Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality November 2013

State of Recycang

in Arkansas (ThCe of iivo facilities

During the last five years, the recycling rate has generally cycled up one year and down the

next — a Yo-Yo effect. This year's rate was down, at least on paper. The recycling rate was 35.02

percent, down from 40.62 percent in the 2012 report, but still above the 31.36 percent given in

the 2011 report.

But there's more to the story than the numbers. Only certain recycling facilities — run mainly by

municipalities — are required to submit recycling amounts. Many that recycle the largest

amounts — such as for-profit recycling or other businesses — volunteer the information on a

calendar year basis. Although one would think a decrease in recycling would mean an increase

in material sent to landfills, that is not necessarily the case. The amount of material sent to

landfills actually decreased this year.

A look at one category of material — plastics — in the chart on page 5 provides an example of

the difference facility reporting can make in the recycling rate for the year. As a whole, the

amount of plastic reported as recycled increased by 54,552 tons (121%) this year. One subcate-

gory is poly pipe, made from low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is used for irrigating agri-

cultural fields. The amount of poly pipe recycled this reporting year increased by 67,351 tons

(336%). This substantial increase is largely attributed to one company that accounts for 99% of

the poly pipe reported as recycled.

On the other hand, LDPE is used to make other items such as plastic bags and stretch wrap, and

is reported separately from poly pipe. The numbers for this

material provide a different view of voluntary reporting. Many

facilities that reported recycling LDPE in calendar year 2011 saw

an increase in calendar year 2012. Additionally, thirteen facili-

ties that had not reported LOPE in 2011 reported recycling the

material in 2012. Unfortunately 17 facilities that reported

recycling LDPE in 2011 did not in 2012. This included two

out of three facilities that accounted for 88% of the total

reported in 2011, hence the amount of LDPE that was

reported as recycled in 2012 decreased.

So you can see, reporting plays a significant role in the

recycling rate calculation. It's important to consider the

examples provided when looking at fluctuations in the

rate from year to year. As more and more recyclers re-

port their results consistently, Arkansans will get a

better picture of recycling in our state.

Private industry provides recycling amounts based on a calendar year while public programs report on fiscal year.

Inside This Issue

Recycling Grants

Program Update 2

Grant Statistics 2

2012 Grant Round Summary 3

Recycling Pipe Dream? 4

Nonprofits Recycle 4

Materials Recycled 2013 5

Electronics Recycling

Grant Programs 6

rant Statistics (Fiscal years)

Competitive Grants 1991-1993

Disbursed: $6,806,571

Recipients: 75

Projects: 93

Entitlement Grants 1994-2003

Disbursed: $25,969,728

Recipients: 198

Projects: 997

Entitlement Grants 2004-2012

Disbursed: $33,039,710.57

Recipients: 203

Projects: 1213

Grant Program Total 1991-2012

Disbursed: $65,816,009.57

Projects: 2303

($3,523,048 was disbursed in

the 2013 Distribution Program

in August 2013.)

RecycCing Grants Program Update The Solid Waste Management and

Recycling Fund was established in

1989 and is supported by fees paid

on solid waste generated in the

state. Since 1991, portions of this

fund have been distributed to cities,

counties, regional solid waste man-

agement districts (RSWMDs) and

other eligible entities through the

Arkansas Recycling Grants Program.

Begun as a competitive grant pro-

gram, it was turned into an entitle-

ment grant program by Act 1030 of

1993. Nearly $4 million was awarded

to 131 projects in the 2012 grant

round (disbursed in fiscal year 2013).

The Recycling Grants Program

helped develop and enhance recy-

cling programs in the state by

providing funds for constructing fa-

cilities, purchasing equipment,

providing educational materials, and

other activities. While details of the

program changed over the years, the

basic requirements and funding for-

mula did not.

Beginning in 1994, the grant process

included these steps:

1. Eligible entities submitted re-

quests for funding and applica-

tions to their RSWMD.

2. RSWMD Boards prioritized pro-

jects and submitted applications

to the Arkansas Department of

Environmental Quality.

3. ADEQ staff reviewed the appli-

cations and approved those

meeting program requirements.

4. ADEQ disbursed funds for ap-

proved grants to the RSWMD,

which distributed them to the

grantee.

5. Grantees reported expenditures

to the RSWMDs, who reported

them to ADEQ.

6. ADEQ tracked expenditures and

progress.

After distributing more than $58

million to recycling projects and pro-

grams throughout the state over the

last 19 years, the Arkansas Recycling

Grants Program is ending. Act 1333

of 2013 changed the grants program

into a distribution program.

The distribution program receives

funds from the same source, and the

funds are allocated using the same

formula. RSWMD Boards still deter-

mine allocation of funds within the

district. However, ADEQ no longer

receives paperwork explaining plans

for the funds and detailing expendi-

tures. Therefore, the only infor-

mation ADEQ will be able to provide

about funds disbursed in fiscal year

2014 or later is the amount distribut-

ed to each district. Information

about the use of these funds will be

available from individual districts.

The last 19 years saw the establishment

and growth of recycling infrastructure

in the state, providing a multitude of

benefits. RSWMDs will have the oppor-

tunity to continue this growth through

the distribution program.

2012 grant Round: Summary (Fiscal- year 2013, _Tut}/ 1, 2012-June 30, 2013)

RSWMD

(NUMBER OF

COUNTIES)

DISTRICT

POPULATION

(2010 CENSUS)

NUMBER

OF GRANT

PROJECTS

TOTAL COST OF

PROJECTS

GRANT AMOUNT

RECEIVED

GRANT AMOUNT

REMAINING

MATERIAL

COLLECTED

(TONS)*

REVENUE

FROM SALE OF

MATERIALS*

Benton County (1) 221,339 10 $963,835.17 $245,769.00 $120,943.78 9,724.01 $653,716.03

Boston Mountain (2) 218,782 10 $514,733.00 $242,929.00 $228,735.98 11,800.01 $698,840.80

Central Arkansas (3) 85,220 6 $172,183 $88,829.00 $88,829.00 242.96 $17,072.90

Craighead County (1) 96,443 5 $154,561.01 $127,107.00 $87,848.92 2,190.68 $52,566.48

East Arkansas (6) 153,794 8 $532,909.01 $202,692.00 $176,596.00 3,563.22 $202,286.91

Faulkner County (1) 113,237 2 $140,000.00 $118,033.00 $58,271.89 6,134.87 $141,387.62

Mississippi County (1) 46,480 6 $86,883.00 $61,258.00 $24,667.30 1,276.49 $6,000.00

Northeast Arkansas 93,557 3 $193,942.00 $123,303.00 $72,541.01 224.00 $6,649.00 (4)

Ozark Mountain (6) 139,040 10 $627,143.00 $154,386.00 $71,560.48 5,859.80 $311,977.90

Pulaski County (1) 382,748 5 $535,959.00 $398,959.00 $131,339.09 65,235.98 $933,214.48

Saline County (1) 107,118 5 $223,600.00 $111,655.00 $20,415.08 1,547.97 $56,130.64

Sebastian County (1) 125,744 4 $302,943.00 $205,794.00 $176,273.07 11,425.99 $337,353.35

Southeast Arkansas

(10) 213,808 15 $740,004.57 $394,101.00 $184,193.59 10,418.94 $389,263.61

Southwest Arkansas

(6) 149,257 8 $264,108.12 $261,159.00 $205,622.33 44,912.35 $329,135.01

Southwest Central (3) 151,942 2 $287,812.00 $223,774.00 $121,073.11 21,398.59 $998,567.97

Upper Southwest (9) 124,709 7 $1,866,867.92 $210,115.00 $74,448.59 4,261.13 $413,929.57

West River Valley (9) 254,856 4 $1,196,020.00 $393,964.00 $121,353.58 8,345.26 $604,183.68

White River (10) 237,844 21 $477,017.17 $410,481.00 $270,003.28 23,047.68 $592,309.85

Total for State (75) 2,915,918 131 $9,280,520.97 $3,974,308.00 $2,234,716.08 231,604.13 $6,744, '-)8S. fit)

*Tonnage and revenue figures are for all facilities that

have received grants, not just those that received grants in

the 2012 grant round.

RecycCing Tiye Dream? What makes a recycling program suc-

cessful? Is it the volume of material

recycled, a low cost of operation, or

the number of jobs created? What

about a program that has all these

things? Is it a pipe dream? Not for

more than 24 organizations scattered

throughout Arkansas.

Nonprofit organizations provide recy-

cling opportunities in 33 counties, or

44 percent of the state. The groups

create jobs, train workers and offer

low-cost recycling programs. In some

counties, these nonprofits partner with trr:

government entities to offer the sole

opportunity for citizens to recycle.

There is no argument that nonprofits

help drive community recycling in

Arkansas. Frequently offering services

where none can be found, these enti-

ties provide work for Arkansans and a

service to their cities and counties.

Developmental centers, human devel-

opment centers and organizations

such as Easter Seals, Goodwill Indus-

tries and Abilities Unlimited are help-

ing to boost the power of recycling in

Arkansas.

One of the oldest nonprofit recycling

programs, Abilities Unlimited of Mag-

nolia, started its recycling program in

April 1980 and has expanded numer-

ous times — most recently moving into

a 21,000 square foot facility. Not only

does the program recycle electronic

waste, paper products and plastics,

but also recycled its newest building.

Housed in the former Columbia Sew-

ing building, the new/reused facility

allows materials to be stored inside

until marketed. Its former location

will be used as a furniture refurbish-

ing and resale store. With 44 full-time

employees, the center recycled more

r.

than 550 tons of material in FY 2013.

While these nonprofits provide tradi-

tional recycling, many also draw work

from area industry to give individuals

more employment and earning oppor-

tunities. Labor intensive tasks such as

preparing information packages for

state agencies, document shredding,

reupholstering furniture, creating shoe

inserts from scrap leather and other

such jobs generate work for eager indi-

viduals, improving their lives and

providing affordable assistance to in-

dustries and government agencies.

The use of nonprofit organizations to

operate recycling programs is neither

unique to Arkansas nor a new con-

cept. Throughout the nation, leaders

have found the value in these partner-

ships to provide honest working wag-

es to an eager labor force. As leaders

consider the economics of recycling,

they cannot overlook the value of

:Nimprofits That Provide Recycling Opportunities

Abilities Unlimited Crawford County

Abilities Unlimited Magnolia

Abilities Unlimited of Jonesboro

Action Services

Arkadelphia Human Development Ctr

Ashley County Skilled Work Center

Baxter Day Service Center

Bella Vista AARP

Boone County Special Services

Booneville Human Development Center

Conway County Community Center

Cross County Special Workshop

Easter Seals Arkansas

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas

Howard County Children's Center

Jonesboro Human Development Center

MARVA Workshop Inc.

Nevada County Recycling & Work Ctr

Ouachita Industries Inc.

Polk County Development Center

Rainbow of Challenges

Southeast AR Human Development Ctr

South Montgomery Cnty Development

Stepping Stone

~vl aterials Recycled

itiateriaC Batteries

Electronic Waste

Glass

Household Hazardous Waste

Metals

'Weight in tons 8,393

3,917

3,513

914

1,246,734

Aluminum Cans/Non-ferrous—Aluminum, Brass, Copper 57,568

Ferrous—Steel and Iron 1,025,854

White Goods (Ferrous) 125,890

Other (combined metals, steel slag, mixed metals, etc.) 37,422

Oil (Motor, Cooking) 61,450

Paper 189,078

Cardboard 123,929

Magazines/Mixed 24,929

Newsprint 11,957

Sorted Office Paper 13,464

Sorted White Ledger 935

Other (rolls of paper, consumer board, paper board, etc.) 13,864

Plastic 99,694

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) 3,486

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) 3,673

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) 1,674

Poly Pipe (Low Density Polyethylene) 87,397

Other (poly logs, electronics plastics, chemical jugs, barrels, etc.) 3,464

Textiles & Leather 4,427

Tires & Rubber 10,915

Yard Wastes 214,772

Total- 1,843,807

Arkansas also reclaimed 133,303 tons of road material; 104,319 tons of asphalt; 19,950 tons of shingles; 38,812 tons of tire-derived

fuel; and 349,784 tons of wood waste for fuel which was not included in the above totals.

Landfilled = 3,421,046 (during the calendar year)

Recycled = 1,843,807 (as reported in the respective 12-month

reporting periods for public and private entities)

Total Waste Stream = 5,264,853

Recycling Rate = Recycled/Waste Stream*100 =

35.07%

ddl

Electronics Recycling Grant Programs The Arkansas Recycling Grants Program is the oldest and most inclusive grants program

dealing with recycling administered by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

However, the department also manages two grant programs dealing with recycling of a spe-

cific, fast growing category of waste — unwanted electronics.

The first of these is the Computer and Electronic Equipment Recycling Grants Program (aka

"E-Waste Grants Program"). The E-Waste Grants Program is a competitive grant program

open to private industry, nonprofit organizations, and educational facilities as well as state

and local government agencies. Funds for this grant program are generated by the sale of

electronic equipment no longer needed by state agencies and must be used for recovery,

recycling and/or demanufacturing of scrap computers and electronics.

Applications are accepted from July to September of each year, and funds are disbursed in

December. Six grants were funded in 2012 disbursing $243,184.89. Applications for the 2013

grant round are currently in the review/ approval process.

The second grants program dealing with the recycling of unwanted electronics is the Arkansas

Computer and Electronic Waste Recycling Grants Program. Funds for this program come from

fees on waste generated in the state which are collected when the Landfill Post-Closure Trust

Fund reaches its cap of $25 million and are no longer collected when the trust fund total falls

below $15 million.

The Arkansas Computer and Electronic Waste Recycling Grants Program is an entitlement

grant program similar to the Arkansas Recycling Grants Program. However, eligible projects

are limited to those that help increase or improve recycling of unwanted electronic equipment

in the state. In addition, this grant program provides no funding for administrative functions.

In calendar year 2013, the ADEQ approved 95 grants distributing $2.5 million through the

eighteen regional solid waste management districts.

Arkansas 'Department of EnvironMentaf Quality

5301 Northshore Drive

North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317

www.adeq.state.ar.us

Director Teresa Marks

Chief Deputy Director Karen Bassett

Solid Waste Management

Division Chief Benjamin T. Jones

opment Branch Manager Robert Hunter

ADEQ ARKANSAS Department of Environmental Quality

Recycling/Market Devel-