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an e-newsletter for members of the National Association for PET Container Resources
Volume 1, Number 4 May 3, 2013
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Meeting adjourned
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Thanks to everyone who attended the NAPCOR meetings last month. The meeting documents and staff-prepared slide presentations are now accessible via the "April 16, 17 Meeting Documents" link at the top of the NAPCOR Members Only web page. (If you have trouble accessing this page, please contact David and we'll make sure you're set up in the system.) David Swift's and Adam Piatkowski's slides won't be available, but their contact information is provided on the member page. The minutes for the April 17 business meeting are posted in the same place. Please advise Kate if there are additions or changes that should be made.
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Next up, July and November
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Our two remaining meetings this year are scheduled for July 17-18 and November 13-14. (Please note that we've now changed both of these dates and are back to our traditional Wednesday and Thursday schedule.) We'll hold the meetings at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont; booking details for July will be provided within the next few weeks. Please contact David with questions.
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| New subcommittee |
Considerable discussion at the April meetings revolved around thermoform recycling issues. One result was the formation of a subcommittee to address how NAPCOR communicates progress on PET thermoform recycling to various audiences in the US and Canada. If you would like to be a part of this group, please advise Resa.
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CalRecycle Test Center grant
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California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) awarded a grant to NAPCOR and its partner APR late in 2008. The "Test Center" grant supported an investigation into the market for an independent plastics testing facility in California and the requirements for establishing such a facility. The original deliverable for the grant, a business plan for the test center, was envisioned as a joint effort of the two grantees and a California-based partner. Two potential partners were pursued during the course of the grant, but since neither was in place by grant deadline, an Opportunity Assessment was submitted to and accepted by CalRecycle in December 2012 in lieu of a full business plan. (See Appendix IV for more detail or contact Kate.)
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| Policy update |
In North Carolina, HB 315 would require plastic bottles that contain degradable additives to be prominently labeled "Do Not Recycle." The bill has passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. NAPCOR members, working with a strong coalition, have been instrumental in this progress. Our continuing effort will help move the bill through the Senate and on to the governor's desk.
In California, AB 521, originally introduced as a skeletal bill with the "intent" to create an EPR program for marine plastic pollution, has been fleshed out into more of a full proposal. As currently drafted, the bill would require the state to identify program targets among the key types of marine plastic pollution; manufacturers of the targeted items would be responsible for creating or financing a mitigation program. The mitigation can include recycling, as well as other stormwater management and litter reduction strategies. It is likely to target plastic bags and take-out packaging. Early this week, the Assembly Natural Resource Committee approved the amended bill and passed it to the Appropriations Committee. The bill is still evolving and NAPCOR will closely monitor developments.
Also in California, SB 529 would set standards for recycling and/or composting of fast-food packaging. It passed out of the Environmental Quality committee on April 17 and will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the proposed state budget includes a line item for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to prepare a report on a statewide beverage container deposit/redemption system. The study would be due to the legislature and the governor by the end of the year.
A proposed expansion of Iowa's Bottle Bill passed its first subcommittee in the state Senate in early April. Next step is the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In the Indiana legislature, a joint session of the Senate and House Environmental Affairs Committees was convened on April 1 to hear testimony on beverage container recycling in the state. Among the presenters were representatives of the governor's office, Verallia, Perpetual Recycling and the Indiana Recycling Coalition. Stakeholders hope the committees will call for a study of the issue.
To be notified when bills of interest are introduced, or otherwise follow developments in any of these states, contact NAPCOR Director of Public Policy Resa Dimino.
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ASTM: Join and vote
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At our April NAPCOR meetings, we discussed the importance of joining ASTM Plastics Subcommittee D20.96 "Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products" to help protect PET resin, whether virgin or recycled. You should have just received an email from Kate with details on how to join ASTM. If you join, please let Kate know; staff will email updates and advise on upcoming votes and related activity.
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Who's who & where
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The NAPCOR member roster has been given its post-meeting update. Please have a look and contact David with any changes (e.g., voting member, inactive or newly active colleagues, contact information, etc.)
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news from NAPCOR archive
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Consult previous issues of news from NAPCOR via the Quick Link in the gray box, upper left. You can also access the archive from the Member Page at www.napcor.com. (The current issue will be available there as well.)
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NAPCOR meeting schedule, 2013
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Wednesday and Thursday, July 17 & 18
Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 & 14
Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare · Rosemont, IL
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Best regards,
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Kate Eagles
NAPCOR Communications Director
keagles[at]napcor[dot]com
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