Republic Waste MRF

Republic Services, Inc. invested about $20 million to modernize its single-stream sorting system at its Anaheim, Calif., material recovery facility (MRF).

We weren't allowed to photograph this really cool sorting system which features patented screens and optical detection technology designed to improve operations and recovery. The system is designed to increase capacity to 50 tons per hour from 20 tons at the CVT Regional Material Recovery Facility.

The MRF  has more than a quarter million square feet under roof, and is permitted to process six thousand tons a day, but at present usually does not exceed four thousand five hundred tons on any given peak day.
That should all change soon, when a Phase II expansion will include re-tooling much of the facility.

What a Waste!

   What a waste it was visiting Prima Deshecha Landfill! Lots and lots of waste.
Alfred Hitchcock would have been delighted to scout this locations for "extras" for his movie "The Birds"...thousands of Seagulls. Oh, and a Pelican. He/she must have got lost.
   It was nice to discover where I can go shopping for free bug repellants and paint to pack into the already cramped spaces of my garage. Maybe I can start an exchange program, but only if I send at least 2 items for every 1 I take.
   The landfill itself appeared to be very well managed and run; much more so than when I was a kid (long, long ago) and would occasionally visit with my dad or next door neighbor. Less fumes and clutter now, but oh, how many more birds....!

Win Friends - Begin in a friendly way

Chapter 4 in How to Win Friends and Influence People refers to starting dialogue in a friendly way.
I recently applied for a job with a large employer and had jumped through all the hoops (application, interviews, background checks, etc.). I had heard this firm was notoriously slow to process information, but had a feeling I needed to call them to find out the job disposition. Employing the techniques suggested of this chapter, and knowing I going to be directed to voicemail, I changed my tactics. Instead of asking about the job, I called to thank the woman who had set up the interview I had with the hiring managers and asked if there was anything I could do to help her out. Less than 2 minutes later, she called back, apologized and said she was going to call me back personally to give me an update. She was sorry, but they had just filled the position, internally, but shared information with me that she likely would not have otherwise. It was a tough decision to not hire me, evidentally, and said that I showed well to all concerned. She said she  would be happy to forward my information personally to their recruitment specialist subcontractor for other potential opportunities. I asked for her email address to contact her further, later, and she shared that she was actually leaving the company in a few weeks to join with her husband in launching a food-for-school program. I shared back about the Recycling & Resource Management classes I'm currently enrolled in, and the fact that our onsite food program consists mainly of candy bars and coke. Looks like maybe we can do some business in the future...?

My "Dump" - Prima Deshecha Landfill

My photos from the Prima Deshecha Landfill field trip:

To view my photo "dump", use the following link:  www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=95205eb04b806f0e9a16dcf07a6807f9
email address: paultmorgan7@gmail.com
password:morep007

I know this isn't 200 words, but isn't a picture worth 1,000?
I'm thinking I have some SERIOUS extra credit coming my way.

Change you Jeans, not your genes

In the book Cradle to Cradle, by William McDonough & Michael Braungart, they refer on page 42 how people's consumption patterns need rethinking. Those stylish jeans that are the latest fad, may actually do more harm to your body and the environment than your pocketbook. Mutagen-containing Indigo is usually used as a dye for these hottest new fashions. Be careful not to "sweat" the small stuff, it could kill you! If grown in a monocultural fashion, genetic bio diversity is depleted, the toxic properties of Indigo can further damage our ecology unwittingly. Perhaps other natural methods can be utilized to dye jeans, berries perhaps (black, blue, straw, who knows?). So while it may not be possible to change one's genes, it is certainly within the consumers power to exert pressure on the producer to change their jeans!

Field Observation 2: IVC

       It amazes me that this campus does not have a more coherent waste management program. So much for our government dollars at work! Perhaps this points to a greater need for personal responsibility, if we cannot rely on large institutions to do the right thing.  There's an old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Perhaps this is a reminder.
     It appears that the source separation is performed fairly well, and if separate color-coded bins were provided, and instructions (English & Spanish) were provided to Maintenance and Operations, that a serviceable plan could be initiated.
     I did some preliminary research into Board  Meeting for SOCCD, for possible introduction of public discussion in the matter. Collaboration amongst students and faculty would be required to initiate a workable concept.

IVC Waste Audit 1

Evidently, my previous posting for this entry was deleted when my laptop decided to reboot. Bummer!
In short, I explained that I was not present at the physical audit a week ago Saturday due to an out-of-town commitment. I spoke glowingly of the detail to which the data were gathered, and lamented only that the only further quantification that could be made would be to physically separate the material into the 12 categories, weigh them, and/or quantify cubic space taken up. I believe this was beyond the purview of the assignment however.
It appears that the majority of the material is recyclable, except for a relatively small amount of putresibles, chemicals and textiles.