Call to Order – President Ron Berenato opened the meeting at 10:10 a.m. by welcoming all to the meeting and asking everyone to introduce themselves to the group.  Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.

Professional Recycling Coordinator Recertification Credits – 2 Meeting Credits – Larry Gindoff reminded everyone that this meeting was approved as providing 2 “meeting recertification credits” for those  certified professional recycling coordinators.  Mr. Gindoff informed everyone that the attendance sheet, included below, will be forwarded to Carol Brocoli of Rutgers  so she can double check if and when members submit attending this meeting as being eligible for such credits.

Treasures Report – The treasurer’s report was provided by Chris Sikorski, ANJHHWC Treasurer.  Chris began by providing the current checking account  balance to the group. A copy of the 2011 year-to-date  checking account activity report is provided below.  Chris mentioned that ANJHHWC received membership dues from most organizations that typically participate and join in the association.  In total, the ANJHHWC has received $2,300 in membership dues this year including 4 commercial members.  Chris mentioned that the ANJHHWC appreciates the commercial memberships and that one of the privileges of being a commercial member includes free attendance at our holiday meeting at the end of each year.  A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report and it was seconded and approved by all.

Approval of December 8, 2010 ANJHHWC Minutes– Mr. Berenato stated that the minutes from the previous meeting held in Long Branch were prepared by Larry Gindoff and posted on the ANJHHWC’s website (www.NJHazWaste.com).   Mr. Berenato then asked for a motion to approve the minutes.  A motion was made and seconded and approved by all present voting members.

By Law Amendment – New Membership Category – County Organization Membership – 3 Person Maximum for $125/year – Members discussed a suggested change in by laws to allow for the addition of an all inclusive county membership, which would cost $125/year and be  limited to 3 persons.  This would be in addition to current $75/county member fee with a $25 fee for additional county members.   Larry Gindoff made motion in which he would be instructed to draft language, for presentation at the next ANJHHWC meeting, that effectuates such a by law change.  This motion was seconded and approved by all.

Electronics Subcommittee – JoAnn Gemenden provided a  review of a March 3, 2011 subcommittee meeting with NJDEP representatives about working together to implement a E-waste promotional program.  As part of the new Electronics Recycling Act the NJDEP is required to implement a statewide promotional campaign.  Joann said the meeting appeared positive in that NJDEP seemed to seriously consider our suggestion to partner with ANJHHWC to promote the Act and perform outreach with respect to the mandates in the law.  To get the ball rolling with this concept NJDEP needs to first receive a proposal from ANJHHWC.  A draft of such proposal was prepared by Joann, Carole Tolmachewich and Diana Vigilante.  Joann requested a motion from the members to submit a finalized proposal for this outreach to NJDEP. The proposal and planned outreach would follow a similar approach to the one ANHHWC used to successfully to promote rechargeable battery recycling in 2010.   The proposal’s goal is to develop and implement a statewide outreach campaign.  The development of a retailer’s toolkit is one of our ideas to get the retailers inline with the  statewide promotional  campaign.  A motion was made to authorize the electronics subcommittee to forward its proposal to NJDEP on behalf of the ANJHHWC.  This motional was seconded and approved by all.  The electronics subcommittee is scheduled to meet after the meeting to finalize ideas to be in the proposal to NJDEP.

Additionally, Joann mentioned that she believes EPA has a grant for promoting environmental educational that she wants to look into on behalf of the ANJHHWC.  Those with grant money to contribute seem to like have partnerships involved in programs like the ones ANJHHWC tries to establish.  This way everyone is working toward the same goals and targets.   Regarding this,  Diana mentioned the ANJHHWC received $5,000 in the Merck grant several years ago and we only spent $1,500 of that money to date. Diana suggested the ANJHHWC use some of this grant money toward the proposed E-waste proportional effort; she suggested $1,000.  This way the NJDEP sees this promotional campaign has vested partners besides just the  NJDEP.  Joann went over the details of the draft proposal and what we are proposing, i.e. PSAs, posters, paper ads, web banners, posters, press releases, retail tool kit, digital billboards, ball parks, NJ transit ads, etc. This is similar to what ANJHHWC did with respect to batteries in 2010.  It is anticipated that we would stagger the release of the promotional items appropriately throughout the year.  Other ideas tossed about included designating an E-Waste month and looking into airplane banners to fly over the Jersey Shore.

Larry Gindoff showed blue postcards and decals used by the Morris County MUA to educate the haulers about E-waste recycling. Since members liked the items he displayed, Mr. Gindoff stated he would share them with ANJHHWC members.  Note, PDFs of the proofs for these decals and postcards are provided below for members to use.

Medicine Take-Back Programs – Discussion about promoting medicine take-back programs followed.  April 30 the DEA is doing a drop-off for medicines.  Visit DEA.gov for a listing of drop-off sites by location and by  zip code. Additionally, the American Medicine Chest will be doing a November 12, 2011 program.  JoAnn mentioned Covanta has a program for prescription medicines management at their facilities.  Covanta accepts community based levels of medicines for destruction. Ken from Covanta would be good person to get information on Covant’s program.  It was also mentioned that DisposemyMeds.org is a website that lists pharmacies that take medicines back.

Summary of County Programs – County members next provided information about their individual programs and what changes and challenges they are facing in these difficult economic times.  Regarding accepting hazardous waste from schools,  Diana informed the ANJHHWC that Somerset County accepts school waste during Siomerset County HHW events.  Gloucester County also accept school hazardous waste if they first preregister.

With respect to the overall HHW program, Gloucester County  is status quo form last year.  Gloucester has dropped to 4 HHW days per year which is their lowest level in over a decade.  Recently, Gloucester County was forced to cutback HHW programs due to budgetary reasons.  Likewise, Monmouth cut one program in 2011.

Union County is pretty much the same but Joann mentioned Union County is having issues with scavengers taking the best of the E-waste at the curbside while leaving the expensive material to manage (televisions and monitors) behind.  Camden has noticed a similar trend and in addition,  more E-waste is now being illegally dumped.  Camden suggests eliminating curbside recycling of E-waste to stop this issue. One problem is that many standard scrap yards accept E-waste and it is an issue as to whether they are even allowed to accept E-waste and that they are offering a market to such scavengers.   In Camden County they have noticed that having curbside collection of E-waste results in broken leaded glass all over the place as the scavengers ravage the E-Waste curbside while leaving behind only items they do not want.  John from Magnum Recycling stated he has seen a flip in the ratio of glass to good E-waste recyclables since the law started. it used to be a ratio of 20% glass and 80% good metal, plastic, wire, etc. and now it is 50%/50% at best due to the scavenging issue.

Ernie from Ocean County asked about what to do with boat flares.  Ocean County operates a clean marina program which generated a 55-gallon drum of boat flares.  The issue is that State Police are enforcing the rule requiring the turning in of unused flares every 3 years.  Larry Gindoff offered members access to bid specifications the MCMUA uses for Morris County garage and police hazardous waste to use for anyone that wants to go out to bid for the management of these explosive materials. Morris County’s program under this bid manages a wide variety of explosives, flammables, ammunitions, fireworks, etc. which would be similar to managing boat flares.

ANJHHWC Newsletter – Carole went over newsletter she is preparing and the results of the 2011 HHW survey conducted specifically for the newsletter.  She asked everyone to verify their specific county information before she publishes it in the newsletter.

Nominating Committee for 2011 ANJHHWC Board Elections – Daniel Napolean of Mercer County and Fred Stanger of Middlesex County made up the two-member nomination committee which was charged with providing a recommendation to the ANJHHWC on a slate of officers for consideration for ANJHHWC elections to be held during the March 24, 2011 meeting.  Daniel reported that after consideration of the names put forth, the nominating subcommittee proposed Joann Gemenden for President, Diane Vigilante for Vice President,  Larry Gindoff for Secretary and Chris Sikorski for Treasurer.  The floor was also opened up for other nominations.  There were no additional nominations from the floor.  Motion was made to accept the slate and it was seconded and all were in favor.  Members thanked Ron Berenato for the worked he did as President in 2011 in keeping the association  moving forward and growing in a positive manner.  Ron next thanked the nomination committee for their efforts.

Adjournment: A motion was made to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded and approved by all.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:50.

Executive Session – The executive committee comprised of 4 Board members met immediately after the meeting to discuss future meeting dates and locations.

E-Waste Subcommittee – The E-waste subcommittee met immediately after the meeting to discuss finalizing the proposal to NJDEP.

Audit Subcommittee – After the meeting Tom Burbridge of Morris County and Melissa Harvey of Somerset County convened the audit subcommittee to go over the ANJHHWC finances with the Treasurer, Chris Sikorski.  A certification of such financial review was signed by all three and a copy of such is provided below.