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PUB WA-1341-2010 Recycling News / WINTER 2010 1

Recycling NewsAn update for Wisconsin Governments and RecyclersDNR / BUREAU OF WASTE AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

Editor’s Note

Message from the Program Coordinator

Wisconsin’s new electronics recycling law

ensures the proper collection and disposal

of end-of-life electronics.

(See page 3)

I N T H I S I S S U E

Grants2

Legislative Update3

Wisconsin’s ElectronicRecycling Law

3New Initiatives in

“Reduce, Reuse andRecycle”

4Practical Cents Reuse

Project5

Minnesota ConsidersBeverage Container

Deposits5

Can Going Smaller Work?6

Fitchburg Waste Sort7

Pay-as-you-throwPrograms

8Turning Tight Budgets

into New Waste ReductionOpportunities

9Grantsburg Recycling

Program 9

Education Corner 10

What’s New on the Web 10

W I N T E R 2 0 1 0

The New Year is upon us, and people across thestate are talking resolutions. Here at RecyclingNews, we’re taking steps to improve ournewsletter and give you the information that willhelp you reach out to your customers, callattention to the great projects you’re working onand keep you informed on changing laws andissues. Thanks to all of you who responded to thesurvey in last summer’s newsletter. With yourresponses in hand, I’d like to tell you about someof the changes you’ll see around here.

First, we have a new look that we hope you’ll likeand be proud to share with colleagues, residentsand others. A full-color copy of this newsletter isavailable on our homepage (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm) foryou to print or direct customers to. We are alsoadding a few regular sections to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in recycling at theDNR. In “What’s New on the Web” look for up-dates on Web content. In the “Education Corner,”look for updates on educational opportunities,new initiatives and products to share.

Although we will continue mailing copies ofRecycling News, we are also working to expandour Web presence. Because the newsletter onlycomes out twice per year, we have added a newfeature to our Recycling News homepage.Recycling Updates is a subscription service thatwill be updated with current information on newlegislation, grant opportunities and importantissues. Once registered, (sign up here:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm), you will receive e-mail updateswhen new information is posted.

We are also hoping to expand our coverage ofsuccessful recycling efforts, especially in smallercommunities across the state. In sharing oursuccess stories with each other, it is my hope thatthis newsletter serves as a place to motivate andinspire one another to start new efforts in ourown communities. If you know of a successfulrecycling effort or interesting project in yourarea, I would love to hear about it. You may reachme at [email protected] or (608) 267-2463.

— Kathleen Kiefaber, Recycling News Editor

Changes in the DNR affectingthe Recycling ProgramThere have been a number of changes amongDNR staff working with our recycling program.Please welcome these folks in their new positions.

� Ann Coakley, the waste and materialsprogram manager for the Northern Region, isfilling in as director of the Waste and MaterialsManagement Program.

� Kate Cooper, longtime DNR employee withclose ties to the recycling program since itsinfancy, has replaced Gene Mitchell as sectionchief for Recycling and Solid Waste.

� Mary Rose Teves, section chief for Grants, isthe acting director for the Bureau of CommunityFinancial Assistance.

� Dan Fields, Tessa Jilot, Kathleen Kiefaberand Elisabeth Olson transferred to the Waste andMaterials Management Program from the Bureauof Education and Information. We are thrilled tohave them in our program.

(Continued on page 2)

— Cynthia Moore, DNR

2 Recycling News / WINTER 2010 DNR / Bureau of Waste and Materials Management

The DNR has successfully completed its firstreporting cycle with the new online form forthe Responsible Unit Accomplishments andActual Costs Annual Report and recyclinggrant applications. Thank you to everyonewho submitted your reports online for yourpatience in learning how to use the newsystem, and your understanding as weresolve remaining issues. Nearly 850 RUscompleted their 2008 annual reports online,and almost 950 submitted their 2010 grantapplications online.

The 2009 Recycling Accomplishments andActual Costs Annual Report will look verysimilar to the 2008 form, and should beavailable by the end of February 2010. Thedeadline for submitting the form will beApril 30, 2010.

We are currently reviewing 2008 annualreport data and hope to be able to reportresults by early January. You can findinformation on recycling totals for previousyears at:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/recycleldfrept/index.html

The materials recovery facility (MRF) self-certification form was sent out this fall as apaper or fillable PDF form. We will also beusing this format for the 2009 MRF self-certification form, due March 30, 2010. Lookfor information on the 2009 form by earlyFebruary. We plan to move to an online self-certification form as soon as our resourcesallow for the programming work.

GRANTSUpdate on 2010 Basic Recycling Grants to Responsible Units— Sandy Chancellor, DNR

The final application deadline for the 2010 Basic Recycling Grant to Responsible Units(RUs) was October 30, 2009. We thank all RU staff who completed the application onlineusing the new electronic reporting system. Of the 1,025 applications received, 947 weresubmitted electronically. Although we accepted paper applications this year, we ask thatfuture applications be submitted online. We are available to assist any RU that needs helpwith the electronic filing process.

The DNR is in the process of determining total available funds for the 2010 Basic RecyclingGrant to Responsible Units. An update to this information will be published in a futureRecycling News and will also be posted on our Web site at:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/grants/Recycle/recycle.html.

Once that amount is finalized, grant awards will be determined by a calculation process setin Wisconsin Statutes that determines each RU’s grant award based on the percentagereceived in 1999. We then apply that same percentage to the total available funding forgrant year 2010, not to exceed an RU’s projected net eligible costs for the year. Successfulapplicants can expect an award letter in April 2010 and the grant check by late May 2010.

If you are one of the RUs that did not apply online, we recommend you take a momentnow to register so you are ready when it’s time to complete the online report. This willallow immediate access to the 2009 Recycling Accomplishments and Actual Costs AnnualReport that will be available at the end of February 2010. Instructions to complete theregistration process are available here:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/grants/Forms/recycle_reg_instruct.pdf.

Changes in DNR(Continued from page 1)

The recycling program has also lost threestaff members to retirement. We thank themfor their years of service, and the knowledgeand commitment they brought to their jobs.We wish them the best in their new lifeadventures.

� Paul Wiegner, recycling specialist in theWest Central Region, has worked in therecycling program since it started in theearly 1990s. He will retire in early 2010. Forquestions on recycling or composting in theWest Central Region contact Mike Wenholz,(715) 839-3750 or [email protected].

� Gene Mitchell, former section chief forRecycling and Solid Waste, retired onSeptember 4, only a few hours apart fromhis wife’s retirement. Kate Cooper hasassumed Gene’s former role and can bereached at (608) 267-3133 [email protected].

� Randy Case, community mercuryreduction coordinator for the Bureau ofCooperative Environmental Assistance,retired in December 2009 after over 35 yearswith the DNR. For questions on CommunityMercury Reduction Programs in northern orwestern Wisconsin, please contact MarkHarings, [email protected]. Forquestions in eastern or southern Wisconsin,please contact Chuck Schuler,[email protected].

For questions about recycling grants, contact:Sandy Chancellor, Recycling Grants Manager

(608) 264-9207 or [email protected]

RU Annual Reports, Grant Applications, MRF Self-Certification— Sarah Murray, DNR

Recycling News

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunityin its employment, programs, services and functions under an AffirmativeAction Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal OpportunityOffice, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille,audiotape etc.) upon request. Please call 608/266-2111 for more information.

Articles and descriptions of programs/ activities by non-DNR staff includedin this newsletter are for informational purposes only and should not beconstrued as DNR endorsements of other organizations’ opinions or programs.

For further information on any information in the newsletter, contact CynthiaMoore at [email protected] or by phone 608/267-7550.

Graphic Design by Nan Rudd / RUDD DESIGN

Editor: KaThlEEN KIEfabERDepartment of Natural Resources, EI/2

P.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921

(608) [email protected]

On October 23, 2009, Governor Doyle signeda landmark bill into law, making Wisconsinthe 20th state to pass legislation to ensurethe proper collection and disposal of end-of-life electronics. Wisconsin’s new electronicsrecycling law establishes a collection andrecycling system for certain electronicdevices discarded by households and K-12public schools, and bans landfilling orincineration of these devices in Wisconsin.Once fully implemented, the law will provideWisconsinites with convenient recyclinglocations across the state, reduce pollutionfrom improper disposal of electronics andencourage an expansion of the recyclingindustry within Wisconsin.

The law is based on a product stewardshipapproach, which assigns primaryresponsibility for collection and recycling ofproducts to the manufacturer. Under the law,manufacturers of covered electronic devices(CEDs)—including computers, televisions,printers and certain video display devices—will be responsible for financing and ensuringthe recycling of these and other electronicdevices within the state.

The law also establishes requirements forrecyclers, collectors and local governments to ensure that recycling occurs in anenvironmentally sound manner. Residentsplay a key role by participating in collectionprograms and keeping electronic devices outof landfills.

We are currently developing a Web page and additional outreach materials to furtherexplain Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law.Stay tuned to the DNR homepage, or registerfor Recycling Updates (register here:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm) for notification on new materials.

The Solid and Hazardous Waste EducationCenter (SHWEC) has released a document tohelp local governments understand their rolein Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law. Thatdocument, titled Wisconsin’s New E-WasteLaw—Implications for Local Governmentscan be accessed through this link:

� http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet/recycling/Electronics%20Recycling_New%20Law1.pdf

DNR / Bureau of Waste and Materials Management Recycling News / WINTER 2010 3

� Electronics2009 Wisconsin Act 50 establishes acollection and recycling system forcertain consumer electronic devicesdiscarded by households and K-12 publicschools, and bans landfilling orincineration of these devices inWisconsin. Devices covered under thelaw include printers, computers,televisions and more. For information on Wisconsin’selectronics recycling law, see the article at the right.

� Mercury2009 Wisconsin Act 44 prohibits the saleof certain mercury-containing productsincluding manometers, thermostats,other instrumentsand switches, andhousehold itemssuch as toys,clothing andcosmetics.

� Safe burning2009 Assembly Bill 114 and 2009Senate Bill 119would createpenalties for illegal open burning andillegal storage or disposal of waste tires.AB 114 passed in committee in March2009. The senate committee held ahearing in early October.

� Used oil filters and absorbents2009 Assembly Bill 258 would prohibitthe disposal of used oil filters andabsorbents in Wisconsin landfills andinstitute a penalty for violations. The billhas passed the assembly and senate andis awaiting signature from GovernorDoyle.

� Landfilling of invasive plants2009 Senate Bill 123 was signed into lawas 2009 Wisconsin Act 55. The law makesclear that landfilling of invasive plants isallowable. This ends the confusionbetween the ban on landfilling yardwaste and the allowable disposal ofinvasive plants.

Wisconsin’s Electronic Recycling Law— Cynthia Moore, DNR

LEGISLATIvEUPDATE— Dan Fields, DNR

Governor Doyle signs Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law, making Wisconsinthe 20th state to pass legislation to manage end-of-life electronics.

Register Online! Want more frequent updates on grant opportunities,changing waste and recycling policy and current issues? Sign up forRecycling Updates, a new feature on our Recycling News homepage.Registration is easy, and once you're signed up, you'll get e-mail updateson changing policy, new grant opportunities, recycling events and more.You may also register for Recycling News online and receive an electroniccopy of Recycling News each time a new newsletter is released. To sign upfor either Recycling Updates or Recycling News online, see:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm

� City of Milwaukee has aggressivelybolstered its recycling outreach, mailing itsfall recycling newsletter to 190,000households and distributing it to librariesand other public areas. The newsletter urgesresidents to “reduce, reuse and recycle forgood” to help control city waste collectioncosts. The newsletter is available on theMilwaukee Recycles Web site:http://www.milwaukeerecycles.com.

� City of Madison adopted a new cityordinance requiring recycling on all newconstruction projects, all new remodelingprojects over $20,000 and all new roofingprojects involving tear off shingles. Thisordinance is in addition to the existingrecycling requirement for demolitionprojects. Madison also adopted an ordinancerequiring recycling of clean plastic bags atcentrally located bag recycling bins. Formore information on either of theseinitiatives, contact George Dreckman, (608)267-2626 or [email protected].

� St. Croix and Dunn counties are draftingnew recycling ordinances that harmonizekey aspects of their programs to simplifyrecycling across county lines. St. Croix's draftordinance, currently under legal review,addresses specifics such as open burning,composting, reporting by haulers, andrecycling requirements in public spaces andbusinesses. For more information, contactJennifer Havens, (715) 386-4675 [email protected].


“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” has taken onnew meaning in the wake of tightenedbudgets across Wisconsin. Residents havereduced the amount they throw away andlocal governments are looking at recyclingand reuse as a means to lower wastecollection costs, extend the life of locallandfills and earn revenue through the saleof recyclable commodities.

Learning from others is a powerful tool;we've compiled information from aroundthe state on new recycling initiatives. This listis not complete, but we hope it will give yousome ideas on projects that could be startedwithin your communities.

Recycle More Wisconsin, a Web site createdas part of a campaign to increase recycling inWisconsin, will expand with the merger of theWisconsin Be SMART Coalition and AssociatedRecyclers of Wisconsin (see page 6). The site,www.recyclemorewisconsin.org, intends toprovide a one-stop information resource forresidents on what can be recycled in theircommunities, how to set out materials andwhat happens to recyclables after collection.

Based on survey research conducted by Be SMART, many residents who considerthemselves “regular” recyclers want more

information about what to recycle and thepositive economic and environmentalimpacts of recycling. Recycle MoreWisconsin will provide this information, andmore. Smaller communities that don’t havestaff to promote their program or developtheir own Web site will also be able to listkey recycling information on this site.

For information on how to participate in the Recycle More Wisconsin Web site, contact AROW ExecutiveDirector Toral Jha, (608) 243-8643 [email protected].

New Initiatives in “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” Around the State— Cynthia Moore, DNR

The Solid and Hazardous WasteEducation Center (SHWEC) is pleased toannounce that the Wisconsin RecyclingMarkets Directory is again available foruse. Through a partnership with theWisconsin DNR, SHWEC has been ableto re-launch this important wastemanagement tool.

The Markets Directory provides asearchable database of businesses thatprovide recycling services. Users maysearch by material—including batteries,plastics, paper, electronics and manyothers—and sub categories of materials(for example, different types ofbatteries). Once a material is entered,users are provided with a list ofbusinesses across the state that recyclethat material. A mapping functionallows users to see where businessesare located, and contact information isprovided for each listing. Two new Website functions allow businesses toupdate their information and visitors tosuggest recyclers that may not be listedin the directory.

The Wisconsin Recycling MarketsDirectory can be found at:www4.uwm.edu/shwec/wrmd/search.cfm.

If you have questions about thedirectory, please contact Joe van Rossum, SHWEC RecyclingSpecialist, (608) 262-0936 [email protected].

Wisconsin RecyclingMarkets Directory— Joe Van Rossum, UW-Extension

Recycle More Wisconsin Web Site Expands Its Reach— Karen Fiedler, Waukesha County

Construction waste recycling is ensuredthrough a new Madison city ordinance.


Minnesota Considers Beverage Container Deposits— Brad Wolbert, DNR

Practical Cents Reuse Project— Kathleen Kiefaber, DNR

In these tight economic times, it is easy to think that we have to giveup on giving back. But a slow economy means that waste reductionand reuse are more important than ever. Giving longer life to thethings we already own saves landfill space and money. Some RUsare taking this message of reuse to heart and finding creative waysto cut down on trash and help their communities.

In Adams County, a new program called Practical Cents is reducingthe number of reusable items that enter the landfill, while alsohelping Adams County residents who may need a little assistance.The program, run by the Adams County Landfill & Recycling Center,collects gently used household items to be restored and resoldthrough the Practical Cents Resale Store. The store offers jobs tolow-income and disabled people and merchandise assists low-income families who may not be able to afford retail prices. Someitems are also donated to families affected by disaster like fires,tornadoes and floods.

To participate in the Practical Cents program, customers merelyseparate reusable items from the rest of their “trash” and placedonations in the trailer on-site of the landfill. Accepted items includetoys, household tools, furniture, kitchenware, antiques, workingsmall appliances, clean mattresses and box springs, clothing, andbaby furniture and accessories. Staff sort and refurbish items asnecessary and pass them on to the Practical Cents Resale Store.

For more information on the Practical Cents program, contactMyrna Diemart, (608) 339-9178 or [email protected].

Will Wisconsin’s neighbor to the westbecome the 12th state to embrace depositson bottles and cans to ensure they arereturned for recycling? It’s possible; statelegislators in Minnesota have indicated thatthey will re-introduce a bill next session thatwould place a ten-cent deposit on beveragecontainers.

The “Minnesota Recycling Refund Act,” whichdid not come to a floor vote before the endof the previous legislative session, wouldhave covered almost all beverages sold incontainers up to one gallon in size. It wouldhave allowed redemptions both at retailbeverage outlets and at redemption centers.Half of the unclaimed deposits would havebeen remitted to counties for solid wastemanagement activities; the other half would have bolstered the state’sEnvironmental Fund.

Container recycling rates in the 11 “bottlebill” states are substantially higher than inother states. In addition to ensuring higher

recovery of energy-rich resources likealuminum and plastic, bottle bills reducelitter. Consumers that redeem theircontainers receive their deposit back; thosethat don’t effectively pay a tax for notrecycling. Unredeemed deposits fund avariety of environmental, recycling andother public programs in the bottle billstates. Several bottle bill states have recentlyexpanded their programs—a testament tothe success and acceptance of containerdeposits in places where they’ve been tried.

The authors of the Minnesota bill haveindicated their desire to ensure that abeverage container deposit systemcomplements, rather than competes with,curbside recycling programs. A bottle billwould benefit curbside recycling byremoving much of the glass that has to behandled, in the process reducing the weightof collected recyclables and lowering papercontamination. Curbside programs couldalso opt to redeem the beverage containers

they do collect, using the revenue fromcontainer deposits to compensate for theloss of material.

For more information, contact Peder Sandhei, Minnesota PollutionControl Agency, (651) 757-2688 [email protected].

Paul and Judy allen of Jackson Township place the first itemsin the Practical Cents trailer.

Items donated to Practical Cents Trailer are used to helpfamilies in need.

Unredeemed bottle deposits fund a variety of environmental and recycling programs.

AROW and Be SMART Merge— Kathleen Kiefaber, DNR

Those familiar with recycling in the State ofWisconsin probably recognize AROW(Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin) and Be SMART (the Wisconsin Be SMARTCoalition). Both organizations have workedto provide leadership, advocacy andeducation on recycling in the State of Wisconsin.

Earlier this year, the organizations decided tomerge their efforts and create a unifiedorganization under the AROW name. Giventheir similar missions and goals, both AROWand Be SMART agreed that establishing aunified and consistent statewide recyclingand waste reduction education effort wouldbenefit both residents and recyclingprofessionals throughout the state. AMemorandum of Understanding betweenthe organizations will officially transfer allaspects of Be SMART to AROW startingJanuary 1, 2010.

In the interim, AROW has begun incorporat-ing the Recycle More Campaign(www.recyclemorewisconsin.org), formerly aBe SMART project, into its fundraising effortsand program planning. The revised RecycleMore Wisconsin site will provide Wisconsinresidents with easy access to recycling pro-gram information no matter where they live,work or play. For more information on theRecycle More Wisconsin Web site, see thearticle on page 4.

In addition to expanding their Webpresence, AROW will also expand statewiderecycling education in other ways. A newEducation Committee is bringing togetherrecycling education professionals fromacross the state to share programming tools,resources and experiences. The committeewill also advise AROW in the creation ofmedia messages and communication plans,and assist in the creation of a central

repository for existing education andoutreach materials. If you are interested injoining this committee, contact co-chairs Elisabeth Olson, (608) 264-9258 [email protected], or Meribeth Sullivan, (262) 896-8317 [email protected].

Both AROW and Be SMART are excited aboutthe possibilities this merger provides, andlook forward to expanding the breadth andreach of recycling education in Wisconsin. To learn more about AROW, see their Website: http://www.arow-online.org.

For more information, contact AROW Executive Director Toral Jha, (608) 243-8643 or [email protected], or Angie Lemar, (715) 347-5979 [email protected].


Can Going Smaller Work?PLANS FOR MARATHON COUNTY’S BLUEBIRD RIDGE RECYCLING AND DISPOSAL FACILITY— Meleesa Johnson, Marathon County Solid Waste Department

With every person in Wisconsin producingsix-plus pounds of waste per day, havingavailable landfill space is critical. But buildinglarger and larger landfills only perpetuatesthe status quo of our “throw away” society.The Marathon County Solid WasteManagement Board wants to change all that.

As Marathon County prepares to build thelandfill that is part of the Bluebird RidgeRecycling and Disposal Facility, it is lookingto build smaller, rather than bigger. A once70-acre footprint has been scaled back tojust under 30 acres. In the solid wasteindustry this may seem somewhat againstthe age-old business model of “biggermeans greater economies of scale andgreater profits.” With an eye to othermethods of generating income, MarathonCounty hopes to set a trend that will lead togreater diversion of waste materials intoother, better uses and fewer materialsentering the landfill.

Key to this strategy will be the developmentof business plans for various recycling andreuse programs. Staging and processingareas for construction and demolition

Marathon County hopes to set a trendthat will lead to fewer materialsentering the landfill.

materials, yard materials and treestumps/large limbs will be sited along theroadway to the active fill area. Users of thenew facility will be able to systematically off-load materials into the program areas andsave only those items that must be landfilledfor the last leg of the path. End-products ofthe programming, such as ground drywall,compost, mulch and saleable constructionmaterials, will be marketed and sold tomanage program costs.

In addition to on-site efforts, MarathonCounty will also be launching education,outreach and public relations efforts to aidits 63 responsible units (RUs) and hundredsof businesses cut back on their waste andincrease their recycling. Staff and policymakers will actively advocate for initiativessuch as product stewardship as MarathonCounty pursues a broad integrated solidwaste management strategy. This strategy is“designed to minimize environmental,economic and social costs to the residents ofWisconsin...and maintain an integratedmaterials management system consisting ofproducer responsibility…effective recycling

and recycling and responsible wastedisposal…” (Governor’s Blue Ribbon TaskForce on Waste Materials Recovery andDisposal).

For more information on MarathonCounty’s landfill, contact Meleesa Johnson, (715) 573-3165 [email protected].


Fitchburg Waste Sort— Kathleen Kiefaber, DNR

The fitchburg waste sort collected trashand recycling from 40 area homes.Volunteers sorted through the material.

Trash and recyclables were put intodifferent bins to see how much of eachmaterial was collected.

On the afternoon of June 24, volunteersfrom the DNR, the city of Fitchburg, and stafffrom Pellitteri Waste Systems gathered atthe Fitchburg Public Works MaintenanceFacility armed with masks, gloves and safetyglasses. They were there to sort through aweek’s worth of garbage and two week’sworth of recycling collected from 40randomly selected Fitchburg homes.

No, the volunteers weren’t crazy; they werehelping Fitchburg at its second waste sort.Volunteers spent an afternoon sortingthrough piles of bottles, cans, paper, foodwaste, cardboard and trash and came awaywith a better picture of what citizens werethrowing away, what they were recyclingand what they could be doing differently.

The first Fitchburg Waste Sort wascompleted in 1999. From that study, cityofficials gained a clearer understanding oftheir city’s waste and recycling streams.When it came time to sign a new haulercontract for 2009, the city made sure toinclude a stipulation for a wastecomposition study in its request forproposals. Pellitteri Waste Systems, thecompany that was awarded the contract,agreed to help plan and execute such a study.

Results from theFitchburg sortshowed that, ingeneral, residentsunderstand whatshould be recycledand what should not.Because the studycollected garbageand recycling fromthe same homes, itwas able todetermine the capture rate of variousrecyclable materials—which recyclablematerials were generally recycled, and areaswhere improvements could be made. Ingeneral, Fitchburg residents did a good jobof recycling newspapers, catalogs, mixedpaper and tin (see the table at right for fullresults). Results showed, however, thatresidents were not always recyclingaluminum, corrugated cardboard, officepaper and plastic #1—all of these materialsfrequently showed up in trash cans, notrecycling bins where they belonged.

This table shows the most common recyclables and household wastes that were sorted aspart of the 2009 fitchburg Waste Sort. because the study collected garbage and recyclingfrom the same homes, it was able to determine the capture rate of recyclable materials. In other words, the sort showed what percentage of recyclables ended up in a recyclingbin, and what materials were commonly thrown away.

(Continued on page 8)

City of Fitchburg June 2009 Waste Sort – Refuse and Recycling StreamsMaterial Recycling Stream Refuse Stream Capture Rate

Weight (lbs) % by Weight Weight (lbs) % by Weight % by Weight

Old Corrugated Cardboard 134.5 14.39% 61.0 6.22% 69%Newspapers 246.0 26.32% 17.0 1.73% 94%Magazines and Catalogs 106.0 11.34% 10.5 1.07% 91%White Office Paper 30.0 3.21% 43.0 4.38% 41%Uncontaminated Mixed Paper 98.0 10.49% 18.0 1.83% 84%Plastic # 1 PETE 25.0 2.68% 18.5 1.89% 57%Plastic # 2 HDPE 29.5 3.16% 7.0 0.71% 81%Plastic # 3 PVC, #4 LDPE and #7 Other Resin 19.5 2.09% 4.0 0.41% 83%Plastic # 5 Polypropylene 9.0 0.96% 1.0 0.10% 90%Plastic # 6 Polystyrene 2.0 0.21% 0.5 0.05% 80%Bulk Plastic (toys, furniture, etc.) 1.5 0.16% 0.0 0.00% 100%Tin 19.5 2.09% 2.5 0.25% 89%Aluminium 18.5 1.98% 7.0 0.71% 73%Glass 127.0 13.59% 39.0 3.98% 77%Food Waste 0.0 0.00% 268.5 27.37% N/AConstruction and Demolotion Materials 0.0 0.00% 2.5 0.25% N/AContaminated Mixed Paper 10.0 1.07% 144.5 14.73% N/ATotals (including materials not listed here) 935 100.00% 981.0 100.00%


Pay-as-you-throw Programs OfferCommunities a Way to Save Money and Reduce Waste— Amanda Bidwell, DNR Summer Intern

Garbage disposal is often a service we takefor granted. You put your trash can or bag onthe curb and it disappears. You may notice acharge on a property tax bill, but probablydon’t think about how much it costs to getrid of your trash each week.

Without a clear picture of the costs ofgarbage, many people see no economicbenefit in reducing the amount of waste theycreate. The most common methods ofcharging for refuse removal are based onproperty taxes, or set as a fixed fee. With bothof these methods, residents are not able tosee the direct benefit of diverting more oftheir waste to recycling, composting orreuse. As a result, many communitiesstruggle to reduce the overall amount ofwaste their residents and businessesgenerate—and the funds to dispose of it.

Some communities—including about 500 inWisconsin—have found a way to put wastereduction incentives in place. Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programs—also known asvariable-rate pricing or volume-based fee—are based on the idea that garbage shouldbe treated like any other utility service.Residents pay for the collection of garbagebased on the amount they produce—eitherpaying based on the size of cart or bin theyhave, by purchasing special bags for trash, orbuying stickers or tags for trash bags and/orlarge items.

A PAYT program is not only equitable toresidents, it can also promote environmentalsustainability. If residents are charged todispose of garbage, they are more likely to

invest in services such as recycling and yard wastecollection.Associating acost with eachload of garbagealso makesconsumers thinkmore about what they buyand what theythrow away, andpromotes reuseand donation ofitems. In manycommunities, revenue generated through PAYT programshave helped cover recycling collection costsor funded additional services, such as yardwaste collection.

Given the current state of the economy andgrowing concerns for the environment, PAYTprograms offer communities throughoutWisconsin the opportunity to createeconomically sound and sustainable solidwaste programs.

The DNR is developing a webpage with moreinformation on how PAYT works andexamples of Wisconsin communities usingPAYT programs. This page will be live byearly 2010. Those registered for RecyclingUpdates (register here: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm) will receive an e-mail when this page is live.

a PaYT program is based on the

idea that garbage should be

treated like any other utility

service—residents pay for the

collection of garbage based on

the amount they produce.

In addition to showing recyclingsuccesses and shortfalls, the Fitchburgsort also gave an indication of what newmaterials could be recycled in the future.Food waste, says Rick Eilertsen, Fitchburgenvironmental engineer, represents thelargest potential area for improvement.Food waste made up about 27% of thewaste stream by weight and, fromEilertsen’s perspective, didn’t need to bein the trash at all. Contaminated mixedpaper, including compostable items likepizza boxes and soiled napkins, made upabout 15% of the waste stream by weightEilertsen says the city is considering apilot compost program to reduce theamount of organic and paper materialsentering the landfill.

After seeing the results of the sort,Eilersten says the city also has a muchbetter idea of where to focus recyclingeducation. Because recycling was onlycollected from households whererecycling bins were set out for collection,the city knows that misplaced recyclableswere not the result of apathetic residents.What, then, was causing otherwiseconscientious people to toss recyclablematerials? Eilertsen believes it is a matterof education, and is considering aprogram to put illustrated and writtenguidelines on every recycling bin in thecity to clearly explain what can and can’tbe recycled.

For communities interested in conductingtheir own waste sort, Eilertsenrecommends incorporating a provision forthe sort in hauler contracts. Many wastecompanies have experience conductingwaste sorts in other communities and canhelp you plan and execute your ownevent. Eilertsen also recommends holdingthe event during a cooler part of the yearto cut down on smells, and notes thatlarge facilities with good ventilation arekey to a successful sort.

A full report from the Fitchburg waste sort will is available on the city’s Web site:

http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/refuse_recycling/documents/2009WasteSortResults.pdf.

Fitchburg(Continued from page 7)


No question about it: these are difficulteconomic times for everyone. We know low commodity prices are affecting somerecycling service contracts and the statebudget’s increase in landfill tipping fees aresqueezing some communities’ wastedisposal budgets.

But tight budgets can also be a trigger forbetter economic footing down the road.Reconsidering how solid wastes aremanaged could produce changes thatreduce management and landfill tip feecosts and earn revenue from recovery orreuse of waste resources.

There are several well-proven approachescommunities can take to reduce costs whilemaintaining or expanding service levels.These can often be implemented withminimal up-front costs:

� Implement a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT)system, in which households pay for trashpickup based on the amount they throwaway. Such programs incentivize wastereduction and more equitably distributedisposal costs. For more information onPAYT systems, see the article on page 8.

� Negotiate contracts with haulers thatshare recyclable commodity revenue or addservices (such as drop-off sites for additionalmaterials). Alternately, partner with othercommunities to negotiate a joint contract.

� Partner with other communities toincrease efficiencies in outreach and otherprogram services.

For communities that already have cost-controlling measures in place, there areopportunities for broader initiatives takingadvantage of new technologies andresources:

� Advances in technology have madediverting key parts of the municipal wastestream more feasible. There is growing stateinfrastructure for recycling tear-off shinglesand other construction and demolitionwaste, and for composting or digesting foodwaste. These initiatives not only result inlower landfill tip fees but also offeropportunities for revenue generation andjob creation.

� Look for federal and state grants or costsharing related to climate change initiatives,energy efficiencies and use of renewable

Turning Tight Budgets into New Waste Reduction Opportunities*

— Cynthia Moore and Sarah Murray, DNR

energy sources. Waste reduction andrecycling reduce greenhouse gas emissionsand save energy, so changes in solid wastemanagement programs may be eligible forthese grant funds.

� On the horizon, some compost facilitiesmay qualify to earn income through theChicago Climate Exchange (CCX) based onthe methane emissions avoided bycomposting instead of landfilling organicmaterials.

DNR staff will be working this year toprovide information on these and other

What’s black, fuzzy and made of recycledtires, cardboard, milk jugs and unuseddisposable diapers? Students at theGrantsburg Summer Reading Program,held at the Grantsburg Public Library,found out.

Jennifer Barton of the NorthwestRegional Planning Commission and BobGermer of the DNR Waste and MaterialsManagement Program, talked to 30 pre-K through third-grade students thissummer as part of the GrantsburgSummer Reading program. Over thecourse of the program, students wereintroduced to the concepts of reducing,reusing and recycling. Barton andGermer showed the students examplesof common recyclables and talked abouthow and where to recycle materials intheir community. They also discussed theimportance of waste reduction to save

landfill space and protect theenvironment. The students didn’t needmuch prodding though—most werekeenly aware of what items must berecycled and how to recycle them.

After going over the basics, Barton andGermer showed students a series ofproducts made of recycled materials,including a bird house made ofcompressed newsprint, gardening toolsmade from recycled #1 and #2 plastics, aclipboard made from a strippedcomputer circuit board, shingles madefrom recycled rubber and #2 pencilsmade from recycled currency.

What item caught the students’ attentionthe most? The Déjà Shoe, a pair of black,fuzzy clogs made from rubber, recycled#1 and #2 plastics, unused diapers and ahost of other recycled materials.

Grantsburg Recycling Program— Bob Germer, DNR

The Déjà Shoe and some of itscomponentmaterials.

opportunities to divert waste materials andput them to productive use. Among newresources, look for a new DNR Web pagewith information on PAYT programs in early2010. In addition, completed responsibleunit (RU) annual reports will allow RUs tocompare their costs and recycled tonnageswith those of other communities.

* This article originally appeared in theAssociated Recyclers of WisconsinSummer 2009 newsletter.


EducationCorner

Wee Recyclers Early Childhood Education Program Now Available!

The Wee Recyclers Early Childhood Program, originally developedin 1992, has a new look and more activities! The program isdesigned for use with 3-5 year olds in early childhood settings,although most activities can be modified for use with other age groups.

Wee Recyclers uses fun, hands-on activities to teach children the basics of how torecycle and the importance of recycling. The program contains two components: aprinted activity guide and online resources. Activities in the Wee Recyclers ActivityGuide are simple, entertaining and require minimal preparation time. They containteacher background information, easy to follow directions and suggestions foradditional related activities.

Online materials include: Wee Crafts, stories and plays, songs, games, take-homerecycling ideas, a complete glossary and a list of resources.

Staff in the DNR’s Waste and MaterialsManagement Program have been busyupdating several of our pages. See theselinks for new and updated information.See the online version of Recycling Newsfor easy navigating:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/resources/newsletter.htm

Tips for Hosting a Successful E-cycling Event:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/ewaste/events.htm

Tips on how to plan and host an e-cycling event that is environmentallyfriendly, safe and successful.

Green Your Move:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/greenmoving.htm

Tips on how to pack, move and settlein to a new home—green!

Wisconsin’s Electronics Recycling LawMedia Kit:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/news/mediakits/mk_electronics_recycling.asp

Provides general information onWisconsin’s electronics recycling law,including fact sheets, animplementation timeline and anoverview of the law.

Wisconsin’s Waste Imports and Exports:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/solid/landfill/outofstate.htm

Data on how much waste Wisconsinimports and exports, updated with2008 numbers.

Local Governments/Responsible Units:

� http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/locgov-ru.htm

Includes general information on RUs,RU annual reports and recyclinggrants.

WHAT’S NEW ON THE WEB— Elisabeth Olson, DNR

�

Free Recycling Bins Available to Green & Healthy School ProgramParticipantsA new grant program being offered through the Green &Healthy Schools Program provides eligible elementary,middle and high schools with recycling bins for theirschool. The grant gives schools that have successfullycompleted steps one and two of the Green & HealthySchools Program up to 50 recycling bins to be used inclassrooms, lunchrooms, staff lounges and hallways.

The Green & Healthy Schools Program is a partnershipprogram between the DNR and the Department of PublicInstruction (DPI) and is designed to support andencourage schools in their quest for a healthy, safe andenvironmentally-friendly learning environment. Byparticipating in the program, students learn about theenvironmental, health and safety challenges facing ourstate, and are given skills to address these challengesthroughout their lives.

Green & healthy SchoolsRecycling bins areavailable to schools thathave completed steps oneand two of the Green &healthy Schools Program.

For more information on the Green & Healthy School Recycling BinGrant Program eligibility and application, see:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/greenschools/recycling.htm

For more information on the Green & Healthy School Recycling BinGrant Program or the Green & Healthy Schools Program, contact: Tessa Jilot, (608) 267-7622 or [email protected]

The entire program is available for download at:http://www.dnr.wi.gov/eek/teacher/weerecyclers.htm

Printed copies of the Wee Recyclers Activity Guide are available fororder. To get your copy, contact: Elisabeth Olson, (608) 264-9258 or [email protected]

DOUGLAS

BAYFIELD

ASHLANDIRON

BURNETT

VILASWASHBURN SAWYER

PRICEONEIDA

FOREST

FLORENCE

BARRONPOLK

RUSK

TAYLORCHIPPEWA

DUNNST. CROIX

PIERCE

PEPIN

EAU CLAIRE

CLARK

LINCOLN

MARATHON

LANGLADE

MARINETTE

OCONTO

MENOMINEE

SHAWANODOOR

KEW

AUNE

EBROWN

OUTAGAMIE

WAUPACAWOOD PORTAGE

MANITOWOCWINNEBAGO

CALU

MET

WAUSHARA

JACKSON

JUNEAU ADAMS

MARQUETTE GREENLAKE

FOND DU LAC

SHEBOYGAN

MONROE

SAUK COLUMBIA DODGEWASHING-TON

OZAU

KEE

MILW

AUKE

E

WAUKESHAJEFFERSONDANE

KENOSHA

RACINEWALWORTHROCKGREENLAFAYETTE

IOWA

GRANT

RICHLAND

CRAWFORD

VERNON

LA CROSSE

BUFFALO

TREM

PEAL

EAU

NORTHEASTWEST CENTRAL

SOUTH CENTRAL

Regional BoundariesRegion Offices

REV 1/2006

State of WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources

SOUTHEAST

NORTHERN


Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesREGIONAL RECyCLING CONTACTS

� Have questions about how to develop a media campaignfor residents in your area?

� Want help with general recycling outreach and education?

� Looking for a publication to use at an upcoming event?

Elisabeth Olson, DNR Recycling Educator, is here to help you.

Contact Elisabeth with questions about outreach, education and available materials:

(608) 264-9258 or [email protected]

Northern Region

Bob Germer(715) [email protected] SERVED: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield,Burnett, Douglas, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer,Washburn

Sherry Otto(715) [email protected] SERVED: Florence, Forest, Iron,Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor,Vilas

Northeast Region

Marcy McGrath(920) [email protected] SERVED: Brown, Calumet, Door,Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette,Menominee, Oconto, Shawano, Waupaca

Dave Misterek(920) [email protected] SERVED: Fond du Lac, Green Lake,Marquette, Outagamie, Waushara,Winnebago

Southeast Region

Nancy Gloe(414) [email protected] SERVED: Milwaukee, Ozaukee,Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha

Ken Hein(262) [email protected] SERVED: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth

West Central Region

Mike Wenholz(715) [email protected] SERVED: Adams, Buffalo,Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dunn, EauClaire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse,Marathon, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Portage,Saint Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon

South Central Region

Percy Mather(608) [email protected] SERVED: Columbia, Dane, Dodge,Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette,Richland, Rock, Sauk

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