Volume 14, Issue 1  •  Winter 2006

2006 2nd Annual Joint Conference: MRC & SWANA's Mid-Atlantic Chapter Together Again

Computer Manufacturers Must Register and Pay Fee or Lose Right to Sell in Maryland

Marylanders now have greater resources to dispose of their old consumer electronics. And computer makers could be penalized and/or lose their right to tap into the vast Maryland electronics market, if they do not act under provisions of a new state law. DETAILS

Guitar, Swan and Chair Take Top Honors at MDE's Fourth Annual "Rethink Recycling" Sculpture Contest

A re-stylized guitar and a life-like swan were among the winning artwork at the fourth annual “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Contest, co-sponsored by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The art event is one way MDE marks America Recycles Day, which is recognized nationally on November 19. DETAILS

Stay Connected

Have you checked out MRC’s web site lately? Visit www.marylandrecyclers.org to stay up-to-date with the organization in between newsletters. New features include:

• Employment Opportunities (send us your open recycling industry position and we’ll post it online)

• Recycling Resources, with links to other recycling/environmental organizations

• Recycling Rates, with waste diversion rates from all of Maryland’s jurisdictions for the past four years

• B2B, MRC’s newest Business Members Page, which lists information about our business members (if you haven’t done so already, send us your business bio to be included)

On the web site you’ll also find archived issues of this newsletter, The Voice, news and meeting announcements, and updated information regarding our annual conference. Any information for MRC’s web site should be sent to Steve Kullen at webmaster@marylandrecyclers.org.

Old Tires are Given New Life with TreadSpread^TM

Did you know that Maryland drivers generate more than five million scrap tires annually? Many of these tires are simply buried in landfills. Maryland Environmental Service (MES) operates a tire recycling facility that is turning what was once considered garbage into a valuable commodity. DETAILS

R.W. Beck Opens Office in Chevy Chase; Steve Stein Joins the Consulting Team

R.W. Beck, Inc., a management consulting and engineering firm, has opened a satellite office in Chevy Chase, MD, to better assist solid waste, water, and energy clients in the area.  Steve Stein, who serves on MRC’s Board of Directors, has joined R.W. Beck’s MD office as a Senior Consultant.  Steve has been working as a Senior Project Manager for Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., and has worked in the public and private sectors of recycling for more than twenty years.

The Maryland R.W. Beck office address is 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.  Steve can be reached at 240-235-6094 or srstein@rwbeck.com.

Two New Recycling Publications Available from MES - Oil & Antifreeze

The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) has two new brochures to help publicize used oil and antifreeze programs.

The first is "10 Million Gallons: Maryland's Used Oil Recycling Program." The brochure highlights the success of the program, emphasizes the environmental importance of recycling used oil, and explains how to participate in the program.

The second brochure is "Recycle Used Antifreeze." It explains the importance of recycling antifreeze, how antifreeze is recycled, and how to participate in the program.

MES has 2,000 copies of each brochure. Please contact Michael Hall for copies at 410-729-8522.

Steel Recycling Hits 25-Year High in U.S.

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) announced that the recycling rate for the world’s and America’s most recycled material – steel – remained at 70.7 percent in 2004. However, total tons of steel recycled increased by over 7.2 million tons. This dramatic increase, driven by an expanding market for steel, continues to position steel as the leader when it comes to recycling.  DETAILS

UNICOR Opens New Electronics Recycling Center in Landover

The National Capital Recycling Center began operations this past fall, accepting electronics equipment, including computers, TVs, cell phones, PDAs, etc.  The facility is located at 3601 Pennsy Drive, Landover, MD 20785.  Its hours of operations are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed weekends and federal holidays.  Arrangements MUST be made prior to delivery.  Call or e-mail Janice Aragon at 301-583-7340 for a delivery date and time. 

Visit UNICOR’s web site for more information, such as directions and a detailed list of acceptable items.

Midshore Region Sparks Recycling Interest with Dual eCycling  & HHW Events

On America Recycles Day 2005 (November 19), The Midshore Region held an electronics recycling collection event and a household hazardous waste collection event, while at the same time promoting ARD and encouraging residents to pledge their recycling commitment.  More than 50,000 pledge forms were distributed in the Midshore Region. DETAILS

Glass Packaging Institute Announces New Resources for Recycling Professionals

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) announced the release of two new resources for recycling professionals: Glass Packaging Essentials, a multi-media CD-ROM, and Glass Recycling: The Need for Quality is Clear, a glass recycling community education brochure.

GPI’s newest, full-color, two-page brochure, Glass Recycling: The Need for Quality is Clear, can be downloaded for free from GPI’s website: www.gpi.org.

The third edition of Glass Packaging Essentials CD-ROM features glass container industry statistics, a glass container manufacturing plant interactive process flow chart, and instructional videos. It is $15; for orders of five or more copies, price becomes $10. To order, send a request to Bryan Vickers at bvickers@gpi.org. Please include your name, company or organization, mailing address, and phone number.

Upcoming Recycling Events in Maryland

Saturday, April 22

Harford County Earth Day Celebration

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aberdeen Festival Park (across the street from the Aberdeen Branch of Harford County library)

Harford County’s Office of Recycling will be participating in this year’s Earth Day Celebration.  Attractions include a rock climbing wall, a moon bounce jumper, live music, recycle-themed games and prizes, a tie-dye station, food vendors, and more.

More Information: Harford County Recycling Office, 410-638-3417

MRC Staff

Jackie King

Executive Director

443-640-1050 ext. 105

Kaymie Thompson Owen

Association Coordinator

443-640-1050 ext. 112

Newsletter Contributions

Please send contributions for future issues of The Voice to Laura Greaver, MRC Communications Committee Chair, 410-887-2790, lgreaver@co.ba.md.us