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- More Plastic Bottles in Our Landfills? Ford Has a Better Idea - Carpeting
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- Catastrophic coal ash releases serve as a backdrop to regulatory battle
The United States generates millions of tons of coal ash, mostly related to the combustion of coal to generate energy. The ash is stored in landfills or open impoundments that are not currently regulated under federal laws governing solid and hazardous wastes. Despite high profile releases of tons of coal ash, EPA regulation is still not a certainty.
- Crippen Dealership: Driving a green initiative for dealerships
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- Oakland University student Alex Kozlowski is recycling for a better future
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Kirk Heinze: Why don't more of us recycle?
- Tom Emmerich talks with Kirk Heinze
National studies suggest that even when people have ready access to recycling—either curbside or at a nearby center—most still don’t get into the habit. According to Tom Emmerich, President of Kalamazoo-based Schupan Recycling, the key is not necessarily convenience; rather, it is education. Education is one of Emmerich’s “Four E’s” of successful recycling. The others are efficient handling and operations, economically viable markets and ease for the consumer. While each is clearly important, Emmerich believes that changes in our behavior must begin with the knowledge and understanding of why the new activities, including recycling, are beneficial.
And that is why a major part of Schupan Recycling’s initiatives are focused on schools and special events. Schupan Recycling is the largest independent purchaser, processor and marketer of Used Beverage Containers (UBCs) in the U.S. UBCs include non-deposit beverage containers, e.g. water bottles, aluminum cans, etc. Schupan’s “New School Recycling Program” rents containers to schools at a reduced cost and provides schools with guidance and educational/marketing materials to get the program rolling. Then, of course, there is the monthly pick-up. The students do the in-school promotion, education and collecting.
In fact, according to Emmerich, the students often provide the impetus and energy to get these programs underway. This is certainly the case at Redford Union High School, where we recently taped interviews for Greening of the Great Lakes. At Redford Union, the students have taken full ownership of school recycling effort, and their energy and enthusiasm then spread to teachers, administrators and even to their parents at home.
This is how life-long green behaviors are developed. And with the “New School Recycling Program” and other educational initiatives, Schupan Recycling is yet one more example of how good environmental practices can also be good business.
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