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Home My WebLink About1992-11-19 Recycling Committee Minutes rra�C November 19, 1992 RECYCLING COMMITTEE MINUTES Committee Members Present: Arthur Stockus, Jim Ring, Theresa Audibert, Ed Barrett, Bill Phillips, Gail Rosenthal, Jane Saxl and Bill Shook. Guest: Andy Hinson of Marketing Media & Wellman PROMOTING RECYCLING Andy Hinson spoke about how we could update our recycling brochures to inform residents of Bangor of any new information. He said it would be relatively easy to keep the art work and change the copy. However, some distinction would have to be made, such as "new & improved" so that people don't think they're getting the same brochures as before. Another question is how to distribute the brochures. Updates could be put in the recycling bins when they're emptied and left at the dropoff center. It was suggested that we do one new brochure on what's new in the program rather than simply updating the brochures we already have. We also need a composting brochure. Another suggestion was that we could do an inexpensive "newsletter" that could be updated periodically. This would be much less expensive than the brochures and it would also serve to remind people about the program on a regular basis. To try to reach people who are not currently recycling, Hinson suggested we use the media as we did when the program began. He is going to put together some ideas and recommendations so that we can discuss them at the next meeting. To summarize, on the promotional end, we want to 1)provide the most up-to-date information to both current and newly interested recyclers; 2) get more people to start recycling; 3) inform people of changes in the dropoff program; 4) have periodic promotional events. The minutes from the October 1, 1992 meeting were accepted as read. The recycling totals for September and October were: TYPE SEPTEMBER OCTOBER Glass 13.8 tons 13.8 tons Tin 9.5 tons 4.2 tons Newsprint 27 tons 27 tons There seems to be a correlation between the season and recycling volume. It tends to increase during the summer months and decrease as winter approaches. 1 The topic of metal separation came up. We get a better price for mews if they're separated. Therefore, we have to mark the collection area at the dropoff center better and we may want to ask people to use the 3 sections of the bins for tin, aluminum and glass (clear and colored). The State has refused our application for money for a baler on the grounds that it would negatively impact Sawyer's private sector employment. We now have 3 choices: 1) Appeal the State's decision, which we are doing; 2) Apply for bond money, which we plan to do; 3) Buy the baler ourselves. The idea of using Sawyer's baler was mentioned. Arthur explained that it would be more costly to the city to bring the paper to Sawyer for the following reasons: 1) Storage costs; 2) Transportation costs; 3) 1 hour lost each trip to Sawyer. The feeling is that although the initial outlay for the baler will be alot, in the long run, the City will be better off. Recycling Bond Program Since approximately 24% of our trash is organic, we may apply for bond money to purchase composting equipment. Model Cities Program The city's in-house recycling committee has discovered some departments that were not recycling office paper that are now doing it. The next step is to begin to expand what is being recycled. The issue of what to do with various refuse from school cafeterias, such as cardboard trays and plasticware was brought up. The School Board will be discussing this in the near future. Christmas Tree Chipping McDonalds has offered to collect trees for chipping. It would save the city workers alot of time driving around, picking up trees. An alternative is to use the parks and possibly schools in the city instead of McDonalds. We could ask citizens to lend a hand by bringing their trees to one of these locations. The city workers can pick up the rest. Regarding newspapers - It is better to put newspapers to be recycled in paper bags than to tie them up. Another alternative is to place them in the recycling bin. Regarding Cardboard - We're paying $15/ton to get rid of cardboard. 2 Old Business - Goals and Objectives The goals and objectives that were set during the July, 1992 Recycling Committee meeting were reviewed and updated as follows: I. Short-term Goals and Objectives for the Coming Year A. Operating 1. Increase the amount of material recycling to 2,000 tons in calendar year 1993 (subject to the baler). 2. Develop and implement an operating plan for use of the soon to be acquired baler and shredder. (We may not reach this goal.) B. Materials 1. Expand the program to accept cardboard in January, 1993 (Subject to the baler.) 2. Continue to work with the regional demolition debris group on recycling demolition debris.(It looks like the landfill is still going to close at the end of the year so we don't have much information about this.) 3. Develop a yard-waste composting program (i.e. leaf composting.) The idea of using compostable bags that the city would collect was brought up. 4. Back yard composting. C. Public Education 1. Develop a public education plan for the coming year with help of Bangor Beautiful (to include cardboard). Kathy, Gail, John and Judy had volunteered. 2. Have block captains spread the news of changes in the recycling program (Neighborhood Committee - Bangor Beautiful). 3. Have the City buy recyclable bags and distribute them to the schools. 4. Composting Education Program (has not yet been addressed). 5. Recycling column in the Bangor Daily News. D. Legislative 1. Develop a committee to monitor and support -extension of the bottle bill to batteries -waste reduction such as in packaging -state bond issue for recycling - which passed 3 E. Organizational 1. Support funding a recycling coordinator in the City's FY94 budget 2. Formalize the relationship between Bangor Beautiful and the City and Recycling Committee to clarify roles, duties, and responsibilities - - II. Items for Additional Research/Investigation A. Operating 1. Continue to review alternatives for privatizing recycling efforts in such areas as waste hauling and bulky item collection -, ( ,ckb a Q.� 2. Investigate Bangor's role as a regio[- center for ling, .� B. Materials ).'" i O V'Y� (}`° • •es 2. Research possible acceptance of rags-and-cloth d w��,� �� _-. • mem or C. - - - AS ,,_cam:.._) 3. Investigate collection service for white goods_ C. Public Education Ln� 1. Investigate recycling playground or zoo 2. Continue market education D. Other III. Other Ideas/Suggestions/Future Goals A. Operating 1. Establish an excess charge for waste collected over a certain amount (i.e., 4 bags or cans) 2. Establish a transfer station with necessary trucks to transfer waste • to PERC 3. Join or establish a cooperative marketing p e. ant 4. Select new collection containers c are arger and which cy d include wheel kits and handles for elderly 5. Establish 4,000 ton goal 6. Coordinate efforts with state and regional agencies 7. Establish multi-family residential unit recycling program B. Public Education 1. Encourage use of drop-off center 2. Get kids involved 3. Develop users guide to recycling and waste dispof. al (printEd or on data base) 4. Encourage the use of recycled products C. Other 1. Encourage in-state recycling industries 2. Mandatary recycling 3. )pen Markets -- work with Community and Economic Development Staff yJo support industries which recycleor remnu facture � .� y ca-e_d /