What's New for November 2007:

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WasteCap News

WasteCap Nebraska Awards Member Businesses

WasteCap Nebraska has presented awards to three WasteCap Nebraska member businesses that have demonstrated their environmental excellence. Lincoln Public Schools received the Green Business Award, which goes to the business that not only recycles and participates in waste reduction activities, but also includes sustainable design standards in their projects and is striving for water and energy conservation within their daily activities. Cornhusker Bank was the recipient of the Continued Excellence in Recycling Award, which goes to the business that has taken strides to continually improve their waste reduction and recycling program. Square D received the Member of the Year Award, which is presented to the business that has shown great dedication in their environmental program.  Square D exemplifies the WasteCap Nebraska business membership by striving to improve waste reduction, resource conservation and recycling programs, utilizing WasteCap’s master agreements for recycling services and supporting WasteCap through attending special events and utilizing WasteCap’s services. Congratulations to the award winners!

Retrofit Companies Qualify as an E-Steward

WasteCap Nebraska member, Retrofit Companies® have recently signed the Basal Action Network’s Electronics Recyclers’ Pledge of True Stewardship, qualifying them as an E-Steward in their service areas, including the Midwest, Indiana, and Oregon. The pledge requires Retrofit Companies to uphold specific guidelines on e-waste handling, including not sending e-waste to landfills or exporting to developing countries. For more information on Retrofit, please visit their website. WasteCap Nebraska members are eligible for discounts through Retrofit Companies.

WasteCap Nebraska Awards Luncheon Thanks

WasteCap Nebraska would like to thank all those who helped our awards luncheon go off without a hitch! The luncheon was a success, with positive reviews from those who attended. At the meeting, WasteCap director Carrie Hakenkamp announced new WasteCap programs, noted in the press release. Keynote speaker, John Ikerd, also spoke on recycling for sustainability, and had his books available for purchase. If you were unable to purchase a copy of Sustainable Capitalism ($21.95) or A Return to Common Sense ($19.00) there are still a few copies available through the WasteCap Nebraska offices. For program information or to purchase a book, please contact the WasteCap offices at (402) 436-2383.

Upcoming Events

Green Purchasing Workshop

“Greening the Supply & Purchasing Chain” will be held on November 13th, at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will feature a range of informed speakers from both public and private sectors. This event is the second of its kind in the U.S., following an August 10th workshop at Harvard. Cost is $50, including lunch, and seating will go fast. For agenda and registration please visit the event brochure.

E.N. Thompson Forum Tickets Available

WasteCap Nebraska has tickets left for the upcoming E.N. Thompson Seminar, “Changing Nature in an Unequal World” by Sunita Narain. The seminar will be held at the Lied Center for Performing Arts on November 12th, at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and will be available until November 8th, please contact Sue Ellen Pegg at (402) 436-2382, if you are interested.

Lincoln Green by Design Urban Planning Seminar

Lincoln Green by Design is holding an upcoming seminar titled, “Envisioning Nebraska: Building Resource Efficient Communities”, featuring urban planner Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Susan Seacrest, founder of the Groundwater Foundation, and Brad Klein, of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Chicago, will also be speaking at the event. The seminar will be held on November 15th, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course near Ashland, NE. Cost is $15 per person, including lunch. Space is limited and an RSVP is recommended by November 8th. Click here for more information on speakers, seminar schedule, and to RSVP.

WasteCap Across Nebraska

America Recycles Day Events

America Recycles Day, November 15th, will be here soon! There are many activities happening throughout the City of Lincoln in conjunction with the annual nationwide event. In an effort to encourage recycling and purchasing of recycled products, the City of Lincoln Recycling Office has placed pledge cards and collection boxes throughout the city. Each pledge will be placed in a drawing to win prizes, including a computer system from Schrock Innovations, and an Apple iPhone, courtesy of Midland Recycling. Other prizes will also be awarded, with prizes for both adults and children. On Saturday, November 17th, residents will have the opportunity to join us for an America Recycles Day celebration at Midland Recycling, 440 J St., from noon to 4 p.m. Hot dogs and refreshments will be available, and participants will be able to visit the Mobile Environmental Trailer and tour the Midland facility. Prize drawings will take place the day of the event. For pledge card location, a full list of prizes, and event details, please view the America Recycles Day flyer.

WasteCap Nebraska Announces New Programs

WasteCap Nebraska announced three new programs at the Awards Luncheon on October 23rd.

The Employee Curbside Recycling Program is an opportunity for employees of WasteCap Nebraska member businesses to receive discounted curbside recycling from WasteCap Nebraska member, Recycling Enterprises.

WasteCap Nebraska is also partnering with Collective Good Recycling to recycle cell phones and with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation to recycle all types of rechargeable batteries. With both cell phones and rechargeable batteries, pre-addressed, postage paid collection boxes will be placed throughout the community for easy collection of the items, and easy send off.

The final program kickoff, the America Recycles Day program, will be held throughout the beginning of November. The program allows individuals and businesses to pledge to increase their recycling and sustainability awareness. Pledge boxes are currently placed around Lincoln, through November 11th, and will include a prize drawing from each pledge made. The drawing will take place at an America Recycles Day celebration, to be held on November 17th, from noon to 4 p.m., at Midland Recycling.

For more program information, or if you are interested in participating in a program, please call (402) 436-2383.

Electronics Update

U.S. Department of Energy Taking Energy Assessment Applications

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is currently accepting applications for Save Energy Now energy assessments. The DOE has set a target of 250 assessments to be reached by December of 2008. The assessments applications, which are intended for manufacturing facilities, will be selected based on overall energy consumption. For eligibility requirements and applications, visit the DOE website.
Source: United States DOE

ASU Receives E-Scrap Grant

Arizona State University has received a grant for $350,000 in support of an electronic waste management project. The project, titled “Assessing and Managing the Sustainability of Global Reverse Supply Chains: The Case of Personal Computers”, will assess where the waste is going, then develop a sustainable plan for the waste that will consider both policy and engineering for the e-scrap issues.
Source: E-Scrap News

In the News

“Bioplastics” Making Their Way to the Mainstream

Green plastics, or plastics made from plant based materials, are gradually making their way up the popularity ladder. While the cost of these plastics can reach up to three times that of regular plastics, more sellers are providing green plastic alternatives, and more consumers are becoming aware of the availability. The use of bioplastics could reduce the portion of U.S. petroleum consumption that goes into making plastics, and certain types of the bioplastics are biodegradable. This would help compensate for the low numbers in previous plastics recycling, which was only about 6 percent in 2005, according to the EPA. Bioplastics are also free of the toxins present in most plastics that have raised health concerns in the past.
Source: MSNBC

Iowa Could Feel Benefits of Ethanol

In a recent report, Destination Iowa: Getting to a Sustainable Biofuels Future, by the Worldwatch Institute and the Sierra Club, takes a close look at the benefits and pitfalls of the country’s ethanol leader, Iowa. Destination Iowa discusses the possible consequences that Iowa, and the nation, may face in the production of biofuels, but also covers the major economic benefits that Iowa may see. The report includes suggestions for sustainable biofuels future, and is the first of its kind. Please view Destination Iowa on the Sierra Club website.

Market Corner

 

November – Chicago Region

Mixed Paper

$80 – 85 (0)

Boxboard Cuttings

$90 – 95 (0)

News

$90 – 100 (0)

OCC

$100 – 110 (-5)

SOP

$165 – 175 (-10)

Sorted White Ledger

$290 – 300 (+20)
Material Abbreviations
OCC: Old Corrugated Cardboard
SOP: Sorted Office Paper		 Source: Official Board Markets