Residential Non-Bottle Bulky Rigid Plastics Collection & End Markets in the United States

Transcription

1 Residential Non-Bottle Bulky Rigid Plastics Collection & End Markets in the United States L y n n R u b i n s t e i n, E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r N o r t h e a s t R e c y c l i n g C o u n c i l, I n c. ( N E R C ) A P R R i g i d P l a s t i c s C o m m i t t e e M e e t i n g O c t o b e r 8,

2 Background NERC hired by APR in May 2012 Project goal: research the collection of post-consumer non-bottle bulky rigid plastics Strategy: write guidance about how to design & implement residential collection programs Identified municipal programs & developed case studies Interviewed MRFs & processors/end markets

3 What is NERC Non-profit organization focusing on sustainable materials management & recycling market development 10 Northeast states traditional area of focus 27 years old Membership organization: public & private sector 5 staff in Vermont & Massachusetts

4 What is meant by Post-Consumer Non-Bottle Bulky Rigid Plastics Examples Crates Recycling containers Tupperware Children s toys without electronics or metal Lawn furniture Kitty litter tubs

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7 The Study Process Identified residential recycling programs (May June 2012) Interviewed communities, developed case studies (May 2012 February 2013) Interviewed MRFs & processors/end markets (November 2012 February 2013) Produced guidance document (April 2013) Re-interviewed communities, MRFs, & end markets (July August 2013)

8 Types of Residential Collection Programs Curbside single-stream Drop-off Special events Combination

9 Case Studies City of Deerfield Beach, FL Single-stream & drop-off, self-marketing Howard County, MD Single-stream (Waste Management MRF) City of Lansing, MI Single-stream (ReCommunity MRF) Northampton, MA Special events & drop-off (Waste Management MRF) Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority, NY Single-stream & drop-off, own MRF, self-marketing City of San Diego, CA Single-stream, two MRFs marketing collaboratively (Allen Company & IMS Recycling) Sedona, AZ o Regional drop-off program run by non-profit, self-marketing

10 Curbside Single-stream only Generally loose criteria about what is acceptable Result of instructions from MRF or own markets

11 Curbside

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13 Drop-off Usually in conjunction with another program type Special event Curbside Acceptable materials likely to be more narrowly defined than singlestream

14 Drop-off

15 Special Events

16 Special Events Usually offered with other events/materials Reuse significant component

17 Special Events

18 How Much Material Collected 3-4% by weight of all recyclables collected o MRF that was collecting data Estimates < 1% by weight o MRF not collecting specific data because not enough material to warrant marketing as separate commodity 45 tons recycled between April 2010 & December 2012 o o Combination of special events & ongoing drop-off An additional 1/3 by weight diverted to reuse

19 Lessons Learned by Programs Collaborating with MRF essential When adding non-bottle bulky rigid plastics, launch in conjunction with other program changes Introduce new material slowly Accept that export markets will be primary outlet o Very little specific public education needed if using export markets If domestic markets possible, acceptable material likely to be constrained & public education essential There may be local processor/end market opportunities

20 MRFs

21 MRFs Most MRFs not able to generate bales of single, known material grade Equipment Space Contaminated/mixed character of residential materials Difficult to identify plastic grade/type Manual sorting is the norm Domestic & export markets are used

22 Mixed non-bottle bulky rigid plastics bale

23 Processors/End Markets Most domestic markets not accepting mixed post-consumer non-bottle bulky rigid plastic Unable to meet specifications Export markets (Asia) still widely in use

24 Export Shipment

25 Conclusion If given the opportunity to recycle non-bottle bulky rigid plastics, they will come Reuse is important Some MRFs are building capacity to sort & produce bales meeting domestic specifications, but not the current norm New technologies/systems needed to identify plastics

26 NERC Can Help We re experts in Waste reduction & recycling Recycling program design & implementation Green procurement Electronics recycling Multi-stakeholder dialogues & negotiations & More! Consulting services make NERC s sustainable materials management expertise available at a reasonable price with outstanding results

27 Contact Information Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director Northeast Recycling Council, Inc NERC blog