WasteCap of Lincolns E-NewsletterDecember 2004
WasteCap of Lincoln is a program of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
WasteCap Member Named Among Top 500 Small Businesses Teledyne Isco, Inc. is recognized for contribution to economy.
Recycler Appreciation Reception WasteCap of Lincoln hosted an Appreciation Reception for recycling and environmental service providers in December.
Highlights From The Interim Study Hearing on E-Waste A summary of speakers and their statements.
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Whats New for December 2004:
Teledyne Isco, Inc. Among Top 500 Recycler Appreciation Reception Retrofit Recycling Pick-Up Dates Building Demand for Environmentally Preferable Computers
WasteCap Member, Teledyne Isco, Inc., Named Among Top 500 Small
Businesses Teledyne Isco, Inc. (formerly Isco, Inc.) was named among the top 500 small businesses nationwide by DiversityBusiness.com. DiversityBusiness.com is the nation's leading multicultural business to business online portal. The 5th annual listing recognizes firms with revenues ranging from $23 to $100 million. Isco, a manufacturer of water purity measuring instruments and flowmeters, ranked 168th with revenues of $60 million. The listing seeks to highlight the significant contribution that small businesses make to the U.S. economy.
Recycler Appreciation Reception Over thirty people attended the Recycler Appreciation Reception held on Wednesday, December 8th. This reception recognized the work of recycling and environmental service providers in the Nebraska area. WasteCap of Lincolns service provider members were presented with certificates of appreciation to recognize the dedication and hard work that they have done to divert wastes from landfills and improve environmental quality in Nebraska. Attendees enjoyed refreshments provided by the Cornhusker and Empyrean Ales. Special thanks to Empyrean Ales for providing drinks.
Highlights
From The Interim Hearing on E-Waste On November 18th, the Nebraska Natural Resources Committee held an Interim Study hearing on LR 296 regarding electronic waste recycling in Nebraska. WasteCap Special Projects Coordinator, Sara Brockmeier was on hand for the hearing and brought the following information to share. During this hearing, Senator Don Preister, Steve Andrews, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Recycling Association (NSRA), Gary Lund of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and James Wilie of Hewlett Packard spoke on how their associations would like to see electronic waste handled in the state.
Senator Preister discussed and continues to support the approval of LB 301 that, as amended, would impose a fee of $5 on the sale of all new televisions and computer monitors (CRTs). Ninety percent of the available revenues from the fees would be placed in a program fund for electronic equipment recycling that would be administered by the Environmental Trust Board. Seventy percent of the funds available would go to grants and thirty percent would be used for administrative purposes.
Steve Andrews supports a solution-based system for handling the increasing e-waste volumes in Nebraska. Andrews would like to see the establishment of permanent in-state consolidation facilities that could be integrated with the current waste collection systems via recycling centers, transfer stations and MSW landfills. Communities would then hold collection events and materials collected at these events would then be transferred to permanent consolidation facilities. Andrews discussed many options for funding this type of solution and shared that ultimately the consumer will pay for the proper disposal of electronic materials.
Garry Lund stated the SWANA supports recycling and backs the movement for an electronic waste bill but, they do not support a total ban. SWANA proposed a suitable and safe $2 disposal program. This disposal program would allow for electronic wastes to be landfilled, but Lund made the point that landfilling is a safer alternative to illegal dumping, which could increase if fees are too high. The fee based system would also relieve the government of having to cover costs of infrastructure and/or legislation.
The last speaker was James Wilie, representing Hewlett Packard. Wilie stated that HP is engaged in shaping public policy. He submitted formal comments of a model legislation that HP has created that allows legislation to be flexible so that manufacturers are able to hold take-back programs. He stated that HP has been recycling computer products for 17 years and they have two recycling facilities in the U.S. They have a goal to recycle 1 billion pounds of electronic equipment by the year 2007.
After the statements were given, the session was concluded by the following remark about the future of Nebraska e-waste handling: Voluntary programs would not need legislation, but we do not have those now, so we need legislation.
For more information, contact Senator Don Priesters office.
Retrofit Recycling Pick-Up Dates
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