and minutes from the April meeting will posted very soon.

2010 Earth Day Celebration in The White Mountains

2010-04-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Northland Pioneer College Show Low Campus; 1001 W. Deuce of Clubs; Show Low, AZ.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FREE admission

Features exhibits, demonstrations and workshops on:

healthy living
recycling and reusing
alternative energy
green building/alternative technology
food cultivation/preparation
sustainable lifestyles
art projects/displays

Also, Barbara Bruce and the White Mountain Radio team will be on hand for a live remote.

For more information go to www.creativegreenhomesllc.com/Upcomingevents.html.

Agenda for April 14, 2010 Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting

2010-04-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

1. Call to Order – Introductions

2. Upcoming events:

April 16 and 17 Solar Cooking and Sustainability Workshop
White Mountain Apache Tribe Earth Day Celebration
April 24 Earth Day Celebration in Show Low
August 28 electronic waste recycling event in Show Low

3. Report from Publicity Subcommittee

4. Larson Waste Update

5. Recycling at Northland Pioneer College

6. Discussion on Recycling Options:

Crushed Glass
#5 Plastics
Old/Unneeded Prescription Drug Disposal

7. Update on NEARA Trailers

8. Open Discussion

9. Summarize Follow-up Items and Schedule Next Meeting

10. Adjourn

Minutes from February 24, 2010 Meeting

2010-04-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Attendees

Dave Rico, Nolan Larson, Steve North, Holiday Van Sciver, Maria Donaghy, Margaret White, Phil Hayes, Mary Rains-Montano, Terry Hill, Joel Johnston, Don Cosgrove, Byron James

Minutes

Christmas Tree Recycling:

The city of Show Low’s first annual Christmas tree recycling project netted 200 – 300 trees. The trees were chipped and used as fuel at the Snowflake White Mountain Power biomass power plant. The city would like to expand this program in December 2010, involve other nearby communities and establish several additional drop-off locations.

Larson Waste offered a free Christmas tree recycling opportunity in the Snowflake/Taylor area. Trees were delivered to Winner’s Circle Soil Products, Inc. for the production of compost and mulch.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe collected trees as well.

Pinetop-Lakeside’s Meadow Recreation Center off Woodland Road is another location to take Christmas Trees, where they are made into wood chips.

Navajo County has a wood grinder which might also be useful for tree collection programs.

Report from Publicity Subcommittee:

Some short articles were prepared for the White Mountain independent on the subjects of packaging, Christmas tree and electronics recycling opportunities.

A blog/Web site for the Recycling Committee was established: http://nearizonarecyclingcommittee.blogspot.com. Steve North encouraged committee members and other interested persons to subscribe to this blog as “followers”. Also, the city of Show Low now has a recycling Web page: http://www.showlowaz.gov/departments/zoning/Recycling/recycle.htm.

Report on Waste Management Recycling Activities:

Dave Rico handed out a Waste Management (WM) brochure on special recycling options, including compact fluorescent bulbs, toner and ink cartridges, mercury from medical and dental devices, batteries, medical sharps, etc.

WM has installed a baler at the Lone Pine Transfer Station recycling collection site. The machine produces 1500 lb bales of commodities. The facility is set up to collect cardboard, tin, aluminum, plastics (#’s 1, 2 and 3) and mixed paper. The cardboard is delivered to Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District for the production of compost. The facility can now take a much greater volume of recyclable materials, and education and outreach are needed so this opportunity will be more fully utilized.

WM will alter the stickers on the bins to clarify that all types of paper and cardboard are accepted.

#5 Plastics are a big issue. Dave Rico will check on opportunities to collect these materials at the Lone Pine collection site.

Election of Committee Chair and Vice Chair:

Maria Donaghy was appointed to serve as Committee Chairperson and Margaret White was appointed to the office of Vice Chair.

Open Discussion:

The city of Holbrook’s recycling program is doing well, as the market has been improving. Earlier this month, the city shipped 4 loads of white goods, 2 loads of cardboard and a load of plastic.

The town of Pinetop-Lakeside will soon re-establish recycling drop-off locations.

There were several questions and comments about proper disposal of unneeded prescription drugs. Nolan Larson offered to check with the Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center for information on possible collection opportunities. Also, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has prepared a brochure (Link: Drug Disposal brochure 09) on this topic. It was stressed that prescription drugs shouldn’t be flushed, as they could pollute the state’s waters.

Northland Pioneer College is sponsoring a Solar Cooking and Sustainability Workshop, which will include recycling, on April 16 and 17, at NPC’s Snowflake/Taylor Silver Creek Campus.

A St. Johns Boy Scout troop is planning a household hazardous waste collection event in St. Johns this spring. More information will soon be available.

It was reported that Wal-Mart may now take foam packaging products for recycling.

Participants expressed that recycling coordination in Navajo and Apache counties is starting to improve.

The construction waste stream needs attention.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe crushes concrete for reuse as a fill material.

Local governments may be willing to purchase crushed glass for various public works programs, provided the material edges are smooth like sand. A glass crusher is most useful, but there may be uses for glass crushed in a rock crusher. Research for uses of crushed glass is needed.

The White Mountain Green Team is planning Earth Day activities.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, at noon, at Show Low City Hall. Generally, meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of every-other-month.

Minutes from November 2, 2009 Meeting

2010-02-22T15:48:00.000-08:00

Steve North discussed some of the key points from a recent presentation at a combined Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside council meeting, including:

• The Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District (PLSD) is an important area recycler of paper and cardboard;

• Public drop-off bins are available at the Lone Pine Transfer Station for cardboard, newspaper, aluminum, tin and plastics 1 – 3.

• The city of Show Low, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Wal-Mart partnered on a successful electronic waste collection event on August 29. Over 43,000 lbs. was collected. Show Low would like to do this again next summer, coupled with a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event. (Kenny Keith suggested that a single HHW collection event may cost approximately $30,000 - $35,000.)

• Show Low is the first Arizona community to sign on with a fluorescent bulb recycling program referred to as LampTracker.

• Show Low continues to seek grant funding for a recycling feasibility study for a material recovery facility (MRF) and value-added recycling park. The city may apply for grant funds through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (due December 14).

• Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside are continuing to explore curbside collection of recyclables as a component of new refuse collection contracts.

Because of the current economic situation, Arizona’s Recycling Program funds have been diverted to the general fund to address State-wide budget shortfalls in FY2010. As a result, no monies are available for grants this current fiscal year.

The city of Show Low is replacing fluorescent light bulbs with LEDs at the bus facility.

Holiday Van Sciver announced that the National Recycling Coalition has filed for bankruptcy. This is a difficult time for recycling. A new organization is emerging to fill this void.

There was some discussion about the use of “backhauling” (use of empty trucks returning to the Valley) for future recycling efforts, in cooperation with some of the area’s largest retailers, such as Wal-Mart. Some participants mentioned that this is difficult to implement because companies often need to keep their trucks as clean as possible.

A participant indicated that the PLSD digester is a good hedge against the volatile recycling markets, because the digester will always need fiber (paper and cardboard).

Several commented that local recycling markets are key to recycling sustainability. In other words, it is vital to attract companies to Northeastern Arizona which use recycled materials in the manufacture of new products. Also, a participant offered that it isn’t wise to recycle just for the sake of recycling – that a sustainable recycling program will pay for itself.

A participant indicated that the Partition Systems Incorporated manufacturing facility near Holbrook may be able to utilize certain types of recycled plastics.

Blue Hills Environmental Association, Inc. is planning a pilot recycling collection program for metals, newspaper and cardboard in Apache County. Initial drop off sites will be located at the Round Valley Transfer Station and the Apache County Regional Landfill. A flyer is being prepared.

Northland Pioneer College (NPC) is establishing a recycling drop-off location at the Holbrook campus (plastic, newspaper, aluminum and cardboard). Also, NPC’s Small Business Development Program may be able to assist with recycling market analyses.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe often hauls plastics to Globe for recycling. Also, the Tribe will sponsor an electronic waste collection event on November 19th.

Recycling for the upcoming holidays was discussed. PLSD welcomes discarded wrapping paper and other types of paper and cardboard packaging materials. Also, the city of Show Low will consider options for a Christmas tree recycling program, provided a market can be identified. It was suggested that the biomass power plant near Snowflake may be an option.

Recycling outreach was discussed, and an informal recycling publicity subcommittee was formed, initially consisting of Maria Donaghy (donaghy@frontiernet.net), Margaret White (mwhite@npc.edu), and Kathryn Melsted (kmelsted@yahoo.com). Participants can contact these subcommittee members with recycling education ideas or for outreach assistance. Possible advertising options may include local radio and newspaper public service announcements, city of Show Low marquee sign, community newsletters and Web sites, City TV 4, Maverik Magazine, school presentations by Keith Webb and local libraries.

FEBRUARY MEETING DATE SET

2010-02-02T15:28:00.000-08:00

The next Northeastern Arizona Recycling Committee Meeting is set for February 24, 2010 from 12-2 p.m. at Show Low City Hall. A variety of items are on the agenda including:

Report on Christmas Tree Recycling
Report from Publicity Sub-Committee
Report on Waste Management Recycling Activities
Election of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Open Discussion

Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend and contribute.

New Recycling Page Available on City of Show Low Website

2010-01-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

The City of Show Low now has a recycling page available on its website with information about recycling in the White Mountains and about specific public drop-off locations for various recyclable materials. Please click on the following link to go to that webpage: City of Show Low Recycling Page.

Discarded Christmas Trees to become fuel for Snowflake White Mountain Power Biomass Plant

2009-12-22T16:20:00.001-08:00

The City of Show Low is partnering with Renegy Corporation to provide Christmas tree recycling for the public. Renegy will set up equipment to accept and process discarded Christmas trees at the Frontier Fields parking lot; located just north of Show Low City Hall on 9th Place. The public is invited to drop off their Christmas trees on two successive Saturdays; January 2nd and January 9th 2009 from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The recycled trees will be ground and transported to the Snowflake White Mountain Power biomass plant, where the material will be used as fuel to generate electric power. Residents from all over the White Mountains are welcome to drop off their trees. For more information, contact Steve North at 532-4124 or snorth@showlowaz.gov.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND THE CITY OF SHOW LOW TEAM UP TO RECYCLE CFL BULBS

2009-12-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

Show Low, November 20th, 2009 – Waste Management of Arizona and the City of Show Low have joined forces to recycle office fluorescent bulbs throughout city facilities. The City has signed up for WM’s Lamptracker® program, which allows city workers to dispose of their worn CFL bulbs properly. Show Low is the first municipality in Arizona to sign on to the recycling program.

“We want to make sure that Show Low continues to be a wonderful place to do business, to live, and to play,” said Show Low Business Development Coordinator Steve North. “Part of that is finding more ways to recycle and to keep as many unwanted items as possible out of our landfills.”

Fluorescent bulbs are popular in office buildings and many components of them are recyclable. Since they contain trace amounts of mercury, it is important to recycle them properly and to keep them out of landfills. The Lamptracker® program is an in-office kit that lets you store fluorescent bulbs safely. Once the box is full, it is shipped to a WM facility where the bulbs are properly recycled. Waste Management offers a similar home kit called Think Green From Home, where residences can safely store and recycle their smaller Compact Fluorescent bulbs and batteries.

“We are thrilled to see the City of Show Low’s commitment to the sustainability of our community,” said WM Show Low District Manager Dave Rico. “We look forward to finding more ways to help Show Low residents turn waste into a resource.”