2009-04-06 – ANJHHWC Meeting Minutes

Location: Bayshore Recycling / Converted Organics Meeting Room, Keasbey, NJ

Call to Order – The meeting was opened by President Alain Fortier at 9:40 a.m. at BayShore Recycling facility in Keasbey. Self-introductions followed.

President Alain Fortier Thanked BayShore Recycling for hosting our meeting at their facility.

E-waste: Carole Tolmachewich reported on the E-Waste Stakeholders meeting which was held on Monday, March 31 at NJDEP.

“DEP’s Assistant Commissioner Nancy Wittenberg and Recycling Bureau Chief Guy Watson invited manufacturers, commercial recyclers and county recycling officials to a Public Hearing. During the session, they provided a few broad hints as to what the regulations will contain, reviewed compliance deadlines for the program’s first year and received input from the regulated community.

Representatives of several county recycling programs expressed concerns that the manufacturers might shut down their programs once they have recycled tonnages equivalent to their market shares. And those public programs would end up shouldering the burden and the cost of electronic recycling.

When asked for a response as to how they might utilize existing public recycling programs in New Jersey, the manufacturer reps gave no indication.  A representative from Sharp said that his company has partnered with Goodwill and other community and retailer groups in other states that require e-recycling.

MRM President David Thompson said “It depends on what services the collectors are offering and whether we can establish a business relationship with them.” He added: “There are very few companies that can properly handle CRTs” (cathode ray tubes).

Watson noted that the DEP would require manufacturer plans to explain how the material would be handled at every stage of the recycling chain to assure that material does not flow to undeveloped countries where lead and other dangerous materials in the products could cause environmental and health problems without adequate safety and processing requirements.

He also warned that no manufacturer would be permitted to sell their TVs or computers in New Jersey after Oct 1, 2010 if the plans they submit are not “administratively complete.” He said that every plan would be required to offer at least one convenient collection point per county.” Source: Frank Brill, EnviroPolitics Blog.

Carole Tolmachewich also reported that Middlesex County is having a difficult time obtaining tonnages reports from Goodwill Industries.

Monica Gismondi stated she has no problem getting tonnage report from Goodwill Industries in south Jersey.

JoAnn Gemenden will send a Thank You letter to Best Buy’s Corporate Headquarters for their E-waste Recycling Program.

CFLs: Members indicated that the number of CFLs & fluorescent tubes being brought into HHW events are on the rise.

Treasurer’s Report: Chris Sikorski reported the Account balance at the time of the meeting it was $9,392.68.  Motion to accept the report was made by Ron Berenato from Atlantic County and seconded by Melinda Williams from Salem County. 

Treasurer will look in to filing taxes with IRS electronically.

Elections have been postponed until the June 4 meeting.  A nominating committee of Larry Gindoff and Renee Casapulla has been formed.

Merck grant was briefly discussed.  A sub-committee (JoAnn Gemenden, Chris Sikorski and Rich Baroch) has been formed to update the ANJHHWC’s video to a cable television format and possibly developing PSAs for radio and/or cable.

Latex Paint: Melinda Williams surveyed the attendees as to which counties are still accepting latex paints.  The following counties responded they are accepting latex paints: Middlesex, Somerset, Atlantic, Monmouth and Union counties.

Converted Organics: Jack Walsdorf gave an overview of Converted Organics, a 500 ton a day organic waste processing facility, accepting source separated food waste at the mid $40.00 per ton range.  Converted Organics produces two end products: solid and liquid fertilizers in ten days. Converted Organics produces less than 10 % residual waste which is taken to Edgeboro Landfill and they are a 0% discharge facility.

BayShore Recycling: Jim Bray stated that the Class B recycling facility has been in business for over 25 years and are permitted to handle up to 4,000 tons per day.  BayShore can recycle C&D & Demolition materials, metals, concrete, gypsum, brick, and asphalt and also remove CFCs.  The Facility uses solar power.  Dave Potts from PSE&G gave BayShore an excellent recommendation as a recycling facility.

Announcement was made by Atlantic County that the NJ Chapter of SWANA will hold their spring meeting April 20 & 21 in Atlantic City.

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at approx. 11:50am to tour Converted Organics.