Urban Mining » General

Puma Earns A, Apple Takes Home D in EIRIS Sustainability Rankings

Urban Mining — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:39:15 +0000

German sportswear manufacturer Puma tops EIRIS’ Top 10 Global Sustainability Leaders list while Apple earns a D, in a ranking that sees UK and European companies receive higher marks than their US and Asian counterparts.

With the UN’s 2012 Rio+20 Earth Summit coming up in June, the research house applied its Sustainability Ratings methodology to measure the sustainability performance of 2,063 global companies from the FTSE Aall World Developed Index. The report, titled “On track for Rio+20? How are global companies responding to sustainability?” identified 10 sustainability leaders and analyzes the performance of 50 of the world’s largest companies (by market cap).

A fifth of UK companies scored As, the highest ranking, based on their sustainability performance, followed by 12 percent of mainland European ones. But only 2 percent of US companies and 1 percent of Asian ones make the top grade in EIRIS’ Global Sustainability Ratings.

Puma received an A for its environmental management systems and reporting practices, along with its industry-leading supply chain policies, systems and disclosure, according to EIRIS analysts.

Source: Environmental Leader

Making Furniture Out of Torn-Down Houses Keeps Materials Out of Landfills

Urban Mining — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:43:23 +0000

An emerging movement in Cleveland sees an alternative to knocking down the region’s thousands of vacant homes.

The process is known as “deconstruction,” and it differs from demolition because up to 40 percent of a building’s remains can be saved from the landfill — from Southern Yellow Pine joists to the oak flooring capable of regaining life as furniture or millwork.

Northeast Ohio is fertile territory for the movement. The region has an abundance of structures to be taken down, many of them monuments to the foreclosure crisis. Cuyahoga County alone has 27,000 vacant and abandoned properties, more than 12,000 of them in Cleveland.

An effort is growing here to start a deconstruction industry that can contribute to the economy. The problem is, the process can cost twice as much as demolition.

“The theory behind deconstruction is that even though it is more expensive to do — because it is more labor intensive — that you will reclaim and salvage enough usable material and resell it, and that that income will offset the additional expense,” said Frank Ford, senior vice president for research and development at the nonprofit Neighborhood Progress Inc. – or NPI, which has been in the forefront of Cleveland’s movement.

A Piece of Cleveland, a Cleveland company that deconstructs buildings and makes furniture from the components, and the Cleveland Institute of Art intend to test whether the process can be profitable. The partners will construct 130 Hive modular studio workstations for the school using wood from deconstructed buildings. Hive workstations, constructed from sustainable materials, use hexagonal shapes as found in bee hives.

They reason that the additional costs of deconstruction can be offset by businesses, including making furniture of reclaimed wood and selling the bounty on the wholesale market.

Company owner Chris Kious said a deconstruction industry would be trailblazing. Interest is high in places like Seattle for environmental reasons, but such cities often don’t have thousands of vacant and abandoned structures. On the other hand, Buffalo, like many cities in the Great Lakes region, is struggling with abandoned housing and also is trying to fashion an industry.

“What we are doing is so radical that there really isn’t anyone to learn from,” Kious said.

Source: Cleveland.com
By Olivera Perkins

Big MaMa Earth Entertainment Joins Effort to Tackle Electronic Waste

Urban Mining — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:16:24 +0000

Leading environmental and community organizations today applauded Big MaMa Earth Entertainment’s decision to become an “e-Stewards Enterprise.“

In doing so, Big MaMa Earth Entertainment commits to pursuing the most responsible recycling practices for its electronic waste, or e-waste by using e-Stewards Certified Recyclers.

In addition, Big MaMa Earth will promote responsible electronic recycling as part of its “Learning Experience,” which teaches children, families and corporations fun environmental education awareness and solutions. To encourage children and families to take action, co-founder Mike Miller and his team are developing the first Eco-Kids TV Show called “Big MaMa Earth & ME” and are appearing at schools and green events throughout the Southwest.

E-waste is the fastest growing part of the U.S. garbage stream. According to Time Magazine, Americans throw out more than 350,000 cell phones and 130,000 computers every day. Improperly disposed of, the lead, mercury and other toxic materials inside e-waste can leak from landfills and pollute communities.

“At this pivotal moment in the worldwide e-waste crisis, Big MaMa Earth Entertainment joins a growing number of business, academic and governmental leaders taking action to stem a toxic tide,” said Jim Puckett, Executive Director of the Basel Action Network, creator of the e-Stewards program.

As an e-Stewards Enterprise, Big MaMa Earth Entertainment agrees to always make best efforts to work with e-Stewards Recyclers, ensuring that its e-waste does not contribute to the global toxic waste crisis. E-Stewards Recyclers undergo a professional audit every year to guarantee they do not export hazardous recycling byproducts to developing countries, use U.S. prison labor, or dump in municipal landfills. E-Stewards recyclers also ensure that private data is kept secure, and that their operations protect both workers and the environment everywhere.

Says Barbara Kyle, Executive Director of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition: “This is a real milestone for Big MaMa Earth Entertainment and indeed for entertainment industry. By rewarding industry leaders for such real progress, we can make significant progress toward greening our beleaguered planet.“

For more information:

Mike Enberg

Basel Action Network

(206) 652-5555

menberg@ban.org

Enquirer in-depth: Taking Trash to The Bank

Urban Mining — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:48:20 +0000

Cincinnatians are recycling more than ever.

The city’s residents recycled more than 18,000 tons last year – 31 percent more than in 2010. That’s the biggest increase since the city started recycling in 1989, and it meant almost $1 million more for the city’s struggling operating fund.

Last year was the first full year for people to use the 64-gallon carts to wheel their recyclables to the curb every other week. The carts were controversial when the city bought them – council Republicans objected to spending the $3.8 million – but now 70 percent of city households are filling them with recyclables every other week.

Sheryl Pockrose of Covedale recycles more because she no longer has to spend a lot of time trying to break down bigger recyclables to get them to fit, as she did with the previous small bin.

“Now, usually if I take all the tape off a box and fold it down, it’ll fit,” she said. “I don’t have to cut them up anymore.”

That’s the main thing behind the 64-gallon carts, said Larry Falkin, director of the city’s Office of Environmental Quality: They’re easier.

The nearly $1 million for the city comes from unspent landfill dumping fees, recycling incentives and revenue sharing with Rumpke.

Saguaro National Park Announces Discontinued Use of Disposable Plastic Bottles at All Facilities

Urban Mining — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:56:21 +0000

Saguaro National Park joined a growing number of parks and universities no longer using vending machines to sell disposable bottled water or soda on site.

According to the EPA, over 1,125,000,000 pints of bottled water were sold in the United States in 2011. The EPA estimates that less than 15% of those plastic water bottles are recycled; the rest go into landfills or are discarded as litter.

Saguaro National Park has long been committed to recycling plastic and aluminum, saving 61,500 pounds of recyclable waste from landfills in 2010 alone. However, transporting disposable bottles to be recycled also costs money, time and gasoline. The park could eliminate up to 40% of what is currently recycled; about 15% of the park’s total waste stream. Saguaro conducted a thorough analysis of the potential impacts of eliminating the sale of disposable bottled water and soda, and determined that the more sustainable solution is to provide new water bottle filling stations for visitors to refill their own reusable containers.

“The use of disposable plastic bottles has significantly greater environmental impacts compared to the use of local tap water and re-fillable bottles”, said Superintendent Darla Sidles. “Implementing this action will help the park reduce its environmental footprint”.
There are new water bottle filling stations located at each visitor center as well as the Rincon Mountain District bike ramada. BPA free, reusable water bottles are available for purchase in either visitor center for as little as $1.99.

“Considering water from the vending machine costs $1.25, $1.99 is a bargain”, states Superintendent Sidles. “Besides, these reusable bottles are attractive and people can take them wherever they go next”.

For more information, please go to our website, www.nps.gov/sagu.

Paul Gauguin Cruises Leads Travel Industry in ‘E-Waste’ Recycling

Urban Mining — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:40:42 +0000

Leading environmental organizations today applauded Paul Gauguin Cruises’ decision to pursue the most globally responsible recycling practices for its electronics. In committing to this, Paul Gauguin Cruises becomes the first travel company to achieve the designation “e-Stewards Enterprise.“

“We are pleased to be a part of this important program,” said Diane Moore, President, Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the m/s Paul Gauguin, the longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific. The Chairman of the cruise line, Richard Bailey, is a world leader in the field of sustainable tourism and environmental responsiblity.

“At this pivotal moment in the worldwide e-waste crisis, Paul Gauguin Cruises joins a growing number of business, academic and governmental leaders taking action to stem a toxic tide,” said Jim Puckett, Executive Director of the Basel Action Network ( BAN ).

The non-profit BAN created the world’s most rigorous standard for electronics recycling, called the “e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment.” As an e-Stewards Enterprise, Paul Gauguin Cruises agrees to always make best efforts to work with recyclers that meet this standard, ensuring that the cruise line’s e-waste does not contribute to global toxic waste.

E-Stewards Recyclers undergo a professional audit every year to guarantee that hazardous electronic wastes are not exported to developing countries, handled by U.S. prison labor operations, or dumped in municipal landfills. E-Stewards recyclers also ensure that private data is kept secure, and that their operations protect both workers and the environment everywhere.

“Principled and practical certifications programs like e-Stewards are among the best tools in our global sustainability toolbox,” said Frances Beinecke, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Today, Paul Gauguin Cruises has committed to a new arena of increasing importance – electronic product and waste stewardship.“

Adds Barbara Kyle, Executive Director of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition: “We are pleased that Paul Gauguin Cruises has earned the e-Stewards enterprise designation and is the first in the travel industry to do so. By rewarding industry leaders for such real progress, we can make significant progress toward greening our beleaguered planet.“

More than 70 environmental groups worldwide, including Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and the National Resources Defense Council, have endorsed the e-Stewards Standard.

U.K. Leads the Way in Building Waste Recycling

Urban Mining — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:24:20 +0000

A total of 56.2% of plastics waste in building and construction (B&C) was diverted from landfill in 2010 through a combination of recycling (20%) and energy recovery (36.2%) in the member states of the European Union (EU27) along with Norway and Switzerland.

This represents a significant increase on a total recovery rate of 51.9% in 2009, continuing the positive trend in waste management of plastics in the B&C sector. This is the principal finding of an independent study into plastics B&C waste in the EU27 commissioned by PlasticsEurope, the trade body representing European plastics manufacturers.

The study shows the relatively limited proportion of plastics B&C waste becoming available in relation to overall plastics waste. While the building and construction sector used 20% of overall plastics production, it was responsible for only 5.5% of total plastics waste in 2010. This can be explained in part by the low levels of use of plastics in the past and the long life span of many plastic applications in the B&C market, which can extend up to and over 60 years in the case of pipes or window profiles.

Source: PRW.com
By Anthony Clark

What a Waste?

Urban Mining — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:45:27 +0000

Modern society has an incredible thirst for materials to meet daily human needs for food, water, housing and transportation. The majority of these materials and many of the resources used in manufacturing processes end up as wastes that result from extracting and processing raw materials as well as the discard of used goods. Most human systems operate in a linear fashion from production to end of life with few opportunities for reuse.

These linear systems may result in negative economic, environmental and social impacts. However, by mimicking natural patterns that view waste as a resource and adopting dynamic, closed-loop material and energy networks, humans can move toward a zero waste future where resources are used productively to meet human needs while also improving the economy and regenerating ecological support systems. Collaboration and communication are the keys to making this future a reality by breaking down the barriers between the businesses that provide the goods and services that support our society.

Recycling of Non-Bottle Rigid Plastics Soars 72% in Single Year

Urban Mining — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:25:17 +0000

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today released a new report showing a significant increase in the collection and recycling of non-bottle rigid plastics in the United States. The report, prepared by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc., found that in 2010, nearly 820 million pounds of post-consumer rigid plastics were collected for recycling nationwide, an increase of 72 percent from 2009 and 154 percent since 2007.

The category “non-bottle rigid plastics” includes nondurable items (or packaging), such as dairy and deli tubs, lids, yogurt cups and similar food containers, and durable items, such as pallets, crates, carts, 5-gallon buckets and electronic housings. The collection and recycling of non-bottle rigid plastics is relatively new and calculated separately from plastic bottles, which have been widely recycled in the United States for decades.

“We are thrilled to see a rapid increase in the recycling of rigid plastics,” said Steve Russell, Vice President of Plastics for ACC, “and given the strong trends in commercial participation, consumer access and simplified collection practices, we are very optimistic about continued growth.”

Of the 100 largest U.S. cities, the number of cities collecting rigid plastics in addition to plastic bottles doubled in just three years growing from 29 in 2008 to 59 in 2011. This means far more consumers have convenient access to recycle their rigid plastics. In addition, many communities are shifting to “single-stream collection,” whereby residents are able to place all of their recyclables in the same bin. Simplifying the process has been shown to greatly increase consumer participation in recycling programs.

The report also notes that robust growth in the recycling of rigid plastics in the commercial sector and strong pricing and demand for recycled plastic materials have helped to spur growth in this category. According to the report, among the five major types of recyclable materials, plastic scrap has the highest economic value per ton with the single exception of non-ferrous metals.

The plastics collected in the “non-bottle rigids” category comprise primarily polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) as well as lesser amounts of other/mixed resins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

“Recycling is a clear example of success inspiring success. The more often consumers recycle their plastics, the better our chances of helping people to see used plastics as a valuable resource that should be recycled whenever possible.” Russell added.

For more info and resources on increasing plastics recycling, please visit: http://recycleyourplastics.org.

Arcis Resources Corporation Announces First Delivery of Recycled Resin Pellets to GDC

Urban Mining — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:19:05 +0000

Arcis Resources Corporation (“Arcis”) announced today the completed delivery of 35,000 lbs of two types of recycled plastic resin pellets to GDC, Inc. (“GDC”). The recycled resin will be utilized by GDC in the production of OEM automotive parts, a process in which the recycled resin offers excellent performance. This recycling program is evidence of the growing efforts by the major automobile manufacturers and their Tier 1 suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of their products and facilities.

This initial delivery is part of a program driven by the desire of GDC’s OEM automotive customers for parts and products that correlate with their own sustainability goals. Once the product specifications are approved by GDC, Arcis anticipates monthly deliveries to GDC of recycled Polypropylene ranging between 20,000 to 40,000 lbs.

This is the second recycling program in which GDC and Arcis have partnered. In 2010, GDC partnered with Mobile Fluid Recovery, Inc. (“MFR”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arcis Resources Corporation, to recycle contaminated oil booms reclaimed from a 200+ mile stretch of the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. Through the joint efforts of the parties, over 100,000 pounds of plastic resin was produced from the reclaimed materials. During this project, MFR’s patented fluid recovery technology was used to extract the oil and waste water from the booms so the polypropylene material could be processed into a plastic resin. GDC used this recycled plastic resin to manufacture the deflectors that direct air around the Chevrolet Volt’s radiator. According to General Motors (GM), this joint project produced enough plastic resin to supply the first year’s run of 10,000 cars.

“Having partnered with MFR during the Gulf Spill, we are enthusiastic to expand our relationship with Arcis and explore new ways to integrate their access to beneficial reuse feedstocks, such as recycled Polypropylene plastic resin pellets, into our products,” said Chris Miller, Vice President of Sales & Operations at GDC, Inc.

Arcis Resources Corporation (OTC:ARCS.QB) is an integrated beneficial reuse and reclamation company headquartered in Birmingham, AL. The Company’s primary focus is to provide beneficial reuse and reclamation services, as well as petrochemical logistics and distribution services, to generators and customers in the US, South America, and the Middle East. Arcis provides its petrochemical logistics & distribution services, and beneficial reuse sales & marketing via Arcis Energy, Inc. and also provides award winning patented liquid recovery technology for reclaiming liquid wastes out of industrial sorbent materials via Mobile Fluid Recovery, Inc. Arcis Energy, Inc., Gulf Coast Energy Distribution, LLC and Mobile Fluid Recovery, Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Arcis Resources Corporation (ARCS.QB). Arcis has offices in West Palm Beach, FL and Birmingham, AL. (www.arcisresources.com).

GDC, Inc. is a total solutions provider for a wide variety of products and components to a range of industries. From modest beginnings in 1955 die cutting parts for the automotive industry, GDC, Inc. has expanded and developed an impressive set of innovative engineering, manufacturing and supply management capabilities that focus on sustainability. GDC, Inc. currently supplies over 20 million parts annually to companies like Ford, Toyota, GM, Trane and more. Their excellent reputation for integrity and a long track record of steady growth has continued even during times of uncertain economic and industry conditions. (www.gdc-corp.com)