Monthly news & updates
July 2021
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Recycling Authority of the Southeast |
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SERDC works to unite industry, government, and non-government organizations to promote sustainable recycling in the Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and VA) |
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Upcoming Webinars
If you missed it:
Upcoming Events
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AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase .
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Plastics Recycling Adaptations Webinar Spurs Conversation
Next up: Glass Recycling on August 18
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July's webinar focused on market issues from the perspective of the plastic processing industry and the goals of the brands for design and recycled content. Stephanie Baker, KW Plastics Recycling, covered how the industry is expanding capacity and seeking more material. Brent Heist, Proctor & Gamble shared the goals adopted by P&G which will pressure demand for recovered material. Steve Alexander, The Association of Plastic Recyclers, concluded the presentations with an overview of the issues and opportunities for the industry.
The questions were numerous and led to a lively discussion that took the event past it’s scheduled time with almost all of the attendees remaining connected.
Watch the recording. Sign Up for the Glass Recycling live webinar on August 18.
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MRF Glass Certification offered |
The free GRC MRF Glass Certification recognizes MRFs with additional equipment and operational procedures to clean up glass in both single- and dual-stream systems, producing more marketable and higher-quality glass.
Launched in the Fall of 2019, the GRC MRF Glass Certification program has since awarded 11 certifications, two silver and nine gold. In 2021, the glass certification criteria was updated to prioritize end market consistency and more thorough glass cleaning before beneficiations. Eligible applications are judged on current infrastructure and a glass purity measure aligning with ISRIs Three-Mix Specification.
SERDC is a member of the Glass Recycling Coalition
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Sonoco offers update on ‘Project Horizon’ |
Posted July 13, 2021 on resourcerecycling.com
A $115 million South Carolina recycled paper mill conversion will allow Sonoco to bring in higher quantities of mixed paper and OCC. Sonoco on July 7 published an update on its Hartsville, S.C. mill conversion project. The initiative, first announced in April 2020 and referred to as “Project Horizon,” involves converting a corrugated medium machine to produce recycled paperboard.
The project has a projected recycled paperboard output capacity of 180,000 tons per year. That quantity is replacing production capacity Sonoco is removing at other facilities, the company previously told Resource Recycling. The mill conversion project is notable for its significant investment in equipment to handle domestic curbside fiber grades, which the company views as an affordable feedstock.
Thank you Sonoco Recycling for being a Silver Sponsor Member of SERDC
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In Kentucky, $4.8 Million Awarded in Grants |
Posted June 25, 2021 on www.lanereport.com
$4.8 million in grants awarded to Kentucky municipalities, fiscal courts and universities for 75 projects across the Commonwealth to expand recycling, reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills and improve the environmental management of households hazardous waste.
The recycling grant provides funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment with the goal of promoting sustainable regional recycling infrastructure in Kentucky.
Funding for the grants comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund, which is generated by a $1.75 fee for each ton of municipal solid waste disposed of in Kentucky landfills.
Thank you Kentucky DWM for being a Member of SERDC
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SWANA's Solid Waste Certification Course Offered |
The Tennessee Training Academy (TTA) in cooperation with the Tennessee Recycling Coalition’s 32nd Annual Conference will offer SWANA's Managing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems Certification Course.
Training event dates are: Monday, August 23, 2021, through Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The class will be held in Mountain View Room A at The Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN. The certification exam for those interested and registered in advance will be online. There is an additional fee for the certification exam.
SERDC is a partner of the Tennessee Training Academy
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Funding and Other Resources |
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Reduce your recycling infrastructure project costs by 12.5% |
SERDC has grant funds made possible by the Coca-Cola Foundation to help offset recycling infrastructure costs. Matching funds are required. Read More
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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants |
EPA is calling for small businesses to apply for Phase I awards for up to $100,000 until Aug. 3.
Sustainable Materials Management
- Innovative technologies that help consumers prevent food waste in the acquisition, preparation, and storage of food.
- Innovative technologies that will improve the U.S. recycling system.
- Low impact reusable and recyclable material alternatives to low value plastic items that escape management.
- Low impact construction materials and technologies to reduce embodied carbon of buildings.
- Low impact construction materials and technologies to increase resiliency to disasters and recovery of materials generated from these incidents.
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SERA's National Community Trash and Recycling Survey |
Skumatz Economics (SERA) is issuing its latest community trash and recycling survey. The data are used to track trends, conduct quantitative analyses to guide program refinements, and other studies, many of which are published in aggregate form in Resource Recycling Magazine.
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NERC Releases Latest Update on Increased Capacity to Use Recycled Paper: At least 1/3 of facilities announced are in the Southeast
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The Northeast Recycling Council's (NERC) has published its seventh and latest update to its Summary of Announced Increased Capacity to Use Recycled Paper report. This update reflects continuing progress to use more recycled paper in North America. Half of the projects are completed and others are moving towards their projected opening dates.
The majority of new capacity increases in this list are for mills producing linerboard and corrugated medium. They will use old corrugated containers (OCC), often called “cardboard boxes”, as their feedstock. They are unlikely to use mixed paper, whether derived from residential or commercial recycling programs, unless their stock preparation system allows for its use. However, up to half of these mills plan to use mixed paper although it is likely to be a minor input. Several mills, however, plan to consume significant amounts of residential mixed paper (RMP) which is collected at curbsides throughout the country. Two of those mills are now operating. Because the price for mixed paper tracks that of old corrugated containers, increased capacity and market value for old corrugated containers normally increases the price paid for residential mixed paper.
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Nation’s first packaging EPR bill is signed into law |
Posted July 13, 2021 on resourcerecycling.com
On July 12, the governor of Maine has signed legislation establishing extended producer responsibility for packaging materials in the state. It’s the first bill of its kind to become law in the U.S. Legislative Document 1541, which establishes EPR for certain packaging products spanning virtually all material types, was approved by both the state House of Representatives and Senate in June.
Under the law, packaging producers will be financially responsible for funding recycling of their products.
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SERDC members fit many descriptions - from individuals to large companies, organizations to governmental entities. But our members have one thing in common. They understand that the best way to boost support for recycling in the Southeast is to work together. |
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