Examples of Policy/Regulatory Integration of Recycled Products

The market demand for some recycled products could be greatly enhanced
if the product meets industrial or regulatory codes, or the code
specifications can be revised to include the recycled product.


Do you have an application for a recycled product or process that has a potential value-added use that must meet regulatory or industry requirements? Such as:

- Road building and infrastructure construction?
- Construction?
- Public utility applications?
- Land reclamation?
- Other industrial applications that have regulatory requirements?

Are you trying to list a recycled-content product in government buy recycled specifications?

The CWC has several project examples, summarized below, where coordination with other public agencies was required to assist companies in securing regulatory or industry approvals, and promoting recycled procurement contracts.

One other strategy might be to look for particular opportunities where government or service provider's influence may help to encourage large contracts that can serve as an anchor for feedstock conversion.** (Adapted from "Feedstock Conversion Strategies", by Boisson & Associates, Chapel Hill, NC. Written for the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development, July 2000).

 

CWC project examples dealing with policy and regulation include:          Skip to Buy Recycled Example

Example 1: The CWC worked with San Juan county to develop and approve specifications to allow use of crushed glass as septic filtration media.

In regions where ground permeability makes the installation of septic treatment systems impossible, sand filters are often installed to create an area with the correct permeability for ternary treatment. A 2-year field study resulted in the acceptance by the State of Washington Department of Public Health of properly processed glass as a sand filter medium. Link: www.cwc.org/glass/gl972.htm

Example 2: The CWC worked with King County and TriVitro Corporation (glass processor) to evaluate crushed glass as a filtration medium for swimming pools.

The CWC managed a project with a swimming pool consultant to test the efficiency of crushed glass in recirculating pool filters, testing against the standards of the "Washington State Health and Safety Code" for Swimming Pools. Following confirmation of the effectiveness of glass as a filtration medium in high-rate filters, glass was installed in one of King County's swimming pools. If the results are positive, King County Parks plans on using the recycled glass sand in other pools (the department operates 17 pools). Link: www.cwc.org/glass/gl981.htm

Example 3: The CWC worked with a consultant and the Washington State Departments of Transportation and Ecology to use crushed recycled glass in a number of applications.

The CWC managed a project by an engineering firm testing the performance of glass as a construction aggregate. Following the project, the CWC negotiated with the Washington State Department of Ecology to develop testing protocols that would enable them to accept processed glass as a beneficial use in construction aggregate applications.

With the results from the two steps above, the CWC worked with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to adopt comprehensive specifications for the use of glass in their projects. The WSDOT amended their standard specifications to permit the use of recycled glass, both blended with natural aggregate, and in 100% glass applications for seventeen different aggregate applications, including a number of fill, ballast and roadway applications. Several other state codes that allow recycled glass use are discussed. Link: www.cwc.org/glass/gl953.htm

Example 4: The CWC evaluated of crushed recycled glass as a filtration media in slow rate filtration.

The CWC evaluated the use of crushed recycled glass as a filtration medium in slow rate filtration. A pilot project was conducted in the City of Roslyn, Washington, to evaluate the feasibility of using crushed, recycled glass as a filtration medium in slow sand filters. The work was based on guidelines developed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and was performed by a consulting engineering firm specializing in the design of municipal water treatment systems. By working with a well-established engineering firm using industry specifications, the credibility of using properly processed glass in slow sand filters was established. Link: www.cwc.org/glass/gl954.htm

Example 5: The CWC and Alexander & Associates worked to attempt to utilize biosolids in mine land reclamation in Arizona.
This is more a marketing example and case study in economics of a "waste stream", because the application of biosolids to the mine land meets regulatory codes. Lessons can be learned from dealing with several governmental agencies and businesses. Link: www.cwc.org/organics/cm001.htm

 

Example 6: The CWC assisted an Alaska glass tile manufacturer in demonstrating that its product meets industry standards and in garnering R & D funding.

The CWC helped Sandhill Industries to prove the performance of its recycled glass tile by coordinating testing against American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards through San Jose State University. Following the results of the performance tests, the CWC helped Sandhill develop a successful proposal to the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation for funding of its pilot manufacturing plant.