WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ARCHIVE   BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX

04 Mar 99 - food banks; hospitals; grasscycling; germs; reuse; art ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition ----------------------------------------- From Yen Chin, Seattle Public Utilities: The NY Times article (excerpted in 3/1/99 posting) about food banks, etc. and unsaleable food products should not cause us to lament the loss to poor people that comes from greater efficiency in the food processing industry. Nor should we buy the claim that emergency feeding programs are "their own worst enemy." Instead, what we once again see is the systemized waste of this economic system both in terms of products that lose their commercial value because of appearances rather than intrinsic value and in term of human beings who lose their employability for a variety of reasons, for most of which they bear little if any responsibility. I have to admit that I feel well disposed toward a company like Golden Grain that would use its manufacturing plant to make noodles for food banks. In essence they choose not to waste production capacity. E-mail: Yen ( D O T ) Chin ( A T ) ci ( D O T ) seattle ( D O T ) wa ( D O T ) us ---------------------------------------- From Ann Schneider, University of California at Santa Clara: I am looking for examples of hospital source reduction and reuse programs that have quantified their results. I am working on a project that is trying to implement programs at hospitals that can show a fairly fast return on implementation = diversion rates fast.... Just to get people thinking, some reuse programs include reusable diapers and bottles in maternity wards, reusable surgery trays, renting crutches instead of selling them, etc. Any leads would be appreciated. E-mail: aschneid ( A T ) cats ( D O T ) ucsc ( D O T ) edu Phone: (408) 566-4562 ------------------------------------------- From Paul Devine, Pacific Energy Institute, Seattle, responding to Bev Weber's 3/3/99 request for information on surveys that have asked residents about their experiences with mulching mowers: Pacific Energy Institute (PEI) is a nonprofit environmental consulting firm in Seattle. In 1997-1998 PEI worked with the City of Mercer Island, WA (a suburb of Seattle) on a grasscycling program for city residents. We did a survey of participants. Below are the survey questions and results. CITY OF MERCER ISLAND - KING COUNTY WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM Compiled by Pacific Energy Institute for the City of Mercer Island. In the spring of 1997 and 1998, A Smarter Way To Mow Program was implemented by the City of Mercer Island, WA. The program was designed to replace non-mulching gas lawn mowers with battery-powered mulching mowers. The goals were to reduce the generation of yard debris, help improve air quality, and lower noise pollution. A rebate of $100 was offered to Mercer Island residents who participated in the program and purchased battery-powered mulching mowers. Participants were required to fill out a survey. The intent of the survey was to find how the mulching mowers performed and what impact they had on reducing and recycling household yard debris. The City also promoted backyard composting and distributed compost bins in the spring of 1998. Some survey questions relate to backyard composting. Participants were asked to complete the survey at least three months after using the new mulching mower. The responses are based on completed survey questions. All numbers are in percentages. Survey questions and answers: 1. How many months did you mulch your lawn? Participants used the mulching mower between 1.5 and 6 months, with 86% using the mulching mower between 3-4 months. 2. Before participating in this program, had you used a mulching mower? Of the participants, 93 percent had never used a mulch mower before. 3. On average, how often did you mow your lawn with your mulching mower? All of the participants used the mower at least once a week; 44% used the mower more than once a week. 4. How satisfied are you with the mulching mower? Very satisfied: 57% Somewhat satisfied: 9% Satisfied: 31% Dissatisfied: 2% 5. List recent changes in your lawn care activities. Started mulch mowing: 93% Started backyard composting: 18% Reduced use of fertilizer: 52% Reduced use of water: 45% 6. Have you reduced the amount of yard debris for disposal? Yes: 92% No: 8% Of the "yes" participants, 74% reduced the amount of debris from mulch mowing alone. The remaining 26% reduced the debris through both mulch mowing and backyard composting. 7. If yes, how much yard debris and grass clippings were you able to divert per month? One can (32 gallons): 52% Three cans (86 gallons): 10% Two cans (64 gallons): 33% Four cans or more: 5% 8. Would you recommend a mulching mower to friends? Of the participants, 92% would recommend mulch mowing; 5% said they would in some circumstances; and 3% said they would not. 9. Would you recommend backyard composting to friends? Of the participants, 80% would recommend backyard composting; 20% said they would not. 10. How did you hear about the Mercer Island Grass Cycling Program? (Circle all that apply) 63% percent heard of the program from the newspaper. 27% percent heard of the program from a flyer. 7% percent heard of the program from a friend. 3% percent heard of the program from a program sign. 11. Comments: Most common comments: 1) Mower only works well when lawn is very dry; often the lawn is too wet. 2) Mower doesn't work well when lawn is long. E-mail: PEISeattle ( AT ) aol ( DOT ) com ---------------------------------------------- The next three postings are in response to Tanya Baker's 3/3/99 posting that talked about the new Zip-Loc rigid containers that are marketed as "disposable." The posting also mentioned the ads for paper towels that promote them as being more sanitary than sponges. Tanya also asked, "How do waste reduction advocates counter the germ argument?" ---------------------------------------------- From Vanessa Hinkle, State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Columbus, OH: Zip-Loc and Glad have been using the term "disposable" for marketing purposes here in the Midwest. The advantage of their products over Tupperware, or other more rigid plastics, is that the cost is only about 50 cents each. The TV commercials do a good job of saying you can re-use these containers, but if for some reason you need to throw them out, or they get lost, it's not that expensive. However, I think it is expensive enough to make most people try to re-use them. I really like these containers, so I try to find reasons to justify my consumerism. I wonder if containers like these might encourage more people to eat left-overs rather than fast food for lunch. I feel so torn! I'd have to see a life cycle analysis comparison before I can make up my mind. As for the paper towels cutting down on germs... There have been a lot of "scare" stories about bacteria breeding quickly in kitchen sponges and then being spread throughout the kitchen. One way to control this is to throw your sponges in the dishwasher each time you run it. E-mail: vanessa (DOT) hinkle (AT) epa (DOT) state (DOT) oh (DOT) us --------------------------------------- From Janine Bogar, Thurston County Solid Waste, Olympia, WA: A year or so ago we had a meeting with all the educators here in Thurston County and discovered the waste reduction educators were in direct opposition to the public health educators in some of their messages. Notably: To limit germs, use disposables. Food poisoning is a real threat, particularly with animal-based foods, that waste reduction folks can't just ignore. However, if people are being told to use paper towels to limit the spread of germs, they could just as easily be told to make sure they use separate sponges/ dish towels for cleaning up meat, etc., messes and be sure to wash them often (though this uses water and energy). Waste reduction educators would have to actively coordinate with public health educators to get this message out, however. E-mail: Bogarj [A T] co [D O T] thurston [D O T] wa [D O T] us --------------------------------------- From Dave Peters, Kitsap County Public Works, Port Orchard, WA: Of course the germ argument is bogus. If you use soap or wash out the sponge in dish water, the germs are taken care of nicely. It's just the ad guys playing on people's fears. And it will probably sell more paper towels! It might be useful to get a copy of their brochure (the "germ information booklet" that the paper towel company sends you if you call a toll-free number). If it contains undocumented "facts," I'd pass it on to the Federal Trade Commission for investigation as misleading advertising. They seem to enjoy this kind of work, from my past experience with them! E-mail: DPeters [A T] MAIL1 [D O T] CO [D O T] KITSAP [D O T] WA [D O T] US --------------------------------------- The next four messages are in response to Eric Nelson's 3/3/99 message proposing that "virtual flea markets" be established to promote reuse: ---------------------------------------- From Glenn Meyer, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, St. Paul, MN: As Eric Nelson noted, the traditional materials exchange operates on a grander scale than the typical household. Even for the small exchanges that take place, I've always looked to industrial and commercial programs to set up longer-term relationships -- waste as a resource. In the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota), however, a smaller version is in operation and is online -- http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org/ The Twin Cities Free Market is operated by the Neighborhood Energy Consortium, a nationally-recognized nonprofit coalition of community organizations serving Saint Paul-area residents and businesses. The Free Market provides "a listing service connecting free, reusable items with people who want them. It is part of an effort to reduce the amount of reusable goods being thrown away." While the volumes of waste aren't likely to be huge, it is a nice way of drawing attention to the importance of reuse. It's online, but it runs on people power -- it takes a lot of local effort to keep the program up-to-date and responsive to the community. E-mail: glenn ( D O T ) meyer ( A T ) moea ( D O T ) state ( D O T ) mn ( D O T ) us ----------------------------------------- From Brenda Gassman, Anoka County, MN: I think the St. Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium's Free Market (also see Glenn's posting and the Free Market's website address above) would be an excellent model for other jurisdictions to follow. Personally, I know one family who obtained a computer and brand new printer from a woman who purchased it and just never became proficient enough with the programs to feel it was worth taking up space in her home. She wanted to see it put to use, and gave it to a family whose kids were thrilled to get a computer to work on school projects. I have nothing but good things to say about the program, and would recommend that others check out their web site if they are looking for a model to follow. E-mail: blgassma [ AT ] PUBSERV [ DOT ] CO [ DOT ] ANOKA [ DOT ] MN [ DOT ] US ---------------------------------------- From Christine McCoy, National Recycling Coalition (NRC), Alexandria, VA: eBay is an electronic auction house. My neighbor is actually making money by going to the flea market and then turning around and selling it on-line! The address for their website is: http://www.ebay.com/ E-mail: ChristineM ( A T ) nrc-recycle ( D O T ) org --------------------------------------- From Julie Rhodes, Reuse Development Organization (ReDO), Indianapolis, IN: There are a number of community-based programs that provide an option for the reuse (vs. disposal) of household items. Some of these programs are operated at the landfill or transfer station, asking customers to segregate material coming in that is reusable. The next issue of ReDO's newsletter actually highlights the pilot project between King County Solid Waste Division and Seattle Goodwill, and it has some positive results so far. A for-profit organization, Urban Ore in San Francisco, is also working with transfer stations to salvage materials. Quite a few local solid waste organizations have reuse centers at their landfills, recycling centers or transfer stations and have approached solid waste management in this comprehensive manner. ReDO is sponsoring a one-day intensive training workshop in Southern Indiana on May 12 that will talk about these types of community based programs and partnerships. RE: Electronic flea market: Check out eBay (see link above). It seems that this is exactly what Eric is asking for. In response to the 3/3/99 posting from Sarah Grimm asking about recycled art enthusiasts: Although the artists themselves are not typically members of ReDO, many of the organizations that provide the reusable materials are. ReDO currently has about 18 organizations that are providing materials for arts programs or schools, and there are many others across the country that we are attempting to link through ReDO. What is valuable about this link is that many of the centers are learning from the others on how to source and use materials being donated in creative ways. Please contact me directly if you would like more information. E-mail: jlrhodes ( A T ) in ( D O T ) net ----------------------------------------- From Pat McClearn, Colorado Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, Denver, CO: On the inquiry about an association of artists using recycled/scrap materials: I believe the San Francisco landfill has an "artist in residence" program - featuring artists who use discarded materials to create art. The daughter of Denver friends either is or recently was "Garbage Queen" - or some similar designation - and had a show, I believe, at the landfill. Might be fun to check out. My contacts have fled to the high country and I haven't checked recently on the garbage queen. E-mail: pat [D O T] mcclearn [A T] chhn [D O T] com - end -