Recycling in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

Mr. José C. Font Acting Director

Caribbean Environmental Protection Division

Puerto Rico

• Waste Generation: 4.5 – 5 lbs/person/day

• Recycling Rate: 8-12%

• Disposal Alternatives: 29 non-compliant landfills

US Virgin Islands

•Waste Generation: 12 lbs/person/day

•Recycling Rate: Very Low

•Disposal Alternatives: 2 non-compliant

landfills

• Sustainable materials recovery • Reduction of carbon foot print • Recycling and reuse businesses now employ

over 1.1 million people. • GREEN JOBS • Impact of recycling on other industries creates jobs “indirectly” • Recycling saves money.

Partnerships… Why

Overview of the Partnerships

Created in May 2010

Regional Administrator’s priority

Solid Waste Crisis

Sustainability on the islands

Partnerships

About bringing together federal, state and local government, businesses and not-for profits to work together in developing a comprehensive recycling program in both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Purpose of the Partnership

• To promote waste reduction, recycling and clean composting which in turn will help deal with the solid waste crisis

• Integrated Solid Waste Strategy (sustainable materials management)

Integrated Solid Waste Strategy

• Improve state laws and regulations with respect to reuse, recycling and composting

• Create a database for market development

• Reduce waste through source reduction initiatives

• Address financial barriers

• Launch a comprehensive educational campaign

• Enhance implementation and infrastructure development

• Expand current planning and citizen participation

• Expand and or encourage municipal ordinances

Plans for FY 2013

• Support the partnerships

• Continue development of action plans to implement Solid Waste Strategy

• Work with Governors to increase funding for curbside recycling programs and recycling centers

• Work with Municipalities

Education

• An Internship was established by PRRP to give training to college students. (“Train the trainer”)

• The trainers visit selected schools. They give training to students and employees who are interested in learning how to make compost

• After the training, some schools have developed an Environmental Club and started to operate and give maintenance to their school compost

• Activity duration: Approximately one school year

Second Training Section: Almost developed; start soon

Coming soon…..

• REMAG – a Magazine/Catalog Recycling & Customer Reward Center

Enforcement

• Recycling projects implementation through negotiation of enforcement actions

CEPD Office Relocation • Generation of wastes

was minimized through donations: – US Army Reserve

• All the system furniture, chairs and other office equipment

• Telephones • All printers and scanners

– Central High School • All the system furniture, chairs

and other office equipment • Telephones

– John Dewey College • All the system furniture, chairs and other

office equipment • Telephones • Laptops, desk top

computers and spare IT parts

• Over 8.4 tons of paper was recycled, of which 4.6 tons helped to raise funds for a not-for-profit Children Hospital.

• This effort not only helped extend the life of Puerto Rico’s landfills, but supported local recycling jobs and entities in need.

CEPD Office Relocation

CEPD Office Relocation

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

– The EMS is a framework that helps us achieve our environmental goals through consistent control of our operations.

– EMS was redesigned as part of the relocation to CEPD's new office space in City View Plaza

– CEPD team:

• Consist of 11 individuals that monitor compliance

– Significant Environmental Aspects (SEA)

• Energy consumption, paper usage, fuel consumption, green purchasing and discarded material management.

• The EMS is an agency wide effort. The EPA has a central EMS coordinator that monitors activities at all agency sites.

• This year objectives are: • Energy Management

• Water Use and Stormwater Management

• Vehicle Use and Transportation Programs

• Sustainable Design / Green Buildings and Regional/Local Planning

• Chemical Management

• Sustainable Acquisition

• Electronics Stewardship

• Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan

CEPD Office Relocation

• EPA has established a 2-year audit program •We are proud to say that CEPD is part of the EPA EMS high profile locations.

… TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

CEPD New Office Location

Questions?

José Font

US EPA R2 CEPD

787-977-5815

font.jose@epa.gov

US Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Partnership Program Presentation

José Font