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August 15, 2010

A Word About Recycling - Aug. 15, 2010

By Ollie and Gloria Maier Daily Record Columnists The San Marcos Record Sun Aug 15, 2010, 05:04 AM CDT

— We all know more and more older television sets and computer monitors are being recycled. Thus an item in a recent Electronics Recycling Update eNewsletter caught our eye.

“A recent report by the Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, funded by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has found that the peak quantities of CRTs being disposed or recycled in the Sunshine State will occur in "the next few years, between 2012-2016."

The article stated, “The findings of the report are not surprising, showing an ever-increasing trend of discarded CRTs showing up at recycling centers and landfills as existing equipment breaks, becomes less desirable and is replaced by flat-screen televisions and computer monitors.”

(We’re sure that applies to Texas, too... Yes, even we have updated to flat screen televisions and computer monitors.)

And from the Plastics Recycling Update eNewsletter, we felt another article, also concerning an east coast state, was interesting because of the capability of the new plant.

“Clear Path Recycling's Fayetteville, North Carolina, PET recycling facility is up and running, having just completed the first part of its Phase 1 roll out. The plant is currently operating at 30 million pounds annualized production capacity, but will reach 160 million pounds annual capacity by the fourth quarter of this year, as the rest of the equipment comes on-line.”

One of their vice-presidents said, "From a cleanliness standpoint, we're producing some of the cleanest flake on the market from curbside bottles."

He continued, "Our end-use applications give us a lot of flexibility in where we source, and we've run some deposit bottles through the plant, which makes life a lot easier. Because of our size, though, we pretty much have to buy from everywhere."

And as far as this plant goes, we find, “As big as Phase 1 of Clear Path Recycling is, expansion plans call for an additional 120 million pounds of annual capacity, which would bring the total to a whopping 280 million pounds.”

(Now that’s a lot of recycled plastic bottles.)

Now a comment on our local Green Guy Recycling Services drop-off site...

When we took some things there to be recycled on our way back from our little farm in the middle of the afternoon (it was too hot to work outside in the orchard, with a heat index over 105), we were surprised at the number of people using the drop-off even with the heat. At least a half dozen vehicles there were unloading their recyclables, with others coming or going. Made us proud to see you residents are that concerned about the environment, natural resources, future generations, and doing what is right. Keep up the wonderful work!

Till next week, do have a great one...

Gloria and Ollie are local rresidents concerned with the environment and helping others. Ollie is a graduate of Leadership San Marcos and they both received higher education at TxState University and worked on staff before retiring. For questions or comments, call 353-7432 or e-mail omaier@TxState.edu.

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