Association of New Jersey Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators Meeting

Ocean County Recycling Education Center

Welcome

ANJHHWC President Daniel Napoleon called the meeting to order at 11:15am. Self-introductions followed.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2017 meeting by Ron Berenato and seconded by Ernie Kuhlwein. There were no comments or changes to the minutes.  All in attendance approved the motion.

NJDEP

Representatives from NJDEP were invited to attend and provide an update – no one attended.

Thermostat Recycling Corporation

Danielle Myers and Ryan Kiscaden from TRC (Thermostat Recycling Corporation) provided an overview of their national collection program.  Despite ceasing the use of mercury in thermostats since 2007, there are still mercury thermostats out there.  The program is funded by thermostat manufacturers and the goal of the program is to keep mercury out of the waste stream by providing an outlet to collect and recycle all mercury containing thermostats that are replaced.  This is an industry funded non-profit program.

TRC currently works in conjunction with HVAC contractors and wholesalers to collect them nationally but are trying to expand collection via Household Hazardous Waste programs. TRC provides a collection bin and free shipment once its full.  Generally the initial fee/container is $25 but if signed up through ANJHHWC the collection bin is free.  Only thermostats are collected – no thermometers or bulk mercury.

Instead of storing old mercury thermostats or tossing them in the trash visit their website or call for participating collections sites: www.thermostat-recycle.org.  Anyone wishing to request a bin should call Danielle Myers directly at 267-513-1726.

Battery Recycling

Todd Ellis explained that customers are now able to recycle single-use batteries with Call2Recycle. Additionally, your rechargeable battery recycling service will transition to a fee-based service model, effective April 1, 2017.

The transition from our “no-cost” rechargeable battery recycling offering to a fee-based service is necessary in order to ensure the long-term viability of our voluntary battery stewardship program. Ultimately, this change will lessen the burden on you, while providing more viable, cost-effective options for both rechargeable and single-use batteries. All aspects of the battery recycling program will be competitively priced to ensure that battery recycling options remain feasible for all customers.

Any of the battery boxes that are in place now at Municipal / County locations will remain free, as long as there is no change (i.e., rechargeable batteries only) but if the site decides to start accepting Primary (single use) batteries, a fee will kick in.

Todd Ellis, Director- Stewardship Programs; tellis@call2recycle.org; Corporate headquarters: 1000 Parkwood Circle, Suite 200, Atlanta, Ga.30339

 Paint Care Update

Ed Waters stated that the bill is in the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees awaiting action. It made be amended to include a reporting requirement.

 Treasurer’s Report

Chris Sikorski provided the Treasurer’s report.  He reported the ANJHHWC’s account balance is currently $25,054.62.  Chris Sikorski stated 2017 memberships are coming in.  Diana Vigilante moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and Steve Adams seconded the motion. All in attendance approved the motion.

Up Coming Events:

SWANA Conference – President Napoleon stated that the annual conference will be held in Atlantic City on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 at the Tropicana Hotel.

Clean Communities Kids Day, Conference and Dinner – May24-26, 2017 at various locations in Essex County were addressed by JoAnn Gemenden.

Spring Conference – May 19 in Massachusetts, Northeast Chapter of NAHMMA at City Hall in Newburyport, MA. Fred Stanger stated he has requested approval from Middlesex County to attend.

ANJR – June 20 is the Golf Tournament in Mercer County and Nov. 4 is the 5-K race at Dukes Island Park in Somerset County.

It was suggested by President Napoleon that ANJHHWC support ANJR with the purchase of two (2) tee signs for the ANJR Golf Tournament as in previous years.  Ernie Kuhlwein made a motion to purchase  two (2) tee signs and Wayne DeFeo seconded the motion. All in attendance approved the motion.

Report by the Nominating Committee/Elections

Melissa Harvey read the proposed new slate of officers for 2017:

  • President – JoAnn Gemenden
  • Vice President – Steve Adams
  • Treasurer –Chris Sikorski
  • Secretary – Fred Stanger

A motion to approve the new slate of officers was moved by Wayne Defeo and seconded by Ron Berenato. All in attendance approved the motion.

By-Law Amendment

A proposal to amend the By-Laws to include the past President on the Executive Board for a one year period was discussed by JoAnn Gemenden. A motion to approve this amendment was made by Brian Costantino and seconded by Ernie Kulhwein. All in attendance approved the motion.

 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned.  Wayne DeFeo moved to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded by Steve Adams.