| GRN Recycle Talk FAQ Answer |
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 97 12:37 WET DST From: environmentall@fuse.net (Robert Crosby) Subject: Recycling at Public Events
Recycling at public events in the Greater Cincinnati area is the
exception rather than the rule. When recycling does occur, the
effectiveness of the programs has been abysmal. At the 1996 Oktoberfest,
the amount of recyclables collected equalled 9 gaylords. Of these 9
gaylords, 5 were landfilled. At the 1997 Taste of Cincinnati, 4 gaylords
of recyclables were collected. Of these 4 gaylords, 3 were landfilled.
This is ridiculous!
To remedy this problem I have designed a recycling program that I
believe will be both truly efficient and effective. I have offered this
program to the Recycling Program Managers of Hamilton, Butler and
Clermont counties and have recieved their support and their assurance
that it will be implemented sometime during 1998.
I offer this program to the world so that it may be of some value to
others. I welcome your comments or criticisms. And I will certainly
welcome your help in making this program a reality!
THE PUBLIC EVENTS RECYCLING PROGRAM
by: Robert Crosby
environmentall@fuse.net
The program has six (6) elements. Each of these elements is necessary
to achieve the goal of creating an effective sustainable recycling
effort.
1) A Standard Recycling Container:The curbside recycling program in the
Cincinnati area has been very successful. One reason for this success is
that the containers provided for curbside pickup are easily
recognizable. Almost any citizen can identify that the bins provided are
designed to be used for recycling. This psychological reminder
contributes significantly to the progress of the program. It is simple
marketing. If one sees a symbol for an extended period of time, one
begins to identify that symbol with the action associated with it.
To build upon this principle, I have identified a standard recycling
container to be used at all public events. This container is ‘Kelly
Green’ so that there is a direct association with the curbside bins. It
has a 32 gallon capacity, and with the dome lid there is an added
capacity of three (3) gallons for a total capacity of 35 gallons. The
lid has a four and one half (4 1/2) inch diameter round hole pre-cut
into it. This provides adequate space to place any type of beverage
container that may be used at a public event. There are pre-drilled
holes on the bottom of the container so that the accumulation of liquids
will be minimized.The container has a height of thirty two (32) inches
so that it is easily accessible to adults as well as children, and its
durable construction is tapered so that it is stackable which makes the
storage of the container easier.
To add to the uniformity of this container I have designed a standard
logo. This logo is very attractive and easily recognizable. The Earth is
surrounded by the three recycling arrows. The arrows are
counterclockwise to represent that recycling is a natural process,
like the counterclockwise revolution of the Earth on its axis in its
cyclical orbit around the sun. The arrows emanate from the Earth to
re-emphasize the symbolism. The main symbol is placed upon a square red
background which makes the symbol really stand out against the Kelly
green. In addition to the logo, the word ‘Recycle’ (in white) is written
above it so that the message is simple and direct. The white lettering
on the Kelly green container makes identification from a distance very
easy. On the lid of the container is a white drawing of a cup, can, or
bottle (dependent upon the material recycled at each event) with the
words cup, can or bottle written in white within the drawing. This makes
identification very easy for event patrons.
2) A Recyclable Beverage Container: There are essentially three (3)
types of beverage containers provided at public events: #1 PET bottles
and cups, #2 HDPE commemorative cups and #6 polystyrene cups. The
efficiency of recycling these materials varies, dependent upon the
material recovered.
a) Of these three materials, the most efficient beverage container to
recycle is #1 PET. #1 PET is an easily recycled material. It is already
collected in the curbside programs of BFI and Rumpke. #1 PET cups and
bottles have the same melting point so they can be collected together
and placed within the same bale for resale by the MRF. #1 PET can be
re-processed and re-manufactured into a variety of very useful items
such as: activewear, childrenswear, outerwear, footwear, gloves and
mittens, hats, luggage and backpacks, belts, wallets, scarves, aprons,
blankets, carpet, furniture, pillows and various office supplies. All
of these items can be, and are being, used by ordinary people in their
everyday lives.
b) The next most efficient material to recycle is the #2 HDPE
commemorative cup. Like #1 PET, #2 HDPE is already being collected by
Rumpke and BFI in their recycling programs. And like #1 PET, #2 HDPE can
be re-processed and re-manufactured into a variety of very useful items
such as: recycling containers, fencing, decking, soil erosion units,
plastic lumber, playground equipment, sand boxes, posts, automotive
parts, stadium seating, tradeshow displays, tubing and many other useful
items.
The problem with recycling #2 HDPE commemorative cups is two-fold.
First, the very purpose of a commemorative cup is to reuse it. Event
sponsors spend a significant amount of money having their logos placed
upon these beverage containers. Sponsors count on patrons using these
cups in their everyday life, hoping to gain the benefit of having their
name associated not only with the event but during everyday activities
such as the simple daily process of drinking fluids. In theory this is
a wise marketing investment. But in reality, the vast majority of these
cups do not make the trip home with event patrons. Therefore, there is
an inefficient marketing opportunity to profit from this investment.
Secondly, the melting point of #2 HDPE commemorative cups is different
than the melting point of the #2 HDPE milk and juice jugs, shampoo and
laundry bottles. This difference creates an inefficiency. When
recycling #2 HDPE commemorative cups, the containers collected are mixed
in with the other #2 HDPE (collected in the curbside programs) as an
impurity in the bale sold for re-processing. Re-processors allow a 10%
variance of purity in the bale of recycled plastics. MRFs use this
variance to ‘recycle’ the #2 HDPE commemorative cups that are
collected at public events. When the amount of #2 HDPE cups collected
exceeds the need for a variance in a bale the remaining #2 HDPE is
landfilled!
c) The least efficient, and most widely used, beverage container to
recycle is #6 polystyrene. Although #6 polystyrene has many useful
applications as a recycled material, there are two problems that make
the effort to recycle this material very inefficient. First, since #6
polystyrene is not collected in the curbside programs the amount of
material collected at a public event necessary to create a bale is
enormous. Rumpke Recycling estimates that the amount of #6 polystyrene
necessary to create a bale for resale is equivalent to a football
field full of cups. This amount is beyond what can be collected at any
public event. Secondly, the nearest place to reprocess #6 polystyrene is
in Chicago. If it was possible to collect enough material to create a
bale of #6 polystyrene the transportation costs to Chicago would make
the possibility of profiting from the resale prohibitive.
‘Recycled’ #6 polystyrene ends up as a ‘filler’ contaminant in bales of
other plastics or it is landfilled. The majority of the #6 polystyrene
collected at public events actually becomes a part of our solid waste
problem. ‘Recycling’ polystyrene at public events is at best deceptive
to the public that takes the time and makes the effort to do the right
thing.
As should be evident, the most efficient action to implement is to
require that #1 PET beverage containers are supplied by vendors at all
public events. This action, while bold, is actually in everyone’s best
interest. There is essentially one reason why event vendors are not
already using #1 PET cups: COST. There is a cost difference of
approximately two (2) cents per cup between the #6 polystyrene and the
#1 PET beverage containers.
This cost difference does not take into account the costs associated
with landfilling unrecycled #6 polystyrene (loss of landfill space,
worker’s wages, wear and tear on vehicles, fuel and the pollution
generated from this whole process). It does not take into account the
cost of deceiving event patrons who volunteer to ‘recycle’ polystyrene.
It does not take into account the value added by re-processing,
re-manufacturing, selling and buying a limited natural resource. And it
does not take into account the potential benefits received from
community responsibility, participation and pride generated from really
recycling at public events.
Event sponsors can also benefit greatly from the use of #1 PET beverage
containers. The cost of commemorative cups is much more than the cost of
#1 PET cups and placing logos on #2 commemorative cups is wasteful. An
event sponsor would benefit much more from having a logo placed upon #1
PET cups that are actually recycled. A corporation will recognize that
the benefit of having their logo associated with a responsible program
that benefits the entire community far outweighs the additional ‘cost’
of two (2) cents per cup.
3) Education: At each event there will be an area designated to provide
for public education. The educational area will provide information on
the true cost of waste disposal (regulation and monitoring, lost
property value, healthcare , transportation , energy and pollution
costs) , the various materials that can be recycled locally and the
facilities that accept these materials. The educational area will also
include several products that are made from the same recycled materials
that are collected at the event information describing the locations
where citizens can purchase these products.
We need to encourage the message of ‘Buy Recycled’ so that people will
understand how they can directly benefit from recycling. This reinforces
participation in the program and creates a market demand for products
made from recycled materials which then increases the monetary benefit
that recycling generates from the collection, reprocessing and re-
manufacturing processes. The larger this demand, the more material that
can be recycled and diverted from the landfills. With enough recyclables
generated (supplied) from this region, there is an increased possibility
that a manufacturer of recycled products would relocate to our area
which would increase the tax base, create jobs, decrease transportation
costs to MRFs, and the overall cost of recycling to the community. And
thus everyone (citizens, business, government, and the Environment)
benefits.
4) Monitoring: The recycling program incorporates a ‘green team’.
These are individuals who stand near containers and encourage patrons to
deposit their beverage containers in the recycling receptacles. They do
this in a friendly manner, as servants to the public. The ‘green team’
is trained in how to approach people and what to say, so that there is
consistency in the message, and the manner in which it is being
delivered. They wear clothing that contains the recycling container logo
so that there is a direct association between the container and the
monitors. The team also encourages patrons of events to learn more about
the benefits of recycling by supplying information and directing patrons
to the education area. As recycling containers become filled, the ‘green
team’ monitors remove recyclables to a sorting area where the beverage
containers are separated and then placed in the roll-off container.
The recycling program also includes a Program Coordinator that will
monitor the ‘green team’ to assure consistency and efficiency in their
efforts. The Program Coordinator is responsible for the transportation,
setup, removal and storage of the recycling containers and the signage
and will be available to handle incidental circumstances that tend to
arise at even the best planned events. The Program Coordinator will also
be responsible for gathering the statistical information concerning the
amount of materials recovered.
5) Advertising: Each event will feature a significant amount of signage
to serve as a reminder that recycling is occurring. Signs, including the
logo, will be placed at all entrances to the event so that upon arrival
patrons will come to associate the logo with the act of recycling.
Recycling containers will be located in all areas that waste receptacles
are placed so that the availability to recycle is patron friendly, and
signage will identify areas where event patrons can recycle. Event
producers will include information about the recycling program in their
advertisements.
This recycling program offers the press a great story to promote. It
offers Greater Cincinnati the opportunity to institute a program that
will eventually change the way people behave at public events and it
gives event patrons the opportunity to participate directly in
helping to solve our solid waste problems. The pilot program will
feature a media blitz which will include a press conference and
newspaper, television, and radio interviews, stories and ads.
It is so very important to inform the public prior to expecting them to
change their behavior.
6) Project Evaluation: The current rate of recovered recyclables at
events within Greater Cincinnati is less than 10%. It is the goal of
this program to recover no less than 20% of event beverage containers
and to work toward the goal of collecting 45% within the first year. As
this program develops it will be analyzed to determine its effectiveness
in meeting program objectives. The amount of materials being diverted
from our landfills will be quantified and the value added by the
diversion of waste will be calculated.
By keeping a statistical reference of this program and then adjusting
the methodology as it progresses, it will be possible to create a
blueprint program that may be transferred to other communities.
The Public Events Recycling Program
(Outline Summary)
1) A Standard Recycling Container
+ Consistency in identifying recycling receptacles at all events
+ Kelly Green Container with an attractive and colorful logo
+ Constructed from reusable recycled plastic
2) Recyclable Beverage Containers
+ #1 PET cups and bottles
+ aluminum and steel beverage cans
3) Education Center
+ Specific area at all events to reinforce message
+ A ‘true cost’ of landfilling demonstration
+ Materials that can be recycled and the facilities that accept them
+ Recycled products made from same materials collected
4) Monitoring
+ ‘Green Team’ to encourage recycling among patrons limit
contamination
+ Sorting, rinsing and storage area for recovered materials
+ Recycling Coordinator to train manage monitors and oversee program
5) Advertising
+ Signage at all entrances to the event and near vendors
+ Press conference for pilot program
+ Newspaper, television and radio stories, interviews and ads
+ Advertising of Recycling Program by all Event Producers
6) Project Evaluation
+ Amount of material diverted from landfill
+ Value added from reprocessing remanufacturing recovered materials
+ Analysis of program goals and objectives
+ Blueprint Program to be transferred to other communities