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21 May 02 - LA reuse; neon dyes; green building; Neat Sheet ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive -------------------- Link to the Recycling Economic Information Study, released in April, 2002, by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation (forwarded by Barbara Zaccheo): http://www.ci.la.ca.us/SAN/reis.htm This study, which was done for the City of Los Angeles by R. W. Beck, under subcontract to SCS Engineers, documents the size of the recycling and reuse industry and its economic impact on the city. It includes detailed information on reuse. According to the report, there are 333 reuse establishments in Los Angeles, with a total employment of 2,132, an annual payroll of $41,848,000 and estimated receipts of $253,761,000. The report also points out: "A noticeable distinction exists between the recycling sector and the reuse sector in terms of the size of establishments and average annual payroll. The recycling establishments have an average of 22 employees each, with an average annual payroll per employee of $28,700. Comparatively, the reuse sector is made up of smaller establishments - an average of 6 employees per establishment - with an average annual payroll of $19,600 per employee. Although the reuse and remanufacturing sector accounts for 55 percent of total establishments, it makes up only 27 percent of total employees, 20 percent of payroll, and 14 percent of receipts. It is assumed that differences in employee pay between recycling sector and reuse sector establishments closely follow the level of skill and training required of employees. Recycling manufacturing, which contributes heavily to the overall recycling statistics, generally requires employees of higher skill and training than is normally required of employees of reuse establishments." -------------------- From Lynn Leopold, Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division, Ithaca, NY: NEON DYES IN PAPER I think this question is appropriate to source reduction. We find ourselves in the midst of a local discussion about the drawbacks of the intensely bright, neon-type dyes used for copier paper. Everyone uses the stuff, particularly here in a college town where bulletin boards proliferate. Neon papers do contaminate our mixed paper, but we still market the stuff. That said, aren't we all better off without the bright pigments in paper? Does anyone out there have good sources of information about what is in those dyes, what problems they cause in the original papermaking and recycling processes, and why we should probably not be buying them in the first place? Thanks. E-mail: lleopold [ AT ] tompkins-co [ DOT ] org -------------------- Link to the website for the First Annual International Green Building Conference & Expo, to be held Nov. 13-15, 2002, in Austin, TX: http://www.usgbc.org Click on "Conference Page." This conference is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. -------------------- From Tom Watson, King County Solid Waste Division, Seattle, WA, and the National Waste Prevention Coalition: NEW PRODUCT ALERT The paper and plastics industries introduce many new consumer products that I have a problem with, because they are unnecessary, disposable, or both. But I just heard about a new product that actually sounds pretty good to me, so I wanted to tell people about it, and see if anyone has had any experience with it yet. It's called the Neat Sheet, and is made by Kimberly-Clark. It's described as a "water-repellent, cloth-soft, machine-washable ground cover." Basically it's like a tarp that you can spread on the ground at picnics, use as emergency rain protection, cover stuff with, etc. It's 57" by 77", which is about the size of a Queen Size bed, and it's made from "synthetic fibers, similar to the ones used for disposable medical wear." It is billed as being "different from other tarps in that it is breathable, lighter weight, softer, and stays cool in the hot sun. It doesn't pick up sand and repels water, thereby offering better protection than a bulky blanket." It has small built-in weights, in the corners and the center, so it won't blow away. On Drugstore.com, it currently retails for $7.99. More information about the product is on this Kimberly-Clark web page: http://www.theneatsheet.com I would probably try to use sheets of plastic or old blankets that I already had on hand, rather than buying one of these. But, I do like the fact that it's being promoted as reusable, it's machine-washable (although they tell you to line-dry it, and not put it in the dryer), and it has a lot of different uses. Could come in handy, especially here in Seattle, the drizzle capital of the world. What do other people think about this product? Has anyone tried it yet? If so, let me know and we can run your comments in the Forum. E-mail: tom [ DOT ] watson [ AT ] metrokc [ DOT ] gov - end -