FOOD THAT IS NO LONGER GOOD TO EAT.
CLOTHING THAT NO LONGER FIT.
MATERIALS TO COMPLEX FOR CONVENTIONAL RECYCLING.
TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY CAN TURN IT ALL INTO SOMETHING USEFUL.
FOR PROOF, TRAVEL TO IPSWICH.
AN AUSTRIAN BASED MANUFACTURER OF RECYCLING SYSTEMS.
>> WAS STARTED ON CAPTURING SCRAP, BUT THE FOCUS HAS CHANGED.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CAPTURE THE DIRTIEST MATERIAL.
SHAYNA: THE AMERICAN SALES MANAGER.
>> A LOT OF PRODUCERS DO NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH THE EXPENSE, SO WE DO OUR BEST WITH OUR EQUIPMENT TO CLEAN UP AND FILTER IT ENOUGH TO BE REUSED.
SHAYNA: THEY BUILD DIFFERENT FORMS OF PLASTIC.
SINGLE-USE SHOPPING BAGS INTO PELLETS THAT ARE EASIER TO USE.
>> IS FED AUTOMATICALLY INTO THE RECONDITIONING UNIT.
IT MELTS THE MATERIAL.
THOSE BLADES CUT THE MATERIAL OFF INTO SMALL PELLET.
SHAYNA THEY PAY AROUND $4 MILLION PER MACHINE.
WE HAVE A CUSTOMER WHO PURCHASED ONE OF OUR MACHINE.
THEY RECYCLE IT INTO PELLETS AND MAKE CHAIRS OUT OF IT.
SHAYNA: WE CAN SHOW YOU SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY MAKE.
TRASH BAGS AND CAR BATTERY CASINGS.
>> THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY IS GIGANTIC.
WE DO OUR BEST.
IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO THE SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY.
SHAYNA: NOW WE MOVE TO FREETOWN.
>> THIS FACILITY SHOWS ALL THE STORES IN THE AREAS.
SHAYNA TUCKED AWAY IN A CORNER BUILDING IS WHAT THEY CALL THEIR STATE-OF-THE-ART GREEN FACILITY.
>> ONCE THE TRUCK HAS DELIVERED ITS PRODUCT TO THE STORE, ANY MATERIALS NOT BEING USED, INCLUDING ORGANIC MATERIALS ARE BROUGHT BAC SHAYNA: CORN HUSKS ARE SENT
FARMS FOR FEED.
AND FOOD THAT IS PASSED THE POINT OF DONATION GO HERE TO THE ANAEROBIC DIGESTER.
IS A CONVEYOR THAT BRINGS THE MATERIAL UP AND INTO A MIXING BOWL.
SHAYNA: IT CONVERTS TONS OF FOOD EVERY DAY, ITEMS LIKE PRODUCE, DELI MEAT AND EGGS.
>> IT COMES BACK THE SAME WAY THE PRODUCT IS SOLD ON T SHELF.
SHAYNA: THE DIGESTER TURNS.
EXTRACTED MATERIAL INTO WHAT IS CALLED A SLURRY.
>> GRINNED UP WITH THREE BYPRODUCTS THE LAST PIECE IS COMPOST.
SHAYNA: FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE ENERGY THIS FACILITY HAS PRODUCED IS ENOUGH TO POWER 1800 HOMES FOR A YEAR.
>> WE ARE DOING IT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOR THE ENERGY AND BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
SHAYNA: ABOUT 6% OF WASTE SENT TO INCINERATORS CONSISTS >> OF TEXTILES.
>>THEY ARE THE FOURTH MOST CARBON INTENSIVE ITEM AND SOLID WASTE.
IT IS MORE CARBON INTENSIVE THAN MANY METALS.
SHAYNA: HE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT AT LEAST ZERO.
THEY HELP REDUCE WASTE AND INCREASE RECYCLING.
>> IS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE CONTAMINANT.
SHAYNA: WORKING WITH SIMPLE RECYCLING TO TRY TO KEEP CLOTHING OUT OF TRASH AND RECYCLING BARRELS.
>> IS A FREE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS AND CITIES AND TOWNS.
SHAYNA: IT PASSES OUT PINK BAGS TO RESIDENTS.
ONCE THEY ARE FILLED, THEY PICK THEM UP FROM THE CURB ON TRASH DAY.
>> ALL RECYCLING OPTIONS ARE GOOD.
THE RECYCLING RATE IS REALLY LOW.
THE CONVENIENCE OF CURBSIDE CAN MOVE THAT UP TO 45%.
SHAYNA: DENIM IS ONE OF THE TOWNS SIGNED UP SO FAR.
RECYCLING CONTAMINATION IS DOWN 7% SINCE JANUARY.
>> IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF IT CAN BE REUSED -- IF ASSA HAS THREE HOLES, PUT IT IN.
IF IT IS A BEDSPREAD YOU DO NOT WANT ANYMORE, PUT IT IN THE BAG.
SHAYNA: THEY ESTIMATE THAT THEY DISPOSE OF 230,000 TONS OF TEXTILES >> HERE.
>>WE CAN TAKE THAT AND REUSE IT.
THAT IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
SHAYNA: CLOTHING THAT CAN’T BE RE-WORN OR REPAIRED CAN STILL BE RECYCLED.
ITS FIBERS CAN BE USED TO MAKE THINGS LIKE SOUND INSULATION IN A CAR OR THERMAL INSULATION FOR YOUR HOME.
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN THE SIMPLE RECYCLING PROGRAM TEL YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS.
THERE’S A SMALL FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR MUNICIPALITIES THAT PARTICIPATE BACK TO STOP AND SHOP IN ADDITION TO TURNING FOOD WASTE IN TO ENERGY, THE COMPANY IS ONE
OF THE LARGEST DONORS TO BOTH THE GREATER BOSTON AND THE RHODE ISLAND FOOD BANK NEXT, THIS TRASH HEAP