Municipal Recycling

MRC Awards Highest Honor

Recycling programs at University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers (UMHHC), Ann Arbor, have received the Outstanding Public Recycling Program award from the Michigan Recycling Coalition, Lansing. The hospital recycles a variety of materials, including: phone books, batteries, cardboard and cooking grease. The hospital was one of four organizations honored as Michigan’s top recyclers of the year.

“We’ve worked hard for years to create a culture of recycling among our staff, and to make recycling an institution-wide initiative that engages everyone,” says T. Anthony Denton, UMHHC’s associate director of programs.

Aerosol Disposal Company Formed

Giant Cement Holding Inc., Summerville, S.C., and Pinnacle Waste Services Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, have formed a joint venture to process and dispose of large amounts of full or partially full off-speculation aerosols.

Richard Wagner, president, Pinnacle Waste Services Inc., says he is pleased to match with Giant Cement Holding Inc. “Giant’s innovative recycling approach, environmental integrity, financial strength and global network provides an excellent strategic fit.”

The new company, Giant Resource Recovery Aerosols Inc., will also process and dispose of small containers of paint and certain household consumer products. Pinnacle has developed a patented process that separates the gaseous and liquid components and then compacts the cans into a dense metal brick.

NC Waste Rates Up

Waste generation rates are expected to continue to rise in North Carolina, even though the state has set reduction and recycling goals.

North Carolina’s Solid Waste Management Annual Report shows the average resident generated 1.29 tons of trash during the 1999-2000 fiscal year.   

Although the state saw a lot of success with recycling goals in the 1990s, the waste number is up from the 1.22 tons per person for the previous year. Findings of the report include:

• Most waste is generated in counties with high populations and strong economic growth

• The state continues to rely on out of state landfills for some disposal capacity

• Recovery of traditional recycling materials is declining

• Recycling services and markets offered by the private sector have suffered some setbacks, but continue to expand.