ArkansasDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality November2013
State of Recycling
in Arkansas A Tale of Two Facilities During the last five years, the recycling rate has generally cycled up one year and down the
next – a Yo‐Yo effect. This year’s rate was down, at least on paper. The recycling rate was 35.02
percent, down from 40.62 percent in the 2012 report, but s ll above the 31.36 percent given in
the 2011 report.
But there’s more to the story than the numbers. Only certain recycling facili es – run mainly by
municipali es – are required to submit recycling amounts. Many that recycle the largest
amounts – such as for‐profit recycling or other businesses – volunteer the informa on on a
calendar year basis. Although one would think a decrease in recycling would mean an increase
in material sent to landfills, that is not necessarily the case. The amount of material sent to
landfills actually decreased this year.
A look at one category of material – plas cs – in the chart on page 5 provides an example of
the difference facility repor ng can make in the recycling rate for the year. As a whole, the
amount of plas c reported as recycled increased by 54,552 tons (121%) this year. One subcate‐
gory is poly pipe, made from low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is used for irriga ng agri‐
cultural fields. The amount of poly pipe recycled this repor ng year increased by 67,351 tons
(336%). This substan al increase is largely a ributed to one company that accounts for 99% of
the poly pipe reported as recycled.
On the other hand, LDPE is used to make other items such as plas c bags and stretch wrap, and
is reported separately from poly pipe. The numbers for this
material provide a different view of voluntary repor ng. Many
facili es that reported recycling LDPE in calendar year 2011 saw
an increase in calendar year 2012. Addi onally, thirteen facili‐
es that had not reported LDPE in 2011 reported recycling the
material in 2012. Unfortunately 17 facili es that reported
recycling LDPE in 2011 did not in 2012. This included two
out of three facili es that accounted for 88% of the total
reported in 2011, hence the amount of LDPE that was
reported as recycled in 2012 decreased.
So you can see, repor ng plays a significant role in the
recycling rate calcula on. It’s important to consider the
examples provided when looking at fluctua ons in the
rate from year to year. As more and more recyclers re‐
port their results consistently, Arkansans will get a
be er picture of recycling in our state.
Inside This Issue
Recycling Grants Program Update ......................... 2
Grant Sta s cs ........................... 2
2012 Grant Round Summary ...... 3
Recycling Pipe Dream? ............... 4
Nonprofits Recycle ...................... 4
Materials Recycled 2013 ............. 5
Electronics Recycling Grant Programs .......................... 6
Private industry provides recycling amounts based on a calendar year while public programs report on fiscal year.
Grant Statistics (Fiscal Years)
Competitive Grants 1991‐1993
Disbursed: $6,806,571
Recipients: 75
Projects: 93
En tlement Grants 1994‐2003
Disbursed: $25,969,728
Recipients: 198
Projects: 997
En tlement Grants 2004‐2012
Disbursed: $33,039,710.57
Recipients: 203
Projects: 1213
Grant Program Total 1991‐2012
Disbursed: $65,816,009.57
Projects: 2303
($3,523,048 was disbursed in
the 2013 Distribution Program
in August 2013.)
2
Recycling Grants Program Update The Solid Waste Management and
Recycling Fund was established in
1989 and is supported by fees paid
on solid waste generated in the
state. Since 1991, por ons of this
fund have been distributed to ci es,
coun es, regional solid waste man‐
agement districts (RSWMDs) and
other eligible en es through the
Arkansas Recycling Grants Program.
Begun as a compe ve grant pro‐
gram, it was turned into an en tle‐
ment grant program by Act 1030 of
1993. Nearly $4 million was awarded
to 131 projects in the 2012 grant
round (disbursed in fiscal year 2013).
The Recycling Grants Program
helped develop and enhance recy‐
cling programs in the state by
providing funds for construc ng fa‐
cili es, purchasing equipment,
providing educa onal materials, and
other ac vi es. While details of the
program changed over the years, the
basic requirements and funding for‐
mula did not.
Beginning in 1994, the grant process
included these steps:
1. Eligible en es submi ed re‐
quests for funding and applica‐
ons to their RSWMD.
2. RSWMD Boards priori zed pro‐
jects and submi ed applica ons
to the Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality.
3. ADEQ staff reviewed the appli‐
ca ons and approved those
mee ng program requirements.
4. ADEQ disbursed funds for ap‐
proved grants to the RSWMD,
which distributed them to the
grantee.
5. Grantees reported expenditures
to the RSWMDs, who reported
them to ADEQ.
6. ADEQ tracked expenditures and
progress.
A er distribu ng more than $58
million to recycling projects and pro‐
grams throughout the state over the
last 19 years, the Arkansas Recycling
Grants Program is ending. Act 1333
of 2013 changed the grants program
into a distribu on program.
The distribu on program receives
funds from the same source, and the
funds are allocated using the same
formula. RSWMD Boards s ll deter‐
mine alloca on of funds within the
district. However, ADEQ no longer
receives paperwork explaining plans
for the funds and detailing expendi‐
tures. Therefore, the only infor‐
ma on ADEQ will be able to provide
about funds disbursed in fiscal year
2014 or later is the amount distribut‐
ed to each district. Informa on
about the use of these funds will be
available from individual districts.
The last 19 years saw the establishment
and growth of recycling infrastructure
in the state, providing a multitude of
benefits. RSWMDs will have the oppor‐
tunity to continue this growth through
the distribution program.
2012 Grant Round Summary (Fiscal Year 2013, July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013)
3
RSWMD
(NUMBER OF
COUNTIES)
DISTRICT
POPULATION
(2010 CENSUS)
NUMBER
OF GRANT
PROJECTS
TOTAL COST OF
PROJECTS
GRANT AMOUNT
RECEIVED
GRANT AMOUNT
REMAINING
MATERIAL
COLLECTED
(TONS)*
REVENUE
FROM SALE OF
MATERIALS*
Benton County (1) 221,339 10 $963,835.17 $245,769.00 $120,943.78 9,724.01 $653,716.03
Boston Mountain (2) 218,782 10 $514,733.00 $242,929.00 $228,735.98 11,800.01 $698,840.80
Central Arkansas (3) 85,220 6 $172,183 $88,829.00 $88,829.00 242.96 $17,072.90
Craighead County (1) 96,443 5 $154,561.01 $127,107.00 $87,848.92 2,190.68 $52,566.48
East Arkansas (6) 153,794 8 $532,909.01 $202,692.00 $176,596.00 3,563.22 $202,286.91
Faulkner County (1) 113,237 2 $140,000.00 $118,033.00 $58,271.89 6,134.87 $141,387.62
Mississippi County (1) 46,480 6 $86,883.00 $61,258.00 $24,667.30 1,276.49 $6,000.00
Northeast Arkansas
(4) 93,557 3 $193,942.00 $123,303.00 $72,541.01 224.00 $6,649.00
Ozark Mountain (6) 139,040 10 $627,143.00 $154,386.00 $71,560.48 5,859.80 $311,977.90
Pulaski County (1) 382,748 5 $535,959.00 $398,959.00 $131,339.09 65,235.98 $933,214.48
Saline County (1) 107,118 5 $223,600.00 $111,655.00 $20,415.08 1,547.97 $56,130.64
Sebas an County (1) 125,744 4 $302,943.00 $205,794.00 $176,273.07 11,425.99 $337,353.35
Southeast Arkansas
(10)
Southwest Arkansas
(6)
213,808
149,257
15
8
$740,004.57
$264,108.12
$394,101.00
$261,159.00
$184,193.59
$205,622.33
10,418.94
44,912.35
$389,263.61
$329,135.01
Southwest Central (3) 151,942 2 $287,812.00 $223,774.00 $121,073.11 21,398.59 $998,567.97
Upper Southwest (9) 124,709 7 $1,866,867.92 $210,115.00 $74,448.59 4,261.13 $413,929.57
West River Valley (9) 254,856 4 $1,196,020.00 $393,964.00 $121,353.58 8,345.26 $604,183.68
White River (10) 237,844 21 $477,017.17 $410,481.00 $270,003.28 23,047.68 $592,309.85
Total for State (75) 2,915,918 131 $9,280,520.97 $3,974,308.00 $2,234,716.08 231,609.93 $6,744,585.80
*Tonnage and revenue figures are for all facili es that
have received grants, not just those that received grants in
the 2012 grant round.
Recycling Pipe Dream? What makes a recycling program suc‐
cessful? Is it the volume of material
recycled, a low cost of opera on, or
the number of jobs created? What
about a program that has all these
things? Is it a pipe dream? Not for
more than 24 organiza ons sca ered
throughout Arkansas.
Nonprofit organizations provide recy‐
cling opportunities in 33 counties, or
44 percent of the state. The groups
create jobs, train workers and offer
low‐cost recycling programs. In some
counties, these nonprofits partner with
government entities to offer the sole
opportunity for citizens to recycle.
There is no argument that nonprofits
help drive community recycling in
Arkansas. Frequently offering services
where none can be found, these enti‐
ties provide work for Arkansans and a
service to their cities and counties.
Developmental centers, human devel‐
opment centers and organizations
such as Easter Seals, Goodwill Indus‐
tries and Abilities Unlimited are help‐
ing to boost the power of recycling in
Arkansas.
One of the oldest nonprofit recycling
programs, Abilities Unlimited of Mag‐
nolia, started its recycling program in
April 1980 and has expanded numer‐
ous times – most recently moving into
a 21,000 square foot facility. Not only
does the program recycle electronic
waste, paper products and plastics,
but also recycled its newest building.
Housed in the former Columbia Sew‐
ing building, the new/reused facility
allows materials to be stored inside
until marketed. Its former location
will be used as a furniture refurbish‐
ing and resale store. With 44 full‐time
employees, the center recycled more
than 550 tons of material in FY 2013.
While these nonprofits provide tradi‐
tional recycling, many also draw work
from area industry to give individuals
more employment and earning oppor‐
tunities. Labor intensive tasks such as
preparing information packages for
state agencies, document shredding,
reupholstering furniture, creating shoe
inserts from scrap leather and other
such jobs generate work for eager indi‐
viduals, improving their lives and
providing affordable assistance to in‐
dustries and government agencies.
The use of nonprofit organizations to
operate recycling programs is neither
unique to Arkansas nor a new con‐
cept. Throughout the nation, leaders
have found the value in these partner‐
ships to provide honest working wag‐
es to an eager labor force. As leaders
consider the economics of recycling,
they cannot overlook the value of
Nonprofits That Provide Recycling Opportunities
Abili es Unlimited Crawford County
Abili es Unlimited Magnolia
Abili es Unlimited of Jonesboro
Ac on Services
Arkadelphia Human Development Ctr
Ashley County Skilled Work Center
Baxter Day Service Center
Bella Vista AARP
Boone County Special Services
Booneville Human Development Center
Conway County Community Center
Cross County Special Workshop
Easter Seals Arkansas
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Howard County Children’s Center
Jonesboro Human Development Center
MARVA Workshop Inc.
Nevada County Recycling & Work Ctr
Ouachita Industries Inc.
Polk County Development Center
Rainbow of Challenges
Southeast AR Human Development Ctr
South Montgomery Cnty Development
Stepping Stone
4
5 Materials Recycled
Material Weight in Tons Ba eries 8,393
Electronic Waste 3,917
Glass 3,513
Household Hazardous Waste 914
Metals 1,246,734
Aluminum Cans/Non‐ferrous—Aluminum, Brass, Copper 57,568
Ferrous—Steel and Iron 1,025,854
White Goods (Ferrous) 125,890
Other (combined metals, steel slag, mixed metals, etc.) 37,422
Oil (Motor, Cooking) 61,450
Paper 189,078
Cardboard 123,929
Magazines/Mixed 24,929
Newsprint 11,957
Sorted Office Paper 13,464
Sorted White Ledger 935
Other (rolls of paper, consumer board, paper board, etc.) 13,864
Plas c 99,694
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) 3,486
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) 3,673
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) 1,674
Poly Pipe (Low Density Polyethylene) 87,397
Other (poly logs, electronics plas cs, chemical jugs, barrels, etc.) 3,464
Tex les & Leather 4,427
Tires & Rubber 10,915
Yard Wastes 214,772
Total 1,843,807
Arkansas also reclaimed 133,303 tons of road material; 104,319 tons of asphalt; 19,950 tons of shingles; 38,812 tons of re‐derived
fuel; and 349,784 tons of wood waste for fuel which was not included in the above totals.
Landfilled = 3,421,046 (during the calendar year)
Recycled = 1,843,807 (as reported in the respec ve 12‐month
repor ng periods for public and private en es)
Total Waste Stream = 5,264,853
Recycling Rate = Recycled/Waste Stream*100 =
35.02%
Electronics Recycling Grant Programs The Arkansas Recycling Grants Program is the oldest and most inclusive grants program
dealing with recycling administered by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
However, the department also manages two grant programs dealing with recycling of a spe‐
cific, fast growing category of waste – unwanted electronics.
The first of these is the Computer and Electronic Equipment Recycling Grants Program (aka
“E‐Waste Grants Program”). The E‐Waste Grants Program is a compe ve grant program
open to private industry, nonprofit organiza ons, and educa onal facili es as well as state
and local government agencies. Funds for this grant program are generated by the sale of
electronic equipment no longer needed by state agencies and must be used for recovery,
recycling and/or demanufacturing of scrap computers and electronics.
Applica ons are accepted from July to September of each year, and funds are disbursed in
December. Six grants were funded in 2012 disbursing $243,184.89. Applica ons for the 2013
grant round are currently in the review/ approval process.
The second grants program dealing with the recycling of unwanted electronics is the Arkansas
Computer and Electronic Waste Recycling Grants Program. Funds for this program come from
fees on waste generated in the state which are collected when the Landfill Post‐Closure Trust
Fund reaches its cap of $25 million and are no longer collected when the trust fund total falls
below $15 million.
The Arkansas Computer and Electronic Waste Recycling Grants Program is an entitlement
grant program similar to the Arkansas Recycling Grants Program. However, eligible projects
are limited to those that help increase or improve recycling of unwanted electronic equipment
in the state. In addition, this grant program provides no funding for administrative functions.
In calendar year 2013, the ADEQ approved 95 grants distribu ng $2.5 million through the
eighteen regional solid waste management districts.
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
5301 Northshore Drive
North Li le Rock, AR 72118‐5317
www.adeq.state.ar.us
Director Teresa Marks
Chief Deputy Director Karen Basse
Solid Waste Management Benjamin T. Jones
Division Chief
Recycling/Market Devel‐Robert Hunter
opment Branch Manager