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Rewind, Reuse, Recycle

Audio and video tapes are among the items to be recycled as part of a cooperative effort between Lacerta Group Inc., Boston, and the Dupont Films division of the Dupont Co., Wilmington, Del. The two companies are joining forces to increase the recycling rates of magnetic media from video and audio tapes as well as computer cartridges and diskettes. For the past three years, the two companies have been conducting independent efforts to recover PET plastic, chromium oxide and iron oxide used in the tape and computer storage items. The companies will jointly operate a pilot facility in Richmond, Va. to test a proprietary recycling process.

APPROPRIATE APPRAISAL ADVICE

Thinking of buying a piece of pre-owned equipment, but you’re not sure whether the price being asked is reasonable? Are you thinking of selling your business, but you’re uncertain how to determine its value? The American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Washington, believes their organization may be a good place to start when questions such as these arise. The trade association can offer referrals to companies looking for specific appraisal services—including business valuations and industrial equipment appraisals. The ASA referral process can be initiated at the organization’s world wide web site, www.appraisers.org .

Home Funded by UBCs is Built

A home built with funds raised by the Aluminum Association’s “Aluminum Cans Build Habitat for Humanity Homes” program was completed this spring. The home in Sumter County, Georgia, was one of twenty built by Habitat for Humanity International in that part of Georgia. Volunteers from the Aluminum Association, Washington, also helped with the construction of the home, which was built for the Pickett family of Americus, Georgia.

Battery Makers Charge Up Recycling Effort

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. (RBRC), Gainesville, Fla., is attempting to instill a recycling mindset among rechargeable battery consumers. The RBRC’s Charge Up to Recycle! program was launched in the spring with a series of public service spots featuring Home Improvement star Richard Karn, who plays “Tool Time” co-host Al on the ABC sitcom. The spots, which feature RBRC’s 800 number that allows caller to find the nearest nickel-cadmium battery recycling drop-off site, will continue to air throughout the summer. RBRC is an international non-profit organization that is funded by more than 250 manufacturers and marketers of rechargeable batteries.

Recycling Web Presence Expands

Several companies and organizations involved in the recycling industry have announced or upgraded their presence on the world wide web. Among those with recent announcements: lift table and dock equipment manufacturer Advance Lifts, St. Charles, Ill., at www.AdvanceLifts.com ; nonferrous alloys maker Belmont Metals Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., at www.belmontmetals.com ; conveyor belt maker Blue Ridge Heavy Industries Inc., Greenville, S.C., at www.brindustries.com ; material handling truck manufacturer Clark Material Handling Co., Lexington, Ky., at www.clarkmhc.com ; cleated belting maker Cleating Resources, Portland, Ore., at www.cleatingresources.com ; plastics recycling equipment maker EREMA North America, Topsfield, Mass., at www.erema.net ; plastics recycling company Maine Plastics Inc., North Chicago, Ill., at www.maineplastics.com ; scrap processor National Metals Co., Phoenix, Ariz., now features a metals trading site at www.metals.com ; fluid filtration systems maker Pall Corp., East Hills, N.Y., at www.pall.com ; the Polyurethane Recycle and Recovery Council, New York City, at www.polyurethane.org ; and technical organization the Society of Automotive Engineers Inc., Warrendale, Pa., now features a “technical information bookstore” at www.sae.org .

CANNED PROGRAMMING

The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), Washington, is offering an educational kit called The ABCs of Environmental Education that covers the fundamentals of the can making and can recycling processes. The kits are designed for fourth and fifth grade students, and can be requested through the Institute’s website: www.cancentral.com . According to the CMI, recycling cans uses 95% less energy than making cans from mined material.