P.O. Box 20444 Indianapolis, IN 46220-0444 Not-For-Profit Corporation Phone & Fax: 317-283-622 e-mail address: [email protected] July/August 1997 Newsletter Co-Editors: David J. Wintz and Julie L. Rhodes

IRC Conference Highlights

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Shea Presents Interesting View of Recycling
IRC & NRC Membership Update

by Dave Wintz

Diane Shea, dubbed the "Godmother of HB 1240," delivered the keynote address at the IRC Annual Conference on April 30, 1997. Ms. Shea is currently the Associate Legislative Director for the National Association of Counties, working on environmental, energy and land-use issues. Prior to that, Shea worked as an attorney with the Indianapolis law firm Ice, Miller, Donadio and Ryan on county and environmental issues. She also has worked with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and the Association of Indiana Counties.

The main points of her talk, in no particular order or priority:

• All across the country, the influence of solid waste districts has been somewhat diluted over the last few years.

• Local government and private recycling programs complement each other in many areas of the country. However, most curbside recycling and composting programs are still run or managed by local government.

• Because of the inherent nature of the profit motive, some private haulers will only bid on curbside recycling business if they get the trash hauling business in addition. Also, private sector haulers are very sensitive to price fluctuations.

• Local government entities will always be the service provider of last resort.

• The growth of curbside recycling over the last ten years is phenomenal. No one would have predicted this growth. Recycling services are starting to become institutionalized - residents are getting used to the fact that these services are like libraries, sewers and roads.

• The new paper mills and steel mini mills are very important to the economies of many areas in America. These businesses are very important to the survival of recycling.

• Although funding mechanisms can be difficult to implement, public support is very high for recycling and composting programs.

• We may have reached the point where citizens are doing all they want to do. Asking them to do more may be asking too much.

• It's going to be hard to raise the recycling target numbers any higher than they are right now. Most states are leaving the targets alone for now.

• Some communities are eliminating materials as a way to combat poor market conditions.

• Favorable terms from contractors may be a thing of the past. Keep this in mind when designing contracts.

• There is a trend in State Legislatures to start slowing down the funding of solid waste districts. States are also slowing down the banning of materials from landfills; in fact, there is some backsliding on this issue. Because more materials are now allowed in composting facilities, states are starting to more heavily regulate them.

• There is a feeling that recycling program managers should now try hard to protect what's already in place, and not try to expand too much at this time.

• Research all contractors thoroughly! You can be left holding the bag if your contractor declares bankruptcy and leaves town. Spend a lot of quality time on contract oversight - this is at least as important as writing a good contract.

• Not-for-profit groups can play an important role in recycling and composting operations. Solid waste districts should consider this type of organization for managing operations.

• In a state like Indiana where recycling services are not yet institutionalized, districts must work on education of government officials to make recycling services a part of the mix of government services.

• We must teach people that some parts of our trash are resources, not just items destined for final disposal.

• Local governments must work on regional cooperation in order to build volume and have clout in the markets. The only long-term solution for marketing recyclables is developing a strong manufacturing sector that can use Indiana's materials. We must work on the economic development side of the equation in order to ensure recycling's viability.

• Creativity is key! The most successful programs will build strong partnerships that become invaluable to their communities.

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IRC & NRC Membership Update

A reminder to our IRC members - it's midyear already! I encourage each of you to continue your financial support of the IRC by renewing your membership. IRC members should have received renewal notices by now. For those receiving this newsletter who are not currently IRC members, please consider joining us. As we move toward the year 2000,everyone's support is needed to ensure success for recycling and source reduction in Indiana.

In addition to the annual IRC membership, you have the ability to join the National Recycling Coalition at half price! Because the IRC is an associate state member of the NRC, you gain a price break for dual membership. Join the NRC by July 31, and you will be eligible for voting in the annual election of the NRC Board of Directors. See the membership form in this newsletter for more details.