Alcoa Recycling

Alcoa's Recycling Bins Boost Volumes of Recyclables in Columbus, Ohio Area

As part of the distribution from the Alcoa and National Recycling Coalitionbin program, our 22 gallon green recycling bins were distributed to Ohio's state recycling representative in the Columbus, Ohio area.  Numerous bins were sent to locations in and around Columbus, including the State Rhodes Tower office complex, Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College and various Westerville City schools.  It is estimated that recycling volumes increased by about 25% in these office buildings and schools as a result of these recycling bins.  Additional bins were taken to select residential areas in Westerville, Ohio, causing the volume of recyclables to jump up by 30%. 

The majority of the materials collected are office paper, newspaper, magazines, aluminum cans, and a few other types of recyclables.

Greening of the US Open

Tennis News reports on some green initiatives taking place at the US Open this year:

Green Initiatives: The USTA is expanding its efforts this year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in order to ensure that the US Open will register as little impact on the environment as possible. The NTC grounds will feature 500 recycling bins and all paper products will be made with 30 percent post-consumer waste. Hybrid vehicles will make up 52 percent of the Lexus player transportation fleet (up from 30 percent in 2008) and Constellation Energy, the US Open’s energy provider, will supply Renewable Energy Certificates to offset the US Open’s electricity consumption. A reusable tote bag and organic T-shirts, including one designed by Venus Williams, will be sold on the grounds and a fan awareness campaign which includes player PSAs; an additional PSA from Alec Baldwin will run throughout the tournament.

SERDC Fall Workshop, Lexington, Kentucky, Nov. 3-4

The Southeast Recycling Development Council will lead a two day recycling workshop from November 3-4 in Lexington, Kentucky.  The theme of the workshop is "Green Prosperity: Recycling and a Sustainable Southeast".  The workshop will discuss recycling's impact on climate concerns.  Informational sessions will also be held on topics such as electronics recycling, improving government collection, commerical/industrial recycling programs, and a markets round-table.  For more information, please visit SERDC's website to learn how to register for this workshop!

How China Handles Waste

Have a look at an article entitled "Trash Planet: China" that Earth 911 produced on how China handles their waste, including recycling.  The article describes how much trash China is currently producing, the status of their recycling practices, and the condition of landfills used in the country. 

Alcoa and Novelis Form a Joint Venture to Procure UBCs

Alcoa and Novelis have formed a new, joint venture company, Evermore Recycling LLC, for the procurement of aluminum beverage containers (UBCs).  Evermore Recycling will provide suppliers a direct relationship with Alcoa and Novelis, two of the leading consumers and processors of UBCs within North America.  The goals of the joint venture are to build stronger supplier relationships, deliver cost savings and efficiencies within the UBC purchasing process, and accelerate strategic initiatives to reach the industry's goal of increasing the aluminum can recycling rate to 75% by 2015. 

Evermore Recycling is limited to the procurement of UBCs.  All other aspects of Alcoa and Novelis' businesses will remain completely independent.  Beginning in September 2009, Evermore Recycling will initiate commercial relationships with prospective suppliers for deliveries effective January 1, 2010. 

Evermore Recycling will be headquartered in Nashville and will employ approximately 20 individuals. 

For more information, visit the Evermore web site. 

Where to Recycle Electronics, Free (Consumer Reports)

Check out a recent article from Consumer Reports on your options for recycling electronics.  The article describes drop-off facilities that certain companies provide for opportunities to recycle your used electronics. 

Lead, cadmium, and mercury, among other toxins, are often found in certain electronic items and can leach from landfills into groundwater. 

What will you do with your e-waste?

Alcoa Sponsors "Be a Recycl-Olympian" Program in Pennsylvania School District

Several school districts in the region will be "greener" this fall, as new and continuing efforts call attention to the environment and are designed to teach children to maintain a healthy planet. 

Plum Borough School District is launching a major energy conservation and recycling initiative, said Dennis McDade, assistant facilities supervisor.  

The district has equipped three of its seven buildings -- Center Elementary, O'Block Junior High and the high school -- with energy-saving lighting and devices that reduce energy consumption in mechanical systems.  The district will install these features in other buildings when future remodeling occurs, Mr. McDade said. 

Plum students and staff will do more recycling this year, thanks to a program called Be a Recycl-Olympian, co-sponsored by Alcoa and Pittsburgh Sports Report.  Plans call for each classroom to have a bin for paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum.

This article is from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Go their website to view the article in full. 

Expanding Your Recycling Vocabulary

Want to learn some of the lingo used in the recycling industry?  If so, you've come to the right place! We will be updating you on various recycling terms that will impress your friends- maybe. 

Diversion rates: the percentage of waste materials diverted from traditional disposal such as land-filling or incineration to be recycled, composted, or re-used. 

Phoenix Partners with RecycleBank to Reward Residents for Recycling (PR Newsire)

The City of Phoenix announced today that it has signed a contract to partner with RecycleBank, a program that rewards households for recycling and other positive environmental behaviors. This program is designed to encourage additional recycling participation and complement Mayor Phil Gordon's 17 Point Green Phoenix Plan.  It is Mayor Gordon's goal to make Phoenix the greenest city as well as the first carbon neutral city in America.  Following Mesa, Phoenix is the second city in Arizona to deploy the RecycleBank program.  

This information is from PR Newswire.  Visit their site for the full length article.   

Bilingual Tuesdays --- Los Martes Bilingues

Each Tuesday we will have dual text in English and Spanish.

Cada martés tendrémos texto doble de inglés y español. 

For all those students out there, start your school year on the right foot and visit the EPA's website to learn 'Tips for a Waste-Less School Year' !

¡Para todos los estudiantes, comienzan su año escolar el pie correcto y visitan el sitio de EPA para aprender 'Consejos para un Año Escolar con Menos Desechos'!