Glass Markets Brainstorming Virginia Recycling Association

10: :10- Name tags, send around a sign in sheet 10: :15- Welcome and Elect Chair 10: :30- Background of Glass Recycling/Questions? 10: :30- Brainstorming with breaks at 11:00 11: :15- Lunch 12:15- 3:00 - Work through the pros and cons of brainstorming ideas and formulate a reccomendation or actions plan Today’s Agenda

Background of Issue “As I Understand It” Originally, glass was collected in drop off centers (Where was glass recycled then?) Perception by the public that glass is easy to recycle and has been recycled for a long time (return bottles to stores for reuse, then in drop off)

Background of Issue “As I Understand It” Single-stream implemented which posed problems with contamination and hence a problem with markets

Background of Issue “As I Understand It” Contaminated, co-mingled glass is difficult to clean- need optical sorting machine

Background of Issue “As I Understand It” Right now commingled glass is used for daily cover at landfill, sandblasting material, Any other uses? What about the glass from drop- off that is source separated? 2 Owens-Illinois plants in Virginia

1.As a first step in the process create a formalized data gathering identifying the current glass stream by quantity and destination (Process Map) 2. Begin looking at the end markets. Research. 3. Public relations about the importance of this commodity. Appeal to the community to define beneficial uses. May be opportunities to explore beneficial uses. 4. Define recycling. Is it okay if it is going to be used for beneficial uses at landfills. Brainstorming

5. Identifying the message and delivery (communications plan). 6. Redefine the message to the public- we are past the tree hugging state- recycling is a business model. 7. Georgia’s work in looking at the cost to landfill materials. Used statistical averages- estimated the revenue that would have been achieved from those materials. The value of recyclable materials. (redefining recyclable materials) Brainstorming

8. A possible weakness in VA is that the state is not responsible for the recycling. Each locality defines the recycling program. The state promotes, encourages the localities. No state incentive program. No financial support. Only threat of permits if no report is filed/rate not reached. 9.There is an issue with source separated glass being taken to the landfill. 10. School system drop off program. Schools use it as fundraiser- community supports the idea/program. Brainstorming

11. Working with Hotel and Restaurant Associations - will they keep their glass for recycling voluntarily. (VA Beach or Newport News) pilot program. NC Bar & Restaurant Association- members are not complaining – 20 % of glass containers are consumed in restaurants. 13. Get processing and infrastructure in place before going to Restaurants and Bars. 14. Local organization for disabled adults collects corrugated and wants to collect glass from restaurants- win/win for people with limited work possibilities.

15. Different collection methods. How will glass get to the restaurants? In boxes- is one method collection. May create new collection businesses. Average restaurant places 870 pounds of glass in container per month. Have to charge them to pick it up. 16. Commercial business recycling requirements (usually primary and secondary materials- which is chosen by the business) Arlington is a model- there is enforcement- businesses are charged a fee to pay the recycling enforcement. Every business gets inspected. 17. East coast has glass recycling in place. MRF operators perception is that there is no market for glass. Processors needs to let MRFS know there is a market and collection efforts can be addressed with the localities. (Mary Mclellan will visit a home that is not setting their curbside bin out.)

18. Information from processors of the value of glass in varying types (with contamination, separated by color) 19. More education done by processors. 20. There are compelling reasons to the general public or businesses to recycle correctly. (1 cardboard box = $1) 21. We have to give thought and develop the messaging and communications id the risk of doing nothing. Could jeopardize recycling other components if the glass recycling message is compromised. In developing a case for action in the reccomedation brought to the VRA board. 22. Find out the economic Value of recycling (help and support from SERDC).

Economics of Glass Bar and Restaurant- $150 / month charge up to 5 carts. Or incorporated in a residential route. Can not be picked up for the price of the glass.

Pros and Cons of each Idea 1.As a first step in the process create formalized data gathering identifying the current glass stream by quantity and destination (Process Map) Is there 40,000 tons/where is it/where is it currently going/. Find the MRFs/Collectors---- all state coordinators Talking to the processors- what do we need from the MRFs Basic data gathering- where is the material going? Communications- To the General Public as well as to MRFs Economics- avoided cost at landfill and the potential (challenges with being able to say the value of glass is X due to competitive bidding situation) Address the value:

Pros and Cons of each Idea 3. Public relations about the importance of this commodity. Appeal to the community to define beneficial uses. May be opportunities to explore beneficial uses. What do we want VRA members to know right now? Present thought-out communication plan at the November member meeting- structured approach. Send council meeting minutes to listserve. Create a webpage on VRA website for Markets Council.

Pros and Cons of each Idea Define recycling. Is it okay if it is going to be used for beneficial uses at landfills. Recycling is a manufacturing process. The goal of this council is to see recycling of glass containers into new glass containers, above one-use reuse of glass bottles. (furnace ready cullet) Glass should not be sent to a landfill (even for beneficial use). Glass should not be incinerated at waste-to-energy facilities. (Covanta does not want glass in their facilities.)

Pros and Cons of each Idea Cons Pros 5. Identifying the message and delivery (communications plan).

Pros and Cons of each Idea Cons Pros Redefine the message to the public- we are past the tree hugging state- recycling is a business model.

Georgia’s work in looking at the cost to landfill materials. Used statistical averages- estimated the revenue that would have been achieved from those materials. The value of recyclable materials. (redefining recyclable materials) Georgia report NC Report Work with SERDC

A possible weakness in VA is that the state is not responsible for the recycling. Each locality defines the recycling program. The state promotes, encourages the localities. No state incentive program. No financial support. Only threat of permits if no report is filed/rate not reached. Who is responsible for recycling? Economic feasability drive recycling.

Pros and Cons of each Idea 9.There is an issue with source separated glass being taken to the landfill. Convincing these people to not send materials.

Pros and Cons of each Idea 10. School system drop off program. Schools use it as fundraiser- community supports the idea/program.

Pros and Cons of each Idea 11. Working with Hotel and Restaurant Associations - will they keep their glass for recycling voluntarily. (VA Beach or Newport News) pilot program. NC Bar & Restaurant Association- members are not complaining Increase recycling collection opportunities.

Pros and Cons of each Idea Cons Pros – 20 % of glass containers are consumed in restaurants.

Pros and Cons of each Idea Cons Pros 13. Get processing and infrastructure in place before going to Restaurants and Bars.

Pros and Cons of each Idea Cons Pros 14. Local organization for disable adults collects corrugated and wants to collect glass from restaurants- win/win for people with limited work possibilities.

Cons Pros 15. Different collection methods. How will glass get to the restaurants? In boxes- is one method collection. May create new collection businesses. Average restaurant places 870 pounds of glass in container per month. Have to charge them to pick it up.

Cons Pros 16. Commercial business recycling requirements (usually primary and secondary materials- which is chosen by the business) Arlington is a model- there is enforcement- businesses are charged a fee to pay the recycling enforcement. Every business gets inspected.

Cons Pros 17. East coast has glass recycling in place. MRF operators perception is that there is no market for glass. Processors needs to let MRFS know there is a market and collection efforts can be addressed with the localities. (Mary Mclellan will visit a home that is not setting their curbside bin out.)

Cons Pros 18. Information from processors of the value of glass in varying types (with contamination, separated by color)

Cons Pros 19. More education.

Cons Pros 20. There are compelling reasons to the general public or businesses to recycle correctly. (1 cardboard box = $1)

21. We have to give thought and develop the messaging and communications id the risk of doing nothing. Could jeopardize recycling other components if the glass recycling message is compromised. In developing a case for action in the recommendation brought to the VRA board. 1.Glass recycling could go away. 2.Image could be compromised for all of recycling. 3.Image to other businesses looking at Virginia (it becomes an economic development issue) 4.Jobs in recycling, trucking, labels,

22. Find out the economic Value of recycling (help and support from SERDC).

Action Plan 1)Identify how much glass is currently collected/sold/tons available in Virginia. Find out where it is currently going. (where is it) Kevin Byrnes/Heather Bunn research) Get list to Ann House 2) Communicate to members about council, presentation at member meeting and talk to Covanta. SERDC can help with the communication effort. 3) Look to stats out of Georgia and NC and evaluate if Virginia can/needs to replicate that information. Look to SERDC for help with the research.

Virginia Recycling Association