CMRA INVOLVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY
To describe all the success and work the CMRA and the CMRA Issues & Education Fund has done in the past 13 years would be impossible, but here are some of the highlights:
The complete listing is also available here.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
• Through its Issues & Education (I&E) Fund, CMRA has worked in several states to advocate the viewpoint of C&D recyclers at all levels of government. This remains a core action of the CMRA Issues & Education Fund.
• CMRA I&E secured a commitment from the U.S. EPA to relax its proposed rule on lead-based paint. As initially promulgated, the regulation would have negatively impacted the industry.
• This association has had state legislation passed through legislature that would promote the use of recycled aggregates, and has worked with regulators in many states to develop regulations that are fair to recyclers. Because the CMRA is recognized as the leading authority on C&D recycling, these regulators usually call on the CMRA for direction.
WOOD RECYCLING
• CMRA responded to the Connecticut Public Utilities Commission on whether to issue credits for the use of C&D wood as a fuel product. Legislation later made sure this happened.
• This association is fighting New Hampshire legislation that bans the use of C&D wood as a fuel product. This effort includes the development of a life cycle analysis (available to CMRA members and government regulators) for the use of C&D wood as a fuel product, whether it is better to use it as a fuel or landfill it.
SHINGLE RECYCLING
• CMRA was awarded a second US EPA grant to work to overcome barriers to the acceptance of post-consumer recycled asphalt shingles.
• In coordination with the U.S. EPA and the FHWA, CMRA conducted the Third Asphalt Shingle Recycling Forum in November 2007 in Chicago.
• The CMRA issued two documents; Best Practices Guide for Recycling Asphalt Shingles and Environmental Issues Associated With Recycling Asphalt Shingles.
CONCRETE & ASPHALT RECYCLING
• CMRA worked with the Army Corp of Engineers to study the effects of crushing concrete and asphalt that contains lead-based paint. Some regulators have questioned the safety of this process.
• Ongoing efforts include working with the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA)to identify barriers to increase recycled concrete usage in highway projects. This includes understanding state Department of Transportation (DOT) objections and obstacles.
• The CMRA has completed a project to answer state DOT concerns regarding pH runoff at road projects using recycled concrete as roadbase.
GYPSUM DRYWALL RECYCLING
• CMRA will develop a drywall recycling conference in concert with the U.S. EPA.
• The CMRA website, www.drywallrecycling.org will undergo an upgrade in 2009 in order to provide the best information about this difficult to recycle material.
• CMRA will continue to focus on maintaining a vision for the future for C&D debris recycling over disposal.