Sandhill Plastics got a postcard on Friday regarding the Grants Programs Available for 2011.

3 different categories:

1.  Public Education- funding to promote recycling and litter reduction awareness through educational programs and activities.

2.  Clean up- funding for cleanup activities on public spaces.

3.  Recycling- funding for equipment and programs.

If you have an application request please go to www.deq.state.ne.us

Deadline is September 15, 2010

Chicago-area plastics recycler arrested for felony dumping

Plastic recycling firm D&Y Trade, Inc., of South Elgin, Illinois, its CEO, Yu Tan Zheng, and fellow D&Y employee, An Hong, have been indicted on one felony count each for water pollution, as well as additional misdemeanor charges. South Elgin Police, in conjunction with the state Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, closed down the business on May 21st when they discovered that D&Y Trade was illegally occupying a building, following a complaint from an area resident.
Law enforcement officials observed an alleged employee of the business disposing of the contents of a large plastic drum into a nearby storm drain. Samples taken from the nearby river have tested positive for industrial cleaners toxic to fish. Defendants are scheduled to appear in court on July 9th and could face a maximum of three years in prison and a $25,000 fine for each day the violation occurred.

Cited by: Plastics Recycling Update, June 10, 2010

Some of the success stories include a healthcare organization in Omaha that donated lab equipment and supplies no longer needed to Nebraska Colleges and University participants.  This marriage was made possible by the program.  They called it Happy Labs!

Below is their link to find out more on their programs.  They have a board of directors in over 25 cities in Nebraska to contact for help in finding a place for your recycled products or to inquire if there is something in particular you need.

www.knb.org

Sandhill Plastics does manufacture 100% recycled sheets, and although we aren’t here to “SAVE THE WORLD”, we are definitely here to do our part in helping and providing recycled materials for consumers.

The growing interest does make the cost of raw materials increase and therefor prices will be adjusted to accommodate such a trend.  Most of the interest seen for recycled goods is primarily because of cost, not to save the environment.  Some companies get a kick back in government grants for using recycled content, such as plastic containers, etc.

A lot of companies or consumers have a hard time paying premium amounts for recycled goods, when they see the BRAND NEW goods, or virgin as a better deal.  Understandable, but the product is not compromised in any way and does save the Earth while using it over a virgin material.

HDPE uses less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which hopefully will score some points with those concerned about it.  Plus will keep the cost somewhat down because energy cost aren’t near as high to produce product.

In research being undertaken exclusively for the conference, we are surveying American local government recycling coordinators. Many industry executives, environmental leaders, and others, want more recycling to occur; however, only those working in the fox holes, such as governmental recycling coordinators, know firsthand how growth can occur. Results from this survey will lay out the map ahead for recycling’s future.
To find out more about the inaugural Resource Recycling conference, to be held October 26-27 at the Marriott River Center in San Antonio, go to www.rrconference.com

Cited by Plastics Recycling Update

Questions answered!

1.  We purchase the rubber from Entire Recycling in Missouri.

2.  Entire Recycling uses tires from Nebraska and Missouri.

3.  Crumb rubber is the form they sell the rubber to Sandhill Plastics, almost a sand-like form.

Ways to do so:

• At work- recycle all papers, cans, and bottles, use old paper for scrap papers if needed
• At school- recycle and educate children and teachers
• Shopping- reuse plastic bags or buy burlap ones to bring with you to put the groceries in, buy recycled materials or earth friendly products
• On the road- commute with a friend to work, ride a bike or walk when weather permits
• In the community- keep the community picked up and litter free, recycle, get involved with programs
• Educating- take part in addressing the issue so everyone can take part and help the Earth

Make sure you share your ideas with others and get the word out…

Here are some of the ways to share:

Facebook, Twitter, Emails, Phone call or Texts, Photos, Involve your Kids and Co-workers

http://www.epa.gov/pick5/

Do more to protect the environment by choosing at least five actions (below) you’ll commit to. Pick 5 also helps you identify more actions you can take in the future. 

Cited from the following at EPA: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/home.htm#recycle

Practice the three R’s: first reduce how much you use, then reuse what you can, and then recycle the rest. Then, dispose of what’s left in the most environmentally friendly way. Read the tips below and explore the Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste.

• Reduce:
  • Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
  • Buy and use only what you need.
  • Buy products with less packaging.
  • Buy products that use less toxic chemicals.
• Reuse:
  • Repair items as much as possible.
  • Use durable coffee mugs.
  • Use cloth napkins or towels.
  • Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
  • Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
  • Reuse boxes.
  • Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
  • Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
  • Donate extras to people you know or to charity instead of throwing them away.
• Recycle:
  • Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. If your community doesn’t collect at the curb, take them to a collection center.
  • Recycle electronics.
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