tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45995027957774326492024-03-24T10:42:48.913-04:00Regeneration in ACTIONan Elemental Impact on-line magazineHolly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-72523817884871225302016-11-06T20:52:00.000-05:002018-11-15T12:28:02.529-05:00A Recycling or Contamination Crisis? an article series<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the past year numerous mainstream media articles presented a national recycling crisis. In John Tierney's October 2015 <i>New York Times</i> article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/opinion/sunday/the-reign-of-recycling.html" target="_blank"><i>The Reign of Recycling</i></a>, Waste Management (WM) CEO David Steiner is quoted, "<i>If you believe recycling is good for the planet and that we need to do more of it, then there’s a crisis to confront</i>."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maiBmp8XYfg/WB_EjmC3rXI/AAAAAAAAK_o/ufcoNaa2t4QeXs2pZjycC1Ye2LWdZe_oQCLcB/s1600/03-27-13%2BSOS%2Bin%2Bfront%2Bof%2Bmaterial%2B%2540%2BPratt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maiBmp8XYfg/WB_EjmC3rXI/AAAAAAAAK_o/ufcoNaa2t4QeXs2pZjycC1Ye2LWdZe_oQCLcB/s200/03-27-13%2BSOS%2Bin%2Bfront%2Bof%2Bmaterial%2B%2540%2BPratt.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel in front of a<br />
MRF single-stream recycling delivery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet the crisis seems to revolve around WM's profitability within single-stream recycling systems. According to the September 2015 <i>Fortune</i> article <i><a href="http://fortune.com/2015/09/03/waste-management-recycling-business/" target="_blank">The American recycling business is a mess: Can Big Waste fix it?</a></i>, single-stream recycling is a sorting method WM pioneered in 2001. Under WM and other large waste hauler influence, single-stream recycling evolved into the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">only available option for curbside and corporate recycling programs in many municipalities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In single-stream recycling, common recyclable materials - fiber (cardboard, paper), plastics, metals and glass - are placed in a single bin for later sorting at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Once sorted by type, material is baled for sale within the commodity market. Beginning around 2009 the big waste haulers started switching over to single-stream recycling as their offered service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, contamination was rampant in single-stream recycling systems from its introduction. Contamination generally falls into three categories: 1> non-recyclable items 2> food & melted ice and 3> glass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the beginning, many of the non-recyclable items in single-stream collection were due to lack of clear signage and consumer confusion. For example, bin signage may read "Plastics," rather than the specific accepted plastics. Thus, consumers include ALL plastics - lawn chairs, hoses etc. - in the single-stream bin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Food waste on recyclable foodservice packaging is contamination. In addition to rendering the packaging unfit for recycling, the food waste may contaminate nearby material. Water (melted ice from fountain soft drinks and other beverages) causes paper to stick to plastics; the paper and plastic are impractical to separate in MRF sorting systems. Therefore, the plastic, along with the paper stuck to it, are deposited in the landfill-destined trash pile.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwi4_Uski6M/WB_VLghIsMI/AAAAAAAALAw/peBsTRL2IUcd8hUdKVSnPo9nn57QybF9QCEw/s1600/SP%2BRecycling%2BTour%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwi4_Uski6M/WB_VLghIsMI/AAAAAAAALAw/peBsTRL2IUcd8hUdKVSnPo9nn57QybF9QCEw/s200/SP%2BRecycling%2BTour%2B012.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRF separated glass - filled with<br />
plastic & paper contamination</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Most single-stream recycling is collected in packer trucks where the material is crushed for transportation. When crushed, glass breaks into small shards that contaminate the paper, plastics and metals in the load. Additionally, glass (essentially sand) causes significant wear and tear on hauling trucks and MRF sorting equipment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In December 2009 t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he <a href="http://www.container-recycling.org/" target="_blank">Container Recycling Institute</a> (CRI) issued the comprehensive </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=60377" target="_blank">Understanding economic and environmental impacts of single-stream collection systems</a></i> white paper. Within the paper, research findings forewarned of single-stream perils: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>single-stream recycling increases diversion from landfill rates yet decreases recycling rates due to contamination</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The U.S. EPA Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy presented the webinar, <i>Single-Stream Recycling: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly,</i> in July 2011. Within the webinar, the presenters address the effectiveness of a system designed for ease of collection. The ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/07/single-stream-recycling-good-bad-ugly.html" target="_blank">Single-Stream Recycling: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, gives a synopsis of the informative webinar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If contamination was rampant since launching, how did the waste haulers make the necessary profits to drive single-stream recycling to the predominant, often only, recycling option available for communities and corporations at-large?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qocSox5M3x4/WB_Fx5vHNCI/AAAAAAAAK_s/2PK7x0OC_QoKmqG4tKtKOxKBtumu_W5MwCLcB/s1600/05-17-15%2BNRA%2BShow%2B-%2Brecycling%2B%2526%2Bwaste%2Bbins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qocSox5M3x4/WB_Fx5vHNCI/AAAAAAAAK_s/2PK7x0OC_QoKmqG4tKtKOxKBtumu_W5MwCLcB/s200/05-17-15%2BNRA%2BShow%2B-%2Brecycling%2B%2526%2Bwaste%2Bbins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 McCormick Place recycling bin<br />
w/ clear signage, next to waste bin.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer is within commodity market pricing. As the recycling commodity markets regained strength from the 2008 pricing plummets, MRFs made profits even with significant contamination. Markets for contaminated material remained reasonably stable with China purchasing the strong majority of the "dirty material."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Large waste haulers often invested in their own MRFs to complement landfill investments. Thus, the hauler collected tipping fees from landfill-bound, contaminated MRF material.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>A robust commodity market through mid-2014 masked the contamination flaws within single-stream recycling systems</i></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beginning in mid-2014, recycling commodity market pricing started a downward spiral. At the same time China cut U.S. purchases significantly and demanded cleaner material. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contaminated material prices severely declined and in some instances the market disintegrated. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, contaminated material was perceived as an expensive program cost versus a system by-product. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For larger generators, on-site source separation is best materials management practices and improves the bottom line. As noted in the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/10/zero-waste-moves-from-best-to-standard.html" target="_blank">Zero waste moves from "best" to standard operating practices</a></i>, the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Piazza Produce source-separated material recycling</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> program generated $288,000 of cost-savings </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in 2015</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">; the program continued to improve the bottom line during soft recycling markets.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kys_YMDmC68/WB_ICTsCO4I/AAAAAAAAK_8/tmKKbyWaglQV6JtchnrMHunnTwVwBTAMACLcB/s1600/12-17-14%2BS-SMRTmini%2Bbales%2Bon%2Bpallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kys_YMDmC68/WB_ICTsCO4I/AAAAAAAAK_8/tmKKbyWaglQV6JtchnrMHunnTwVwBTAMACLcB/s200/12-17-14%2BS-SMRTmini%2Bbales%2Bon%2Bpallet.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Separated material at the<br />
S-SMRT Pilot</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a raw material in manufacturing operations, c</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lean recyclable material retains value. When there are strong local markets, larger generators often circumvent the commodities market and sell directly to the manufacturer. The </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Ei) </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Source-Separated_Materials_Recyling" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Source-Separated Materials Recycling Template</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (S-SRT) is grounded in clean material source-separation and direct, local sales to manufacturers. Committed to integrity, the S-SRT tagline is </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contamination is a Mistake</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus, the recycling crisis touted by David Steiner in mainstream media is a </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>contamination crisis</i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the first in a series, this article's purpose is to establish the contamination crisis scenario. Following articles will address available solutions to overhaul corporate recycling programs, whether at an individual location or for the municipality, into systems that make good business, community and environmental sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In general, the articles will address corporate recycling with little to no focus on curbside recycling. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Intended topics include:</span><br />
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<li><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waste Prevention</u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - working with the supply chain on transport packaging to eliminate</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> trash packaging; ensuring no waste is created when products are sold to customers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><i><b>WE Consciousness</b></i> | Culture</u> - ensuring organization employees work in unison toward common goals within a supportive corporate culture; includes working in partnership with the supply chain and customers.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5W4jfJHWC4/WB_WFFImNtI/AAAAAAAALA0/cP3PrTIadRQg-WK77TJBsuqJV9mZUjPrgCEw/s1600/05-04-15%2BUSZWBC%2BEFP%2BTour%2Bbulletin%2Bboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5W4jfJHWC4/WB_WFFImNtI/AAAAAAAALA0/cP3PrTIadRQg-WK77TJBsuqJV9mZUjPrgCEw/s200/05-04-15%2BUSZWBC%2BEFP%2BTour%2Bbulletin%2Bboard.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">clear communication at<br />an employee bulletin board</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Hauler | Generator Responsibility</u> - taking responsibility for contamination within a recycling stream; using <b><i>WE Consciousness</i></b>, the hauler & customer work together to craft recycling programs that generate clean streams; culture plays a critical role.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Clear Communication</u> - educating employers and guests on proper placement for material and trash; includes clear, effective signage & best bin practices.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Local Infrastructure</u> - working with grass roots recycling companies on flexible programs unique to the local end markets; may attract new manufacturers to the local market if a significant volume of their raw material is generated within the community.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a positive flavor, the articles will focus on success stories and how to engineer profitable recycling systems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is time for the corporate community to exercise their power of consumer demand when it comes to materials management and resource recovery. Once industry leaders break the single-stream cycle, the big haulers will follow with crafting an alternative, effective system. Simple Economics 101 may prove the best pathway to fixing a broken recycling system riddled with contamination.</span></div>
Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-59189617624458946562016-06-29T07:14:00.000-04:002018-11-15T12:03:33.797-05:00The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Micro level contamination yields tremendous hidden costs to communities, the environment and food chain systems. Though often not seen by the human eye, fragmented microplastic pieces are poison to our soils | water microbial communities as well as to fish, mammals, birds and most all life forms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prominent organizations - <a href="http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/" target="_blank">Plastic Pollution Coalition</a>, <a href="http://www.algalita.org/" target="_blank">Algalita</a> and <a href="http://www.5gyres.org/" target="_blank">The 5 Gyres Institute</a> (5 Gyres) to name several - are dedicated to researching and educating on the plastic pollution crisis in our oceans and waterways. The facts are chilling:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>8 MILLION METRIC TONS</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The amount of plastic that enters the ocean each year.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>15-51 TRILLION</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The estimated number of pieces of plastic floating on the ocean surface</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>HYDROPHOBIC</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Once in our waterways, plastics act as sponges, soaking up all the chemicals – like PCB, DDT – that don’t mix with salt water.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>FISH FOOD</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Toxic-laden plastics look super tasty to fish. And we all know fish look tasty to us.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqQGrSLkoeI/V3Oms0TmLqI/AAAAAAAADrA/suEUzgSmdlkavWkl8JvUrjd_lJ2Ff51jgCLcB/s1600/06-03-16%2BEi%2BUSZWBC%2BAUS%2B-%2BRick%2B%2526%2BLia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqQGrSLkoeI/V3Oms0TmLqI/AAAAAAAADrA/suEUzgSmdlkavWkl8JvUrjd_lJ2Ff51jgCLcB/s200/06-03-16%2BEi%2BUSZWBC%2BAUS%2B-%2BRick%2B%2526%2BLia.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dynamic Duo: Rick & Lia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The above facts were extracted from 5 Gyres Director of Global Partnerships & Community Engagement Lia Colabella's <i><b>MORE OCEAN</b>, Less Plastic </i>presentation at the Fifth Annual <a href="https://uszwbc.org/2016conference/" target="_blank">National Zero Waste Business Conference </a>(NZWBC) hosted in Austin June 1 - 3. Lia teamed with <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/" target="_blank">Natur-Tec</a> Director Business Development, North America Rick Lombardo on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a> (Ei)-hosted <i><a href="https://uszwbc.org/nzwbc2016/concurring-panels-2016-conference/the-macro-costs-of-micro-contamination/" target="_blank">The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination</a></i> panel moderated by Ei Founder Holly Elmore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While Lia presented on the documented plastic pollution crisis in our oceans, Rick educated on a similar dilemma building within our soils in his <i>Compostable Plastics vs. Traditional Plastics</i> presentation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To help understand the origins of microplastic contamination, Rick educated on fragmentation, b</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iodegradability and compostability as follows:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fragmentation </b>– first step in the biodegradation process, in which organic matter is broken down into microscopic fragments.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Biodegradability</b> – complete microbial assimilation of the fragmented product as a food source by the soil microorganisms.</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compostability</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> – complete assimilation within 180 days in an industrial compost environment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note the difference between biodegradability and compostibility is TIME. By definition, material decomposes within 180 days while bio-degradation may take as long as millions of years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to the fragmentation process, ocean plastic pollution is now referred to as plastic smog. Clean-up is challenging to impossible due to the microscopic size of the plastic. Aquatic life consumes the fragmented plastic; larger pieces remain within the digestive tract and smaller ones integrate within the flesh. Thus, plastic enters the human food system!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBuRuI9CniY/V3OlpJTsWyI/AAAAAAAADq0/c9z-x2UlvLMPL5WayaEJH7ftbHLNI8FBQCLcB/s1600/06-16%2Bfish%2Bwith%2Bplastic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBuRuI9CniY/V3OlpJTsWyI/AAAAAAAADq0/c9z-x2UlvLMPL5WayaEJH7ftbHLNI8FBQCLcB/s200/06-16%2Bfish%2Bwith%2Bplastic.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 month fish with 17 pieces<br />
of plastic in stomach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lia provided a visual of a three month old rainbow runner with 17 pieces of plastic in its stomach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starting with the basics, Rick explained the origins of plastics with a reminder most traditional plastics are derived from petrochemicals. After an overview of the important role compost plays in soil health, Rick shared the role compostable plastics, derived from organic sources, play in effective post-consumer food waste collection for compost programs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To ensure a contaminant-free compost, it is important foodservice ware (cups, plates, flatware & other containers) are <a href="http://www.bpiworld.org/" target="_blank">BPI Certified Compostable</a>, an independent third party certification program. Rick gave an overview of the <a href="https://www.astm.org/Standards/D6400.htm" target="_blank">ASTM 6400</a> and <a href="https://www.astm.org/Standards/D6868.htm" target="_blank">ASTM D6868</a> Standards at the foundation of the BPI Certification requirements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rick showcased contamination at compost facilities resulting from traditional plastics. In addition, Rick addressed "green washing" through look alike products and deceptive product descriptions. "Oxo" degradable bags and degradable cutlery made from biomaterial additives and plastic resins are common contamination culprits.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioytxoj-Ra4/V3OlnNKtekI/AAAAAAAADqk/NR9Zmd22Tn4g5CBinPdzv6N8EfIBBp3_gCKgB/s1600/06-16%2Bcutlery%2Bin%2Bcompost%2Bpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioytxoj-Ra4/V3OlnNKtekI/AAAAAAAADqk/NR9Zmd22Tn4g5CBinPdzv6N8EfIBBp3_gCKgB/s200/06-16%2Bcutlery%2Bin%2Bcompost%2Bpile.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">degradable cutlery in<br />
compost pile<br />
photo courtesy of Rick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his presentation, Rick cited the </span><a href="http://ecocycle.org/specialreports/microplasticsincompost" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">EcoCycle | Wood's End 2011 Study</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Should Plastic Coated Materials be Allowed in Materials Collected for Composting?</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, with a quote:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This study showed conclusively that micro-plastic fragments were shred from all plastic coated samples, whether single or double-coated. This means any plastic-coated paper product, even those that are partially screened out during the composting process, is contaminating the finished compost with plastics particles.” </i></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRAAFvEISjc/V3OlnfeuomI/AAAAAAAADqo/PkBQiTsJx_sHybCftMpYibQTokBCe_ULwCKgB/s1600/06-16%2BLife%2BMag%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRAAFvEISjc/V3OlnfeuomI/AAAAAAAADqo/PkBQiTsJx_sHybCftMpYibQTokBCe_ULwCKgB/s200/06-16%2BLife%2BMag%2BCover.png" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1955 Life Magazine cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within their respective presentations, Rick & Lia included slides on the impact of the "disposable society" that culminated in the plastic pollution | smog crisis. In 1955, <i>Life Magazine</i> ran a memorable cover photo celebrating the new disposable lifestyle. Lia gave shocking stats on plastic production and consumption. 95% of plastic packaging material value - $80 - 120 billion annually - is lost to the economy after a single use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If a massive plastic clean-up is not feasible at this juncture, what can we do? Lia offered the following suggestions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. DOWNSTREAM WASTE MANAGEMENT</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Better collection and recycling systems. “Burn & Bury” infrastructure is not the answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. UPSTREAM DESIGN CHANGE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scale innovations in product and packaging design.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. POLICY DRIVES SOLUTIONS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bag bans, microbead laws. Global Plastic Protocol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the vibrant Q&A session, Holly reminded the audience the soils are equally contaminated with microplastics. Forthcoming research will substantiate plastic pollution - macro that fragments into micro - is a water | soil crisis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <i>Macro Cost of Micro Contamination</i> panel was a huge success! A prominent attendee confided in Holly "<i>this was the BEST conference panel - I learned so much </i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and I appreciate gaining visibility to such important issues</i></span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">!</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rick and Lia's PPT presentations are available on the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Meetings_and_events_USZWBC_Conferences" target="_blank">Ei NZWBC</a> page. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-tuned-in-industry-catches-vibrant.html" target="_blank">A "Tuned In" Industry Catches a Vibrant Zero Waste Beat</a>, </i>is a NZWBC program overview while the Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Elementalimpact/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1332835776744171" target="_blank">2016 National Zero Waste Business Conference</a></i>, is a conference pictorial recount.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQY1QnP2O6U/V3OnGuvlrKI/AAAAAAAADrI/FB6bzkQs8II9s3kDS_J6YO5eqc7S-C8dQCLcB/s1600/03-26-15%2BEi%2BScott%252C%2BLaura%2B%2526%2BDianna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQY1QnP2O6U/V3OnGuvlrKI/AAAAAAAADrI/FB6bzkQs8II9s3kDS_J6YO5eqc7S-C8dQCLcB/s200/03-26-15%2BEi%2BScott%252C%2BLaura%2B%2526%2BDianna.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott w/ Laura Turner Seydel &<br />
PPC Co-Founder Dianna Cohen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In March 2015, Ei Chair Scott Seydel presented at the <i>Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond</i> hosted jointly by the <a href="http://artdesign.gsu.edu/" target="_blank">Welch Foundation</a> at <a href="http://www.gsu.edu/" target="_blank">Georgia State University</a>, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/museum/" target="_blank">David J. Sencer Museum</a> of the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, and the Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC). </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2015/04/plastic-gyre-symposium-artists.html" target="_blank">Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond</a></i>, is a synopsis of the powerful symposium along with an introduction to the plastic pollution crisis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Ellen MacArthur Foundation</a> published the January 2016 <i><a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/the-new-plastics-economy-rethinking-the-future-of-plastics" target="_blank">The New Plastic Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics</a></i> report with a circular economy approach to address the future of plastics. For the first time, the report is a vision of a global economy in which plastics never become waste and outlines concrete steps towards achieving the systemic shifts necessary. Scott is an <a href="http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/03/01/ellen-macarthur-foundation-launches-us-circular-economy-program/" target="_blank">Ellen MacArthur Foundation USA</a> Board Member.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SURREAL: the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it contained no molecules found in nature, was invented by Leo Hendrik Baekeland in 1907 and by the mid-1950's the disposable society was celebrated. In just over 100 years humans mass contaminated the Earth's waters and soils with "molecules not found in nature."</span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-88002025034442218352016-02-24T22:32:00.001-05:002018-11-15T12:03:33.803-05:00Commercial Plastic Film Recycling: a zero waste frontier!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Plastic film recycling is a zero waste frontier filled with potential and probabilities.</b></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With increasing volumes of plastic film used in consumer and commercial packaging, the quantity of film landfill bound is astonishing. Industry pioneers are called upon to forge the plastic film frontier and craft new systems grounded in economics. Reduced landfill tipping costs coupled with recycling rebates are at the foundation of necessary infrastructure development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In general plastic is recyclable as long as the stream is clean with sufficient quantity. Plastic film is highly recyclable yet the definition of a "clean stream" is confusing due to the many grades used in a wide variety of transport packaging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although plastic shopping bags are the most visible film product, plastic film is prominent in a myriad of consumer and commercial transport packaging. In addition to bags, common consumer film uses include bubble wrap | plastic air pillows, sleeves for newspapers, magazines & dry cleaning, and other product protection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Escalating internet sales over the past years is a strong contributor to astonishing increases in the volume of landfill-destined plastic film, especially in the commercial sector.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In addition, strong internet sales impact how products are shipped for traditional retail sales. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsbdCAMzTeU-wXczu4M0lv8hX8pLvv2Fur3WYwJzn-dl_Rf354X9oNAcFmKU1sSoc8894KQL4v22SAJyCvLdans76ozRv1Opx_4GFF2iOWJZyPSLYeTi95np4812mIEtQm8l6LxEr8yg/s1600/07-15-15+Ei+CLT+Food+Lion+bins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsbdCAMzTeU-wXczu4M0lv8hX8pLvv2Fur3WYwJzn-dl_Rf354X9oNAcFmKU1sSoc8894KQL4v22SAJyCvLdans76ozRv1Opx_4GFF2iOWJZyPSLYeTi95np4812mIEtQm8l6LxEr8yg/s200/07-15-15+Ei+CLT+Food+Lion+bins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food Lion recycling bins<br />
provided by Ei Partner Glasdon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the consumer, many grocery stores - <a href="http://sustainability.kroger.com/environment.html" target="_blank">Kroger</a>, <a href="http://sustainability.publix.com/what_we_are_doing/recycling.recycling_efforts.php" target="_blank">Publix</a> and <a href="https://www.foodlion.com/about-us/sustainability/" target="_blank">Food Lion</a> are examples - offer plastic bag recycling via outdoor bins for their customers. Most plastic film transport packaging is accepted along with the grocery bags. <a href="https://www.theupsstore.com/" target="_blank">UPS Stores</a> often accept the plastic air pillows & bubble wrap for reuse in their shipping services.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With many municipalities shifting from dual or separated streams to single-stream recycling, plastic film is classified as a "contaminant" by the recycling haulers. At a MRF (materials recovery facility) single-stream recycling is sorted by material type over a series of conveyor belts and through optical sorting machinery. Plastic film wraps around</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> sorting equipment, resulting in expensive system shutdowns; thus, valuable plastic film is considered a contaminant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the commercial sector plastic film is used extensively in transport packaging, ranging from shrink wrap to secure products on pallets to plastic sleeves | bags for product protection to bubble wrap | air pillows for product cushioning.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXkWZvr1fnk/Vs5Y9WSapiI/AAAAAAAADMU/F2Th6mvzDl8/s1600/09-24-12%2BScott%2BLutocka%2Bon%2Bplastic%2Bfilm%2Bbale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXkWZvr1fnk/Vs5Y9WSapiI/AAAAAAAADMU/F2Th6mvzDl8/s200/09-24-12%2BScott%2BLutocka%2Bon%2Bplastic%2Bfilm%2Bbale.JPG" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Lutocka sitting on std size<br />
plastic film bale @ Piazza Produce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plastic film is a valuable commodity with recycling rebates often matching or exceeding OCC (old corrugated cardboard). Large commercial generators source-separate </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">plastic film</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and sell the standard sized bales weighing 700 - 1000 pounds in the commodities market. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus, plastic film is a strong contributor to their recycling profit centers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2011 <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/" target="_blank">Elemental Impact</a> (Ei) embarked on a commercial plastic film recycling journey targeted at moderate generators where standard size bale assembly was not practical. Development of a city-wide plastic film recycling template was the intended destination. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In simplistic terms, the city-wide template pilot plan was to recruit 10 - 12 industry pioneers who generate a moderate amount of plastic film in their operations. Using a small baler, the pioneers collect and bale plastic film on-site for periodic collection. A local hauler collects and delivers the small bales to a warehouse. The small bales are re-baled into standard size larger bales and stored in an empty tractor trailer. Once full, the plastic film is sold by the tractor trailer load as a raw material to a manufacturer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_o2FUyRSUK4/Vs5ZnDW35nI/AAAAAAAADMc/GLJoHVgetXU/s1600/12-05-11%2Bremoving%2Bbale%2Bfrom%2Bcompactor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_o2FUyRSUK4/Vs5ZnDW35nI/AAAAAAAADMc/GLJoHVgetXU/s200/12-05-11%2Bremoving%2Bbale%2Bfrom%2Bcompactor.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">completed milk jug bale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A precursor to the plastic film recycling template was a successful milk jug recycling program at <a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/04/milk-jugs-recycled-atlanta-airport.html" target="_blank">Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport</a>, the busiest airport in the world. Thanks to Ei Pioneer <a href="http://www.hmshost.com/" target="_blank">HMSHost'</a>s perseverance, the</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Starbucks</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">milk jug recycling program </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">established mini baler best practices. The ZWA Blog post, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/04/milk-jugs-recycled-atlanta-airport.html" target="_blank">Milk Jugs Recycled at Atlanta Airport</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, announces the program launch. Note the Atlanta Airport is the </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_ATL_Airport_Pilot" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) Airport Pilot</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Around 2011 the garment manufacturing industry shifted from bulk retail packaging to individual item packaging. RESULT: a tremendous increase in valuable, clean, virgin plastic film going into retailer waste streams. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With synchronicity, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.simon.com/" target="_blank">Simon Property Group</a> - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the nation's largest mall and commercial real estate owner - jo</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ined the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Sponsorship" target="_blank">Ei Partner Program</a> in 2011 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to develop zero waste practices at their malls; Simon's focus was on plastic film and food waste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ZWA Blog post, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/06/simon-malls-embarks-on-zero-waste.html" target="_blank">Simon Property Group Embarks on Zero Waste Initiatives</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, chronicles the first Simon plastic film recycling meeting during Matt Hupp's - then Simon director of waste & recycling - second Atlanta visit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMcWWhXQQhk/Vs5a3i7KoRI/AAAAAAAADMo/heLyp5zjnXc/s1600/01-11-12%2Bexamining%2Bplastic%2B%2540%2BCM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMcWWhXQQhk/Vs5a3i7KoRI/AAAAAAAADMo/heLyp5zjnXc/s200/01-11-12%2Bexamining%2Bplastic%2B%2540%2BCM.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Ptr Louis Herrera educating<br />
Matt Hupp on plastic film @ CM</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Charlotte Simon Mall, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.simon.com/mall/concord-mills" target="_blank">Concord Mills</a> (CM) - the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Concord_Mills_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI Shopping Center Pilot</a> - was selected as the first mall plastic film recycling pilot. In addition to excellent mall logistics, CM General Manager Ray Soporowski was an industry veteran committed to sustainability and "doing the right thing." </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The stage was set!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In August 2012 CM launched their successful plastic film recycling program using a mini baler. The film rebates, coupled with reduced landfill tipping fees, covered the baler and labor cost and improved the bottom line. The ZWA Blog post, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/08/action-theme-for-sfci-shopping-mall.html" target="_blank">ACTION: Theme for SFCI Shopping Mall Pilot</a></i>, announces the mall plastic film recycling program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With an arsenal of lessons learned, the Ei Team was ready to focus on a city-wide plastic film recycling template designed for duplication in metro areas across the nation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.freshpointatlanta.com/" target="_blank">FreshPoint</a> (FP), the nation's largest produce distributor, stepped forward as the lead Pilot Pioneer. As an early <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones" target="_blank">Zero Waste Zones</a> Participant, FreshPoint has strong sustainability practices in-place and was eager to forge new recycling frontiers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEAASnvX89w/Vs5dIw7jniI/AAAAAAAADM0/3NP3_w0lUdU/s1600/11-22-13%2Bworker%2Bwrapping%2Bpallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEAASnvX89w/Vs5dIw7jniI/AAAAAAAADM0/3NP3_w0lUdU/s200/11-22-13%2Bworker%2Bwrapping%2Bpallet.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FP employee wrapping pallet with<br />
shrink wrap for customer delivery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During distribution center tours, the Ei Team discovered FP generated colored and clear film</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in their daily operations. A surprise find was the "cut room" where the disposable blue aprons were made from a recyclable plastic film grade. Once the baler was delivered, simple logistics were established to separate clear and colored plastic film. In addition, the collection bins placement was easy for the truck drivers, who brought back shrink wrap from their delivery routes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In alignment with the CM shopping mall template, FP associates produced small plastic film bales that were collected by a hauler for consolidation into standard size bales.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <i><a href="https://vimeo.com/84313771?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished-20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfGMwMTQxOTk2ZjRiYzEyZGUwYmI0Mjk4OGFlZjE1OGM4NTE1fDI0MzAzNzc2fDEzODk4OTA4NDl8NzcwMQ%3D%3D" target="_blank">Ei Plastic Film Recovery Pilot @ FreshPoin</a></i>t video gives an overview of the pilot along with new practices created for contaminant-free film collection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fellow Ei Pioneer Tim Trefzer, <a href="http://www.gwcc.com/" target="_blank">Georgia World Congress Center</a> (GWCC) Sustainability Director, visited FP to witness the plastic film recycling program in action. When the <a href="http://www.gadome.com/" target="_blank">Georgia Dome</a> - the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Georgia_Dome_Pilot" target="_blank">SFCI Event Venue Pilot</a> and within the GWCC umbrella - joined the Pioneer Team, the pilot template expanded beyond plastic film to encompass common recyclable materials: aluminum, mixed paper and PET. The g</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oal was to create an on-site mini MRF at the GA Dome | GWCC.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwRyuaSFQBE/Vs5eC5Gh8qI/AAAAAAAADM8/Sf1IsyH2n50/s1600/09-19-14%2BSSMR%2BTim%2B%2526%2BScott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwRyuaSFQBE/Vs5eC5Gh8qI/AAAAAAAADM8/Sf1IsyH2n50/s200/09-19-14%2BSSMR%2BTim%2B%2526%2BScott.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM<br />
Scott Jenkins w/ Tim @ GWCC MRF</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus, the plastic film recycling template expanded to the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Source-Separated_Materials_Recyling" target="_blank">Source-Separated Materials Recycling Template</a> (S-SMRT). The linked website page details the game plan and lists blog articles that chronicle the work-in-progress. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.748667091827712.1073741847.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">Source-Separated Materials Recycling: building a city-wide network</a></i>, chronicles the template creation process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to unforeseen circumstances ranging from promotions to long-term illness to business model shifts to internal corporate politics, the S-SMRT was put on hold in early 2015. The foundation is built and ready for a new life at the perfect time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Plastic_Film_Recycling" target="_blank">Ei Plastic Film Recycling</a> website page gives an overview of the important work along with links to blog articles detailing the action steps taken, challenges faced, lessons learned and successes. The Ei FB album, <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1243060969054986.1073741880.120919654602462&type=1" target="_blank">Ei Plastic Film Recycling</a></i>, chronicles the impressive plastic film recycling work in a pictorial format.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In early 2016 Ei Pioneer Matt Hupp, <a href="http://keteres.com/" target="_blank">Keter Environmental Services</a> COO & former Simon Director of Waste & Recycling, committed to working with the Ei Team on plastic film recycling pilots at their Atlanta managed malls. Discussions are underway to craft the pilot team and return to action mode.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plastic film recycling template tagline - <i>If it was easy, it would already be done</i> - is perfect for returning to action mode within the zero waste frontier.</span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-33640205570262416642014-07-27T23:40:00.001-04:002018-11-25T12:07:19.642-05:00SFCI targets post-consumer food waste<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones">Zero Waste Zones</a> launched in 2009 Atlanta was thrust into the national spotlight as the leader in the commercial collection of food waste for compost. As highlighted in the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a> story <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1651061547"></span>City aims for zero waste<span id="goog_1651061548"></span></a></i>, the ZWZ focused on back-of-the-house (BOH) | pre-consumer food waste collection for compost.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfJRn2GxU0/U9WpzfbpQtI/AAAAAAAACEg/JEKbmIB5Qug/s1600/02-27-12+ATR+Chef+Ahmad+at+composting+bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfJRn2GxU0/U9WpzfbpQtI/AAAAAAAACEg/JEKbmIB5Qug/s1600/02-27-12+ATR+Chef+Ahmad+at+composting+bin.jpg" width="137" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Ahmad Nourzad<br />
w/ Affairs to Remember</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<i>It was Easy - Thank You</i>" was a common phrase from ZWZ Participants. Yet arriving to this point was NOT easy! It took a team of industry leaders who were willing to figure out by trial and error the new "easy" food waste collection practices. Kudos to Patrick Cuccaro of <a href="http://affairs.com/">Affairs to Remember</a>, Randy Childers of <a href="http://www.atlantaregency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html">The Hyatt Regency</a>, Steve Simon of <a href="http://fifthgroup.com/">fifth group restaurants</a>, Executive Chef Frank Abbinanti of <a href="http://www.levyrestaurants.com/convention-centers/georgia-world-congress-center">Levy Restaurants | Georgia World Congress Center</a>, to name a few, for leading the industry in pre-consumer food waste collection!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/">Elemental Impact</a>'s (Ei) ZWZ role complete, the <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/Home">National Restaurant Association</a> (NRA) purchased the ZWZ in late 2012 to augment its <a href="http://conserve.restaurant.org/">ConServe Program</a>. The ZWZ sale substantiated Ei as a powerful program creator. A common phrase in Ei founder Holly Elmore's many speaking engagements summarizes Ei's industry role:</span><br />
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<em style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ei is a creator, an incubator.</em></span></span></em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.</em></span></span></em></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">.</span></em></span></span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KvUKKSFAb8/U9Wqj7OIRWI/AAAAAAAACEo/sWIIpvz5-9g/s1600/SFCI_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KvUKKSFAb8/U9Wqj7OIRWI/AAAAAAAACEo/sWIIpvz5-9g/s1600/SFCI_web.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The August, 2013 IMPACT Blog article, </span><a href="http://elementalimpact.blogspot.com/2013/08/ei-emerges-strong-from-metamorphosis.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ei Emerges Strong from a Metamorphosis</i></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, announces the Ei triple-platform focus: </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Product_Stewardship" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Product Stewardship</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/RecyclingRefinement" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recycling Refinement</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/Water_Use_Toxicity" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Water Use | Toxicity</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Within Recycling Refinement - <i>moving beyond landfill diversion</i> - post-consumer food waste collection is a primary focus, along with on-site source-separated material for recycling collection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As ZWZ Participants</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, each of the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a> Pilots have strong pre-consumer food waste collection commitments. Below is a recap of the respective SFCI Pilot's goals for post-consumer food waste collection for compost or other state-permitted destinations other than landfill:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2014 | 2015 primary SFCI focus is post-consumer food waste collection.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Concord_Mills_Pilot" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">SFCI - Shopping Center Pilot</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the SFCI - Shopping Center Pilot, <a href="http://www.simon.com/mall/concord-mills">Concord Mills</a> in Charlotte, NC takes an industry leading role in mall food court BOH food waste collection, wasted food donation and plastic film recycling. The March 2013 ZWA Blog article, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2013/03/bring-possible-out-of-impossible.html">Bring the Possible out of Impossible</a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, highlights the strong working relationship with Ei Partner <a href="http://www.hmshost.com/">HMSHost</a> (food court concessionaire) and mall owner <a href="http://www.simon.com/">Simon Property Group</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiE6s4MWvhY/VjD7LuvAFpI/AAAAAAAAC7I/_rJA_M0WOSs/s1600/Ray%2Bwith%2Bhis%2BOrwak%2Bbaler%252C%2Bthe%2Bworkhorse%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bplastic%2Bfilm%2Brecycling%2Bprogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiE6s4MWvhY/VjD7LuvAFpI/AAAAAAAAC7I/_rJA_M0WOSs/s200/Ray%2Bwith%2Bhis%2BOrwak%2Bbaler%252C%2Bthe%2Bworkhorse%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bplastic%2Bfilm%2Brecycling%2Bprogram.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray with his <a href="http://www.orwakbalers.com/" target="_blank">Orwak </a>baler,<br />
the workhorse of the plastic film<br />
recycling program</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In April, Concord Mills general manager Ray Soporowski hosted the<a href="http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast"> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Scaling Up Compost in Charlotte</i> Grant Team</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for a tour of the food waste and plastic film recycling programs. During the tour, Ray agreed to pilot a post-consumer food waste collection program in the food court. The game plan is to meet in the summer to devise a game plan for implementation after the busy year-end holiday season. The ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2014/05/charlotte-focuses-on-food-waste-with.html">Charlotte Focuses on Food Waste with EPA Grant Support</a></i>, recaps the April Charlotte visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei Team visits Charlotte July 30 - August 01 for three days of powerful tours, meetings and strategy sessions. A meeting with Ray on the Concord Mills post-consumer food waste collection pilot is scheduled as a top priority.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI_ATL_Airport_Pilot">SFCI - Airport Pilot</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2011 <a href="http://www.atlanta-airport.com/">Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport</a>, the busiest airport in the world, made a bold sustainable statement by including a provision in the Airport Concessionaire Request for Proposal requiring food vendors to use compostable packaging. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3isjeh9hykE/U9WuymTYavI/AAAAAAAACFY/-CB8re0YLk4/s1600/12-06-11+Scott+%2526+Scott+with+Going+Green+Airport+Award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3isjeh9hykE/U9WuymTYavI/AAAAAAAACFY/-CB8re0YLk4/s1600/12-06-11+Scott+%2526+Scott+with+Going+Green+Airport+Award.JPG" width="173" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ei Chair Scott Seydel w/ Scott<br />
DeFife of the NRA w/the<br />
Going Green Airports Award</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The provision announcement coincided with the Atlanta Airport stepping forward as the first SFCI Pilot. For an overview of the groundbreaking provision, visit the ZWA Blog article, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/10/atlanta-airport-makes-bold-sustainable.html">Atlanta Airport Makes a Bold Sustainable Statement</a></i>. The SFCI - Atlanta Airport won a 2011 Going Green Airports Award for the contract provision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Ei </span><a href="http://elementalimpact.org/atlanta-airport-pilot" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atlanta Airport Compostable Packaging Information Packet</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> page is an overview of the comprehensive document prepared by the SFCI Team in 2012 to educate airport concessionaires on the contract provision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the new contract completing its eighteen month implementation process, the Airport is informing concessionaires the compostable packaging provision is effective by year end. Liza Milagro - Atlanta Airport senior sustainability planner - is orchestrating a series of lunch and learn sessions to educate and prepare the Concessions Department for provision compliance.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kdbhLe577s/U9WyEnTSeWI/AAAAAAAACFg/K_ccUxUZ7o4/s1600/07-17-14+Liza+&+Doug+after+SFCI+-+ATL+mtg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kdbhLe577s/U9WyEnTSeWI/AAAAAAAACFg/K_ccUxUZ7o4/s1600/07-17-14+Liza+&+Doug+after+SFCI+-+ATL+mtg.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza & Doug @ Atlanta Airport </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SFCI co-chair Doug Kunnemann of <a href="http://www.natureworksllc.com/">NatureWorks </a>works closely with Liza on developing a Compostable Packaging Products Manual to aid concessionaires in meeting the contract provision. The document focus is on the compostable packaging definition and how to communicate the packaging requirements within the concessionaire supply chain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Friday, August 8 Liza meets with the newly formed Ei <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sustainable-materials-committee" target="_blank">Sustainable Materials ACTION Team</a> chaired by Sarah Martell of <a href="http://www.innoviafilms.com/">innovia Films</a> to tour the airport concession operations. Committee members Grant Braasch of NatureWorks, Rick Lombardo of <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/">Natur-Tec</a> and Wendell Simonson of <a href="http://www.ecoproducts.com/">Eco-Products</a> will share their expertise with Liza and offer their on-going support. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Ei <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/sustainable-materials-committee" target="_blank">Sustainable Materials ACTION Team</a> is a team of industry experts from non-profits and private enterprise who provide support to foodservice operators</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> eager to refine their food waste collection practices. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the main committee tasks is to support the SFCI Pilots as they embark on post-consumer food waste collection programs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://elementalimpact.org/SFCI_Georgia_Dome_Pilot">SFCI - Event Venue Pilot</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.gwcc.com/">Georgia World Congress Center Authority</a>, including the Georgia World Congress Center, <a href="http://www.gadome.com/">Georgia Dome</a> and <a href="http://www.centennialpark.com/">Centennial Olympic Park</a>, was the first ZWZ Participant and hosted the acclaimed 2009 press conference launching the program. A veteran to zero waste practices, the GWCC is eager to refine their recycling programs. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSe7nF_bitc/U9WzpJNoGdI/AAAAAAAACFs/SLGLXs7z88A/s1600/11-10-13+Tim+with+food+waste+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSe7nF_bitc/U9WzpJNoGdI/AAAAAAAACFs/SLGLXs7z88A/s1600/11-10-13+Tim+with+food+waste+bag.jpg" width="166" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim "picking the bowl" @<br />
2013 Falcons Game</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In early 2012 GWCCA director of sustainability Tim Trefzer gave the big YES to the Georgia Dome serving as the SFCI - Event Venue Pilot! For the 2014 <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> season, the SFCI - Georgia Dome announces the following goals:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Implement a post-consumer food waste collection program</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Source-separate material generated for on-site produced mini-bales</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Expand game day tailgate recycling initiatives in the GWCC-owned parking lots; explore recycling possibilities at privately held parking lots. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Establishing baselines | fact finding for the business
model development is the first action step and timing is impeccable with the
upcoming August 08 & 23 pre-season Falcons home games. Future articles will document the planning and action necessary to accomplish the 2014 Atlanta Falcons Season Goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Food donation programs are integral to successful post-consumer food waste systems. In the original ZWZ Criteria, participants were required to donate excess food in accordance with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Emerson_Good_Samaritan_Act_of_1996">Good Samaritan Food Donation Act</a>. Often there is prepared food deemed unservable due to quality standards yet meets the donation standards.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wA3T5o5ObY/TzcityHjgyI/AAAAAAAAA4c/r6NqJ2usxT8/s1600/08-11+HMSHost+Food+Donation+@+Tampa+Airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wA3T5o5ObY/TzcityHjgyI/AAAAAAAAA4c/r6NqJ2usxT8/s200/08-11+HMSHost+Food+Donation+@+Tampa+Airport.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Perry </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">with food ready for donation</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perry Kranias with HMSHost - <a href="http://www.tampaairport.com/">Tampa International Airport</a> is a leading pioneer in maximizing donated food in commercial foodservice operations. The ZWA Blog's most popular article (almost to 8,000 pageviews!), <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/02/reduce-first-donate-second-and-compost.html">Reduce First, Donate Second, Compost Third</a>,</i> is an introduction to the Tampa Airport donation program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HMSHost contracts with the <a href="http://www.foodtodonate.org/">Food Donation Connection</a> (FDC) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on a national basis to orchestrate their donation programs. FDC is</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a NRA partner organization who specializes in the tax benefits generated by food donation programs. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">In partnership with </span><a href="http://www.yum.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">YUM! Brands</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, FDC produced an excellent video, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTlV1toN7C8">HMSHost and Food Donation Connection Food Rescue</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, on their system featuring the Tampa Airport donation program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The post-consumer food waste goals are stated, action plans are established or in the formation stage, and the Ei Team is mobilized to provide guidance and support to industry pioneers. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ei's tagline <b><i>Sustainability in ACTION</i></b> is indeed in action for post-consumer food waste programs. Let the possible flow from the impossible while pioneers segue into heroes!</span></span></span></div>
Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-46489509168534794232012-10-20T20:54:00.000-04:002018-11-15T12:22:05.835-05:00National Restaurant Association Acquires Zero Waste Zones<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79c-0vUU5EE/UINAb_uvG0I/AAAAAAAABgI/ix4ghcWVUxU/s1600/ZWZ+Two-Year+Anniversary+press+conference+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79c-0vUU5EE/UINAb_uvG0I/AAAAAAAABgI/ix4ghcWVUxU/s200/ZWZ+Two-Year+Anniversary+press+conference+104.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZWZ Two-Yr Press Conference<br />
PreseningTeam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones">Zero Waste Zones</a> February, 2011 <a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2011/02/zwz-garners-national-support.html">Two-Year Anniversary Press Conference</a>, the National Restaurant Association announced their collaboration with <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/">Elemental Impact</a> and the ZWZ program. In a formal statement, Scott DeFife - NRA executive vice-president policy and public affairs - voiced strong support for the program's impact:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>Atlanta’s Zero Waste Zone program has been incredibly successful, and we are now looking to expand that success to communities nationwide. Sustainability is imperative to our industry, other business communities and the general public. Working with Elemental Impact, we are bringing industry stakeholders together to enable our members to establish - and succeed in reaching - waste diversion and resource recovery goals.</i>”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In late September, the NRA acquired the ZWZ program with intentions to expand the program nationally within the state restaurant association network. Exciting news as the program may evolve and increase its impact within the depth of the NRA's educational, training and policy resources. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The ZWZ program achieved national accolades as a pioneer in the commercial collection of food waste for composting when it launched at an acclaimed press conference in February, 2009. By acquiring the program, the NRA validates the importance of the program and its potential impact within the foodservice industry, the nation's second largest private industry.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">While in her tenure as the <a href="http://www.greenfoodservicealliance.org/">Green Foodservice Alliance </a>executive director & founder, Ei founder Holly Elmore brought a vision into grounded action through the ZWZ program. In January, 2010, the ZWZ transferred stewardship to Ei as the program continued to gain momentum in its national leadership role. For a brief history along with program criteria, visit the <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/Zero-Waste-Zones">Ei ZWZ </a>page.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-cLHpUAyBE/TO6tqfEPWrI/AAAAAAAAAYA/NZafmSu1fJQ/s1600/Ei_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-cLHpUAyBE/TO6tqfEPWrI/AAAAAAAAAYA/NZafmSu1fJQ/s200/Ei_logo.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Ei continues work in zero waste realms through the <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/SFCI">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a>, <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/RecyclingIntegrity">Recycling Integrity</a>, <a href="http://www.elementalimpact.org/EiSpeakingEngagements">speaking engagements</a> and <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/meeting-and-events">educational workshops</a>. In October an <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/sponsors">Ei Partner</a> Team consisting of Amy Moreland of <a href="http://www.heritage-interactive.com/">Heritage Interactive Services</a>, Chris Bradlee of <a href="http://www.basf.com/group/sustainability_en/index">BASF</a> and Holly visited Newark for two days of zero waste meetings and a workshop hosted by the <a href="http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/government/city_departments/economic__housing_development/sustainability_office/">City of Newark Office of Sustainability</a>. The ZWA Blog post, <i><a href="http://zerowastezone.blogspot.com/2012/10/ei-team-visits-newark-for-zero-waste.html">Ei Team Visits Newark for Zero Waste Education</a></i>, gives an overview of the visit.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The NRA ZWZ acquisition substantiates Ei as a creator and incubator for developing programs within the corporate, government and educational communities. A common phrase in Holly's speaking engagements summarizes the overall driving force in Ei initiatives:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done. Ei brings the possible out of impossible.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ei's tagline <b><i>Sustainability in ACTION </i></b>moved into evolved dimensions of impact and prominence Stay tuned for future exciting announcements from Ei and the NRA with respect to the ZWZ and beyond!</span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4599502795777432649.post-45068490374511209362012-04-29T15:40:00.004-04:002018-11-15T12:19:14.951-05:00Emerging Trend: Recycling PROFIT Centers<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the past corporations classified valuable material generated within their operations as trash and paid for it to leave their premises. Astute business leaders recognize a significant percentage of "trash" items are valuable materials supported by commodity markets. With a perception shift, companies are realigning their "waste" logistics, both equipment and practices, to source-separate material generated on-site into bales or other mediums for sale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By adding green jobs for the source-separation process, companies evolve from paying to being paid for material to leave their facilities. In general the increase in labor and any additional equipment costs is more than offset by cost reduction and added revenue. The result: Improved bottom lines!</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojxgHmdxYI0/T3O6kCaL-fI/AAAAAAAAA_w/XsZz4D31AgQ/s1600/03-27-12+Piazza+Produce+with+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojxgHmdxYI0/T3O6kCaL-fI/AAAAAAAAA_w/XsZz4D31AgQ/s200/03-27-12+Piazza+Produce+with+award.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott on right with Indy Mayor<br />
@ Awards Luncheon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zerowastezones.org/zwz-zones/zwz-national-zone" target="_blank">Zero Waste Zones National Zone Participant</a> Piazza Produce improved their bottom line by over $30,000 after implementing zero waste practices. To his amazement Scott Lutocka, <a href="http://www.piazzaproduce.com/" target="_blank">Piazza Produce</a> facilities manager, receives bids for Piazza's baled plastic. On March 27 Piazza won the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Award at the <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201203280245/LOCAL/203280319" target="_blank">City of Indianapolis Sustainability Awards</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key to transforming from a cost to profit center is maintaining material value via source-separation. In general, selling directly to a manufacturer or mill for use in the production process results in the highest purchase price. Each time material is touched a significant cost is added, reducing the bottom line benefit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many companies, the task of revamping their entire disposal methods is daunting so they opt for the traditional pay-to-leave system. Thus, a new industry is emerging, logistics management focused on zero waste goals. Industry leaders do not own hauling or destination assets and maintain flexibility to maximize savings|revenue generation. Programs must be tailored to a company's specific operations and to their local material end-use market.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/sponsors" target="_blank">Elemental Impact Partner</a> and <a href="http://elementalimpact.org/SFCI" target="_blank">Sustainable Food Court Initiative</a> Team member, <a href="http://www.heritage-enviro.com/interactive/index.asp" target="_blank">Heritage Interactive Services</a> is a logistics management hero with an amazing resume of zero waste manufacturing clients. Ei is thrilled to partner with HIS on a series of programs in the creation phase.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erDAsTNA-Gk/T52RfU-gNBI/AAAAAAAABFA/jim76dTOhFI/s1600/04-16-12+HIS+T-S+mtg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erDAsTNA-Gk/T52RfU-gNBI/AAAAAAAABFA/jim76dTOhFI/s200/04-16-12+HIS+T-S+mtg.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ei | HIS | TS meeting group</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On April 16 & 17, HIS president Bob Zetty along with business relationship director Amy Moreland and VP strategic resources group Yanet Montanez visited Atlanta for a mini meeting marathon. The first meeting with <a href="http://tishmanspeyer.com/properties/Municipality.aspx?id=38" target="_blank">Tishman Speyer</a>, owner of five Atlanta properties including <a href="http://tishmanspeyer.com/properties/Property.aspx?id=133" target="_blank">Colony Square</a> and<a href="http://tishmanspeyer.com/properties/Property.aspx?id=136" target="_blank"> Midtown Plaza</a>, set a fantastic tone for the remaining meetings. Follow-up is underway to begin the assessment process of the two Midtown properties for a zero waste phased-in plan development.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-PM-aB5vy8/T52Rd-Id-AI/AAAAAAAABEw/l5HJRmWQYFg/s1600/04-16-12+HIS+Lunch+@+Souper+Jenny's.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-PM-aB5vy8/T52Rd-Id-AI/AAAAAAAABEw/l5HJRmWQYFg/s200/04-16-12+HIS+Lunch+@+Souper+Jenny's.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan, Bob, Amy & Yanet in front of<br />
Souper Jenny Soup Truck</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a delicious lunch at <a href="http://www.zerowastezones.org/zwz-zones/ga-buckhead" target="_blank">ZWZ-Buckhead</a> Participant <a href="http://souperjennyatl.com/" target="_blank">Souper Jenny</a>'s, the Ei | HIS entourage met with the <a href="http://www.spelman.edu/" target="_blank">Spelman College</a> facilities and ground management team headed by Art Frazier. To aggregate the volume necessary to create a recycling profit center, HIS | Ei hope to develop a collaborative program working in unison with the <a href="http://www.aucenter.edu/" target="_blank">Atlanta University Center</a> colleges. The Ei FB album, <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.425871920773899.117153.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">04-16-12 Spelman College Recycling Tour</a></i>, gives the pictorial recap of the campus tour following the lively, effective meeting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier in the month, Ei program director Susan Montgomery and Ei founder Holly Elmore met with four of the five AUC facilities directors about a collaborative program to great enthusiasm. The <a href="http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region4.html" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV </a>Administrator's office is supportive of the collaborative program and encouraged building a zero waste template for college campuses. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq-IRJB7S6k/T52ResthmnI/AAAAAAAABE4/KxaQelO4w1I/s1600/04-16-12+HIS+Spellman+group+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq-IRJB7S6k/T52ResthmnI/AAAAAAAABE4/KxaQelO4w1I/s200/04-16-12+HIS+Spellman+group+pic.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smiling crew after a lively mtg &<br />
ready for a campus tour
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In alignment with the EPA's request, </span><a href="http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/Pages/Default.aspx" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Mecklenburg County</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> senior environmental specialist Trey Miller joined the meeting via conference call and followed up with Amy afterwards. Trey spearheads Charlotte-area CAUSE - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> Colleges and Universities Sustaining the Environment. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Intertwined between major program introductory meetings, the HIS folks met with local Ei Partners and ZWZ Participants. The full two-day visit ended with participation in the <a href="http://www.midtownalliance.org/ecodistrict.htm" target="_blank">Greenprint Midtown</a> Interactive Visioning Session where Bob met Robert Reed of <a href="http://www.southface.org/" target="_blank">Southface </a>who coordinated the session. How fun if a collaborative recycling program for Midtown businesses is developed where everyone wins: Midtown businesses improve bottom lines, local manufacturing operations increase their recycled material content and valuable material no longer ends its life in a landfill. Stay tuned as small seeds were planted!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The Ei FB album, <i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.425837800777311.117145.120919654602462&type=3" target="_blank">04-12 HIS Visits ATL</a></i>, gives a pictorial recap of the meeting-packed two days.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mPZZxrs75Q/T52WetWinBI/AAAAAAAABFM/CcJvCSZfI8U/s1600/04-17-12+Bob+and+Yanet+at+Greenprint+Midtown+event.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mPZZxrs75Q/T52WetWinBI/AAAAAAAABFM/CcJvCSZfI8U/s200/04-17-12+Bob+and+Yanet+at+Greenprint+Midtown+event.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob & Yanet @ Greenprint<br />
Midtown event</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">It is invigorating to actively participate in evolving standard business practices to those that make good business and environmental sense. An impressive Ei Partner Team is working closely with national and global leaders enthusiastic to create zero waste business environments. As leaders, these heroes will share within their respective industries. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The glimmer of hope is now a beacon of light: we are returning to our ancestral roots where zero waste is merely how it is done.</span></span></span>Holly Elmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320051691727973987noreply@blogger.com2