Today's Topics:
COCA COLA: RECYCLING OUTLAW
GreenYes Digest V98 #89
Laser Printer Remanufacturing - Wall St. Journal article
Zero Waste on Earth Day 1998 in Sylva, NC
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Problems you can't solve otherwise to postmaster@ucsd.edu.
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--- Loop-Detect: GreenYes:98/90 ----------------------------------------------------------------------Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 21:33:46 -0400 From: "Bill Sheehan" <bill_sheehan@mindspring.com> Subject: COCA COLA: RECYCLING OUTLAW
[Forwarded from Marti Matsch, EcoCycle, Boulder CO]
This article originally appeared in the Eco-Cycle Times=20 and was reprinted in the winter 1998 issue of Earth Island=20 Journal. Below is the article as it appeared in the Earth=20 Island Journal. -- Marti Matsch (marti@ecocycle.org)
COCA COLA: RECYCLING OUTLAW by Marti Matsch
In the next 24 hours US consumers will use 50 million=20 #1 polyethylene terepthlate (PET) plastic soda bottles.=20 As quickly as we toss them, the plastic bottle industry=20 extracts more nonrenewable resources from the Earth=20 to make 50 million new soda bottles for us to throw=20 away tomorrow. Some soda bottles make it to a=20 recycler who must scramble to find a buyer, and often=20 ends up selling the bottles at a loss to an entrepreneur=20 who makes carpeting, benches, or jacket-fill -- anything=20 but new bottles.
And what is the plastic bottling industry doing to create=20 a stronger recycling market for its product? Nothing.
The GrassRootsRecycling Network (GRRN) hopes to=20 change that. GRRN's aim is to pressure corporations=20 to take responsibility for the environmental impacts of=20 its manufacturing processes, materials and resource- use and to urge them to invest in reduction, reuse and=20 recycling practices.
In 1990, amidst the heat of the cola battles with Pepsi, =20 Coca-Cola loudly announced their pledge to help=20 create a market for #1 PET bottles. Coke officials=20 promised to begin using recycled plastic in #1 PET=20 bottles in the US (just as they are doing successfully in=20 Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other countries). It=20 was great news that the largest beverage company in=20 the world was going to set a precedent and show=20 sound corporate leadership.
Eight years later, Coca-Cola has still not followed=20 through on its promise. And Coca-Cola's failed=20 promise has been a major factor in the collapse of the=20 soda bottle recycling market.
The "chasing arrows" recycling symbol on plastic=20 containers invite consumers to "please recycle."=20 GRRN decided it was time someone asked Coca- Cola, "Recycle them WHERE?" In March 1997, GRRN=20 wrote Coca-Cola, asking for four voluntary actions: *=20 Live up to its promise to use recycled content in its=20 plastic bottles, * Label the post-consumer recycled=20 content on the recycled bottles, * Begin using refillable=20 bottles, and * Establish a voluntary deposit on Coca- Cola containers.
When Coca-Cola failed to respond to GRRN's=20 requests, GRRN members staged a rally outside Coca- Cola's global headquarters in Atlanta. Coke ignored the=20 protest. Georgia State Senator Donzella James has=20 repeatedly attempted to communicate these concerns=20 to the company without success. As of print date,=20 Coca-Cola still had not responded.
"Coca-Cola is a megacorporation," says GRRN=20 member Eric Lombardi. "They believe they are=20 untouchable. We plan to show them they're not. They=20 may ignore state senators and other officials, but they=20 can't ignore thousands of people who won't use their=20 product if they don't do their part for recycling." GRRN's=20 efforts have not gone unnoticed by the plastics=20 industry. The June 1997 issue of Plastics News=20 reported that American Plastics Council President Red=20 Cavaney was well-aware of "recent pressure from the=20 GrassRoots Recycling Network to convince Coke to=20 use more recycled content."
GRRN is keeping the pressure on. They have initiated=20 a petition asking Coca-Cola to "Do the Real Thing"=20 and support recycling. When GRRN posted information=20 on the Internet, 25 independent voluntary actions=20 against Coke were staged across the country. Boycotts=20 are being planned on university and college campuses=20 in many different states.
THE COST TO DO THE REAL THING
What would it cost Coca-Cola, Pepsi and the soda=20 bottle industry to use 25 percent recycled plastic in=20 their bottles? One beverage industry publication=20 reported that soft drink bottlers were making a profit of=20 more than 21 cents per bottle. Adding 25 percent post- consumer recycled content would cost only one-tenth=20 of a penny per bottle. Profits would still be 20.9 cents=20 per bottle!
Making bottles from recycled plastic resin is far less=20 toxic, since the real damage from plastics=20 manufacturing occurs in the original production cycle=20 and not in the production of recycled bottles. Fourteen=20 percent of airborne toxic emissions come from plastics=20 production. The average plastics plant can discharge=20 as much as 500 gallons of contaminated wastewater=20 per minute. According to the EPA, between 1980 and=20 1987, 16 percent of all US industrial accidents --=20 explosions, toxic cloud releases, fires and chemical=20 spills -- involved plastic production. Consumers not=20 only pay for hauling the bottles to the landfills and=20 incinerators, we also pay for the toxic waste cleanups.
If Coca-Cola took action today, the next 24 hours could=20 look very different. If soda bottles were made with even=20 25 percent post-consumer recycled content, the market=20 for plastic recycling would be stronger and recyclers=20 would no longer have to take the material at a loss.=20 Coca-Cola's packaging would be far less polluting and=20 the 100 million Americans who recycle would have=20 somewhere to take their bottles. Municipalities would=20 no longer have to pay to landfill or incinerate discarded=20 bottles. Better yet, if Coca-Cola brought back their=20 practice of using refillable glass bottles, the strain on=20 our over-burdened resources could be reduced even=20 more significantly.
Large corporations have a lot of financial power which=20 they habitually wield to stonewall legislators and public=20 interest groups. But corporate giants can be forced to=20 change if enough consumers stop buying their product.=20 Consumers shouldn't be left holding bags of empty=20 bottles full of empty promises. What You Can Do: Call=20 Coca-Cola's toll-free Consumer Affairs line [(800) 571- 2653] and tell them to do the Real Thing: "Bring back=20 refillable bottles and use old bottles to make new=20 ones!" Or log on to Coca-Cola's web site=20 [http://www.cocacola.com] and ask: "If you do it in=20 Europe, why not HERE?" If you'd like to circulate a=20 neighborhood petition, call Eco-Cycle at (303) 444- 6634, fax: -6647, recycle@ecocycle.org,=20 www.ecocycle.org.
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Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 10:10:43 -0500=20 From: "Smith, Carolyn" <clsmith@PUBSERV.CO.ANOKA.MN.US> Subject: GreenYes Digest V98 #89
Do we need to waste space with pitiful sexiest poetry? Yo Mama doesn't warrant the space on our page. Please remember that at least some of us who read this page are looking for environmenat messages for information and a call to action. I would personnally prefer all the personal attacks, responses and worthless poetry to go to personnal email! Thank you! Comments can be sent to me at clsmith@pubserv.co.mn.us
-----Original Message----- From: GreenYes Mailing List and Newsgroup [SMTP:greenyes@ucsd.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 09, 1998 6:30 AM To: GreenYes@ucsd.edu Subject: GreenYes Digest V98 #89
GreenYes Digest Thu, 9 Apr 98 Volume 98 : Issue 89
Today's Topics: Fwd: Job Opening Fwd[3]: Your mama... Recycling rehaul=20 The David Muchnick Rehabilitation Fund
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <greenyes@UCSD.Edu> Send subscription requests to: <greenyes-Digest-Request@UCSD.Edu> Problems you can't solve otherwise to postmaster@ucsd.edu. =09 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Loop-Detect: GreenYes:98/89 =09 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 19:45:59 EDT From: CRRA <CRRA@aol.com> Subject: Fwd: Job Opening
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Return-Path: <jtrnet@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov> Received: from rly-zc05.mx.aol.com (rly-zc05.mail.aol.com [172.31.33.5]) by air-zc01.mail.aol.com (v40.19) with SMTP; Wed, 08 Apr 1998 15:50:20 -0400 Received: from valley.rtpnc.epa.gov (valley.rtpnc.epa.gov [134.67.208.16]) by rly-zc05.mx.aol.com (8.8.5/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with ESMTP id PAA10877; Wed, 8 Apr 1998 15:48:24 -0400 (EDT) Received: from valley (valley [134.67.208.16]) by valley.rtpnc.epa.gov (8.8.7/8.8.0) with SMTP id PAA00307; Wed, 8 Apr 1998 15:48:17 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 15:48:17 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <352BDF6F.6B98@max.state.ia.us> Errors-To: jwhitehe@erg.com Reply-To: jtrnet@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov Originator: jtrnet@unixmail.rtpnc.epa.gov Sender: jtrnet@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov Precedence: bulk From: jgeerts@max.state.ia.us (Jeff Geerts) To: Multiple recipients of list <jtrnet@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov> Subject: Job Opening X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Comment: EPA's "Jobs Through Recycling" Grants Network Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=3DUS-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT IOWA RECYCLING ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Background The Iowa Recycling Association (IRA) was founded in 1988 and today has 240 professionally diverse members and a 13 member Board of Directors focused on promoting cost-effective recycling activities in Iowa. The IRA provides a forum to learn about waste reduction and recycling issues, affect recycling efforts in communities and workplaces, and access and exchange resources and information.=20
Job Description The IRA is currently taking applications for a full time Executive Director. This position will implement project goals as outlined in the IRA/State of Iowa Landfill Alternatives Financial Assistance grant, work toward position sustainability, and fulfill other association duties as directed by the IRA President. Project goals include; identifying and establishing statewide recycling education priorities, developing and promoting key waste reduction and recycling messages, coordinating and disseminating recycling education information, increasing membership and partnering opportunities with key public and private entities, and performing all related public relations activities.
The position will report directly to the President of the IRA and fulfill all project status reports as required.
The Executive Director may reside anywhere in Iowa.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 3 years program implementation experience including public relations, marketing, budgeting and supervisory responsibilities. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Strong computer skills. Understanding of environmental & economic sustainability concepts. Waste management and/or fundraising experience a plus. Valid drivers license, clean driving record and reliable vehicle.
Salary Annual salary range mid to upper 30's, dependent upon experience, plus benefits. This is a 3 year contract position funded through a State of Iowa Landfill Alternatives Financial Assistance grant.
To Apply Any interested individual or organization should submit a resume, cover letter, and references by May 1, 1998 to Andy Ockenfels, President, IRA, 3 East Benton, Iowa City, IA 52240. For more information visit the Recycle Iowa website at http://www.RecycleIowa.org. Questions may be directed to Andy Ockenfels at 319-351-2848.
The IRA is a non-profit, equal opportunity employer.
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Date: 08 Apr 98 15:47:00 -0400 From: horace.morancie@gsa.gov Subject: Fwd[3]: Your mama...
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____________________Forward Header_____________________ Subject: Fwd[2]: Your mama... Author: Horace Morancie Date: 4/8/98 3:40 PM
Have a good day!
____________________Forward Header_____________________ Subject: Your mama...
YO' MAMA's SO STUPID........
She spent twenty minutes lookin' at an orange juice box because it said "concentrate."
She has one toe, and bought a pair of flip flops.
She put lipstick on her forehead because she wanted to makeup her mind.
She got stabbed in a shoot-out.
She told me to meet her at the corner of "Walk" and "Don't Walk".
When the computer said "Press any key to continue", she couldn't find the "Any" key.
She thought 2Pac Shakur was a Jewish holiday.
When I was drowning and yelled for a life saver, she said "Cherry or Grape?"
She tried to put M&M's in alphaebetical order.
She sat on the TV and watched the couch.
She thought St. Ides was a Catholic church.
She sent me a fax with a stamp on it.
She was on the corner giving out potato chips yellin' "Free Lays!"
She tried to drown a fish.
She thought a quarterback was a refund.
She got locked in a grocery store and starved to death.
If you gave her a penny for her intelligence, you'd get change.
They had to burn down the school to get her out of third grade.
She took a spoon to the Super Bowl.
That under "Education" on her job application, she put "Hooked on Phonics".
She thinks socialism means partying.
She tripped over a cordless phone.
She took a ruler to bed to see how long she slept.
That at the bottom of the application where it says "Sign Here," she put "Sagittarius."
She asked for a price check at the dollar store.
It takes her 2 hours to watch 60 minutes.
If she spoke her mind, she'd be speechless.
She stands up on an empty bus.
She studied for a blood test and failed.
She thought Boyz II Men was a daycare center.
She thought Hamburger Helper came with another person.
She thought Meow Mix was a record for cats.
She thought she needed a token to get on Soul Train.
She invented a solar powered flashlight.
She sold the car for gas money.
When she saw the "NC-17" (Under 17 not admitted) sign, she went home to get 16 friends.
When she heard 90% of all crimes occur around the home, she moved.
She went to Dr. Dre for a pap smear.
She thinks Taco Bell is where you pay your phone bill.
She ordered a cheeseburger from McDonald's and said, "Hold the cheese".
When she missed the 44 bus, she took the 22 twice instead.
When she took you to the airport and saw a sign that said, "Airport left", she turned around and went home.
She peels M&M's to make chocolate chip cookies.
She got locked in Furniture World and slept on the floor.
When she got to the empty 4-way stop, she waited for the other 3 cars to get there.
She died before the police arrived because she couldn't find the "11" button to dial "9-1-1."
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Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 13:55:38 -0700 From: Carolyn Chase <cdchase@qualcomm.com> Subject: Recycling rehaul=20
www.sfgate.com Return to regular view
Recycling rehaul By Jane Kay EXAMINER ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER Monday, April 06, 1998 =A91998 San Francisco Examiner
URL: =09 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/examiner/hotnews/stories /06/ recycle.dtl
Caught up in a do-gooder decade, Californians are about to recycle their 100 billionth can or bottle this month, state officials say.
Laid end to end, the containers would stretch around Earth more than 350 times.
Not one of the recycled beer or soda pop containers has ended up in a landfill, say state Department of Conservation officials.
"Believe it or not," said Bill Armstrong, market research manager in the Division of Recycling, "the law requires that if processors intend to take the used containers to a landfill, they have to ask me for permission first.
"In the five years that I've been doing this, none of it has gone to a landfill. Not to my knowledge," said Armstrong.
At a rate of 19,000 containers a minute, Californians are recycling 80 percent of the glass, aluminum and plastic tagged with the state redemption logo, according to the state Division of Recycling.
Breaking all other state bottle recycling records, Californians have reused enough bottles and cans to spare landfills six weeks' worth of the state's garbage.
Plus, the energy saved by not having to make new containers from raw materials would be sufficient to provide power to 28 million people, state officials say.
Businesses that use the discards to make new containers and other products are gobbling up all the aluminum and glass. Manufacturers say it costs less to fashion products out of the recycled stuff. Using the raw material requires a higher heat, thus more energy.
Plastic containers, called PET after their ingredients, aren't so desirable. But, officials claim, most of the plastic is sent out of the country and returns in products from carpets to fleece jackets.
"The aluminum market is on the strong side, and improving. You can recover the special alloy, and use it again easily," said Armstrong.
"Every single bit of the glass that we collect in the state is used by manufacturers to make new products. About 90 percent of that glass is made into new beverage containers or big bottles, including wine and other foods from California's agricultural market. Most of the rest goes to fiberglass insulation," he said.
"Very little of the plastic is used in the state. Most goes out of the country. Manufacturers chop it, melt it and flake it into bits, then run it through a process whereby they make fibers out of it. The fibers are just like cotton. You can make clothing and fleece and other fiber-fill."
In California, 7.4 million households, or 70 percent of the state, carry out bottles and cans to curbs in 504 city programs. More than 2,000 recycling centers are located in the state, most within a "-mile radius of large supermarkets.
The Division of Recycling has counted all the returns since the program began with the passage of the "bottle bill," the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986.
Under the law, consumers are charged 2" cents on small bottles and cans and 5 cents on containers larger than 2 liters. When people return the containers to recycling centers, they get back the money. Customers pay in $345 million, and get back $280 million in returns, which leaves $65 million.
While many states have similar redemption fees, California is the only state charging container manufacturers and beverage producers processing fees of a half-cent on glass and 1 cent on plastic.
The money raised from both consumer and manufacturer fees is used to offset costs of city curbside programs and recycling centers.
The Department of Conservation figures the state will reach 100 billion containers "some time this month" after figuring out the weight -- and how many containers there are per pound -- for aluminum, glass and plastic.
Environmentalists love the bottle bill that they fought for a decade ago and have waged annual campaigns to expand it since 1987 with little success.
"The program's working great as far as it goes," said Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste in Sacramento.
"The problem is that it's covering only a portion of the beverage containers. Right now it includes beer and carbonated soft drinks. That's about half of the beverage world," Murray said.
"People are drinking iced tea and coffee, fruit juices, bottled water, wine and liquor. None is covered under the program."
This year, Californians Against Waste is hoping the Legislature will expand the the redemption program and is supporting a bill in the works by Assemblywoman Debra Bowen, D-Torrance, that could double the amount of containers in the program.
In addition, Murray would like to see a higher redemption fee placed on plastic bottles, which have seen a drop in recycling from 71 percent of all containers in 1994 to 58 percent in 1998, compared to 71 percent for aluminum and 67 percent for glass. According to Murray, studies show that a higher fee will make customers less likely to buy products that come in plastic bottles.
Container manufacturers and beverage producers don't want more containers added to the must recycle list and also object to the current manufacturers' fee, saying it costs too much.
The Wine Institute, a trade group of 424 companies, has long voiced objections to the program, which doesn't cover wine bottles.
"We have been strongly opposed. It's not the best way," said Wine Institute legislative representative Mike Falasco.
"We think curbside is more convenient. We believe there can be devised a mill tax (charged to the manufacturers) on a whole array of recyclable materials. The amount would be so low that you don't need to get your money back. With the assessment, we want to subsidize curbside programs and regional sorting centers."
Gov. Wilson opposes adding new types of containers to the existing program, which he has generally criticized. He would like to see a sliding scale for the manufacturers' processing fee, higher for materials that don't have successful recycling rates and lower for those that do. For now, Larry Goldzband, director of the Department of Conservation, is planning a slew of new recycling bins throughout the state and praising California consumers. "From Fort Bragg to the Coachella Valley, from Catalina Island to the Sierra Nevada, Californians should congratulate themselves for reaching this milestone," Goldzband said.
=A91998 San Francisco Examiner
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Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 12:19:06 EDT From: TRASHBUSTR <TRASHBUSTR@aol.com> Subject: The David Muchnick Rehabilitation Fund
Dear Friends:
I hope you will give your consideration to the following letter. It speaks for itself. Thank you. David Hurd
The David Muchnick Rehabilitation Fund c/o Jonathan Davis, Esq., Robinson, Karp & Davis, P.C. 65 Walnut Street, Suite 590 Wellesley, MA 02181
April 3, 1998
Dear Friend:
Last November, David Muchnick, the founding president of Bronx 2000, was stricken with a very sudden, rare and nearly fatal blood disorder. Fortunately, the illness did not take his life, but it did take both his legs.
The good news is, David has made great strides in his recovery. After spending months in hospital beds, David has moved into a temporary, wheelchair-friendly apartment and is learning how to live independently once again. He is about to begin out-patient rehabilitation to prepare for his prosthetic legs and learn to function with them. He is in great spirits, bringing his trademark optimism and persistence to this new challenge. You may have seen the story of his unusual misfortune and courageous efforts to, literally, get back on his feet on CNN or in The New York Times.
All his life, David has worked to improve the lives of others -- providing decent and affordable housing, creating jobs and job training opportunities, and developing innovative, environmentally-friendly businesses and industries that integrate inner city neighborhoods with the mainstream industrial economy. In choosing this path, David sacrificed his own personal gain to ensure that others had the means to grow and succeed.=20
Now, David needs our help. While he is ready to rise to the challenge of learning to walk again, David is having difficulty making ends meet on his disability income. His insurer is not covering all of his medical expenses, and the government disability benefits barely cover basic living expenses. In order for David to focus on his rehabilitation, so that he can get prosthetics and walk within the year, he needs financial help.
A gift to The David Muchnick Rehabilitation Fund will help David meet his medical and living expenses during this time of transition and allow him to focus his incredible energies on rehabilitation so that he can climb the 25 steps that lead to his real home. Gifts of any amount will help. Gifts can be made payable to The David Muchnick Rehabilitation Fund and sent in care of Jonathan Davis at the address above. If there are others who you think may be able to help David meet this new challenge, please feel free to copy this letter and send it along.
Unfortunately, gifts to the fund are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. However, gifts to the fund are "present interest" gifts for gift tax exempt purposes. =20
Thank you, in advance, for your generosity. With a little help from his friends, David will be back in action before long.
Sincerely,
Steven A. White, Chairman Bronx 2000
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End of GreenYes Digest V98 #89 ******************************
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Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 05:54:47 -0400 (EDT) From: "Roger M. Guttentag" <rgutten@concentric.net> Subject: Laser Printer Remanufacturing - Wall St. Journal article
Dear list members:
The Friday, April 10th edition of the Wall Street Journal carries an article by Raju Narisetti on a new program recently implemented by Lexmark International Group, a printer manufacturer, that can adversely affect toner cartridge remanufacturing. In an effort to prevent a loss of business to remanufacturers, Lexmark created a program called "Prebate" which offers buyers a $30 discount off the cost of their high performance toner cartridge, called the Optra S, if the buyer agrees not to reuse or refill it after its original toner content has been consumed. The user's options are to either return the used cartridge to Lexmark or dispose of it. According to the article, about a third of these cartridges are being returned with the balance presumably being disposed. In essence, Lexmark is promoting a single use product through the use of price discounting and a "licensing" agreement. The article also mentions that Lexmark sent letters to thousand of toner cartridge remanufacturers warning them that refilling the Lexmark cartridge will result in "an infrigement of Lexmark's patent."(direct quote from the article). It is reported that while remanufacturers are upset over this program, most feel they can't do anything about it since, as small companies, they don't have the financial resources to wage a protacted legal battle.
HP, the largest printer manufacturer, has not endorsed doing a similar program. However, think about the impact on the cartridge remanufacturing industry if it did.
Toner cartridge remanufacturing has always represented a great example of how reuse makes both economic and environmental sense. However, here is a situation where a manufacturer is attempting to gain market share through a "licensing" arrangement with its customers restricting their ability to select the best available end-of-life management option for their used toner cartridges. Imagine this principle being more broadly applied throughout the printer industry as well as to other products where reuse or remanufacturing is a viable alternative to disposal. =20
I would recommend bringing this situation to the attention of any interested organizations as well as appropriate elected officials. I would also suggest writing a letter to Lexmark, especially if you use any of their products, expressing your opinion of this program. =20
Roger M. Guttentag E-MAIL: rgutten@concentric.net TEL: 215-513-0452 FAX: 215-513-0453
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Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 22:16:29 -0700 From: Carolyn Chase <cdchase@qualcomm.com> Subject: Zero Waste on Earth Day 1998 in Sylva, NC
Zero Waste on Earth Day 1998 in Sylva, North Carolina
If you come to Sylva on Saturday, April 25th, be prepared for great entertainment and events, mind provoking exhibits and soul-searching conversations. Earth Day is a special day to allow yourself to envision the world as a better place along with millions of others who will be doing the same thing all over the world. The dream of Earth Day is that this collective vision will manifest itself into a reality we would all like to see. Don't miss being a part of it.
Zero Waste on Earth Day. That's the theme of this year's annual environmental spring celebration which will be part of the Greening up the Mountains festival on Saturday, April 25th on the streets of Sylva. It's a provocative idea which is challenging the minds of the organizers of this event. The goal is for the festival itself to generate no waste and to encourage all people to use this day to focus on our living habits, the effect waste is having on our future, and things we can do to create a better future.
Members of The Tuckaseegee Community Alliance (TCA), who are organizing the Earth Day part of the festival, admit that Zero Waste is a lofty and very idealistic goal; but they feel that Earth Day is one day when we should allow ourselves to think idealistically and let our imaginations work to envision solutions to the growing environmental problems which are endangering our lives and our world.
Lauri Dorris and Tom Vokes of Earth Works Recycling, a door-to-door pickup service of recycled materials and residential waste, have volunteered to run the recycling operation and exhibit on Earth Day. They will be working with T.J. Walker of Magic Gardens Landscaping who will be running a composting operation and exhibit. These two exhibits will comprise the "Resource Recovery Center" of the festival. The success of their operation depends heavily on the cooperation of the vendors and the public participants of the fair.
Food vendors are being required to sell their goods using only recyclable or reusable packaging materials, plates, cups, and napkins. No Styrofoam allowed here. Each vendor will have a sign reminding customers to bring their leftovers to the Resource Recovery Center. If you come to the festival you are encouraged to bring your own plates, eating utensils, cups, and cloth napkins. Recyclable supplies will be available for those who choose not to bring their own from home.
The day will be filled with high-powered entertainment, interesting exhibits and fun events as the Earth Day schedule is intermingled with the Mountain Life Celebration organized by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia and the Nature of Sylva program organized by Sylva Partners in Renewal.
The Tuckaseegee Community Alliance will also have a booth with information about the organization and all the issues and projects it is involved with. This is the third consecutive year that TCA has been involved with the organization of the Earth Day celebration in Jackson County. However, this year is bigger, better and different because TCA has been joined in the effort by Sylva Partners in Renewal, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, and the Chamber of Commerce in planning the events for the spring festival of Greening Up the Mountains.
TCA is the local chapter of the Western North Carolina Alliance, a region- wide organization that has been a strong voice for the preservation of the environment in this part of the state. The Alliance has lobbied government agencies and been a source of public information on environmental issues ranging from sustainable forest management practices, to nuclear and hazardous waste disposal, air and water pollution , wild habitat preservation, transportation issues, land use management, energy production and use issues, and recycling solutions.
Most recently the issues that TCA has focused on locally include solid waste management, sustainable environmental and economic indicators, and the development of the "Sustainable Business Community" directory.
Four of TCA's members are on the Jackson County Solid Waste Task Force. This panel has been advising the county's solid waste management coordinator on ways to implement the use of the new staffed recycling centers and minimize the amount of solid waste that Jackson County must pay to dispose of in Macon County's landfill.
The Sustainable Development Indicators project of TCA is an in-depth long- term look at the Tuckasegee River watershed and the development occurring here. The project seeks to identify ways to measure how well we are managing our local resources and for how long we can sustain a healthy environment and economy given current practices and their impact.
Most people who have lived in Jackson County for more than a few years have seen this county grow and prosper, and become a little more crowded and developed each year. TCA is concerned that environmental progress should go hand in hand with economic progress. For that reason, TCA has created a program to encourage wholesome small business development in our area and to recognize businesses in the county which adhere to sustainable development principles. This program is called the Sustainable Business Community (SBC ) of Jackson County.
Earth Day will be the kick-off event for SBC. The SBC information table will be distributing the "Guide to Sustainable Businesses in Jackson County" , a listing of different organizations and businesses which are striving to promote a future that will sustain the environment and keep the wealth, heritage and resources of this area within the control of and for the benefit of the local region. Local ownership is a prerequesite for membership as a business listed in the SBC Guide. Other considerations include environmental and social practices such as waste generation, recycling policies, use or non-use of toxic materials, voluntary community service and the use of fair employment practices.
At 10AM the Commuter Bicycle Tour will kick off the day at the head of the Parade of Many Colors beginning at the Jackson Paper Company parking lot. The bike tour is not a race, but rather a leisurely ride along the back river roads from Sylva through Dillsboro, to Webster and to Jack the Dipper's Ice Cream shop where a free ice cream cone will be offered to each participant.
The riders will then return along the same route back to Sylva where they will join the festivities already in progress. The tour is approximately 14 miles long. The message behind the tour is that bicycles are a practical form of everyday transportation for many people. Bikes are inexpensive to use, don't pollute the air or use fossil fuels, provide healthy exercise for the user, and they're fun! People of all ages are welcome to join the bike tour. If you'd like to join the tour meet at Jackson Paper at 9:30AM. Bring your bike and helmet. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
The music at the solar-powered sound stage in the First Union Bank parking lot begins at 11AM as Billy Jonas brings on his array of musical instruments made from recycled materials and his very popular and well known repertoire of songs which he calls " foraged folk music and industrial repercussion." At 1PM the Queen Family will grace the stage with their authentic, quality mountain music from Caney Fork. To close out the afternoon on stage, starting at 3PM, will be the Pirates of the Tuckaseegee with traditional folk and gospel. WRGC radio announcer Brandon Stephens will be the Master of Ceremonies for the entertainment on stage. Use and operation of the sound equipment is being donated by Alan Grant of Cullowhee Audio-Video repair. Use of the solar-electric power equipment to run the sound system is being donated by Friedman & Sun Access Store of Sylva.
At the end of the day prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Earth Day Creative Recycling Contest. Any member of the public can participate in this contest. The object is to make use of recycled materials in inventive ways. There will be a first, second and third prize awarded in each of two categories: Most useful and most creative items made from recycled materials. This will enable both the utility minded and the artisticly talented to compete. All entries must be submitted to the TCA information table at the First Union lot by noon on Earth Day. First prize winners will receive $35.00 each. Second prize winners will receive $15 each and third prize winners will receive a free raft trip courtesy of Tuckaseegee Outfitters. If you're interested in submitting your inventive entry into this contest, better get busy. Less than one week to go!
There will be at least one electric vehicle on display on Earth Day. Smokey Mountain High School Technology teacher Mark Taylor and some of his students will bring an electrically powered pickup truck which belongs to the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee. The truck was built with funding from the NC Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Electric vehicles hold great promise for the environment in the near future. Electric drive motors don't burn fossil fuels or pollute the air. These vehicles have far fewer movable parts and are therefore much easier to maintain than their oil-burning gasoline-powered counterparts. And with solar electrical generation technology developing rapidly, electric cars can be recharged in a pollution-free process as well, eliminating the need for more sulfur dioxide belching coal-fired or deadly waste-producing nuclear power plants. The pickup truck will join the parade at 10AM and then settle into an exhibit on Main Street where it will be on display for the public to examine. Mr. Taylor and his students will be available to answer technical questions.
Kathy Riggin and Second- Chance Wildlife will set up their canopy and exhibit an array of wild animals that have been injured and rescued. This display has always been a major attraction for kids and adults alike. It's rare that you will ever get this close to a live hawk, owl or possum.
The Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project will have an exhibit including a videotape of the reintroduction of the red wolf into the Smokey Mountains. At one time the red wolf was common throughout the southeastern part of the United States. Now it has become extinct in the wild. Only a few red wolves remained in captivity until very recently. The red wolf was an important link in the biodiversity of the region and its absence has caused multiple ecological problems. For instance coyotes have migrated to the region and their population has swelled causing a major nuisance to cattle farmers. The wolves used to keep coyotes away from this region and rarely, if ever, attacked domesticated animals. You won't want to miss this fascinating exhibit.
Peg Jones, the founder of Save Our Rivers will be on hand with an informational booth describing the condition of our primary environmental assets, the waterways of our region . Save Our Rivers has been a relentless force in protecting our rivers and identifying conditions that threaten the viability of these unreplaceable veins of life for our ecosystem. Peg has been the recipient of the governor's Citizen's Achievement Award for her work.
The Jackson County Solid Waste Department will have a table set up to disperse information and answer questions about the new Staffed Recycling Center system which has been set up in the county. Do you want to know what Jackson County is doing to prepare for future residential and commercial solid waste, demolition and construction debris, toxic waste? Talk to the people who are grappling with these issues. A good chance for your ideas to be discussed in a meaningful way, as well.
Webster Enterprises is a not-for profit business which hires and trains people with disabilities and disadvantages. Most of this organization's efforts go into producing disposable medical equipment such as surgical blankets and gowns, but they also process the county's collected recycled materials and their display on Earth Day will deal with this aspect of their operation.
Contact: Avram Friedman <kudzu@wcu.campus.mci.net>
Carolyn Chase, Earth Day Network
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Distributed via the Earth Day Network. The mission of the Earth Day Network is to increase awareness, responsibility and action toward a clean, healthy environment for all living things using Earth Day as a catalyst.
To submit Earth Day-related items or to join a moderated email list of announcements and reports on projects and ideas for using Earth Day as a catalyst for positive change, send email to earthday@qualcomm.com
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