What's New for February 2008:

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WasteCap News

WasteCap Members in the News

Lincoln Industries, Telesis, City of Lincoln Recycling, Midland Recycling, Recycling Enterprises

As part of their “Living Green in Nebraska” series, KOLNKGIN featured three WasteCap members, interviewing Rick Dickey, Director of Environment Programs at Lincoln Industries, Scott Boles, co-owner of Firework’s and Lazlo’s (Telesis), and Gene Hanlon, City of Lincoln Recycling Coordinator. 

Lincoln Industries and Telesis were acknowledged for their use of environmentally friendly technology and their impact on their respective industries.  Gene Hanlon was able to educate viewers on the impact of recycling in the community.  Midland Recycling was mentioned as having a contract with the city and for being the second largest recycling processor in the state. Many clips also highlighted curbside recycling services offered by Recycling Enterprises.  Click on the following links to view the full story. Lincoln Industries/Telesis Story or City of Lincoln Recycling Story.
Source: KOLNKGIN

Nebraska Animal Medical Center

Dr. Kent Forney with the Nebraska Animal Medical Center recently received certification from the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The certification came after Dr. Forney completed the “Discovering Dentistry” program at the Animal Dental Training Center of Baltimore.  The program covered many areas of dentistry including x-rays, cavities, root canals, extractions, and many other topics.
Source: Strictly Business

Nucor Corporation

Nucor Corporation has expanded its operations through the acquisition of The David J. Joseph Company (DJJ). DJJ is one of the leading scrap companies in the U.S. They also own 2,000 scrap-related railcars and provide fleet management and logistic services.  The acquisition will allow Nucor to process approximately four million tons of ferrous scrap annually and will provide improved channels of raw materials to the company.
Source: Recycling Today

Upcoming Events

Wind Energy Workshops

The Nebraska Wind Working Group will hold wind energy informational workshops in five Nebraska Communities throughout February.

Date City Location Time
2/18 Scottsbluff UNL Extension Center Auditorium, 4502 Ave. I 8:30 am to Noon
  Optional: Tour of NMPP Energy’s Kimball Wind Project 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
2/19 North Platte Royal Colonial Inn, 1402 South 8:30 am to Noon
2/20 Ainsworth Conference Center, 606 East 4th 8:30 am to Noon
  Optional: Tour of NPPD’s Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility  1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
2/21 Norfolk Cox Activities Center Theatre, NE Comm.College 8:30 am to Noon
    801 Benjamin Avenue  
2/22 Lincoln Warner Chamber, State Capital, Second Floor 8:30 am to Noon

The purpose is to learn about the goals of the Nebraska Wind Working Group, wind development opportunities, existing and future wind projects in Nebraska.  For more information about the Nebraska Wind Working Group and the Wind Energy Workshops visit http://www.neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-working-group/nwwg.htm.

Lincoln Green Drinks

February’s Green Drinks will be held on the fourth Wednesday, the 27th, of February, at Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill in the Haymarket, 210 N 7th St. Lincoln, NE. Green Drinks is a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with others interested in the quality of our environment. Green Drinks is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. until late. Walk, cycle, or carpool to the meeting and ask anyone, “Are you green?” and you’ll be welcomed! For more information, please view the Green Drinks Lincoln Flyer.

Environmental Innovation Workshop

On March 6, 2008 an Environmental Innovation Workshop will be held at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The workshop will provide information on how to win grants under the EPA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program with Dr. James Gallup, SBIR manager, as guest speaker.  The workshop is free but registration is required.  For more information on the workshop, or to register visit http://www.sbirnebraska.unomaha.edu/flyer_epa.pdf.

WasteCap Across Nebraska

Retrofit Recycling Schedule

Retrofit Recycling will be in the area the weeks of March 3rd, and March 17th. They recycle your used fluorescent lamps, ballasts, batteries, electronics – including computers and monitors, and any other mercury or chemical waste.

To request a pick up call 1-800-274-1309 or click on Request a Pickup and complete the request form.

Creighton University Goes From Blue and White to Green

Creighton University president Rev. John Schlegel said that the university will cut energy consumption by 5 percent in 2008.  Schlegel intends on doing this through the redesign of the campus’ lighting. With the help of Omaha Public Power District a solar power collector site will be placed on the Creighton campus.  The university will also install motion sensors that will automatically turn lights off in halls and classrooms when they are empty.  The library director has already requested the sensors be place in areas of the library that are infrequently used such as where books are stacked to be shelved.
Source: Omaha World Herald

Electronics Update

Hewlett-Packard Increases Cartridge Recycling Effort

HP is expanding its 2005 pilot program which allows owners of HP brand printers to freely return their used ink cartridges.  The cartridges can be broken down and fibers and chemicals can be used to strengthen the material without melting and reforming the PET case.  The company states that the cartridges contain between 70-100 percent recycled material and perform better than refilled and reused cartridges.
Source: E-scrap News

Apple Unveils MacBook Air

Apple recently unveiled its newest, greenest laptop the MacBook Air.  The computer features an all-aluminum case, which is one of the most recyclable materials on the market.  It also is the company’s first mercury-free display device made with arsenic-free glass.  The laptop also primarily has bromide and PVC free circuit boards.  The packaging is now 56 percent smaller then other MacBook models.  The new laptop meets Energy Star 4.0 standards and has received a Silver EPEAT rating.
Source: E-Scrap News

News Across the Nation

Recycling Association of Minnesota Launches “Run In and Recycle”

Recyclers Association of Minnesota recently launched its “Run In and Recycle” program along with retailer Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI) in Bloomington. The program was created to collect old shoes, boots, inline skates, ice skates and other footwear, which can be ground into sorbent material for oil spill cleanup kits.  Currently REI is the only drop off location. The Recyclers Association of Minnesota plans to expand the program both in their state and possibly nationally. 
Source: Waste News

National Tire Recycling Bill Introduced

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a bill to encourage the development of a nationwide recycled rubber industry.  The Tire Investment, Recovery and Extension Act of 2008 (TIRE Act of 2008) will provide a $3 per tire tax incentive to companies purchasing large volumes of tire made from recycled rubber.  If approved, the proposal would ensure tire manufactures develop and promote tires made of recycled rubber.  The tire industry is currently the largest consumer of rubber in the United States.
Source: Resource Recycling

HR Pros: Environmental Programs Provide Considerable Benefits

The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2008 Green Workplace report shows that fifty percent of organizations surveyed have an environmental responsibility policy in place. However forty-three percent have no such policy and they do have any plans of implementing a policy.

Companies with an environmental responsibility policy show that there are benefits to the programs.  Improved employee morale, stronger public image, increased consumer confidence, and positive financial bottom line are a few of the benefits. 

Companies do run into barriers when implementing environmental programs.  The implementation and maintenance cost are the biggest barriers.  Lack of management support and employee support are other barriers that companies face.

The survey found that nearly three out of four employees who work for companies without environmental policies want their companies to implement such programs.

Another finding was the fact that HR professionals and employee views on the top five environmentally-responsible practices differ.

HR professionals top five are:
1) Encouraging employees to work more environmentally friendly
2) Offering a recycling program for office products
3) Donating and discounting used office furniture and supplies to employees or local charity
4) Using energy efficient lighting systems and equipment such as Energy Star equipment and occupancy sensors
5) Installing automatic shutoff for equipment

Employees top five are:
1) Donating and discounting used office furniture and supplies to employees or local charity
2) Promoting walking, biking, taking public transit
3) Using energy efficient lighting systems and equipment
4) Offering a recycling programs for office products
5) Encouraging employees to work more environmentally friendly

The positive news is that hr professionals and employees both state that their number one motivation for participating in environmentally responsible programs is to make a contribution to society.
Source: Environmental Leader

Market Corner

 

February – Chicago Region

Mixed Paper

$85-90 (0)

Boxboard Cuttings

$90-95 (0)

News

$75-80 (0)

OCC

$100-110 (0)

SOP

$215-225 (+10)

Sorted White Ledger

$310-320 (+10)
Material Abbreviations
OCC: Old Corrugated Cardboard
SOP: Sorted Office Paper		 Source: Official Board Markets