Diapers, and Hangers and Bolts…OH MY!

A Brief Overview of CONTAMINANTS: (AKA: What NOT to put in with your recycling!)

 Now that American's single stream recycling processing facility, The American Recycling Center, is up and running, we thought it was a good time to thank our customers for all the recyclables they collect! We also thought is was fitting to remind everyone what should NOT be put in your recycling bin. We call these items CONTAMINANTS.

 

Contaminants are defined as items that de-value other single stream recyclables and/or destroy the machinery used at The American Recycling Center. Some of these items are recyclable elsewhere, and some must ALWAYS be disposed of as TRASH.

Please do NOT toss these items into your recycling bin:

WHAT: Plastic Bags & Films

• Grocery bags
•  Bread bags
• Plastic shrink wrap packaging (such as the wrap on water bottle or bulk paper towel packs)
• Plastic wrap
• Collection bags (can liners)*

*Although collection bags are handy, we strongly prefer that our customers collect recyclables LOOSE in the bin, cart, or dumpster when possible.   

 

WHY: Plastic bags and films wrap around the large rotating gears in the recycling sorting machinery, causing the entire American Recycling Center to shut down until they are removed!

  

HOW TO RECYCLE: Bag drop-off locations can be found at any neighborhood grocery store, Walmart of Target. Plastic bags and all types of films mentioned above can be recycled, but they must be separated from other single stream recyclables. They must go to another type of recycling facility made specifically for recycling plastic bags and films into high quality decking and benches! 

 

*Good rule of thumb: If you can push your finger through it and it changes shape or pokes a hole, it is a FILM.

 

WHAT: Diapers  
(Believe it or not, we HAVE seen them at our facility!)

 

WHY: Diapers (dirty OR clean) are NOT Recyclable! It is impossible to reclaim the paper used to make them. Additionally, any personal hygiene product soiled in human fluids pose a health risk to our employees.

  

HOW TO RECYCLE: Currently, there are no technologies available to recycle the paper and plastic used to make disposable diapers. Although there are compostable diapers available, for a slightly higher cost. And of course, the old fashioned cloth diapers are always an option, although most people find washing them while raising an infant to be too much trouble. Either way, disposable diapers remain TRASH.  Please do NOT put these contaminants into your recycling bin.

 

WHAT: Nuts, Bolts, Hangers (Small Scrap Metals)

 

WHY: Nuts, bolts and wire hangers jam and wrap around the sorting equipment used in our facility. The sorting machinery has a lot of spinning rotors. A bolt or hanger jamming any of these rotors  can permanently damage the equipment. It can cause the facility to shut down and in some cases even cause a fire. 

  

HOW TO RECYCLE: While we ask you to please keep all scrap metal OUT of your recycling bin, scrap metal is a valuable recyclable! We encourage you to set your scrap metal materials (nuts, bolts, hangers etc.) aside and take an occasional trip to a local metal recycler/scrap yard (you'll be paid for these items!). Earth911 provides a great directory of scrap yard facilities in your area.

 

WHAT: Chains & Cables

• Holiday Lights
• Wires
• Metal Chains
• Plastic/Wire Cables

 

WHY: Much like plastic bags and films, chains and cables wrap around the rotating gears and sorting equipment, damaging the machinery and causing the American Recycling Center to shut down.

  

HOW TO RECYCLE: Many of your local home improvement stores have collection programs for these items, and trade back programs for holiday lights. Check with your local Lowes or Home Depot and ask for the details.   

The Greenest Trucks on the Road: New Year, New (enviromentally friendly) Trucks!

 

Say 'Hello' to The Greenest Trucks on the Road!

 

As we near the completion of our single stream recycling processing facility, The American Recycling Center, American is proud to announce that we’ve added two brand new clean and green, waste and recycling trucks to our fleet!

Why so clean and green you ask? Because they run on clean, natural gas!

 

But the news of these new trucks is even more exciting because they are the FIRST waste collection vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the entire Northern Virginia area!

That’s right, American is making history!

 

We are also proud to do our small part to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and support America’s energy independence by choosing this healthier, sustainable, American resource.

 

But these two beauties are just the beginning! AmericanDisposal Services has made the decision to replace every diesel powered collection truck in their fleet with its natural gas counterpart.  And we aren’t wasting any time-three more CNG trucks will be added by the end of the month!

    
We are dedicated to an entire fleet fueled ONLY on natural gas. So dedicated in fact, that we promise NO future diesel collection trucks will be purchased from here on out.

The perks of natural gas go far beyond the environment. Not only do these clean, green trucks emit significantly less greenhouse gas and cancer causing emissions than those powered by diesel, they will not release any dangerous diesel fumes for drivers and members of the community to breathe. Plus they are quieter running, which is nice (especially in the morning).

American is excited and proud to lead the way on green initiatives throughout Northern Virginia and do our part to help America by servicing you with the 'Greenest Trucks on the Road'!

 

 

 From our family to yours, Thanks for reading.

 

 

UN-Trimming the Tree at American

Here at American Disposal, we are always looking for new ways to reach out and support our local community, so during the holiday season we do all we can to help those in need....

 

The Un-Trim-A-Tree Gift Program is American’s newest holiday tradition.

The program is hosted by the Volunteer Prince William organization to help bring a brighter holiday season to children and seniors in the community. Although American is active in community outreach in all the counties we service, our headquarters and offices are located in Manassas, and we wanted to reach out to our own neighbors in need, right here in Prince William County. 

Participants of the program are asked to “adopt” local children in need and provide two gifts per child. Senior gift bags are also requested; these include items such as gloves, scarves, games and holiday treats.

The program is simple. We decorate our tree with festive slips. Each slip has a gift or gifts printed on it. The gifts are items taken from wish lists, created by local children, families and seniors listing what they want (or need) for Christmas.

 

American employees pick the gifts they are going to donate then pull the slip off the tree. When they return with the unwrapped gift (or gifts, many of us choose to bring in more), the slip is returned to the tree along with a “Donated By” slip, placed on top, with the employee’s name.

 

We literally UN-trim the tree and replace it with unwrapped gifts to be dropped off with Volunteer Prince William, where they are wrapped and distributed to the community.

  

This year, just like every other year we have taken part in the Un-Trim a Tree program, we are proud to say that the American Disposal family bought every item from our tree, and then some!

 

In the spirit of giving, we wanted to share this treasured tradition with our customers and blog readers and perhaps inspire you to start your own Un-Trim a Tree program.  

All local businesses, churches, clubs etc. are welcome to participate, so if your organization is looking to spread some holiday cheer, join us in this charitable tradition to ensure that local children awaken to gifts and seniors enjoy a merry holiday season. For more information visit volunteerprincewilliam.org.

 

 

  From our family to yours,

  Happy Holidays!  

American....Behind the (Green) Scenes

Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes here at American?.......

If so, you have come to the right place! American is a family and this blog is our way of sharing our family with yours.

Don't get me wrong-we love to tell you about our community events and educate you on all things recycling and disposal...but what about us?

That's right: me, my associates in the office, the drivers, the helpers, our managers and supervisors, outgoing salesmen and women; all of our committed employees that make up the ADS family. Letting you get to know us is one of the most important reasons we started The Green Scene, after all.

Well, today's blog lets you read the November issue of our internal monthly news letter, the Daily Dumpster.

For over 5 years American has been writing and designing this vibrant publication for all our employees. It covers recent events (both in the office and in the community), as well as safety tips, anniversaries, employee of the month articles and much more.

Printed and digital copies are available to all of us, and now, by clicking the link below, the digital copy is available to you to you too!

The Daily Dumpster-November 2013

We truly hope it lets you see the American family through our own eyes.


From our family to yours, thanks for reading!

6th (1/2!) Annual Customer Appreciation Classic Golf Tournament

 If at first you don’t succeed…..GOLF, GOLF again!

 

…at least that was the mantra of golfers in American’s 6 (1/2!) Annual Customer Appreciation Classic Golf Tournament.

 

A little rain never hurt anyone right? Well if you were playing in American’s 6^th annual Customer Appreciation Classic Golf Tournament, you might disagree (at least when it comes to hurting your golf game!).

American has been hosting our Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament for the last six years to raise money for charity, and celebrate our valued customers. This year, American Disposal held its tournament at the Country Club of Fairfax, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

 

 

The original tournament was held on October 7th, but it didn’t take long for the tropical storm that was making its way up the coast to find us teeing off.

Though we braced for the weather; both American Disposal Services and the golf course thought we could still hold the tournament without the storms interfering…however we were proven wrong (and moreover) powerless by Mother Nature and the storms. 

District Sales Manager, Robyn Harter makes rainproof use of one of our recycling box liner bags



 

After playing just two holes, our golfers experienced torrential rain and blustering winds. Tournament coordinators and the staff at the Country Club of Fairfax were forced to call the game on account of the weather.

But you can’t keep American and our customers down! With so much golf left to play, we jumped at the opportunity to hold a make-up date for the tournament!

 

On October 28th, over 90% of the golfers who had come to the original game, returned for a beautiful day (perfect golf weather, filled with sunshine) to play in the 6 (and a half!) Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament. 

Denise Swinsky shows off her acrobatic skills



It was a true testament to the relationship American Disposal has with our customers and sponsors that most of our attendees came back and joined us for the make-up date.

 

Fun was had by all as we golfed, enjoyed some games, enjoyed the company, and after a long day; relaxed together for a delicious dinner in the lovely Country Club of Fairfax’s banquet room.

 

Although our raffle prizes were announced at the initial (rather soggy) tournament, we were still able to award prizes to our longest drive and closest to the pin winners, as well as winners of the tournament itself.

At the end of the day we were all dry and happy; and American is proud to announce that together we raised $1,857.00 for the American Cancer Society!

We want to take one more opportunity to thank all our sponsors and customers for making this event possible by being such great sports and such wonderful company in both rain AND shine….until next year!

 

A Brief History of Recycling

 

For those of you who think recycling is something that just came about within the last few decades, think again!

 

Check out our Brief History of Recycling....

Ancient Recycling:
The first recorded use of recycled paper was in 9^th century Japan . Ancient Japanese people began recycling paper almost as soon as they learned how to produce it and recycling became part of paper production and consumption.  Japanese culture generally treats recycled paper as being more precious than new and the recycled paper was often used in paintings and poetry. In the 12 century, a case was recorded of an emperor’s wife: after the emperor died, she recycled all the poems and letters she received from him and wrote a sutra on the recycled paper to wish peace upon his soul.

US Recycling Start:
 Finally, in 1690, recycling reaches the New World. The Rittenhouse Mill in Philadelphia opens and begins recycling linen and cotton rags. The paper produced from these materials was sold to printers for use in Bibles and newspapers. 

 

World War II

World War II sees massive, universal collection campaigns for tin, rubber, steel, paper and more. More than 400,000 volunteer in the effort and tens of thousands of tons of material are recycled in order to save money for the war efforts. This was a national campaign. Posters and newsreels detailing the materials needed (and why) are abounding.  All Americans were on board, and most were excited to help aid the troops by conserving and recycling.

 

 

1960’s

• The first curbside collections of yard waste, metals, and paper start popping up around the county. Separate waste streams collected at the curb become common place.

 

 

1970’s

• Greater emphasis on green movements through government backed initiatives generates public awareness of conservation efforts.
• Concept of the flower child emerges. Earth Day is celebrated for the first time on April 22, 1970. 
• The ‘chasing arrows’ recycling symbol is created by a Southern California architecture student who was trying to win a contest. He has been quoted to say that he never could have imagined the logo he designed would be so widely recognized.
• The first curbside-recycling bin “The Tree Saver” is used in Missouri for the collection of paper in 1974.
• In 1976, Massachusetts secures the first ever EPA recycling grants. With the grant money, they implement weekly multi-material curbside collection programs in two cities and use the first ever residential recycling truck. It costs $20,000.
• By the end of the decade approximately 220 curbside collection programs are under way in the US, about which 60 are multi-material collection

 

1980’s

• In 1987, The Mobro 4000 (nicknamed “The Garbage Barge”) spends months on the ocean, searching for a location to dispose of its garbage cargo. This saga was widely covered in the media and has been credited with awakening Americans in regard to solid waste and the importance of recycling.
• In that same year, New Jersey enacts the nation’s first universal mandatory recycling law, which requires all residents to separate recyclables from their trash.
• By 1985 America is at 10% nationwide recycling participation

 1990’s

• The first ever-statewide ban on landfilling recyclable materials goes into effect, in Wisconsin in 1993. The ban initially prohibits yard wastes in landfills. Later, in 1995, other items (such as tires, aluminum containers, corrugated paper, foam polystyrene, plastic containers and newspapers) are banned as well.

•  By 1995 America is at 20% nationwide recycling participation; double what it had been 10 years ago in 1985 and only 3 years later, in 1998, it tops 30%.

 

2000-Today

• In the early 2000s, organic waste collection at the curb begins on the West Coast (San Francisco)
• Currently, goal setting for ambitious West Coast cities reaches up to 80% recycling participation in some areas
• In 2011, lawmakers in California adopt a goal to get the state’s recycling rate to 75% by 2020.
• In 2012, McDonalds finally replace their Styrofoam cups with paper ones.

 
•  In 2011, the state of California had set the goal for 75% by 2020. Only one year later, in 2012, San Francisco announces it has achieved an 80% diversion rate for it’s waste....This puts San Francisco 8 years ahead of schedule on that goal, and with 5% MORE waste diverted!

 

Although this is a condensed list, you can see how far the recycling process has come and it is only becoming MORE accessible and widespread as time goes on!

Imagine where we could be in 10 years if we all just Think Before We Throw!

 

 

 

 

 

Waste Audits

What's in an Average Waste and Recycling Container?

The Good, the Bad and the 'WHAT'?!

 

Background:

Earlier this summer, several American Disposal employees were asked to conduct a comprehensive waste and recycling audit for one of our commercial customers. Needless to say, American Disposal was up for the challenge and excited to see the results!

But wait… ‘What is a waste and recycling audit and how does a work?’, you might ask.

A waste audit is a comprehensive analysis of the trash or recycling that is ACTUALLY being collected in a particular dumpster.

 

First, the trash (or recycling) dumpster is emptied out and our dedicated ADS employees carefully sift through all the contents… by hand. (This is certainly a job for gloves!)

During this enlightening (albeit messy) survey process, we sort the content into piles based on material type: recyclable items vs. non-recyclable (waste only) items.

 

It is becoming more common for our customers to request these audit services. Offices, in particular, are eager to know exactly what is being disposed of in both their waste and recycling containers. Influences from both government legislation and building operating standards have become sustainably-minded over the past decade, and proper recycling is the first and most important step for a business to achieve and maintain sustainability or to seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

The Recycling Audit:

In order to conduct the audit, the customer's large 8-yard trash dumpster and smaller 2-yard recycling dumpster were removed from the site and brought to our facility with the contents still inside.

The recycling dumpster was dumped on to the open floor. Three ADS employees carefully sifted through the contents of the dumpster and separated it into a series of carts based on material type.

The materials found within were reported as follows:

55% by volume-plastic

30% by volume-paper

10% by volume-mixed metals

(aluminum, steel)

5% by volume-contamination

(mostly plastic bags/films & Styrofoam)

None of these findings were too shocking as ADS anticipated the bulk of the recyclable material used in an office building would be comprised of plastic containers and white paper.

The Waste Audit:

Then our employees went on to sort through the 8 yard trash collection dumpster; the results of THIS survey proved to be quite shocking indeed!

 

Just as with the recycling portion of the audit, ADS employees sorted the contents of multiple bags of trash.

When they were finished, the audit revealed that 60% of the material thrown into the waste dumpster was recyclable!....Yet being disposed of as trash! What a waste!.....Literally! (see below)

Unfortunately, the findings of this audit are common to many office buildings across our area.

Once a recyclable is tossed in with the trash it will NEVER have the opportunity to regenerate new products or save energy and resources: it will instead be doomed for eternity in a landfill or incinerator.

 The Take-Away:

It is clear that TOO MANY recyclables are being thrown away as trash and collected as waste. We hope audits like this one will shed light on the problem and give our customers (and the community) the information they need to understand that we ALL can help.

Simply by taking a moment to Think Before You Throw we can ensure that all recyclable items end up in the correct dumpster so they can be converted into new products and help keep our environment clean, green and sustainable!