NRRA Newsletter - Full of Scrap

Full of Scrap Newsletter- June 16, 2021

Your source for recycling & waste reduction news in the Northeast (and beyond).

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Create less waste this summer!

Most plastic cutlery can only be used once, yet it is so commonly used! It can take centuries for the environment to break down the billions of forks, knives and spoons thrown away each year. (National Geographic, 2019). Do your part to help the planet by bringing your own set of reusable utensils to your family cookout this summer!

SAVE THE DATE: 2022 NRRA Annual Conference

Mark your calendar and save the dates as we return to a LIVE, two day event at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17, 2022!

Be sure to join our conference mailing list to receive details and updates!

Over 185 presenters and attendees from New England and beyond participated in the Northeast Resource Recovery Association's (NRRA) virtual "Recycling with Results" Conference on May 10-11, 2021. The conference featured six key topics currently faced by the municipal solid waste and recycling industry. View the recordings:

DAY ONE PRESENTATIONS

DAY TWO PRESENTATIONS

NH Legislation & Dalton Landfill Updates

As the current NH legislative session nears an end, NRRA has prepared a summary of legislation relevant to solid waste and recycling, including many recent updates. The bills address establishing a solid waste working group on solid waste management planning, updating compost regulations, establishing a statewide solid waste disposal reduction goal, and prohibiting the siting of a landfill near a state park. The summary also includes a summary and recent updates regarding the proposed Casella landfill in Dalton, NH.

HB 413: An Act establishing a solid waste working group on solid waste management planning, relative to compost, and establishing a statewide solid waste disposal reduction goal.

Summary: This bill (1) establishes a solid waste working group on solid waste management planning; (2) requires the department of environmental services to make certain rules regarding compost; and (3) establishes a statewide solid waste disposal reduction goal (which was originally part of SB 146). Note: NRRA would have a representative on the working group.

Status: Passed by the Senate with amendment #2021-1241s on May 6. Concurred by the House on June 10. The governor may now choose to sign the bill into law, allow the bill to become law without a signature, or veto the bill.

HHW Events & Catch Basins Advice at June MOM Meeting

NRRA municipal members gathered virtually on June 9th for a great MOM meeting during the heat wave. In addition to discussing current markets and member services updates, attendees got a special presentation on Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events and catch basin cleanings from Brett Rogers, Disposal Manager at Environmental Projects, Inc. (EPI), an NRRA vendor.

Bonnie Bethune, Members Services Manager, reviewed the good news for many recyclables in this bull market. In 2020, mills were overstocked with material. Now that the economy has opened again in 2021, no manufacturer wants to be caught without enough inventory. Manufacturers are hungry to purchase recyclables to make into new products. That is great news for increased revenue for our members.

Composting Products Available for Sale at NRRA!

Keep food scraps out of the trash and turn them into nutrient-rich soil for your plants at home! Composting food scraps also benefits the environment because food scraps in landfills create methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Items available: Compost Bins, Rain Barrels, Kitchen Pails, & Compost Turners.

We have a limited inventory of these items available, located at the NRRA office in Epsom, NH. Please be sure to check with NRRA staff before arriving at our office to purchase any items.

Solid Waste Operator Training (SWOT): Effective Immediately (Emergency Order #29)

The following announcement was emailed to all NH solid waste operators on June 10 by Tara Albert, NHDES Training and Certification Coordinator

***Very Important Information. Please share with your co-workers, supervisors, and town officials including the administrative assistants and bookkeepers.***

Good afternoon! The Governor announced this afternoon that the Executive Order issuing a State of Emergency in the State of NH will expire tomorrow. We knew it was coming so now it is here. So, what does this mean for you? It means that as of tomorrow the 180-day extension is removed and all late fees will be reinstated as of September 10^th. See these bullet points for specifics.

Who receives the 180 day Extension?: All operators whose SWOT certification expired between March 13, 2020 and June 11, 2021 will receive the additional 180-days (plus the statutory 90-day grace period) to get their complete renewal application in to NHDES.
Who does NOT Receive 180 day Extension?: Any operator whose SWOT certification expires on June 12, 2021 or after will only have the statutorily authorized 90-day grace period to get their complete renewal application in to NHDES.
When are late fees reinstated?: There will be NO LATE fees accepted on any application postmarked as of September 10, 2021. After that date, the late fee goes back into effect.
How does this affect processed applicants?: All processed applicants who have already submitted their initial application shall register for and attend the next available Basic Training class or submit in writing the reason they cannot attend the class by July 20^th. If neither of things are done, then they will need to resubmit an initial application. Instructions for Registering and Logging in to the Online SWOT Basic Training.

Additional things for you to know:

In-person classes are still on hold. I am planning something for the fall. Do NOT wait to get your renewals in!!!
After the Basic Training class this week, I submitted a request to update the list of certified NH SWOT Operators on the website. If you are unsure of where you stand, please check the list.
As of today, there are 2 scheduled options for Basic Training. Pre-Recorded session with the test on August 3^rd and the Live August 10^th Class.
We are still in a pandemic and are not completely out of the woods. Please remember to keep yourself, family and co-workers safe. If you do want additional masks, please send me the address and how many you would like. And, as we all learned in kindergarten, wash your hands with soap and water.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me. Remember, I am on leave right now but I will be back on June 22^nd and will answer your questions then.

For SWOT Emergencies, please contact Jen Williams at Jennifer.Williams@des.nh.gov.

For non-SWOT Emergencies and Inquiries, please email SolidWasteInfo@des.nh.gov or call

(603) 271-2925.

Upcoming Events

EBC Solid Waste Leadership Webinar:

Conference of State Solid Waste Directors

Friday, June 18, 2021 - 8:30 am to 1:00 pm EDT

This Environmental Business Council Solid Waste webinar, co-hosted by NRRA, will provide an opportunity for State Solid Waste Directors from the six New England states to give their perspectives on the most critical solid waste management issues facing their respective states and the region.