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A Word About Recycling with Ollie Maier

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Last week, we wrote a little about California’s recycling program (CalRecycle) updating its standard for recycling electronics. Its R2v3 replaced the R2:2013 Standard. We also spoke a little on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the recycling industry.

We found officials stated the crisis has reduced the amount of electronic waste entering the system. This has driven down prices for metals, and further limited export options. (Even with this being the case, please don’t stop recycling your outdated or no longer needed electronic items.)

Today, from the same Resource Recycling newsletter, we’ll go across the nation to the electronics recycling program in Philadelphia. There, city officials selected a company to collect electronic items for the porches of homes. The company, now called Retrievr, was formerly called Curb My Clutter. (Both names kind of catchy?)

The company collects a wide range of small electron items for free, but charges for CRT TVs and monitors plus certain electronically controlled appliances. With it also taking clothing, it reduces that city’s waste stream by about 10 percent. It serves 1.2 million households in the area.

One of the benefits of the doorstep pickup program during this coronavirus pandemic is there is no face-to-face contact required. Another good thing about the company is that it is now working “… to get reusable electronics collected by Retrievr into the hands of people who would otherwise be unable to afford them.”

Not part of the program, but a nice touch included with the article: The CEO and his wife donated $5 million to help the Philadelphia School District buy Chromebooks for students. This was so they could study from home during the school closures.

(However, many other households in the area are also in need of computers… thus, one of the reasons Retrievr is making rebuilt ones available at as low a price as possible.)

Change of subject but still having some involvement with the COVID-19, another Resource Recycling newsletter had the title: “Recycling policy is back [in the news] after COVID-19 hiatus.” There we find elected officials are again talking about recycling. They are discussing possible new (hopefully helpful) laws concerning recycling.

For example, at the Federal level, while lawmakers noted that recycling is typically regulated at the state level, an effort is building for a more unified approach nationwide. For those involved in recycling and using recycled material across the states, it would be helpful there was better standardization of laws. Laws concerning what can be collected, how it is transported across state lines, and how the material is used to make products, etc.

As a spokesperson stated, “One of its goals will be to ‘develop innovative digital solutions that connect domestic recycling facilities with manufacturers to enhance recycling markets and increase the use of recycled materials in new products.’”

And as a senator explained, “There is a consensus that the federal government can play a greater role in facilitating recycling but the details of what that role should be are subject, as you know, to debate.” (That’s how our government works... when they are working.)

Next week, we will cover a little of what some states are doing/considering in new laws to do with recycling after the time-out for the virus. Till then, have a great week.

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666