[GreenYes] Re: resources saved calculator for single-stream recycling

The nearest single stream MRF to me is in Greensboro, NC. They self-report a 23% non-recyclable residue rate! They do attribute much of this to residents placing non-recyclable items into recycling bins...presumably to reduce their disposal volume/costs. Based on my own qualitative observations at facilities, I would not be surprised that independent audits of single stream MRFs would show the residue even higher in some locations.

With regard to “resources saved” one would hope that these savings are based on tonnage actually recycled NOT on tonnage collected. There’s a big difference. It would seem that single stream advocates focus on how much is “collected” and not how much is recycled.

Pat Franklin

703.304.3546

From: GreenYes@no.address [mailto:GreenYes@no.address] On Behalf Of David Biddle
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:12 PM
To: Kate; GreenYes
Subject: [GreenYes] Re: resources saved calculator for single-stream recycling

Do the NERC and WARM models have this? I can’t remember. The folks to contact, otherwise, are Recycle Bank.

Go to their website first: www.recyclebank.com

--
David Biddle, Executive Director
<http://www.gpcrc.com>
Greater Philadelphia Commercial Recycling Council
P.O. Box 4037
Philadelphia, PA 19118

215-247-3090 (desk)
215-432-8225 (cell)

on 5/6/08 2:00 PM, Kate at kate@no.address wrote:

Hi all,

I'm looking for a resources saved calculator based on single-stream
recycling loads. Our community is converting to single-stream in a few
weeks and we'd like to continue to offer our larger recyclers an
environmental benefits breakdown--trees saved, gallons of gas, pounds
of air pollution, etc. Does anyone have any experience with converting
single-stream to dual stream for current resources saved calculators
or are there any calculators specific to single-stream? All advice,
links or anecdotes are welcome.

Thanks! Kate