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Small Scale Computer Reuse and Recycling: Optimal Environmental and Economic Solution to the E-Scrap Dilemma
Presented to the R'07 Conference The recent paradigm shift in computer discard from disposal to recovery and recycling has been the result of grass roots organizing in the US. Refurbishing of computers has not been emphasized in new government policies, despite the overwhelming evidence that reuse is far superior in environmental, economic and social impacts.
Recycling and Composting Policy Agenda Drafted; Comments SoughtTwenty-three veteran recycling and composting activists met in a two-day retreat in June 2007 to prepare policy guidelines to accelerate diversion of discarded materials from landfills and incinerators. The document, upon refinement and approval by a broader number of activists, will be circulated among state, local and federal decision-makers for consideration.
We would appreciate feedback or comments prior to finalizing this statement.
Waste to Wealth - 2006 Report on ActivitiesOur program continued its tradition of solving problems in ways that reinforce economic and environmental security. Our work continues to help community development organizations, small businesses and government agencies increase productive employment, recover increasing amounts of valuable recycled materials and products, save environmental resources, and lower operating costs.
Bye Bye Petro-Plastics, Hello Compostable Bioplastics?
This 44-page pocket-sized directory — produced by ILSR for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments — lists 110 businesses reusing or recycling building materials in the Washington, DC region. It also includes Tips for Recycling Success at the Job Site and Frequently Asked Questions on how to recycle construction and demolition materials.
The companion Web site, www.BuildersRecyclingGuide.com, includes a searchable database of the businesses. URGE FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES TO EXCLUDE WASTE INCINERATION FROM QUALIFYING AS REWEWABLE ENERGY AND A GREEN POWER SOURCE
Join ILSR and the Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance/Global Alliance for
Incinerator Alternatives in urging federal and state agencies to exclude
waste incineration from qualifying as renewable energy and a green power
source. It's easy.
Zero Waste Provides Alternative Option to Incinerator
More than 50 French mayors and local decision-makers gathered for a meeting in the country's Alsace region to discuss solid waste management options. After a two-hour meeting, an incinerator proposal had been defeated in favor of zero waste planning.
The Recycling and Zero Waste Movements in France and ILSR's President traveled to Paris and London in May to participate in zero waste events and meetings with community recycling networks. His lively account of developments in these two countries highlights the growing worldwide zero waste movement.
by Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliance for GAIA (Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance/Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) Download the Press Release (PDF) Decision-makers in any community considering a waste incinerator will find Resources up in Flames essential reading. Pitfalls such as high capital costs, tonnage shortfalls, expensive pollution control equipment, and hampering least-cost options such as waste prevention and recycling can beset an incinerator project in California as easily as one in Manila. Officials in developing countries will be particularly interested in the downsides to transferring a technology designed and tested for the discard stream and infrastructure in industrialized nations. While the report introduces the concept and need for zero waste planning and highlights the growing worldwide zero-waste movement and numerous examples of communities embracing such an approach, it emphasizes that non-burn alternatives are readily available. The first half of the report is devoted to the economic problems posed by incinerators and includes a section on how to evaluate a planned incinerator. The second half focuses on non-burn options and examples, and concludes with a 10-step plan for getting starting on the path toward zero waste at the local level. Download the Full Report. (PDF) See also:
ILSR Moves DC Office!
Recycling Creates Jobs While employment in the U.S. grew only 2.1% annually between 1967 and 2000, the recycling industry saw 8.3% increase in employment, and 12.7% growth in annual sales. In the year 2000, the U.S. recycling industry boasted more than 56,000 public and private sector facilities, sustaining 1.1 million jobs, with $236 billion in gross annual sales. This compared with 1967 figures, when the same industry consisted of approximately 8,000 companies, employing 79,000 people, with $4.6 billion in sales. Read more!
Letter
to the Editor of the New York Times about "Putting Garbage to Good Use" article (August 2002)
Letter
to the Editor of MSW Management supporting the zero waste movement (April 2002)
ILSR Asks Senator Jeffords to More Directly Encourage Refilling in His Senate Bill 2220, The National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2002 National legislation that couples beverage container deposits with a minimum recovery rate is long overdue. If passed, Senator Jeffords Senate Bill 2220, the National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2002, will fill this gap. The bill, introduced on Earth Day, calls for a minimum 80% recovery level and would set per container deposits on beverage containers at 10 cents. Furthermore, it is the first national bill on beverage containers to include an incentive to refill containers. Given the environmental advantages of refillable beverage containers over "one-way" containers, we are urging Senator Jeffords to strengthen the language in the bill to more directly encourage refilling. Specifically we'd like to see the bill provide financial incentives to companies that convert to refilling. Click here for a copy of Senate Bill 2220.
For a copy of ILSR's written testimony: For a copy of ILSR's letter in response to Waste News's July 22nd editorial "Bottle it for a while," click here.
Reduce, Reuse, Refill! Web Site Launched. ILSR's new web site is the only web site dedicated to promoting refillable beverage containers. It contains information on policies that support refilling, where they work, how to revive refilling in the U.S., and many links to more information. Launched with support from the GrassRoots Recycling Network. http://www.grrn.org/beverage/refillables/index.html |
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