E-Newsletter
April 2006

Waste Reduction at WasteCap... In an effort to reduce office paper waste at your office and ours, WasteCap utilizes an electronic newsletter. Past e-newsletters can be found on our website under the "E-Newsletters" tab. Check out our website at www.wastecapne.org for the latest events, publications, and new member listings for WasteCap Nebraska.

What's New for April 2006:

View the Adobe PDF version

WasteCap News

Lunch and Learns a Success

WasteCap held two Universal Waste Lunch and Learn events on April 20th, one in Kearney and one in Grand Island. The two events were attended by 36 individuals from the two communities. Attendees learned about universal waste regulation and gained networking opportunities. WasteCap director Carrie Hakenkamp said that the events were well received and opened new opportunities for involvement in the two communities.

Upcoming Events

Retrofit Recycling Pick-Up Dates

WasteCap Nebraska members receive discounted fluorescent lamp, ballast, electronic and battery recycling services through Retrofit Recycling (800-274-1309) and Environmental Compliance Enterprises (466-2268). Please let us know if you need an updated price sheet. Pick up dates are subject to change, please call 7-10 business days ahead of time if you wish to schedule additional pick ups.

Lunch and Learn in Lincoln, May 23rd

The Lancaster Extension Education Center will host a WasteCap Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, May 23rd. The topic will be electronic waste and toxic trade. The presentation will be in cooperation with the Basel Action Network, an organization which works to prevent the globalization of the toxic chemical crisis. The event will include a catered lunch, two informative videos from the Basel Action Network, and a question and answer session with WasteCap director, Carrie Hakenkamp. Registration is $15 for WasteCap members and members of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Non-members can register for $20. To find out more about the Lunch and Learn or to register, email Carrie Hakenkamp or call 436-2384. The registration deadline is May 19th.

Safety Health Summit May 17-18

The National Safety Council-Omaha Chapter is hosting the Safety Health Summit May 17-18 at the Qwest Center in Omaha. The tradeshow offers opportunities to learn about new technologies to make your job easier and your workplace safer and to gain product knowledge. There will be numerous activities and networking opportunities.

To learn more, visit the summit's website.

Computer Collections Coming Up

In addition to May's computer collection in Norfolk (see WasteCap Across Nebraska), WasteCap will hold a commercial computer collection on June 21st at State Fair Park in Lincoln. For a fee, WasteCap will collect monitors, CPUs, and computer peripherals. These items will then be refurbished or disposed of safely. To find out more about the collection, email Carrie Hakenkamp.

Trivia Corner

Last Month's Trivia

Last month's trivia question was "On what date did WasteCap director Carrie Hakenkamp travel to Columbus to present the findings of the 2005 Needs Assessment Survey for that community?"

The correct answer is: February 8th

The winning answer was submitted by Major Jay Rutten with the Air National Guard, who received two free meal deals at Runza Restaurant.

April Trivia Question

You can have a chance to win this month's prize by answering the following question: Roughly how much did diesel prices go up per gallon between February 2005 and February 2006? The answer can be found in last month's newsletter. Please send your responses to Lydia Fiedler at [email protected]. Correct responses will be included in a drawing for Dinner for two at Braeda Fresh Express Café! Please submit your answers by May 5th for a chance at the drawing. Good Luck!

WasteCap Across Nebraska

WasteCap and NE Environmental Trust Sponsor Norfolk Computer Collection

On May 6th, WasteCap, in cooperation with the Nebraska Environmental Trust, will hold a computer collection in Norfolk. In addition to Norfolk's regular recycling event, WasteCap will be on hand to collect household e-waste. For more details, email Carrie Hakenkamp.

Electronics Update

Landmark E-Waste Legislation Passes (From Resource Recycling)

In Washington, Governor Chris Gregoire recently passed Senate Bill 6428, which is widely considered the most comprehensive piece of e-waste legislation in the U.S. to date. The bill establishes a producer responsibility program that allows hazardous e-waste manufacturers to operate their own recovery programs, cooperate with other programs, or take part in a new state program. The Washington Environmental Council (Seattle) lauded the legislation as "the biggest advancement in recycling in over a generation," but the Electronics Manufacturers Coalition for Responsible Recycling expressed concerns about the new law. The electronics manufacturers claim that the new regulations conflict with the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative's recommendations, fail to encourage improved product design and could force compliant manufacturers to pick up the cost of their non-compliant competitors' recycling.

To read more about the Bill, visit the Washington Legislature's Website.

In the News

Construction, Demolition Debris—What Can Be Reused and Recycled?

A critical concern of contractors is what to do with the waste generated on construction, demolition and renovation projects. Building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris totals more than 136 million tons/year or nearly 40 percent of the C&D and municipal solid waste stream, according to EPA. With landfill and transportation costs rising and new recycling requirements, waste disposal has become a major cost component of demolition and renovation bids.

In order to minimize waste, and the cost of disposal, much construction and demolition waste can be reused or recycled. Many items are easy to remove and can be salvaged for donation or used in rebuilding, such as doors, hardware, appliances, and fixtures. Scrap wood can be chipped on site and used as mulch or groundcover, and brick, concrete and masonry can be recycled on site as fill or driveway bedding. Recycling is a simple and cost effective solution for heavy waste, like concrete and scrap metal. Many other materials, such as left-over carpeting or siding, can be taken back to the manufacturer.

For more information on recycling various C&D waste including wood, asphalt, concrete and rubble, visit the EPA's C&D website.

WasteCap Connections

Piqua Baler for Sale

A WasteCap Nebraska member has a Piqua series 30/60 HD, Style 2200 Baler for sale. The product description is as follows: Please contact Sue Ellen Pegg at (402) 436-2383 or [email protected] if you are interested in the baler.

Aerosol Can Recycling System for Sale

A WasteCap Nebraska member has an Aerosolv Model 5000 Aerosol Can Recycling System for sale. The following components are included: The system is in brand-new condition and is still in the original packaging. Please contact Sue Ellen Pegg at (402) 436-2383 or [email protected] if you are interested in the system.