Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe took part in a ceremonial signing of House Bill 1649 July 15, 2015, The new law is designed to enhance safety for workers in the waste and recycling industry. The ceremonial signing kicked off public education efforts from the Virginia Beach, Virginia-based Virginia Waste Industries Association (VWIA) a chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Washington, as they urge motorists to become familiar with and obey this new law that went into effect July 1.

House bill 1649, also known as “Slow Down to Get Around,” requires drivers to change lanes if possible or slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and pass at least 2 feet to the left of the stationary vehicles that are in the process of collecting trash or recycling. The new law carries a penalty of up to $250.

State Rep. Ron Villanueva championed this legislation and worked closely with VWIA chapter representatives to achieve this victory for the industry’s workers, the association says. Virginia now joins eight other states that have enacted Slow Down to Get Around legislation: Wisconsin, North Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Alabama.

Motorists are asked to be aware of this important change in the law and to exercise caution when they are approaching or are driving near a waste or recycling vehicle. NWRA is asking the media, public safety agencies and community leaders to help amplify awareness of the new law.

“NWRA applauds Virginia’s lawmakers for enacting Slow Down to Get Around,” says Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of NWRA. “This law will save lives, prevent on the job injuries and makes the roads in our communities safer. We hope the media and public safety partners in the state will spread the word to ensure all motorists are aware of and observing the new law. Increased awareness, combined with consequences, makes it safer for our industry’s workers to get their jobs done as they serve Virginia’s communities.

A 2014 Harris poll commissioned by NWRA found that although most Americans encounter garbage trucks on the road each week, only one-third of people slow down near them, while nearly 40 percent are actually tempted to speed around them. The survey also found that most Americans believe that police officers and firefighters have deadlier jobs despite the fact the waste and recycling collectors have higher fatality rates than these other public service professions, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

“The safety of waste and recycling workers impacts all Virginia businesses and residents,” says Tad Phillips, VWIA chairman and general manager of TFC Recycling. “Our employees work hard in the communities we serve and need to be protected and kept safe. Virginia motorists must do their part by paying attention, driving safely and slowing down to get around.”

“SWANA is very pleased that Gov. McAuliffe has signed this important bill into law,” says David Biderman, executive director at the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, which supported the legislation earlier this year. Biderman adds, “SWANA will help to increase awareness of this new law, and will continue its efforts to reduce accidents and injuries to waste collection workers.”

American Recycling of Western North Carolina (WNC), Chandler, North Carolina, has expanded its processing capabilities to handle baled Nos. 1-7 plastics, with the goal of processing 30 million pounds per year. The company has operated a material recovery facility (MRF) at this location since 2012.

American Recycling of WNC’s owner Ron Moore says material will be sorted by hand to recover PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene). After the bales are broken, the plastics are conveyed to a screen that further loosens the compacted material before traveling to a presort area and then on to the final sort area.

Consumers of the company’s PET include Wellman, Custom Polymers and ClearPath. Envision, KSW Plastics and Greenline Polymers are among the consumers of American Recycling of WNC’s HDPE.

The mixed plastics that remain from the company’s sorting operations will be sent to a facility in Atlanta for further processing, Moore says.

American Recycling of WNC is currently sourcing mixed plastic bales through brokers and small MRFs along the eastern seaboard. Moore says bales have come from as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Florida.

Plastics currently account for 20 to 30 percent of American Recycling of WNC’s business. However, Moore says that as the new plastics sorting line ramps up, plastics likely will account for 50 percent of the company’s business by the end of the year. 

Shaw Industries Group Inc., Dalton, Georgia, will expand its reclamation and recycling program to include a new Evergreen facility in Ringgold, Georgia. The Berkshire Hathaway company says the $17 million new plant will create at least 70 new full-time jobs. 

"Shaw's expansion is another testament to why Georgia is the No. 1 place for business," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. "This company has played a major role in establishing Georgia as a leader in the floor covering sector. Through its commitment to the use of more sustainable materials, I am confident that Shaw will continue to keep up with ever-changing demands through Georgia's top-ranked business climate."

"The development of Evergreen Ringgold is the latest example of Shaw's sustainable business strategy at work," notes Shaw Chairman and CEO Vance Bell. "This addition to our recycling portfolio reflects our continued efforts to drive innovation into the business and to protect and make efficient use of resources while focusing on long-term financial success."

The world's largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floorcovering provider, Shaw has recycled more than 700 million pounds of carpet since 2006 via its take-back program and reclamation network. As an addition to Shaw's portfolio of recycling solutions, Evergreen Ringgold will give the company a flexible recycling solution that is capable of recycling nylon and polyester carpet, the company says.

Complementing Shaw's carpet recycling portfolio, Evergreen Ringgold will create a high purity postconsumer recycled material that can be used in a broad range of applications, the company says. The facility will be operational in 2015 and will be located in what was previously Shaw Plant 37— a rug distribution center.

"Evergreen Ringgold expands our efforts to keep end-of-use carpet out of landfills," states Paul Murray, Shaw vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs. "By expanding our recycling portfolio, we are illustrating our continued commitment to converting something that historically may have been seen as waste into a resource that has a longer life in the economy."

Shaw's continued investment in recycling technology demonstrates its commitment to cradle-to-cradle designed products and a circular economy. As Shaw's portfolio of recycling investments continues to expand, so does its portfolio of Cradle to Cradle-certified products. Sixty-four percent of the products the company sells are Cradle to Cradle certified, and Shaw says it has committed to 100 percent of its products being designed to Cradle to Cradle protocols by 2030.

Shaw worked closely with the Catoosa County Development Authority, the city of Ringgold and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).

Carl Campbell, GDEcD senior project manager for the existing industry and regional recruitment (EIRR) team, oversaw the project for the state. In addition, Georgia Quick Start, the nation’s top-ranked workforce training program, will work with Shaw to ensure its employees receive the proper training to support the company’s recycling investments.

"Shaw has been a valuable longtime partner to the city of Ringgold," said Ringgold Vice-Mayor Nick Millwood. "Their new commitment ensures our community will continue to grow and keep jobs close to home."

Shaw employs approximately 15,000 associates in its operations throughout Georgia. The company operates five facilities in Catoosa County.

"Shaw’s decision to expand underscores how leading global companies in Georgia remain competitive in today's economy," says GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. "As the company continues to benefit from Georgia’s low-cost of doing business and Georgia QuickStart, it’s clear that Georgia is an ideal location for Shaw as the company continues to grow.

The IE Expo 2015 event, held May 6-8 in Shanghai, logged record attendance this spring, attracting some 1,085 exhibitors from 27 countries and around 40,000 visitors, according to show organizer Messe München of Germany. The show attracted around 38,500 visitors in 2014.

The Asian trade fair for environmental technologies also included 60,000 square meters of exhibition space and a companion conference program with 190 speakers presenting on a variety of environmental topics.

“The overall growth of IE Expo reflects the prospects of the environmental technology sector in China, continued growth in market demand and increasing awareness about environmental protection,” says Stefan Rummel, managing director of Messe München.

Exhibitors at the show, exceeding the 1,000 mark for the first time, presented solutions and technologies in the water, waste, air and soil sectors. According to Messe München, around 27 percent of the exhibitors were from countries other than China.

Jiang Gang, general manager of MMI-ZM Trade Fairs, a Messe München affiliate, explains that the 18 percent increase in exhibitors in 2015 corresponds to an increase in participation by delegates from the air purification, refuse disposal and recycling sectors. “Those industrial sectors have recently increased in importance due to the new environmental reforms of the Chinese government,” Jiang says.

The event also featured 14 pavilions representing specific nations, organizations and institutions. One of the new attractions was the Innovation Pavilion, a showcase for business opportunities addressing innovators and investors.

IE Expo 2015 occupied a total of five exhibition halls, representing the addition of one extra hall and 20 percent more space than 2014.