What's New for May 2008:

 View the Adobe PDF version

WasteCap News

WasteCap Welcomes New Members

WasteCap Nebraska would like to welcome new member Northern Natural Gas.

Northern Natural Gas

Northern Natural Gas Company, based in Omaha, Nebraska, operates an interstate natural gas pipeline extending from southwest Texas to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with access to five of the major gas supply basins in North America. In operation since 1930, Northern provides interstate transportation and storage services to approximately 76 utilities and numerous end-use customers in the Middle and Upper Midwest. The system includes 15,700 miles of natural gas pipeline; 5.1 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day of market area design capacity, plus 2.0 Bcf per day of field area capacity; and five natural gas storage facilities with a total firm and operational capacity of 65 Bcf, including 4 Bcf of liquefied natural gas. Northern employs approximately 960 people along its pipeline system.

Northern began when a group of businesspeople resolved to bring natural gas from Oklahoma and Texas to Omaha’s fast-growing packing plants. During the first year, Northern served 44 communities in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. Three years later, Northern served more than 160 communities in five states, and by 1955, Northern served 349 communities. Today, Northern is one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the United States with facilities in 12 states and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Northern believes responsible environmental management is just good business; it benefits its customers and improves the quality of the environment in which we live. Northern is committed to protecting our country’s natural resources and using them wisely by following the environmental RESPECT principles of responsibility, efficiency, stewardship, performance, evaluation, communication and training. Northern will continue to develop sustainable operations and implement environmental projects designed to leave a clean, healthy environment for our children and future generations.

Northern is reducing its environmental footprint by increasing awareness of recycling and promoting new ways to recycle waste generated across Northern’s system. Northern recycles as many items as possible, from batteries and oily water to paper and scrap iron. In 2007, Northern recycled 4.8 million pounds of waste that otherwise may have been sent to a landfill. Northern has set a goal to recycle 5.3 million pounds of waste in 2008.

WasteCap Members in the News

If you are a WasteCap member and have been recognized in a news story, please let us know so that we may include you in this section. Contact April Hilpert-Whitney at (402) 434-7376 or [email protected].

Lincoln Public Schools

Lincoln Public Schools was recently awarded the EPA Tools for Schools Leadership Award. The award is in recognition of Lincoln Public School’s continued work implementing the EPA’s Tools for Schools program, which emphasizes prevention, diagnoses, and solutions for indoor air quality.

Telesis, Inc.

Telesis, Inc.’s Empyrean Brewing Co. was recognized in a Lincoln Journal Star article for its new “greener” packaging. The new packaging is made from recycled materials and is stronger than the previously used virgin wood fiber packaging.

Nucor Corporation Scrap Day

WasteCap Members Nucor Steel and Nucor Vulcraft/Coldfinish/Detailing Center in Norfolk, Nebraska held their 7th annual Scrap Day on Saturday May 3rd. WasteCap assisted with funding through our Universal Waste Management grant with the Nebraska Environmental Trust. This year’s collection was a great success seeing 515 vehicles from 36 communities participating. Most of the vehicles came from Norfolk, Pierce and Battle Creek. Those who traveled the farthest drove over 50 miles from Albion, Bloomfield, Orchard and O’Neill to participate.

Collection Results:

Nebraska Businesses Save Green by Going Green

As many businesses join the current “green” marketing trend, seven Nebraska businesses are showing their commitment to the environment by expanding their waste reduction and recycling efforts through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s voluntary WasteWise program. The businesses joined as part of a statewide challenge issued by WasteCap Nebraska running from January 1st through April 15th. Businesses pledging their support for increasing waste reduction and recycling activities throughout Nebraska include Cornhusker Bank, FBG Service Corporation, New Dimensions, Northern Natural Gas, Shred Monster, the Community Blood Bank of Lincoln and Cartridge World of Lincoln. Their participation in the WasteWise program and partnership with WasteCap Nebraska show these businesses really understand the environmental and economic savings businesses can create through their waste management practices.

WasteCap Nebraska issued the challenge as part of their Endorser program to bring more Nebraska businesses into the WasteWise program. According to Carrie Hakenkamp, Executive Director of WasteCap “WasteWise is a perfect opportunity for businesses to get the recognition they deserve for their innovative waste reduction and recycling programs. Waste reduction makes good business sense because it can save organizations money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs”. WasteWise and WasteCap Nebraska provide free technical assistance to help you develop, implement, and measure your waste reduction activities. WasteWise offers publicity to organizations that are successful in reducing waste through EPA publications, case studies, and national and regional events. These events also provide networking opportunities for organizations to share waste reduction ideas and success stories. In addition, WasteWise provides businesses with tools such as a climate change profile to use in marketing their reductions in environmental impacts. The profile converts their efforts into real-life carbon reduction equivalencies such as number of cars taken off the road.

On a local level, WasteCap Nebraska recognizes businesses in the WasteWise program at their annual membership meeting and through other events. There is no fee for membership in WasteWise. EPA designed WasteWise to be a free, voluntary, flexible program. The amount of time and money you invest is up to the individual business who is free to set goals that are the most feasible and cost-effective for their organization.

For more information about the many benefits of membership in WasteWise or WasteCap Nebraska, visit www.epa.gov/wastewise and www.wastecapne.org.

Upcoming Events

UNMC Talk and Tour

WasteCap Nebraska, the U.S. EPA WasteWise program, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) invite you to attend a “Talk and Tour” at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on Wednesday May 21st at 9:30 a.m.  UNMC has been “going green” for about two decades with a strong reduce, reuse and recycle program.  Come and learn how UNMC has successfully recycled over 16.5 million pounds of fiber since opening their recycling center in April 1993 and how UNMC along with its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, and UNMC Physicians, are stepping up recycling efforts.

This is an opportunity to learn how UNMC, as a WasteWise Partner, has successfully Reduced, Reused and Recycled.

Attendees will learn successfully strategies for:

The U.S. EPA WasteWise program will also discuss waste reduction opportunities, technical assistance and recognition through their partnerships.

There is no fee to attend, however a RSVP is requested by May 16th. Please RSVP to April Hilpert-Whitney at (402) 434-7376 or [email protected].

2008 Safety & Health Summit

The 2008 Safety & Health Summit will be held on May 14th -15th at the Qwest Center, Omaha. For more information, visit Safety and Health Summit.

Omaha Green Drinks

May’s Green Drinks will be held on May 28th, at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, Omaha, 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 Omaha Flyer.

Lunch and Learn

WasteCap Nebraska, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Public Power District, and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the “Understanding Universal Waste: Rules and Handling in Nebraska” Brunch/Lunch and Learn on June 4th at

Nebraska Public Power District
1414 15th St
Columbus, NE
8:30am - 10am 		OR Elkhorn Valley Museum
515 Queen City Blvd
Norfolk, NE
12:00pm - 1:30pm

Topics will include:

The cost of this seminar is $20 for non-members, $15 for WasteCap Nebraska members, Columbus, and Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce members. These workshops are sponsored in part by grant funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

The RSVP deadline is May 28th. For additional information or to RSVP contact April Hilpert-Whitney at (402) 434-7376 or [email protected].

Kansas SBEAP Lunch and Learns

Kansas’ Small Business Environmental Assistance Program is hosting four lunch and learns geared toward reducing impact on air quality. These are free one-hour programs starting at 12:00 p.m. You may attend in person or via conference call. For more information or to register, visit www.sbeap.org.

Sessions include:
June 11 – What Businesses Need to Know (MARC Clean Air Action Plan)
July 9 – Lawn Care for Clean Air
August 13 – Idling Reduction
September 10 – Energy Efficiency for Businesses

News Across Nebraska

Clean Your Files Week Results

Clean Your Files Week was held April 21-25 with 11 businesses competing to recycle the most materials from old or unused files. Over 43,000 pounds of materials were collected during the week with Ameritas recycling the greatest overall volume at 17,560 pounds, and Pegler Sysco recycling the largest volume per employee of 87.63 pounds. Congratulations to all the participants for making this the most successful Clean Your Files Week ever!

Keep Nebraska Beautiful Receives EPA Grant

In celebration of National Healthy Schools Day, EPA Region 7 presented a $150,000 grant to Keep Nebraska Beautiful for their participation in EPA’s Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign.

The $150,000 grant will fund efforts to help public and private schools safely dispose of old and unstable chemicals from science labs, art and vocational classes, and janitorial stocks. The grant will also help train Nebraska's teachers and school staff on proper chemical purchase, inventory, use and storage methods.

Learn more about the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign at http://www.epa.gov/SC3/.

Legislation Update

Scrap Metal Legislation

Legislative Bill 766 was signed into law during the recent legislative session. The bill will become law effective September 1, 2008 and will require scrap dealers to maintain a log for all transactions involving catalytic converters and certain non-ferrous metals, keeping on hand the required documentation for at least one year. Dealers must obtain a fingerprint from all sellers looking to pawn copper or catalytic converters. Additionally, scrap buyers would only be able to issue cash for transactions under $25, with a check being issued for all other purchases. Click LB 766 to read the full bill.

E-Waste Legislation

Legislative Bill 986 was passed in the final days of the legislative session, but was later vetoed by Governor Dave Heineman. The bill would have targeted the recovery of desktop, portable and laptop computers, computer central processing units, computer monitors, televisions and other video display devices with a viewable area greater than four inches when measured diagonally. The recovery and recycling of these materials would have been funded through manufacturer registration fees.

Electronics Update

Sony Makes Deal to Handle Gaming Accessories

Sony Computer Entertainment of America has signed a two year contract for the environmentally safe processing of discarded gaming accessories with Cinco Electronics Recycling from Austin, Texas. It is estimated that the program will collect 40,000 pounds of scrap a month.
Source: E-Scrap News

Wal-Mart Takes another Green Step

A partnership made between Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club stores and N.E.W. Customer Service Companies Inc. provides a new option for customers disposing of electronics. The partnership, called ecoNEW, will offer an electronics take-back program through the company’s website.

Customers will receive a Sam’s Club gift card for the used electronics. The amount the customer receives is based on the value and quantity of the equipment. The program has a no landfill guarantee and will evaluate equipment for possible resale or reuse before recycling

For additional information, click here.
Source: E-Scrap News

In the News

Recycling Industry Contributes to GDP

A report released by Progressive Investor, "Investing in Recycling," shows that the recycling industry accounted for about 2 percent of the United States gross domestic product in 2007. The industry recorded $236 billion in revenues and employed more than 1 million people in 2007.

Several trends have benefited the industry recently:

Full Story: http://www.eponline.com/articles/60779?recipid%3B
Source: Environmental Protection

Biogas to be used by Trash Hauler

In 2009, Waste Management will begin to use liquefied biogas in 300 trash and recycling vehicles. The Linde Group and Waste Management have joined together to build a plant in California for the conversion of landfill gas into biogas. The landfill gas will come from Waste Management while The Linde Group will handle the remaining process to complete the conversion.

California Integrated Waste Management Board, the California Air Resources Board, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District have all awarded grant funds to assist in the project.
Source: Environmental Leader

Market Corner

 

May – Chicago Region

Mixed Paper

$80-85 (-5)

Boxboard Cuttings

$90-95 (0)

News

$80-85 (0)

OCC

$100-110 (-10)

SOP

$210-220 (-10)

Sorted White Ledger

$300-310 (-10)
Material Abbreviations
OCC: Old Corrugated Cardboard
SOP: Sorted Office Paper		 Source: Official Board Markets