The story of recycling in the "State of Independence" is one of international markets, community participation, partnerships between government agencies and educational programs. We'll be devoting several articles to cover this area.
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The Centre County Solid Waste Authority won the Outstanding Government Entity award in 2008 from the National Recycling Coalition. "The mood is all about the environment and everybody is really into recycling," explained Amy Schirf, Education Coordinator at the Authority. The Authority employs 59 individuals; operates a transfer station, a recycling processing facility and a recycling collection system that uses numerous haulers and includes curbside collection services to more than 24,000 households and more than 500 businesses in the country. Additionally, over 125 drop-off boxes are located throughout the 35 municipalities to provide recycling services to rural residents. "Our 2010 budgeted recycling revenue is 22% of our total revenue, tipping fees are 66% and other income (grants, etc.), make up the remaining 12%. The 22% recycling revenue supports all recycling departments (Curbside, Commercial, Drop Off, OCC and Processing), explained Joanne Shafer, Deputy Executive Director at the Authority. Last year the Authority handled approximately 12,400 tons of material, which was basically flat compared to 2008. The economic downturn significantly reduced the amount of construction material handled. The Authority has had a positive capital revenue fund for 15 years. Every fall, the entire fifth grade, approximately 25 classes from the State College School District tour the facility to learn about recycling. The Authority sells most of its materials to three suppliers: Graham Packaging of York, Owens-Corning of Dubois and Staima Brothers out of Williamsport. These materials include: Newsprint, 3,607 tons; OCC 3,064 tons; Other paper 1,607 tons; Clear glass 869 tons; Green glass 715 tons; Brown glass 1,132 tons; Plastic 747 tons; Metal cans 615 tons and 32 tons collected from PSU football games. "What people don't know is that China is the biggest purchaser of recycled paper from the U.S.," explained Tom Marshall, Director of Recycling for the City of Bethlehem. "Paper and other recyclables are commodities,like any other," he continued. "I've seen it swing between $18/ton and $120/ton for paper in a very short period of time." "We've had a positive cash balance in our program for 15 years in a row," he continued. According the records supplied by the Recycling Bureau, they have contributed approximately $3.2 million to the general fund since 1995 and over $343,000 in 2009, even during the down economy. "The community participation is just fantastic," Marshall explained. "Every week, we see approximately 4,000 cars. We could not have had this success without the active participation of the community. It's a win for the community, for the environment and for the City." They sell most of their materials to Cougles Recycling in Hamburg and Buckman's out of Coplay buys most of their metal products. In 2009 they handled: 683 tons of cardboard; 64 tons of mixed paper; 416 tons of newspaper; 686 tons of off-use paper; 617 tons of OMG/Books; 9.5 tons of stryofoam; 92 tons of telephone books; 43 tons of textiles; 138 tons of mixed glass; 22.5 tons of mixed cans; 516 tons of scrap metal; 5.3 tons of non-ferrous metal and 87 tons of plastic for a total of 3,380 tons. In April of 2008, the Environmental Club from the Conrad Weiser High School wanted to implement a recycling program for their milk jugs. After conducting a waste audit it was estimated that approximately 750,000 milk jugs could be diverted for recycling. This program let to a food waste composting program to properly dispose of the milk product tht was not being consumed. "At this time they are continuing to recycle their milk jugs and are separating their milk and food waste, but due to cost of collection the food waste is currently being disposed of with their trash," commented Jane Meeks, Executive Director of the Berks County Solid Waste Authority. "This will change within the next few months, as the Authority recently received a DEP grant to purchase collection equipment for this waste." In the fall of 2009 the Authority began working with Green Valley Elementary School, which is in the Wilson School District on the implementation of a food waste composting program. They currently are recycling their milk jugs. In November of 2009, a food waste audit was conducted by their 5th grade students, which allowed them to use their math skills to determine the amount of food waste that can be diverted through this program. Green Valley Elementary is looking to purchase an on site composting unit to allow the students to see first hand the benefit of a composting program. Highlights from the Berks County Solid Waste Authority in 2009.
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Held nine collection events servicing nearly 9,000 residents and collecting approximately 763,000 pounds of special wastes for proper disposal.
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection (program began in 1994)
3,007 residents participated in 2 events
169,920 pounds of waste collected
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Electronic Waste Collection (program began in April of 2007)
3,900 residents participated in 2 events
478,060 pounds of electronics collected
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Tire Collection (program began in October of 2007)
500 residents participated in 2 events
83,460 pounds of tires collected
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New for 2009:
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Pharmaceutical Waste Collection
638 residents participated in 2 events
1,400 pounds of medication
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Paper Shredding (Fall 2009 – Present)
893 residents participated in the fall event
30,000 pounds of confidential papers were shredded
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Provided assistance to Berks County municipalities and school districts.
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Expansion of composting programs
Yard Waste Composting
Food Waste Composting
Supported the cleanup of illegal dump sites Through participation in the COALS (Cleanup Our American Lands and Streams) Initiative; 3 dump sites were cleaned up. Refinancing of BCSWA Revenue Bonds resulting in $277,000 in net savings toCounty. Economic struggles across the United States have not only affected the world economy, it has also undermined the recycled commodity marketplace as well. Here is a sampling of what folks are saying about the market difficulties.
