A Quarterly Newsletter Of The City of Irvine (949) 724-7669

Waste Management of Orange County (949) 642-1191 ® Winter 2005 WANTED FOR RECYCLING: How about All Plastic Bottles! that? For every seven trucks needed to It’s not a “numbers game” anymore deliver paper grocery bags to the store, only one truck is needed to carry the The main goal of any recycling program off program. Collecting “all plastic bot- same number of plastic grocery bags! is to maximize public participation, tles” helps us achieve higher recovery Remember to recycle your plastic increase amounts of post-consumer mate- rates for plastic bottles and reduce grocery bags! For a list of local gro- rials recycled, and minimize contamina- unwanted contaminants in our program at cery stores and other outlets that accept tion. An “all plastic bottle” collection the same time. plastic bags for recycling, visit program, like the one here in Irvine, helps While #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) www.plasticbagrecycling.org on the achieve that goal and makes it easier for plastic bottles are still in the highest web. consumers to recycle their plastic bottles. demand by manufacturers, accepting all Irvine residents don’t have to examine plastic bottles enables our program to those bottles anymore to make sure they recover higher volumes of PET and the pantry, your family room, or the car. have a #1 or #2 on them before tossing HDPE type plastics. Since 95 percent of So whether you have weekly curb- them into their recycling carts. all plastic bottles produced are PET and side waste and recycling service at your Consumers want to recycle their HDPE, it is reasonable to assume that the home or you live in a condominium or plastics, but the resin identification codes more bottles we collect overall, the larger apartment complex that has central bins, can be confusing. In some cases, the the percentage collected will be PET and don’t worry about the numbers—Irvine number code is difficult to locate on a HDPE. Plus, there are many new highly Recycles wants all of your plastic bottles bottle. In addition, the resin code is on recyclable plastic bottles that are used in for recycling! For more information about wide-mouth containers and some films, the home and on the go, so we’ll collect plastics recycling, visit the American prompting consumers to ask why these those too. Many of these bottles can be Plastics Council website at www.plastics aren’t recycled in their curbside or drop- collected from the bath, under the sink, resource.com. I wonder what they do with my recycled bottles? A deck, a bench, or even railroad ties able life of plastic lumber is anywhere lumber available. The base product is made out of plastic? Why not just use from 15-20 years in underwater marine made of 100 percent recycled High- wood? A brief look at what plastic lum- applications and well over 50 years in Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is ber has to offer illustrates the tremendous construction applications, such as decks used to make shampoo and detergent bot- advantages of plastic lumber. for houses. The real edge plastic lumber tles, as well as milk jugs. Some plastic Plastic lumber, made of recycled has over traditional hardwood is that lumber is made entirely of HDPE, which plastic, is a high-quality product that is homeowners may never have to maintain comes in a variety of molded-in colors. both an environmentally friendly and eco- or replace a deck again, while railroad Other types of plastic lumber use com- nomically viable alternative to traditional engineers can drastically reduce their posites, which consist of recycled HDPE hardwood lumber, which is often injected maintenance costs by using plastic lum- mixed with wood fibers, rubber, fiber- with chemicals to ward off insect attacks. ber rail ties. Municipalities can also sub- glass, or other plastics. Plastic lumber, on the other hand, con- stantially reduce their costs by installing Industry, government and consumers tains no hazardous chemicals and cannot and building plastic lumber-based park are finding plastic lumber to be a worry- leak or contaminate the soil. Additionally, benches, trash receptacles and board- free, long-lasting alternative to traditional plastic lumber doesn’t contribute to walks that will last decades, instead of a hardwood, a superior product and an deforestation. few years. ideal substitute that also benefits the envi- Engineers estimate that the work- There are different types of plastic ronment.

Close the Loop: Buy Recycled Plastic Products! Congratulations to Irvine’s Waste Recycling wouldn’t be complete if plastic bottles weren’t turned into end products. Reduction Awards Program win- Plastic lumber is just one of the 1,400 products made with or packaged in recycled ners for 2004: 3M ESPE Dental plastics. You can close the loop by purchasing some of these products for your busi- Products; Advanced Sterilization ness, home, promotional or recreational needs. The American Plastics Council main- Products; Allergan Sales; B. tains an extensive directory listing these products, The U.S. and Canadian Recycled Braun Medical; Edwards Plastic Products Directory, which is available online through APC’s website Lifesciences; NGK Spark Plugs www.plasticsresource.com, or can be ordered by contacting 1-800-2-HELP-90. (U.S.A.), Inc.; Ricoh Electronics, You’ll also find plastic and many other recycled-content products listed at the Inc.—MPD; Vons Store #2166; California Integrated Waste Management Board’s “RecycleStore” on the Internet. Southern California Edison— Simply visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/RecycleStore/ for details. Irvine Operations Center; When you’re out shopping at local stores, remember to check the labels and “buy Mervyn’s Store #0194; Target recycled”! Store #336; and Target Store #1238. Articles on plastics courtesy of American Plastics Council (See article on Page 4) Page 2 Winter 2005 recycled XX--ttrreemmee “bling bling” GGrreeeenn aatt Bling bling is that wonderful, gaudy stuff that says, “I’m here. Notice me.” And these days, there is plenty of recycled art that does just that. Whether you’re interested in the fancy, the functional, or the fun, there is probably recycled art out there to suit your taste—and your budget. X GGaammeess Artist Stewart Webb creates “technomontages” with old computer X chips, used CDs, aerospace junk, lab-grown stones, and antique bakelite. These technomontages take the form of earrings, neck- laces, pendants, clocks, and frames. Want to see more? Visit Webb’s site on the Internet, www.arteco.com. Everything from tote bags to clutches seems to be covered with brightly colored pictures—and have something to say. If you’re a little tired of French that you can’t read, why not look for some- thing more familiar? There are wallets, purses, hobo bags, tote bags, and even duffles made from juice pouches. Or, if you’re interested in something a little spicier, keep an eye out for purses made from Photo courtesy of Abernook.com chip bags. You can see some of these bags at www.Abernook.com or www.YummyBags.com, or search for “recycled juice pouches” on the Internet. Juice pouches and chip bags aren’t the only printed purses and bags available. Myrtlerose’s Attic is one of the many studios making purses from such treasures as Tyvek envelopes covered with used stamps, vintage children’s books, and old album covers. To see products made by Charlene at Myrtlerose’s Attic, as well as similar items such as the woven plastic bag tote, visit www.StreetFairAmerica.com and click on “Recycled Items.” Art for the home and garden is often made from scrap, found, and waste objects, too. We’ve mentioned the clocks made from computer components. But there are also artists who make tableware, lamps, coffee tables, sculptures, wall hangings, and more from broken glass, corrugated cardboard, shoes, mesh bags, pop cans, and the list goes on. During August, sports fans got to enjoy the summer Olympics in If you are looking for recycled bling bling, search for “recycled art” on the Internet or go to www.eco- Athens, Greece, and the X Games in Los Angeles, California. If swimming and beach volleyball were a little too tame for your family, This bookshelf was made from old hardcover books. artware.com. (Photo courtesy of eco-artware.com) Remember to patronize local artists and artisans. chances are you might have watched the extreme stunts of Around the corner from wherever we are, there are cre- skateboarders, bikers, and skaters at the X Games. ative minds putting clever hands to work on found The X Games provided their usual thrills and chills—on a objects as varied as wallpaper and wooden pallets. Check out their work at craft fairs, art shows, or gift greener platform than usual. The ramps, including the new “Mega shops. Ramp,” were all made from wood that came from forests that are environmentally friendly. (The Forest Stewardship Council certifies these forests.) In addition to these ramps, the Games featured a solar-powered sound system, recycling stations for fans and com- Magnificent petitors, and collector cards printed on 100-percent recycled-con- tent paper. Along with stats on the extreme athletes, these collector MONGO cards even provided some environmental facts. When journalist Ted Botha moved to New York City, he furnished his apartment with found objects. In the process, he learned that the city was full of dumpster divers and garbage gurus who gloried in “mongo.” (Mongo is a slang term that means “any discarded item What’s that is retrieved.”) He has recorded their stories in Mongo: Adventures in Trash (Bloomsbury, 2004). Some of the stories are about collectors, and others focus on survivors, but all share a fasci- nation with what might be found in the next bin or bag. new with Recycled or found art has traditionally been considered part of “folk art.” Why? Because it is art made from materials that are readily available to regular folk living their everyday WasteWise? lives. Some of the most famous recycled folk art is “Tramp Art.” Tramp Art is three-dimen- In 2004, WasteWise celebrated its 10th anniversary. WasteWise sional art created from discarded cedar and boasts nearly 1,400 business and organization partners representing mahogany cigar boxes. This wood was intri- more than 50 industry sectors and nearly 230 endorsers from 15 cately carved, positioned, and glued to create sectors. All of the partners and endorsers, who take part in this picture frames, boxes, and small tables. Most program voluntarily, are committed to reducing their waste and of these were created around the beginning of lowering their costs for waste handling the 20th Century by artisans, some of whom and disposal. were travelers and others who were household- WasteWise makes a difference one ers, but almost all of whom are now anony- business and organization at a time. In mous to us. 2004, 18 of the participants received To see Tramp Art, visit a local antique store awards for their achievements, and or go online to www.folkartisans.com/trampart. another 30 were recognized for their To read more about Tramp Art, look for these books: Tramp Art: A Folk Art Phenomenon by Helaine ongoing efforts. Fendelman and Jonathan Taylor (Stewart Tabori & Chang, 1999); Tramp Art, One Notch At A Time by For more information about Clifford A. Wallach (Wallach-Irons, 1998); and Hobo & Tramp Art Carving: An Authentic American WasteWise, visit www.epa.gov/wastewise, Folk Tradition by Adolph Vandertie with Patrick Spielman (Sterling Publishing Company, 1995). or call 1-800-EPA-WISE. Page 3 Winter 2005 10 tips for a Better care greener home for batteries

1. When you paint, choose latex. Flashlights, phones, handheld organizers, laptop Latex is water-based for easier computers...batteries power much of our daily lives. By mak- cleanup—and doesn’t require dis- ing sure that your batteries last as long as possible, you can posal as hazardous waste. Better reduce waste and save money on replacements. Here are some yet, choose latex without volatile tips to help you give your batteries a long and useful life. organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs All batteries experience a certain amount of “self-dis- contribute to the formation of charge,” meaning that they lose some power even when not in indoor and outdoor air pollution. use. To reduce the amount of self-discharge that your batteries 2. Need “new” furniture? Look for experience, store them in a cool, dry location. You can store secondhand or antique furniture. batteries in the refrigerator, but put them into an airtight con- Remember—when you reuse, no new product has to be tainer and place them in the door, which is the driest part of made, saving energy and natural resources. the refrigerator. Be sure to let your batteries warm up to room 3. Recarpeting? Look for recycled-content carpet. Carpet can temperature before using them. be made from recycled PET bottles. Ask about the Don’t send a disposable to do a rechargeable’s job! Many recycled-content of the carpets you are considering. handheld electronics require high boosts of energy for short 4. If you are replacing appliances, choose energy-efficient periods of time. Rechargeable batteries are the best batteries “Energy Star” appliances. And remember to sell or donate for this job. Rechargeables can be used as few as 50 to as old working appliances and recycle non-working many as a thousand times. While items like cell phones come with rechargeable batteries, appliances! you’ll need to select and purchase rechargeables to be used in small appliances that take 5. When it is time to replace your light bulbs, choose compact AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries. fluorescents. They use less energy and last much longer, creating less waste. Rechargeable batteries come in many shapes, sizes, and chemical compositions. That (Compact fluorescents do contain mercury, so they require special disposal when they burn out. Call us for details.) means the instructions for how to use and recharge the batteries are not, unfortunately, “one 6. If you’re adding on or building new, check out “green building” techniques size fits all.” Whenever you buy rechargeable batteries or a new rechargeable product with a and materials. During the project, donate or recycle leftover, scrap, and battery inside, read and follow the instructions carefully. Find out whether you can use the unused building materials and supplies. If your project includes demolition, batteries right away or if they need to be “initialized,” which is a one-time startup charging look into deconstruction. With deconstruction, you can reduce your project period. Learn if you are supposed to recharge when the battery gets low or wait until it is waste by as much as 75 percent. fully discharged. 7. If you’re building or rebuilding a deck, look for sustainably harvested wood Be sure that you are using the right charger or adapter for each battery. Chargers and or recycled plastic lumber. Consider recycled plastic fencing and outdoor fur- adapters may look alike, but they are not necessarily interchangeable. niture as well. It is sturdy and doesn’t require painting. While this may all sound like a lot of work, knowing how to choose and care for your 8. Conserve water by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. You batteries will greatly improve their reliability, increase their life cycle, and save you money can also conserve water by selecting the correct water level when washing on costly replacements. clothes (or washing only full loads if you don’t have a water level adjust- ment). Run your dishwasher only when it is full. 9. When possible, avoid purchasing hazardous products, including cleaners. Read labels carefully. Buy only the amount you need. Follow instructions for use and disposal. Need disposal advice? Call us. 10. Purchase paper products, such as toilet paper, made from recycled paper. (If you buy paper napkins or paper towels, look for recycled-content paper in those, too!) Green-sources REQUOTED American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy www.aceee.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy “Energy Star” Program “Nobody made a greater mistake www.energystar.gov Earth Easy’s Guide to Living at Home with the Earth than he who did nothing because www.eartheasy.com/live_menu.htm Healthy House Institute he could do only a little.” www.hhinst.com National Association of Home Builders’ ToolBase Edmund Burke, www.toolbase.org/index-toolbase.asp U.S. Green Building Council British statesman, 1729–1797 www.usgbc.org

Each year, customers across the country walk out of Starbucks stores with about 1.5 billion paper to-go cups. Beginning in 2005, those cups will feature something Now more than coffee—recycled paper. Starbucks recently announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration had approved the use of paper cups with 10 percent recycled content. While 10 per- cent may not sound like much, consider that this will save about 5 million pounds of virgin tree fiber each year. Starbucks already uses recycled paper starring at in cardboard cup sleeves, napkins, and drink carriers. Remember—you can choose to reuse at Starbucks and other coffee shops. Many offer reusable mugs if you’ll be staying to drink your cof- fee. Plus, most allow you to bring in your own mug and have it filled, Starbucks often at a slightly discounted price. Ask about it where you fill up. Page 4 Winter 2005 Irvine businesses WRAP up awards on and off in every restroom and office, and computer controlled and locked ther- mostats. With the motto of continual improvement, the company plans to be one of our community’s leaders in reusing, reducing, and recycling. CRTs (cathode ray tubes, or “picture tubes,” found in TVs and computer RICOH Electronics, Inc. monitors) don’t belong in the trash! Seven locations statewide, including one The County of Orange accepts CRTs in Irvine: Ricoh Electronics, Inc. — at their four permanent Household MPD, 17842 Pullman St. Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, The nearest center for Irvine residents 2000, 1999, 1995 is located at 6411 Oak Canyon. For more information and a complete list Since the founding of Ricoh Electronics, of acceptable items, visit the County’s Inc. (REI) in Orange County in 1973, website at www.oclandfills.com. The Waste Reduction Awards Program wide. In 2002, Allergan recycled approxi- they have faithfully upheld their commit- (WRAP) is administered by the California mately 2,001 tons of material and had a ment to quality excellence while experi- ❖❖❖ Integrated Waste Management Board. recycling rate of approximately 42 percent encing impressive growth. Ricoh’s philos- Irvine Material Exchange Program WRAP provides an opportunity for worldwide. This represents average annual ophy is to pursue environmental conser- — The City of Irvine has its own California businesses to be recognized for savings of approximately $217,000 by vation as a citizen of this Earth. REI con- materials exchange network, modeled their outstanding efforts to reduce waste. diverting recyclable materials away from tinues to improve its “Zero Waste to after the state program, which is Each business is judged based upon its the landfill. There is also a savings associ- Landfill Reduction of Waste” system, specifically designed to bring together own accomplishments. The next applica- ated with the decrease in hauling expenses which was achieved in 2001, and to pur- local Orange County businesses and tion cycle will begin April 1, 2005. to transport the waste materials to a land- sue additional environmental goals. In residents that have surplus materials Here’s a look at Irvine’s 2004 winners: fill. Allergan Corporate Headquarters in 2003, REI diverted over 8,001,140 Irvine, California recycled approximately pounds of waste. Over the past year, REI with those that have a need for such 3M ESPE Dental Products materials. Application forms are issued 150 tons of waste materials in 2002. saved over $2,500,000 as a result of their Location: 2111 McGaw Ave. employee-driven Environmental to businesses annually through busi- B. Braun Medical ness license renewal applications and Years Awarded: 2004, 1998, 1995, 1994 Sustainability Improvement Activities. Location: 2525 McGaw Ave. upon request. If you would like an Since 1990, 3M operations worldwide Safeway Inc. application, please call our office at have reduced volatile organic air emis- Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 949-724-6356. sions by 92 percent and manufacturing 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 542 locations statewide, including one in For more details about CalMax, releases to water by 84 percent. 3M 1994, 1993 Irvine: Vons Store #2166, 4800 Irvine the statewide California Materials ESPE has an Environmental Management In the last 12 months, B. Braun Medical Blvd. Exchange, go to www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ System which covers all the environmen- has reduced waste destined to be land- Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, CalMax/. tal aspects and associated impacts from filled by 1,754 tons and saved more than 2000, 1999 ❖❖❖ their operations. 3M has held ISO 14001 $67,500 by diverting this waste. They Vons implemented a composting program certification since 1996. In addition, 3M have also realized $169,932 for the reuse for green waste at its stores in 1995. Last Did you know that, on average, every is a member of EPA’s National and recycling of material that did not go year, Vons and Safeway stores diverted American uses 735 pounds of paper Environmental Performance track pro- to the landfill. In addition to its extensive 68,785 tons of green waste from landfill each year? During 2003, Americans gram. As part of their continuous recycling and waste reduction program, disposal. In addition, Safeway’s two recycled more than half of all the improvement efforts, 3M cut their volatile B. Braun Medical generates 85 percent of California divisions diverted over paper and paper products used. This is organic (solvent) air emissions by 50 per- the electricity it uses and is involved in 148,657.2 tons of other materials from great news because it was the first year cent, reduced waste generation by 37 per- continuous evaluations of its energy landfills, including corrugated cardboard, that the national recycling rate had cent and reduced energy usage at this usage. plastic, meat waste, metal, paper, and topped 50 percent. Make sure that all facility by 17 percent since the year 2000. glass, through recycling programs. of your clean, dry paper products are 3M has ongoing programs in place to fur- Edwards Lifesciences LLC getting recycled! Remember—if it ther reduce air emissions by implement- Location: One Edwards Way Southern California Edison tears, you can recycle it through your ing solvent recovery systems and consid- Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 79 locations statewide, including one in curbside recycling service or your cen- ering alternative chemicals. 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, Irvine: Southern California Edison — tral recycling bins at a multi-family 1994 Irvine Operations Center, 23 Parker St. complex. Advanced Sterilization Products Location: 33 Technology Drive To minimize waste, Edwards Lifesciences Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, reuses, recycles, and donates surplus 2000, 1999 Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, equipment and materials. In addition, 2000, 1999, 1998 In 1993, Edison initiated its first recy- Edwards Lifesciences continues to reduce cling pilot. The “Waste-Not” recycling We want your suggestions, As a division of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, energy usage by incorporating energy- questions and comments! pilot grew into a trademarked company- Inc. and the Johnson & Johnson family of efficient lighting and air filter systems wide program that focuses on waste pre- The City of Irvine companies, Advanced Sterilization into its building design. In 2003, this vention, green purchasing, reuse and P.O. Box 19575 Products (ASP) is committed to the envi- company recycled 110 tons of material, recycling. Edison recycles paper, card- ronment and promoting pollution preven- earning an income of $2,837.38 and sav- Irvine, CA 92623 board, compostables, glass, plastic, metal, tion programs. ASP’s environmental ing $7,707 on trash hauling and disposal (949) 724-7669 and wood. In 2003, SCE generated achievements in 2003 were as follows: fees, contributing a combined bottom-line The views and statements of environmental 41,000 tons of waste materials, and over recycled over 200,000 pounds of waste benefit of $10,544 to the company’s bal- organizations referenced in this publication do not 90 percent of these materials were recy- material; avoided over 376,000 pounds of ance sheet. The impact on the environ- necessarily represent those of the City of Irvine. cled. SCE saved $6.3 million in solid packaging materials; donated old comput- ment and economy from this recycling ers and surplus equipment to nonprofit program includes 191 cubic yards of waste hauling fees at 81 California facili- organizations and schools; completed 100 landfill “saved,” or not used up. By recy- ties by recycling. percent of Johnson & Johnson Energy cling, Edwards Lifesciences saved 133 Target Corporation — Target Star Enhanced Best Practices, saving 1.5 barrels of oil, 481,000 gallons of water, million kWh and $235,000; avoided and 1,168 standard pulp-making trees. and Mervyn’s Stores This program is brought 726,000 gallons of water through project 305 locations statewide, including three to you by Waste improvements; and avoided 85,000 NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. in Irvine: Mervyn’s Store #0194, 3960 Management and the pounds of raw materials through manu- Location: 6 Whatney Barranca Pkwy.; Target Store #336, 3750 City of Irvine and made facturing enhancements. Year Awarded: 2004 Barranca; Target Store #1238, 13200 possible by a grant from Jamboree Rd. the California Depart- Allergan Sales, LLP In the past year, between metals, oils, ment of Conservation, Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, Location: 2525 Dupont Dr. cardboard, office paper, wooden and plas- Division of Recycling. tic pallets, talc powder, and non-conform- 2000, 1999, 1997 Copyright© 2005 Years Awarded: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, ing parts, NGK has diverted almost 100 Last year, Target Corporation was able to The City of Irvine and Eco Partners, Inc. 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, tons from California’s landfills through recycle over 300,000 tons of materials All rights reserved. 1994 the company’s recycling program. The nationwide. Additional waste was PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER For the last 10 years, Allergan has success- savings is almost $1,500 per month. This reduced through salvage programs and 70% POST-CONSUMER NEWS CONTENT, USING SOY INKS fully recycled materials from offices, labo- does not include low-flush toilets, 105 donations of unsaleable items to charitable ratories, and manufacturing sites world- skylights, motion sensors that turn lights organizations and humane societies.