Meeting Notes
Northeastern Arizona Recycling Meeting
August 28, 2008, 11:00 a.m.
Hon-Dah Resort-Casino and Conference Center
Indian Pine Restaurant Meeting Area
Objective
During the June 26, 2008 recycling meeting, those in attendance decided that the August
28 meeting should focus on paper, cardboard and plastic recycling options and
opportunities.
Minutes
Maria Donaghy conducted the meeting.
Janet Quintero reported on the White Mountain Apache Tribe’s tour of the Holbrook
material recovery facility (MRF).
The Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District (PLSD) has an inventory of 95 bins for paper
and cardboard collection in the Pinetop-Lakeside/Show Low area. Collected fibers are
combined with sewage sludge in the PLSD digester to manufacture compost for
landscaping and gardening. The vast majority of these bins are on private, commercial
property and are not public drop-off locations. PLSD is seeking public, paper/cardboard
drop-off locations in Show Low. PLSD reports there is plenty of digester capacity for
additional fiber, and the organization is hoping the public becomes more aware of this
recycling opportunity.
Representatives for the White Mountain Apache Tribe reported that transportation costs
make it difficult to haul paper and cardboard to the Pinetop-Lakeside Sanitary District.
Consequently, they suggested that paper and cardboard bins located at the Hon-Dah
Resort-Casino would be useful. PLSD will evaluate this possibility.
The “reduce, reuse, recycle” concepts were discussed. Reducing the amount of
generated waste and reusing containers and products are important conservation
techniques. This may be an important education message for consumers in Northeastern
Arizona.
The status of Pinetop-Lakeside’s recycling grant was discussed. This $18,000 grant
from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will provide for the
purchase of additional recycling trailers, thus increasing the number of drop-off sites, and
limiting the amount of time in which trailer sites are vacant. Delivery of the trailers is
expected to take place within the next six months.
Attendees commented that co-located recycling collection sites would be helpful (to the
extent feasible). For instance, it was suggested that the new Pinetop-Lakeside recycling
trailers and PLSD’s paper/cardboard drop-off bins (public drop-off sites) be co-located.
Additionally, attendees felt maps of the existing recyclable material drop-off locations
would be useful (at least starting with basic newspaper, cardboard and NEARA trailer
locations). As a starting point, organizations are encouraged to provide Maria Donaghy
with updated information on their drop-off locations.
Attendees noted that many local supermarkets do accept plastic grocery bags for
recycling. Additionally, PLSD is hoping local supermarkets will consider the use of
“compostable” plastic bags.
Interest was expressed in ADEQ’s Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education
(WRITE) Grants, for educating residents and visitors on the following topics: 1)
“reduce, reuse, recycle”; 2) recycling drop-off locations; and 3) proper use of drop-off
locations (i.e. using the bins only for accepted materials). Another WRITE grant
application cycle is expected to begin in January 2009. A formal organization (such as a
municipal government) would need to apply on behalf of the committee.
It was noted that recycling programs are most successful when markets are nearby. Also,
several attendees stressed the importance of a local MRF (a local site for sorting and
bailing recyclable materials). Kenny Keith reported on a Recycling Research and
Development (RR&D) Grant awarded to Apache County by ADEQ. Apache County
will soon have a contractor selected to evaluate the opportunity for establishing a MRF in
the St. Johns area. Projects resulting from this effort may greatly assist recycling
throughout Northeastern Arizona. Kenny said he will keep participants updated on this
grant project.
Certain organizations are selling their used recycling equipment (e.g. Sedona Recycles),
including bins, trucks and used sorting lines.
From the meeting, attendees concluded that newspaper and cardboard recycling is easiest,
and can be maximized in Southern Navajo County (due to the proximity to the PLSD
digester). While a local plastics market appears to be lacking, dedicated plastics
collection programs should continue to be pursued. Due to current (and projected future)
crude oil prices, the demand for recycled plastics is likely to increase.
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Attendees identified several agenda items for future meetings:
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Tour of the PLSD digester
Name, color(s), logo and structure of the committee
Formation of subcommittees
Education via existing community Web sites
Use of the media to disseminate information
ADEQ’s WRITE Grants
Status of Apache County’s RR&D Grant project
Additional options for plastics recycling
Next Meeting
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 1:00 p.m., at the PinetopLakeside Sanitary District (PLSD) office. A tour of the PLSD digester will take place at
1:00 p.m., followed by a meeting at 2:00 p.m.
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