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THE PULSE
Newsletter of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
Volume 14, No. 5,May 2009

President's Message | An Industry Loss | CARI Members | CARI Activities Updates | Fast Facts

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

In 1941, the Federal Government contacted the leaders of our industry seeking their help to organize the scrap trade so “strategic materials” could be collected and processed for the war effort. As a result, CARI was created.

After the war ended, the communication between CARI and government waned. Although some particular issues did generate some interaction, it was not until the Basel Convention in the late 1980’s that CARI was galvanized into real advocacy on behalf of our industry. Since that time, CARI has again become the link between the scrap industry with both the Federal and Provincial Governments.

Today, CARI assists in reviewing draft regulations, stewardship programs and attends stakeholder workshops. We are most certainly recognized as the voice of the Canadian recycling industry. Additionally, our chapters help organize business and social events to support the industry in their respective regions. We are using our expertise to assist Government organizations on a much larger scale. The CARI B.C. Chapter, for example, lead by Brad Rudover from Davis Trading, was responsible for the suggestion and initial development of a web based bulletin to combat metal theft. Working with ISRI to provide a North American solution, the result is Scraptheftalert.com an innovative tool gaining interest with local police agencies. It is hoped that it will replace the need for useless by-laws, especially the “tag and hold” types.

We are fortunate to have many talented and knowledgeable CARI members in our various chapters. Frankly, we have yet to take full advantage of their expertise. Our members are the best resource available regarding issues of local concern along with government matters. At the latest Executive Committee meeting, it was agreed that we would consult with chapter members and look for ways to harness these resources in order that CARI’s representation on behalf of the industry could be further strengthened for everyone. I encourage each of you to find new opportunities to showcase the expertise of our CARI members and the continued importance of our organization.

Sheldon Jarcaig
CARI President

AN INDUSTRY LOSS

It is with deep regret that CARI informs members of the sudden passing of Lorne Perlman on May 6, 2009.

Lorne was well-known in the Quebec scrap industry with his family’s company Dominion Metal & Refining Works Ltd. He was also one of the 80s and 90s most prominent minds in the industry. Everyone should remember his smile, high energy and great support for the industry and CARI. Lorne is survived by his parents, Arthur and Anne Perlman; wife, Heidi Piafsky; daughters, Kelly and Victoria; his brother and sister-in-law Brian and Joan; Eric Perlman; and his nephews, niece, uncles and aunts.

CARI and its members send deepest sympathy to Lorne’s family, friends and colleagues. Lorne will be sadly missed.

CARI ACTIVITIES UPDATES

CARI Metal Theft Bulletin

Over the last several years, CARI has been fighting and working towards a solution to metal theft. Last April, CARI Executive Director, Len Shaw took the idea of creating a web based metal theft bulletin to ISRI. Recently, the program has been implemented and all CARI members have been added to the free-of-charge system. The system allows one to post information for stolen materials. Each metal theft request will be vetted. Verified posting will appear on the website and be issued to recyclers who are members of both ISRI and CARI within a 250 mile radius of the theft location based on postal and zip codes. CARI is working to get as many police agencies and officers involved as possible.

CARI MEMBERS

Krentzman Metals Corp., a CARI Member, had recently added Fred Rosenfeld to the company’s new office at Port Jefferson, N.Y., as a broker. Fred will lead the new division, which will specialize in domestic and export sales of ferrous and copper-bearing scrap and usable metal products.

CARI Member, Tube City IMS LLC is a recipient of CSX Transportation’s first-ever environmental award honouring the shipping practices that help reducing carbon emissions.

Global Electric Electronic Processing Inc., a CARI Member, announced that it has been chosen as the recycling and collection partner of Samsung Electronics Canada's e-cycling program. GEEP will collect, free-of-charge, all Samsung-branded equipment at its 15 e-collex locations across Canada.

David Shea, Managing Director of Top Lift Enterprises Inc., Stoney Creek, Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn Milum (shown on the left) as Territory Manager. Glen, who brings more than 15 years of sales experience to Top Lift will be responsible for sales of Doosan construction equipment from Oakville to the Niagara region and Sennebogen material handling equipment in all of Ontario.

FAST FACTS

• As the former President Bill Clinton gave his speech at the ISRI Convention in Las Vegas, it was noted that he believed “the scrap industry should be at the center of America's job creation strategy for the next eight years.” Clinton stated that in response to climate change and the economic downturn, the United States needs to change the way it produces and consumes energy. In addition, climate change will create a higher demand for recycling. Clinton also praised ISRI and the industry for its innovation and effort in reducing its carbon footprint, but the public is unaware. He concluded that America’s best days are not over and “I believe the country is moving to a good place. You must believe, as I do, that when we come out the other side we'll be in better shape."

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• The government of India issued two notifications with conflicting import rules. The first issued on September 24, 2008 classified most scrap metals, paper, and plastics as hazardous wastes. It incorporated parts of the Basel Convention into India's list of hazardous wastes. Furthermore, the India Customs recently refused to release a number of containers from the port of Nava Sheva, Mumbai because they excluded "Form 9" and certifications, as required by the September 24 notification. As for the March 23, 2009 notice, all shredded metal scrap is now subjected to pre-shipment inspection and certification for contaminants free. BIR and ISRI are working to resolve the confusion however; the Indian government is now entering into elections, which may delay resolving the issue.

• Following Nova Scotia and PEI, New Brunswick has become the third province to officially join the national cell phone recycling program. Expanding on the existing program, residents of New Brunswick can now drop off their phones at one of the 80 locations for free. The materials from the phones are recycled and sold, with a portion of the money going to non-profit groups.

• Sony Electronics launched its in-store recycling program – GreenFill. The program accepts various electronics including cameras, laptops, mobile and cordless phones and rechargeable batteries. The program is an extension of Sony's Take Back Program, which accepts company-branded equipment, free of charge. Other brands are accepted as well, but with a small fee.

• According to a report by Pike Research, e-waste will reach a global volume of 73 million metric tons by 2015. Afterwards, it will decline as recycling initiatives and practices catch up to the rate of production. The forecast is based on the continued expansion of current recycling programs by companies and governments. The report pointed out low consumer effort to recycle and the ease of inappropriate disposal contribute to the problem. In addition, inconsistent legislation and little enforcement are also factors to the issue.

• Swedish-based company, Stena Technoworld recently opened a facility in Halmstad, Sweden that targets the separation and processing of plastics extracted from electronic scrap. This new technique involves grounding scrap into pieces, after the decontamination of mercury, PCB capacitors, batteries, cathode ray tubes and other substances. The facility has been in full production for over a year. It recycles the equivalent volume of the same amount required to produce new plastic. The company also recycles and processes metals, paper, electronics, hazardous waste and chemicals.

• South African firm Nedbank unveiled the world's first plastic bags-made billboard in Johannesburg. Crafters wove together over 2,000 bags to complete the 40-square meter sign. This is the third in the series of billboards by Nedbank. The first was a solar panel billboard that powers a kitchen and won the top international honour at the 2006 Cannes Advertising Award. The second solar billboard, with a wind turbine, was placed at the Cape Mission School in Cape Town. It supplies power to its kitchen, security lights and geysers, saving hundreds of Rands in electricity each month.