Waste & Recycling News - September 14, 2009

Companies file suit against waste cap

About 20 waste hauling and recycling companies have filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to declare invalid a Solano County, Calif., ballot initiative that could cap out-of-county waste volumes heading for local disposal.

Solano County voters passed a
measure in 1984 that imposed

See At Deadline, Page 40

funds drying up By Jim Johnson
A very
quick

Those tiny mercury switches sure can make for some big headaches.

After a few years of calm thanks to creation of the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, there now are some growing questions about just

what will happen to mercury-con-taining switches installed in millions of older model vehicles.

There’s been a series of developments in recent weeks to bring the issue — which grabbed headlines earlier this decade — back to the forefront.

Funding is running out for removal of mercury switches from old vehicles, prompting concern about the environmental impact if fewer of the switches are removed from cars before they are scrapped.

exit

See Switch, Page 41

IN THIS ISSUE
NRC’s abrupt
closing spurs
hopes for a
new beginning
SOLID WASTE
By Bruce Geiselman

Republic Services CEO James O’Connor says the company’s merger with Allied Waste has produced greater savings than

anticipated. Page 6

Statistics show that the number of deaths in the solid waste collection business increased in 2008. Page 3

SCRAP/RECYCLING

Detroit is using recycling, urban farming and other means to promote itself as a destination for eco-friendly businesses. Page 22

RICHARD B. LEVINE / NE WSCOM

A discarded analog TV set awaits pickup in New York City Sept. 6. Some industry officials were concerned that the federal government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcasting would result in a glut of discarded TVs entering the waste stream, but that hasn’t happened.

The National Recycling Coalition is dissolving with stunning suddenness after serving as the voice of the recycling community for 30 years.

Recycling advocates are hoping that won’t stop the rebirth of a new member-driven recycling coalition.

“I just want to encourage those of you who have talked about putting something together to keep going,” NRC Board President Melinda Uerling said. “I’d like to see the organization live on in some form some day.”

Board member David Refkin agreed.

“Supporting recycling is something that is really critical,” Refkin said. “It needs to be supported in a broad way by all

West Virginia University professor Tracy Gainer Vash is leading a campus drive to recycle textiles. Page 4

Tempest in a TV-pot?

Bottle bill proponents say
they’re optimistic that the recent
momentum will continue.
Page 12

The anticipated flood of discarded TVs hasn’t materialized
HAZARDOUS WASTE
By Jim Johnson

In the wake of last year’s TVA coal ash spill in Tennessee, the U.S. EPA has identified 584 coal ash ponds in 35 states. Page 4

Television’s long awaited conversion from analog to digital broadcasting didn’t seem to end up having much of an impact on the electronic waste stream after all.

In the months leading up to the conversion, there were reports and concerns that the switchover would compel homeowners to discard their old televisions in droves in favor of the newer technology.

But that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Chaz Miller, director of state programs for the National Solid Wastes Management Association, has a broad knowledge of recycling and has followed the issue of television conversion issue over time.

And he never really thought there was going to be a crush of old televisions hitting the waste stream.

the members of a coalition. We sincerely hope that in the future there is another way that recycling can have a true voice. How we do that, I don’t know.”

The NRC’s Board of Directors, calling it a sad day, voted Sept. 2 to dissolve the group and file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The NRC’s Washington, D.C., office closed its doors and the two remaining staff members lost their jobs Sept. 4.