[Vision2020] Recycling

[Andy Boyd]

Patricia asks $64,000 question ( I think I’m dating myself).

Here is my $.37 answer.  A specific date has not been set although the not
too distant future sounds about right. We’re getting materials ready for
delivery. I would imagine we would know by the Latah County Fair. We have a
booth they and I imagine we will be asked this question frequently.

Sorry for the non-specific answer

Andy

On Tue, Sep 4, 2018 at 4:28 PM Patricia Nelson <pnelson at moscow.com> wrote:

> When does this new program begin?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 4, 2018, at 3:17 PM, Andy Boyd <andyb at latahsanitation.com> wrote:
>
> OK all, I will try to answer some of these questions.
>
>  "The council voted to eliminate some plastics; all plastic bags; aluminum
> foil; foil trays, pots and pans; shredded paper; and aseptic packaging
> commonly used for juice and broth ...Davis said shredded paper and pots and
> pans will still be accepted at the recycling center but not in the
> single-stream program.
>
> From the City Council agenda, plastics code 3-7 will no longer be
> accepted. Personally, I think that asking users to eliminate certain
> plastics from single-stream will lead to more contamination."
>
> Plastic grocery sacs can still go to Safeway, need to see if WinCo takes
> them but I know our local Walmart and Rosauers don't.
>
> The only plastics that will be accepted at the curb and Moscow Recycling
> will be plastic bottles and jugs with screw top lids.  This is primarily #1
> and #2 plastics with screw type lids.  We will continue to take clean #2
> buckets (like kitty litter) and large planter containers for reuse.
> However, many of these get thrown away if not collected by patrons for
> reuse.  Most of the 3-7 plastics have a limited, or no market.  Many
> programs started accepting the larger variety of plastics to ensure they
> would receive as many of the marketable plastics as possible (1s and 2s).
>
> We will also continue to take clean foil and trays at Moscow Recycling.
>
> Regarding Aseptic packaging, this includes the soy, almond milk type
> containers.  These have layers of foil and plastic in them.  This is why
> they do not require refrigeration at the store.  Milk cartons, OJ cartons,
> etc. that require refrigeration at the store will continue to be accepted
> as they do not have these extra layers of materials.  Aseptic packaging is
> recyclable but most Sort Facilities don't sort them into a separate  stream
> so they end up at paper mills that can't recycle them.
>
>
>
>
>
> Saundra Lund v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm via
> <https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1311182?hl=en&authuser=1>
> moscow.com
> Sep 1, 2018, 9:45 AM (3 days ago)
> to rhayes, Moscow
>
> "Maybe it’s the well-recognized phenom of aspirational recycling?  If so,
> even though it causes significant problems, it’s a good thing because it’s
> an indicator that those people actually care about the environment & more
> education seems to work."
>
>
> Our aspirational or wishful recyclers also add to the cost of the program
> as the City is charged a per ton fee for the contaminated portion of the
> single stream program.  Now whether this is because an individual wants
> very badly to recycle an item or they don't want to pay for extra trash is
> up for speculation!!
>
>
> "Also, as the article Ron shared pointed out, I’m glad China is apparently
>  *finally* more concerned about pollution even if it does make finding
> markets for recyclables more challenging – maybe that challenge will push
> progression in packaging R&D."
>
>
> This is the real solution to the plastic dilemma and other waste products
> as well.  Companies need to make there packaging recyclable instead of
> marketable.  For example, England places their toothpaste on the shelf
> without a box.  In the US a box makes the shelf look better and allows for
> more marketing.  Does toothpaste really need a box!! Lots of packaging can
> be done away with all together.
>
>
>
> "This seems to be a good opportunity to ask:  our single stream curbside
> recycling program is apparently going to cut back in some pretty dramatic
> ways (we’re still hurting over the glass in this household), at least,
> that’s what was discussed at the meeting."
>
>
> Sorry about the glass but we still take it at MR.
>
>
>
> As Ted points out, glass weighs a lot so many companies have made this
> switch to reduce costs.
>
> As Ted points out, REDUCE is the most important "R". I have tried to
> eliminate most plastics in my purchasing. This is very difficult for some
> products, especially those in clam shell containers.
>
>
> "Force mentioned could be or might be contained in compostable plastic,
> which is perhaps better than a* disposable*container?
>
> Read here:  http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/bioplastics
>
> *Compostable Plastics Quick Facts*
>
>    - Generally Freezer safe
>    - Depending on resin can handle hot food till 200F.
>    - Fully compostable in commercial composting operations
>    - Feel and look like plastics for the most part"
>
> Regarding compostable containers.  These are only "better" if they end up
> getting composted in a commercial composting operation.  Also, not all
> compostable plastics compost well.  There is a high degree of variation.
> Further, a compostable container requires more energy, water and oil to
> produce than a traditional plastic container, not to mention it takes crop
> land out of production for human food production.  Finally, compostable
> plastic alternatives are a contaminate if they end up in the plastic
> recycling stream.
>
> And be sure to stay away from any single use item!!
>
> I think I hit most of the talking points. Let me know if you have any
> further inquiries.
>
> Thanks
> Andy Boyd
> Research & Development
> Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
> 208 596 0584
> andyb at latahsanitation.com
> moscowrecycling.com
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 4:41 PM rhayes at frontier.com <rhayes at frontier.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I tend to take my recycling to the bins at the center rather than drag
>> the green curbside out to the street with my meager offerings. I am careful
>> to separate the various materials into the proper categories and deposit
>> them accordingly. When I look into the bins at the recycling center, I am
>> appalled at the garbage I see in them/  A few weeks ago I saw an inflatable
>> swimming pool taking up a good portion of the mixed plastic bin. On
>> Wednesday this week I took my recyclables and saw tin in the aluminum bin,
>> aluminum in the plastic bin, and a whole lot of just plain trash in a lot
>> of the bins.  No wonder the market for recyclables is going downhill. Too
>> much containments in the stream. Are people uneducated about what and what
>> quality is recyclable, or just too lazy to care?
>> Roger
>> =======================================================
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>>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>> =======================================================
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com <Vision2020 at moscow.com>
> =======================================================
>
> --

Andy Boyd
Research & Development
Latah Sanitation/Moscow Recycling/Clearwater Composting
208 596 0584
andyb at latahsanitation.com
moscowrecycling.com
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