EPICURE: Expanding Plastic Incentives and Composting to Uphold Recycling Efforts LDPE Recycling Market Development in New Hampshire and Vermont
EPICURE • 2016/2017 USDA RD Solid Waste Grant • Expand markets, regulatory common ground, collection efficiency, diversion • Just over half way complete • Progress Report and Next Steps
Moving the Needle MSW
True Trash
Recycled
33%
34%
Divertible in Landfills 33%
Diverted
Landfill- Divertable
True Trash
Why LDPE • +/- 5 to 14 BILLON Pounds of LDPE is landfilled annually • 5% diversion rate; 7 % of MSW • Carbon savings of 12.5 MMTCO2E – 2.6 million cars
• 1 TRILLION plastic bags annually
What is LDPE? • • • •
Plastic #4 Variety of uses/forms LDPE & LLDPE Mostly Film
What is LDPE?
What is LDPE?
What is LDPE?
The Challenge • LDPE is highly recyclable. • But efforts to recycle it have been relatively unsuccessful for 2 decades. • Why?
The Challenge Collection Challenge
Recycling Challenge
Solutions Collection Challenge • Change MRF Technology • Divert LDPE before it gets to the MRF Sort Line
Recycling Challenge • Create redundant collection systems for CLEAN vs Dirty LDPE • Create/ Access to new DOMESTIC tech that can use “dirty” film • Clean “dirty” filmeconomics are debatable
Cleaning LDPE
• Usually must be clean • Usually must be only LDPE • Easy to mix HDPE Film
MRF Technology
• Usually must be clean • Usually must be only LDPE • Easy to mix HDPE Film
FILMGRABBER by Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions: 70% capture rate
EPICURE Strategies • 1) Divert LDPE Film from MRFs into two streams: Dirty & Clean • 2) “Clean” can ship to existing users/ technology • 3) Support new tech to use “Dirty”
Acting Locally • NH & VT population= 2 million people • 75 lbs. LDPE PPPY • NH & VT LDPE Generation= 75,000 tons annually • 7% increase in diversion – 34% to 41%
NH & VT Farms Over 200 Acres
NH & VT Major Chain Grocers
NH & VT Marinas
NH & VT Transfer Stations
“Clean” Market
• Usually must be clean • Usually must be only LDPE • Easy to mix HDPE Film
“Dirty” Market • • • •
2 Local Entities Neither is operational… Yet Both could represent disruptive technology Both have relationships with NRRA
EcoGlobal EkoMats • Caleb Rick and his team • Based out of Middlebury, VT • Produce a “rigid” LPDE plastic from film • Variety of potential uses • Currently focused on mat uses • 30% +/- Contamination
Prima America Corp • Groveton, NH • Plastics to Diesel plant • Currently stockpiling LDPE material • Not currently operational • #3 and #4
Wisconsin Free Pickup Program • Provides both Hub & Spoke and On-farm collection sites • Free program • Issues include – – – –
Convenience Cleanliness Funding Supply Assurance
Next Steps • Pilot Collection Program(s) • Ongoing support of new, local technologies • Market support for “clean” diversion, before the MRF
• Ongoing support of existing programs – NRRA Marine Shrink Program: • 14 Marinas
Next Steps • Ongoing support of existing programs – NRRA Marine Shrink Program: • 14 Marinas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sBHHKsHYI
