WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ARCHIVE   BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX

10 Jan 01 - program models; Iowa campaign; cameras; Southwest Airlines; taxes; polystyrene; publications; regulations ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive --------------------- From John Crisley, Municipal Waste Reduction Program, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Boston, MA: I have two information requests for Waste Prevention Forum subscribers. The Massachusetts DEP, as part of its Beyond 2000 Solid Waste Master Plan, is developing program plans for municipal source reduction. We are developing source reduction initiatives that are focused on: 1) residential or consumer-focused materials, and 2) local government operations or waste streams. First, I would like to obtain information on existing or proposed programs designed to address source reduction in local government operations or programs. Our Municipal Waste Reduction Program has experience in providing technical assistance, outreach, and grants to municipal and regional governments. Ideally, models that utilize these kinds of tools would be of interest. We are also interested in considering grants or other means to include non-profit organizations as partners. There is an apparent shortage of information on source reduction programs either managed by local governments or assistance programs available to municipal governments from state agencies. (Alameda County, CA, is one notable exception I have found on the web.) Second, does anyone know of a municipal source reduction policy or ordinance adopted by local or regional governments? For one of our grant programs we've had good experience in spurring the purchase of recycled products by instituting a grant requirement that municipalities must enact a buy-recycled ordinance to qualify for grant funding. Any help is sincerely appreciated. E-mail: John [DOT] Crisley [AT] state [DOT] ma [DOT] us Phone: (617) 556-1021 -------------------- From Susan Salterberg, Center for Energy & Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA: IOWANS TO LEARN ABOUT REDUCING WASTE Last year at this time, the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (MOEA) kicked off a campaign called, "Reduce Waste: If Not You, Who?" One of MOEA's staff members announced that kick-off on the Waste Prevention Forum. (Thanks to the Forum for providing this network for exchange of ideas.) As a result, I reviewed their website and other activities. Duly impressed, we here in Iowa set out to conduct a similar campaign in three test sites in Iowa this year. Click on http://www.wereduce.org for more information about Iowa's initiative, which officially begins Jan. 15, and focuses on helping Iowans make four behavior changes (reduce unwanted mail; use both sides of paper; think carefully before buying; and buy long-lasting products). David Benke and Glenn Meyer at the MOEA have generously shared their materials with us, making an endeavor such as this not nearly as complicated. They are willing to allow other organizations to use the "Reduce Waste: If Not You, Who?" tagline and materials, too. For information about Minnesota's campaign, click on http://www.reduce.org or call toll-free 1-800-657-3843. Susan's e-mail: ssalter (AT) netins (DOT) net -------------------- From Warren Wilson, Dakota County, Apple Valley, MN, responding to the 12/20/00 Environmental News Network article (the link to the article ran in the Forum on 1/3/01) that gave Kodak's single-use cameras as an example of a manufacturer providing a lease option: My take on that article is: What is wrong with this picture? I agree that leasing products is preferable to purchase, as long as the leased product is as durable or more durable than the purchased product. However, in the instance of Kodak, the single use/reusable camera pales in comparison, durability-wise, to other point-and-shoot cameras. If Kodak would consider leasing their better point-and-shoot cameras, maybe they/we would have something worth promoting. E-mail: Warren (D O T) Wilson (A T) CO (D O T) DAKOTA (D O T) MN (D O T) US -------------------- From Jesse White, Resource Management Group, Tallevast, FL: I recently flew Southwest Airlines with an Electronic Ticket. I believe they did mail me a piece of paper to confirm the flight, but besides that, no paper, virtually no waste. I checked in and they just handed me a plastic numbered boarding card, which I handed to the agent as I got on the plane. 100 percent reusable. I was a bit amazed. Of course, this only works when there's no advanced seating, which is a hallmark of Southwest's no-frills flights. But I think they should get some kudos for waste reduction. E-mail: jwhite [AT] recyclesmart [DOT] com -------------------- From Charlotte Becker, Becker Projects, and Association of Oregon Recyclers, Gresham, OR, responding to the 1/9/01 news item about actions the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken to make electronic income tax filing easier and more efficient: Another benefit to electronic filing is that you actually get your money faster. The IRS deposits it directly into your checking account. We have been filing electronically since it became available two tax seasons ago. We also provide tax info to our accountant on disk, instead of supplying reams of paper. Computer-savvy businesses can also file their quarterly reports electronically. If you sign up for electronic filing, you'll be asked a few questions about last year's tax return in order to verify your identity. My partner takes care of the filings, and he says the system works great. E-mail: beckerprojects ( A T ) mindspring ( D O T ) com -------------------- Excerpted from postings from Leanne Meyer, recycling program, U.S. Postal Service, Lansing, MI: In response to the 1/9/01 posting about the Polystyrene Recycling Company of America plant in Corona, CA, no longer accepting polystyrene for recycling: There is a machine out there that when the polystyrene is placed in it, it is sprayed with some chemical that reduces it to its original state - thus a very large amount of material ends up as a small, easy-to-handle bag of some sort of liquid type of material. This material goes back to a processing plant and is remade into products. I believe I saw an article on this in a great little newsletter called "Waste Reduction Tips," published by McEntee Media Corp., Cleveland, OH. For waste reduction-minded people, this newsletter can be subscribed to on-line. The rate is $97 a year and it is usually published six times a year. Their website is: http://www.recycle.cc/tips.htm Also, I wonder if people have heard of Grist Magazine, an on-line environmental magazine published by the Earth Day Network. The magazine refers to itself as "gloom-and-doom with a sense of humor." It doesn't have many waste reduction tips, but it keeps you updated on what is what on the environmental front. There is no charge for this one. Their website is at: http://www.gristmagazine.com E-mail: LMEYER1 [AT] email [DOT] usps [DOT] gov -------------------- Link to a column by Donella Meadows in the 1/9/01 Grist Magazine, on whether environmental regulations should be based on the "precautionary principle" or on "risk management": http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/citizen/citizen010901.stm - end -