Accomplishments & Goals
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Key 2009 Accomplishments
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program
A single HHW collection was held in May. After the 2004 collection in Pavilion, which was central to the three counties, the decision was made to return to using county highway facilities. These facilities offer sites that are large enough for the operation. All are located on or near state highways. The collection was held in Rock Glen and was open to Genesee County residents. Because vendors submitted pricing that was lower than expected GLOW increased the number of appointments it accepted to 500. Out of a total of 337 participants, 80 were from Genesee County. The average cost per participant was estimated to be $61.37. Thus, the value realized by Genesee County from this program was $4,909.60. The following materials were collected from residents in the GLOW counties:
- 1,088 lbs. of solvents
- 1,151 lbs of resins and adhesives
- 21 lbs. of reactive solids
- 270 lbs. of oxidizers
- 977 lbs. of lab pack pesticides (liquids)
- 578 lbs. of lab pack pesticides (solids)
- 263 lbs. of acids
- 355 lbs. of alkalines
- 99 lbs. of mercury
- 353 lbs. of household cleaners
- 1,776 lbs. of oil base paint
- 1,022 lbs. of aerosols
- 441 lbs. of putty and adhesives
- 644 lbs. of fluorescent tubes
- 2,021 lbs. of antifreeze
- 1,046 lbs. of oil filters
- 297 tires
- 169 vehicle batteries weighing 4,563 pounds
- 133 one pound propane canisters
- 46- 20 pound propane tanks
- 108 TVs
- 192 Monitors
- 1,808 lbs. of printers
- 5,833 lbs. of miscellaneous equipment
- 768 lbs. media (diskettes, video tape, CDs, DVDs)
- 31 mercury trunk/hood light switches from 60 vehicles checked
- .57 tons of solid waste
This program was funded, in part, by a grant from the NYSDEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) in the amount of $45,000. The grant was used to fund the 2008 program in its entirety. It requires a 50% match by GLOW. Total 2009 program costs were $21,703.57 (GLOW’s share was $11,639.63). Non-eligible costs amounted to $1,576.29. Tire revenues were $1,021 of this cost. For the third time in the history of the program GLOW accepted TVs. However, because there was a charge of $9.00 for each TV GLOW set up a pre-registration system and planned to charge for them after 150 were pre-registered. That point was never reached. For the second year in a row GLOW accepted microwave ovens.
Composting/Recycling Performances
In 2001 and 2002, in an effort to reach as many people as possible with its waste reduction/recycling/composting message, GLOW hired area environmental performers to appear at area festivals and public events. The performances allowed GLOW to reach children and adults who might not attend an event featuring only an environmental theme, but would watch when the performances when they are attending a larger event. Due to budget concerns, as well as concern over how many residents were being impacted by the program, GLOW suspended this program. If funding is available in the future the Committee may resurrect this program.
"Don't Throw That Away" Game Revision
In late 2002, GLOW revised its recycling game. The game board was modified and printed on laminated card stock. Revised game questions are now geared more specifically to the region. The game targets 5th graders. In March of 2003 the game was hand delivered to 5th grade teachers, youth groups and 4-H offices. Four editions of a newsletter containing environmental and program information, as well as lesson plans geared to this grade were also published. In 2007 the game was promoted and distributed at Genesee County’s Family Game Night and at other public appearances. Additional efforts will be made to distribute it to various other youth groups and home schooling organizations.
Picnic in Park
As part of its community participation efforts, for the last few years GLOW has set up a waste reduction and recycling display at the Picnic in the Park event in Batavia. This provides GLOW with the opportunity to distribute information on solid waste, waste reduction, composting and recycling. It also affords GLOW the opportunity to promote ongoing programs and provide answers to questions on proper disposal of various materials. There was no cost for this program. GLOW participated in this event in 2009 and expects to continue its participation in 2010.
Key 2010 Goals
Please be advised that these programs are tentative. In light of State budget constraints, anticipated grant funding may not be available. Because of this, some of these programs may be scaled back or eliminated.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (HHW)
Plans for a single household hazardous waste collection in 2010 are currently underway. The collection will be held in Genesee County. The program will be funded by the DEC grant that GLOW was awarded in 2007 and which covers program expenses for collections in 2008, 2009 and 2010. These collections provide convenient, environmentally sound opportunities for residents to dispose of household chemicals, cleaning products, pesticides and insecticides and vehicle fluids. GLOW has also expanded its list of acceptable materials to home computers and propane tanks and depending on pricing, may accept TVs (as it did in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009) at this collection. The program also provides an element of protection for streams and aquifers in the county.
Municipal Recycling Program
GLOW will continue to work with municipalities to identify areas of opportunity to enhance existing recycling efforts, offer technical assistance to resolve problems associated with non-traditional and/or other waste streams and provide other services as needed (i.e. educational materials). GLOW will also investigate the possibility of serving municipalities through cooperative marketing agreements with area haulers and recyclers.
Recycling Hotline
GLOW will continue to maintain the Recycling Hotline. The hotline is used by the municipal, business and residential sectors as a means of accessing technical assistance from GLOW staff.
Backyard Composting
The GLOW Committee will continue to promote and encourage backyard composting in a cost effective manner. Composting is one of the most efficient, low cost, and environmentally sound methods of waste reduction. Information on this subject continues to be requested by residents and taken from the information rack at fairs and home shows. GLOW will also continue to maintain its three (3) Backyard Composting Education Demonstration Sites.
The overall goal of the GLOW Committee is to keep costs to a minimum, while at the same time maximizing the effectiveness of programs and services throughout the region.
