CMRA NEWS

September 1, 2009

CMRA Materials Standards Committee Seeking Material Standards

The CMRA Materials Standards Committee has decided to undertake the cataloging of the many product standards C&D recyclers have to meet in various markets.

The use of specifications was suggested as a need by the massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to counter arguments that C&D recyclers were doing an alternative disposal, not making actual products, according to Dan Costell, Costello Dismantling, Committee Chair.

The committee is asking the entire C&D recycling industry to send in , via e-mail, all product specifications that have to be met for their products.  These include concrete, asphalt, wood, gypsum and asphalt shingles.  The CMRA will organize these by material type and will share the information with its members and other interested parties on this Web site.  To submit standards or questions regarding the new catalog, plesae contact us. 

April 6, 2009

2009 C&D Recycling Excellence Honored By CMRA

Tampa, FL: The Texas DOT, Broad Run Recycling in Manassas, VA, and Gil Lopes, New England Recycling, were all honored for being the tops in the C&D recycling field during the recent Annual Meeting of the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA). CMRA is a national 501c3 organization that promotes the recycling of construction and demolition materials.
 
Government C&D Recycling Program
The Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT, has one of the largest network of highway miles under its stewardship. For 15 years some of its 25 highway districts have been among the most progressive for their use of recycled materials. In many parts of the state TxDOT has been a big user of recycled aggregates. In fact, recently the TxDOT’s assistant director to all 25 districts lauded the advantages of recycled concrete in highway projects.  In just the last two years alone, TxDOT saved approximately 1.8 million tons of virgin aggregates by incorporating recycled concrete aggregate in cement treated base, flexible base, continuously reinforced concrete pavement, filter dams, gabion walls, concrete traffic barriers, flowable fill and select backfill for mechanically stabilized earth walls. This is on top of the state’s use of recycled shingles in hot mix asphalt for a few projects, and the common use of recycled asphalt in many operations. If every state supported recycled aggregates like TxDOT did, the amount of recycled C&D in this country would go up tremendously.
 
Mixed C&D Recycler of the Year
Broad Run Recycling in Manassas, VA, is a relatively new facility in the middle of a rapidly expanding area near our nation’s capitol. The idea for the facility began when the owners’ hauling company had limited nearby recycling options, and there was a growing demand for recycling because of the green building program, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It is usually government that supports LEED, and it was two government agencies, the Virginia DEQ and local county, that gave Broad Run its 1500 tons per day permits in record time, showing the support for the facility in the community. Land is at a premium in the area, so Broad Run is located on a lot of less than 4 acres. The sorting facility is placed within a building to fit in better with the neighborhood. But the facility’s point of pride is the ability to do a virtual 100% recycling rate for LEED projects. Also, the state DEQ has approved the recycling plant’s C&D fines as a soil product.
 
2009 C&D Recycler of the Year
Gil Lopes, New England Recycling, Taunton, MA, received the prestigious C&D Recycler of the Year Award from the CMRA. The criteria for the honor are pretty simple and expected. These include, but are not limited to; first, the person must properly represent the C&D recycling industry. Second the person has to be innovative in moving forward the industry. Third, the person must support the CMRA. This year’s winner exemplifies all that. This owner of a mixed C&D operation in Massachusetts runs a facility so highly regarded that the state Department of Environmental Protection has used it for tours and as an example on how to run a C&D operation in its state. As for innovation, the design that Gil was very active in developing has allowed New England Recycling to maintain a very high recycling rate (likely the highest in the state) and allow for them to extract a multitude of commodities. In addition, this facility has developed and perfected the techniques for using high quality C&D derived wood for a multitude of higher value added uses (besides boiler fuel). Finally, Lopes’ support of the CMRA has been outstanding, not only on a national level but also in supporting the local industry and the New England Chapter. When the state of New Hampshire passed its ban on the use of C&D wood as a fuel product, Gil Lopes of New England Recycling stepped up and put his company’s name on the CMRA’s lawsuit as an aggrieved party. That took a lot of guts to put a spotlight on one’s company against a large governmental agency. Not only did Gil not hesitate, he pushed for the CMRA to go ahead with the lawsuit and has been very financially active in supporting the suit. In addition, Gil has long been a big financial and moral supporter of the CMRA and has always been looked upon as a credible leader for this industry.
 
The CMRA will hand out its 2010 awards at C&D World, its Annual Meeting next year in Las Vegas. Those wanting to submit nominations for possible award winners should contact the CMRA at info@cdrecycling.org, or 630-585-7530.

 
4th Asphalt Shingle Recycling Forum Nov. 5 - 6 in Chicago

Asphalt shingles contain petroleum-based bitumen similar to that in asphalt pavement and when introduced into hot mix asphalt can provide tremendous cost savings, environmental benefits of taking a material out of the waste stream and recycling into a useful product and save on fossil fuel use in North America.  In addition, there are a number of other promising markets for the material.

The 4th Asphalt Shingle Recycling Forum is ideal for anyone interested in the recycling of these materials, including:

• Shingle Recyclers
• Hot Mix Producers
• Paving Contractors
• Roofing Contractors
• Shingle Manufacturers
• Government Highway Officials
• Equipment Vendors
• C&D Recyclers
• Academia
• Anyone who wants to learn about this profitable and growing industry sector.

Currently there is a call for papers for the forum.  To submit a potential topic to the Steering Committee, contact Dan Krivit, Foth, 651/288-8509; or William Turley, CMRA, 630/585-7530.  For more on the forum, including sponsorship, registration and hotel reservation information, go to the shingle recycling industry's leading website, www.shinglerecycling.org.

DOWNLOADABLE PRESS RELEASES:

Progress in the C&D Recycling Industry

CMRA Appoints Michael D. Ray as New Southern California Chapter Director