EREF Blog

EREF’s 2021 Fall Classic & Networking Event Swings for a Greener Earth

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (September 21, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) announced it will hold its 2021 Fall Classic & Networking Event November 17 – 18 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa located in Phoenix, AZ. This highly anticipated event brings waste and sustainability professionals together with the support of Republic Services, the event’s overall sponsor, as well as nearly 30 additional sponsors thus far. Proceeds from the tournament will support EREF’s charitable mission to advance scientific research and create educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices.

EREF’s Fall Classic is one of the best networking events of the year, and this year will be no different – attendees can expect a fun and quality event that supports a great cause.

On Wednesday, November 17, the event will begin with a putting contest and networking reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and open bars. The morning of Thursday, November 18, kicks off with a breakfast followed by a shotgun start and 18 holes. The tournament will conclude with an Awards Luncheon once tournament play is complete.

The format for the tournament will be four-person scramble with a shotgun start. Players on the first and second place teams will receive trophies, while the first-place team will also receive a framed team photo. A chance to win prizes will be available at all par threes, including one chance to win $50,000 cash. Additional contests are available throughout the course, including the chance to win $10,000 during the putting contest at the networking reception on Wednesday evening.

Pricing One (1) Golfer: $1,100 I Foursome: $4,400. Club and shoe rentals are not included.

When you participate in the Fall Classic, you’re investing in a greener earth. Hotel reservations for EREF’s Fall Classic must be booked by Wednesday, October 27. For Fall Classic registration and additional information, please click here.

For the specific safety and health measures JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has implemented, click here for its “Commitment to Clean.”

Schedule of Events (located at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa)

Wednesday, November 17

  • Welcome Reception and Putting Contest

Thursday, November 18

  • Breakfast/Registration
  • Shotgun Start
  • Lunch

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

This year’s Fall Classic & Networking Event sponsors – confirmed as of September 15 – include:

Overall Tournament Sponsor
Republic Services
Major Giveaway Golf Balls & Tee Markers Shirts
Wastequip Caterpillar Volvo Construction Equipment
Golf Carts Welcome Reception Welcome Bags & Cooling Towels
Environmental Solutions Group SSI Schafer, Tetra Tech, WIN Waste Innovations Stellar Industries, Inc.
Hats Goody Bags &
Hole-in-One Insurance
Beverage Carts
Covanta McNeilus Waste360
Agru America/Risk Strategies
Golf Contest Package Putting Contest Golf Towels
IngenAE/Blue Flame Crew Machinex Rush/Peterbilt
Bloody Mary Bar Longest Marshmallow
Drive Contest
Mulligans
Big Truck Rental Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. LaBella
Staff Shirts Holes
Sierra Container Group GFL Environmental, National Waste & Recycling Association, PTR Baler, Rehrig Pacific Company,
SCS Engineers, Waste Advantage Magazine,
Waste Management, Weaver Consulting

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please send an e-mail to events@erefdn.org for more information.

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:
Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

EREF Unveils New Strategic Plan and Updated Vision and Mission Statements to Encompass Broader Sustainability Initiatives

These new statements tie into the Foundation’s new 5-year strategic plan.

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (September 7, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) announces a new 5-year strategic plan and new vision and mission statements.

Since 1992, EREF has funded over $19 million in research and education specific to solid waste management, until two years ago when the Foundation announced its expansion into the sustainable materials management space.

After months laying the groundwork, the EREF Board of Directors has unveiled a new 5-year strategic plan. Under this new direction, EREF will further branch out into the sustainability space, aiming to build relationships with and unite every aspect of the circular economy.

This new plan and expansion into sustainable materials management comes at a time of increased corporate focus on social responsibility driven by consumer interest, increased regulatory focus on extended producer responsibility, and roadblocks to sustainability such as technological limitations, greenwashing and limited consumer education. Sustainable materials management requires cooperation from a number of parties, including manufacturers, brands, consumers and the waste industry, and EREF seeks to advance science, data availability and knowledge, as well as open dialogue across the circular economy.

“Throughout my time working in solid waste, I have watched the waste industry progress and face new challenges, and EREF has been actively involved in providing the needed research and education,” said Pat Carroll, EREF’s Board Chair. “However, to truly advance sustainable waste management, there has to be dialogue across numerous industries and EREF is primed to initiate this dialogue. The expansion of the mission and implementation of the new strategic plan has been a long time coming. There are great things coming for the Foundation and waste management.”

Over recent years, EREF has positioned itself to successfully implement these new initiatives and have these conversations by creating a sustainability program and investing in additional staff with the experience to take the Foundation to the next level.

With this, EREF’s vision and mission statements have broadened to incorporate the circular economy.

New Vision

To light the way towards a more circular economy.

New Mission

To advance scientific research and create educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices.

“The waste sector is part of a broader community, and we have a strong role to play in driving towards a more circular economy,” said Tara Hemmer, EREF Board member and Strategic Planning Committee Chair. “This was a key theme that went into EREF’s new strategic plan. Over the next five years, you are going to see the Foundation driving conversations aimed at advancing sustainability and connecting to the circular economy.”

EREF’s current core programs will continue: Research Grants, Scholarships, Education and Data & Policy; however, they will incorporate sustainability and the circular economy and will be leveraged to inform conversations with new constituents.

With this new 5-year plan comes a stronger focus on development and marketing/communications. As EREF moves further into the sustainability space, this opens doors to new stakeholders and audiences.

Staff have already begun the process of implementing the Foundation’s new goals and objectives – be on the lookout for exciting things to come from EREF.

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

EREF’s New Fleet Study Aims to Inform Fleet Practices

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (August 31, 2021) – How many trucks are operating in the U.S.? What is the average age of a vehicle before it’s replaced? How often are vehicle repairs made and where are they made? A new study from the Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s (EREF) Data & Policy Program seeks to answer these questions and more.

EREF identified 10,793 waste collection entities that own waste collection vehicles (WCV) in the United States, so far. Nearly 100% of cities with a population greater than 200,000 said that they have collection fleets, while only 13% of cities with populations less than 2,000 indicated owning their own collection fleets.

Currently, this study is in the data collection phase to better understand the size and maintenance of waste collection vehicle (WCV) fleets throughout the industry. EREF asks that both public and private fleet owners complete a 10-15 minute survey asking for general information on waste collection vehicles and fleet management.

Why Participate in the Study?

  • Participants receive an advance copy of the report which will include information such as total number of waste collection vehicles in the U.S. and their regional distribution.
  • Those who qualify and complete the survey and select the checkbox to be entered into the giveaway could win an 8th generation iPad.*

What are the Benefits of the Study?

  • Benchmark current fleet practices against what peers are doing, as well as what is standard practice
  • Potentially understand the cost of owning a fleet
  • Understand if there are differences between municipal and private fleets
  • Identify growth potential including possible cities for expansion

Click here to take the survey. The deadline to complete the survey is September 22.

Your privacy is very important to us! All data will be presented in compiled form and specific hauler size, addresses and contact information will not be shared.

Questions? Please send an e-mail to irp@erefdn.org.

*No purchase necessary. Winner selected randomly from the pool of eligible participants. To participate, winner must complete the entire survey, check the box indicating they would like to participate in the giveaway and provide an active email address. The prize is an Apple iPad 10.2-inch Wi-Fi Only (8th Generation).

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

EREF Board of Directors Elects Three New Members Representing Covanta, New Way and Wastequip

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (August 12, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) Board of Directors announces the election of three new members.

During EREF’s Summer 2021 meeting, the Board elected the following new members:

  • Kristin Kinder, Vice President of Research & Waste Stream Sustainability, Wastequip
  • Mike McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer, New Way/McLaughlin Companies
  • Derek Veenhof, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Covanta

The Foundation is supported by its Board of Directors, which represents an array of major waste companies including haulers, equipment manufacturers, consultants and academic institutions.

Multiple times a year, the Board comes together to approve funding for research and education initiatives that fall in line with the Foundation’s mission to advance sustainable solid waste science.

Mike McLaughlin

Michael McLaughlin (Mike) is the CEO of the central Iowa based McLaughlin Family Companies, a diversified portfolio of businesses that include refuse equipment, animal control and veterinary equipment, high-performance vehicle manufacturing, new and used automobile sales, and automotive parts and car care products distribution and sales. Scranton Manufacturing, Inc. and its New Way Trucks brand of refuse collection equipment is the largest private manufacturer of refuse equipment in North America and the cornerstone brand of this family of companies. Mike has the proven ability to acquire, integrate, and turn businesses around as evidenced by the 10 successful acquisitions of either bankrupt or underperforming entities that now make up the organization’s impressive portfolio.

Mike grew up in the equipment manufacturing business and has held various roles in the organization since 1992. Thanks to his leadership and organizational, operational, marketing, and sales skills he has grown McLaughlin Family Companies from 50 employees and $3 million in annual revenues in 1992 to over 600 employees and worldwide distribution today. In 2017, he was recognized by the National Waste & Recycling Association as its Member of the Year.

Giving back has been core value of McLaughlin Family Companies since Mike’s father, John, founded Scranton Manufacturing in 1971. The McLaughlin family continues to be strong supporters of the local and national communities in which they operate and Mike is actively involved as a volunteer and sponsor of over 30 charitable and non-profit service programs.

“New Way stands behind EREF’s mission to develop and evaluate new approaches to manage municipal solid waste and to provide scholarships to America’s future waste and sustainability professionals. We are proud to have participated in every aspect of EREF’s fundraising efforts, which have totaled over $670,000 since our initial involvement. I am humbled to have been appointed to the EREF Board of Directors and excited to offer my insight to such an important organization in its continued efforts.”

Kristin Kinder

In her decade in the waste industry, Kristin Kinder spent six years at Waste Management, focusing on recycling education, behavior change, and operations, and three at ENGIE Impact in product management and performing waste audits for Fortune 500 companies across multiple sectors and geographies.

Kristin joined Wastequip as VP of Research and Waste Stream Sustainability in 2018 to manage Wastequip’s corporate responsibility program and serve as an expert on key industry topics, driving positive environmental change, developing partnerships, and speaking about sustainability. Her 2017 TEDx talk on circular economy has inspired thousands to rethink the materials they consume, and she was recently honored with Waste360’s 2019 40 Under 40. Kristin holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Santa Clara University.

“EREF provides a platform unlike any other – one that fosters collaboration, challenges us to think from different perspectives, and leads with objective, defensible data. These approaches are the only way to ignite a truly circular economy. I am honored to become part of such a forward-thinking organization and, with our new mission, cannot imagine a more meaningful time to join the team.”

Derek Veenhof

Derek Veenhof is executive vice president and chief operating officer, leading the management and growth of Covanta’s North American business with an annual revenue of over $2.0 billion.

Mr. Veenhof joined Covanta in 1996 as a business manager. Since then, Mr. Veenhof has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility throughout the organization. From 2007 until 2013, he served as a vice president and then senior vice president, overseeing a $0.5B merchant municipal and industrial waste contracting and supply portfolio and related growth efforts, as well as scrap metals commodity marketing. Mr. Veenhof was promoted to executive vice president in 2013 and took on COO duties in 2020.

Prior to Covanta, Mr. Veenhof worked in the environmental sector as a bioremediation project scientist and land use consultant and was a research associate with Ontario Agricultural College, part of the University of Guelph and Canada’s leading agricultural research college. He is a published lead author and co-author of several peer reviewed research papers on the topics of land use, environmental impacts and waste management.

Mr. Veenhof holds both undergraduate and graduate (with distinction) degrees in Environmental and Agricultural Sciences from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.

“I’m excited to be a part of an organization that has a very significant alignment to Covanta’s mission of ensuring a safer, cleaner, more prosperous future for our planet by providing sustainable waste and materials management solutions for communities and businesses. In addition, EREF’s commitment to advancing scientific research and educational pathways to enable progress, ties closely to my personal life experiences in research, education, and sustainability. The waste management industry is comprised of many dynamic individuals and entities, and it is an honor to serve alongside many of them as a Board member. I am thankful for the opportunity to work collaboratively to create long-lasting benefits for the entire industry.”

For more information on EREF’s Board of Directors, mission and research and educational initiatives, please visit erefdn.org.

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit https://erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

Analysis of Organic Waste Diversion Efforts in Canada Shows Room for Improvement

Click here for a PDF of this release.

This press release was drafted for the Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Canada.

Ontario, Canada (August 5, 2021) – As Canadian provinces and territories set more aggressive organics diversion and waste reduction related goals, additional organics management infrastructure will be needed to achieve those goals.

That’s one of the conclusions reached in a recent analysis conducted by the Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Canada (EREF-Canada), a science-based research organization that focuses on solid waste.

The diversion of organic municipal waste materials has been a growing focus throughout Canada, primarily at the province and local levels as policies and collection programs have become widespread. But the collection and access to reliable data has been inconsistent. The results from the EREF-Canada study fill in a number of informational gaps.

Researchers looked at all 10 provinces and 3 territories to analyze each in order to (1) get a clear understanding of the organic waste policies and approval/permitting regimes in each one, (2) the organic waste diversion program availability across the country, and (3) the number of operational organic waste processing facilities, along with their capacities and tonnes processed.

For the purposes of the study, organic waste was defined as food waste that is uneaten and discarded, as well as inedible wastes such as scraps, agricultural waste (e.g. manure), biosolids (organic material recycled from sewage), and leaf and yard waste (including grass clippings, yard and garden debris). The report also focused on residential, industrial, commercial and institutional organic waste diversion. It did not take into consideration organic waste that might be applied directly to land, backyard composting, or waste stabilization methods such as lime stabilization, fermentation, and pasteurization.

The analysis found that most provinces (with the exception of the Territories and more remote areas) have adequate processing capacity to manage more basic degradable materials like leaf and yard waste. For example, collectively there is enough processing capacity for 2.66 million of these basic degradable materials at static pile and windrow facilities (facilities with an open-air process that places material in long piles that are rotated regularly) in Canada.

However, most provinces do not have sufficient processing capacity to address larger volume and more complicated materials like source-separated organics. Based on the 3.08 million tonnes of available processing capacity for in-vessel and anaerobic digestion facilities, they are at capacity or have relatively small amount of buffer capacity.

Compost facilities were predominately responsible for managing the organic waste being generated. Of the 4.83 million tonnes of organic waste processed in 2019, 72% of it was processed by compost facilities. EREF-Canada calculated that on average compost facilities processed 10,611 tonnes of organic waste. However, this reflects a wide range of facility sizes and processing capabilities with facilities processing from 50 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes. The anaerobic digestion facilities (facilities that degrade organic waste without oxygen) were responsible for processing 1.35 million tonnes of organic waste.

Collectively, the 387 facilities can process as much as 5.74 million tonnes (excluding Quebec) of organic waste annually. The total processing capacity reflects processing capacity for both easily degradable organic waste like leaf and yard waste as well as the capacity to degrade materials that require more intensive infrastructure like source separated organics.

According to EREF-Canada’s analysis, there is a shortfall of about 1.1 million tonnes of total capacity when compared to the quantity of food and yard and garden waste generated annually. This shortfall in capacity becomes even more pronounced considering that the majority of this waste is more complex food waste which can require more intensive infrastructure like in-vessel and anaerobic digestion systems. EREF-Canada found that there is 3.08 million tonnes of capacity for in-vessel compost and anaerobic digestion facilities, resulting in a potential 3.72 million tonne shortfall in capacity for processing more complex organic wastes

The 128-page report also highlights how the organic waste sector in Canada has grown since the early 1990s when the first curbside and depot municipal leaf and yard waste programs were implemented. EREF-Canada’s research identified that as of 2019 there were a total of 328 compost and 59 anaerobic digestion facilities active in Canada.

Researchers also found that there is widespread implementation of organic waste management programs at the local levels. Ninety-one percent of all Canadians live in an area that has a residential organic waste management program. Furthermore, curbside programs are wildly available, with 83 percent of the population living in an area with access to curbside leaf and yard waste programs and 71 percent with access to curbside source-separate organic programs.

As a result of the analysis, researchers say, in general, the country is highly motivated to increase the amount of organic waste diverted from disposal and reduce the amount of organic waste generated. Diversion from disposal was the most common goal used across the country with 10 provinces/territories citing diversion as a goal. Reduction of waste was the second most common goal with 7 provinces/territories citing this as a goal.

The specifics of the goals for each province vary. For example, while the overall Canadian government goal is to reduce organic waste by 30 percent by 2030 (or 490 kg per person), the Ontario government is shooting for a 50-70 percent reduction by 2023 or 2025, depending on the sector where the goal is applied. Similarly, Nova Scotia is targeting a goal of 50 percent waste diversion, as well as a target for waste disposal of no more than 300 kg/person/per year. Quebec and British Columbia have been more aggressive goals. Quebec wants to recycle or recover 70 percent of all organic matter by 2030 and reduce the quantity of waste sent for disposal to 525 kg per capita. Meanwhile, British Columbia has a target of diverting 95% of organic waste for agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste.

EREF-Canada’s analysis suggests that as provinces and territories set more aggressive organics diversion and waste reduction related goals, additional organics management infrastructure will be needed. The country has the capacity necessary to collect additional materials, as many residents already have some access to an organic waste collection program. However, researchers say it is also necessary to ensure that these programs are routinely and properly used by residents. Many provinces and territories have already developed policies and programs that are driving progress towards their organic waste goals. Their continued progress will require supporting existing policies and programs, while also supporting improved access and availability of organics management infrastructure.

To download the complete report, click here.

The Environmental Research and Education Foundation of Canada is a registered charity with a designation of Public Foundation. Its mission is to advance education by conducting and funding research on all aspects of the Canadian solid waste management industry to achieve greater sustainability, higher process efficiency and increased knowledge and making the results publicly available.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager

Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109

Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

EREF’s 2021 Auction Allows Foundation to Further Advance Solid Waste Research and Education

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (July 29, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) proudly announces that its Annual Charitable Auction broke records to generate the highest gross and net revenue of all time, enabling the Foundation to fund additional solid waste science.

Revenue from the Auction is channeled into EREF’s mission to advance scientific research and create educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. This mission is accomplished through a number of core programs: Research Grants, Scholarships, Data & Policy and Education.

Kameron King, a PhD student at Old Dominion University, is a recipient of an EREF scholarship. She acknowledges that a number of experiences and opportunities throughout her life have led her to where she is today – one such opportunity is her EREF scholarship.

“A heartfelt thank you to you all for supporting EREF who in turn supports people like me who are trying to do our part in making the world a better place!” Kameron wrote in a thank you to Auction participants.

When the EREF Auction breaks records, it’s more than just a record set. It’s more funding to graduate students and solid waste research projects. It’s more educational opportunities and groundbreaking data aggregation and analysis.

The Auction, which was held entirely online through EREF’s online bidding platform, took place June 16 – 30, culminating with the end of WasteExpo. While the Auction was held online, EREF had a presence on the WasteExpo show floor.

EREF’s booth featured a putting green on Tuesday and Wednesday and an open bar on Tuesday. The open bar offered attendees a much-missed networking opportunity, and provided a chance to introduce EREF to those who were unfamiliar with the work the Foundation does.

The success of the Auction would not have been possible without the generosity of the Board of Directors, donors, bidders, sponsors and the Auction Committee.

“During what has been an incredibly uncertain and unique two years, we’ve seen the industry rally around the Auction and EREF’s mission,” said Martin Mattsson, EREF’s Auction Committee Chairman and Director of Key Accounts at Volvo Construction Equipment. “It’s amazing to see the level of support – support that led to the best performing Auction of all time. I couldn’t be more proud and appreciate everyone’s generosity and hard work.”

EREF staff would like to thank everyone who made the Auction a success. Winner information is available here.

Thank you to our donors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit https://erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

EREF to Hold Two Co-Located Educational Events Related to Landfill Management

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Raleigh, NC (July 22, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) will hold two educational events related to landfill management in Columbus, OH on August 31 and September 1.

The first of the two events is an Electrical Leak Location (ELL) Workshop, which is hosted in collaboration with the Ohio Chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) as well as strategic partner, the Ohio EPA.

ELL is considered to be a highly accurate method to detect leaks. This relatively new technique runs an electrical current through the geomembrane liner using electrodes in the soil or water covering of the liner. Because the geomembrane liners do not conduct electricity when an electrical current is sent through the liner, the area(s) with a leak will indicate a higher current.

This workshop will provide introductory, regulatory and new information related to ELL. An agenda for the event is available here.

The second event, EREF’s Emerging Topics in Landfill Management Summit, is a full day of presentations related to landfill management including waste stability, elevated temperature landfills and aqueous waste co-disposal and liquids addition.

Both events will be held in Columbus, OH at the Marriott Columbus University Area. Reservations must be booked by August 13, 2021.

Brush up on electrical leak location before attending the workshop! EREF, in collaboration with the NWRA Ohio Chapter, hosted three ELL Training Sessions in May and June. Recordings of those sessions are now available for purchase on demand. Click here to view the sessions.

For the full agenda and registration for both events, click here.

Looking for brand exposure? Sponsorships are available for both the workshop and the summit! Please e-mail Kyle Kusterer at kkusterer@erefdn.org for more information.

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that advances scientific research and creates educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable waste management practices. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit https://erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) Launches Survey of Anaerobic Digestion Facilities

Click here for a PDF of this release.

Data will be used for tracking waste generation in the U.S., tracking resource consumption, estimation of emissions, and evaluation of waste management-related policies.

Raleigh, NC (April 22, 2021) – The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF), a non-profit organization that funds research, data and educational programs that advance the science surrounding waste, has launched a comprehensive survey to better understand the amount and type of waste being managed by anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities.

In previous EREF work on anaerobic digestion, 25 stand-alone AD facilities processing municipal solid waste (MSW) were identified across 13 states and 156 co-digestion of MSW facilities were identified across 27 states. EREF estimated that these facilities processed 784,037 tons of MSW in 2013, but researchers expect that number has increased.

“Anaerobic digestion plays a critical role in the present and future direction of solid waste management,” says Bryan Staley, Ph.D., P.E., EREF’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s important to have a complete view of the entire waste management landscape, which includes AD.”

The project involves several stages.

The first stage will collect data directly from all types of AD facilities that digest MSW including: stand-alone, on-farm and wastewater treatment plants. Information to be collected will include the quantity of waste accepted in calendar years 2016 and 2019, waste sources (such as residential, commercial, etc.) and maximum processing capacity.

The second stage consists of aggregating and analyzing the data collected. EREF will aggregate data by state, region, and nationally. Data will also be analyzed for spatial (e.g. state, regional) and temporal trends in the U.S.

The survey of anaerobic digestion facilities is part of a larger effort by EREF to update its 2016 report on Municipal Solid Waste Management in the U.S.: 2010 & 2013. Throughout this effort researchers will be collecting data from landfills, waste-to-energy facilities (WTE), recycling facilities, composting operations, and AD facilities. Facility-specific data will be collected through state agencies and direct facility contact for waste collected in calendar years 2016 and 2019.

The non-profit organization is seeking stand-alone facilities that digest MSW and on-farm and wastewater treatment plants that co-digest MSW that accepted MSW in 2016 or 2019 to participate in the project.

If a facility is interested in participating, the survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GQWMMW3. If a facility representative would like to take the survey over the phone or learn more about the survey, please contact Suzie Boxman, Ph.D. at sboxman@erefdn.org.

About EREF
EREF has a long history of aggregating pertinent waste-related data and facilitating research. More than 25 years old, the organization has provided more than $16 million dollars in research grants and has conducted numerous data studies. For example, EREF’s annual Tip Fee report is widely distributed and used by a variety of entities, including financial analysts, municipalities, government agencies, and waste industry professionals.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

Supporting Solid Waste Science through the EREF Auction

Click here for a PDF of this release.

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s (EREF) Annual Charitable Auction is back in 2021 to raise support for the Foundation’s mission to drive sustainable solid waste management practices forward.

This event, which moved virtual in 2020 due to COVID-19, is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, bidders and volunteers, the 2020 Auction saw its 2nd highest net in its more than 25-year history – a milestone serving as a catalyst for EREF to fund more research, students and education opportunities!

Due to COVID-19, the Auction will once again look different than it has in the past with the event being held virtually through EREF’s online bidding platform, GiveSmart. Bidders will have the opportunity to peruse items and register to bid online leading up to the start of the Auction.

EREF’s Auction consists of two parts: a Live Auction and a Silent Auction. The Live Auction features larger items including trucks, large equipment and outings with industry executives, while the Silent Auction features smaller items including experiences, electronics, sports memorabilia and more.

Auction Bidding and Schedule

While the Live Auction will be virtual this year, EREF will have a presence on the WasteExpo 2021 show floor where we’ll highlight the progress of the Auction. The Silent Auction will remain online as it has in years past.

Bidding for both the Live and Silent Auctions will begin on June 16, less than two weeks before WasteExpo, culminating with the end of the show on June 30. All bidding will take place on GiveSmart. More information on registration, bidding and items will be released as it’s available.

How can you participate?

  • Donate! Donors receive visibility via GiveSmart, e-mail promotions and social media.
  • While the event will take place virtually, EREF will have a WasteExpo presence; therefore, sponsorships can be virtual or in-person to provide visibility to your company.
  • Why not go home with one (two, or three) amazing items from the EREF Auction? More bidding information to come.
  • Spread the word. Take to social media to share the Auction or spread the word about your donation through our donor marketing kit.

Proceeds from the EREF Auction help to drive sustainable solid waste management forward. EREF accomplishes its mission through its core programs: Research Grants, Scholarships, Data & Policy and Education. Additional information on these programs and more are available at erefdn.org.

For just a snippet of the research and education opportunities that the Foundation is up to in 2021, click here.

Make sure to stop by EREF’s booth at WasteExpo to learn more about the Foundation and its Auction!

Donations are still accepted and sponsorships are available! Questions about how you can participate? Contact EREF’s Events Manager, Caitlin Conklin, via e-mail at cconklin@erefdn.org.

EREF is a 501(c)3 class charity that funds and directs scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices to benefit industry participants and the communities they serve. For more complete information on EREF funded research, its scholarship program and how to donate to this great cause, visit erefdn.org.

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Media Contact:

Catherine Ardoin, Communications Manager
Phone: 919.861.6876 ext. 109
Email: cardoin@erefdn.org

Breaking It Down: An Investigation into Accelerating the Degradation of Lignocellulose Material in Landfills

A long way from the antiquated “holes in the ground”, today’s landfills are highly engineered waste repositories with extensive liner systems, leachate and gas collection systems and more. Among the important facets of modern landfills, the gas collection system plays a valuable role in capturing landfill gas before it can enter the atmosphere. This collected gas can then be converted into energy, helping to dispel assumptions that landfills are the antithesis of sustainability.

As waste decomposes, it releases various types of gas, predominately methane and carbon dioxide. Decomposition of the waste plays a huge role in the amount of gas that is able to be captured. A number of materials, such as food waste and other organics, degrade rapidly, allowing for capture of the landfill gas. On the other hand, materials which do not degrade rapidly in a landfill often contribute to greenhouse gas emissions because there comes a point when it is no longer feasible to continue collecting the gas.

A LOOK AT BACTERIA AND ENZYMES TO INCREASE DEGRADATION

A recent study conducted by former EREF Scholar Dr. Muaaz Wright-Syed and Cardiff University, specifically investigated options for breaking down lignocellulose-rich waste (e.g. newspaper and wood), which does not degrade quickly leading to gas emissions. Fortunately, there are certain microorganisms that break down the lignocellulose – predominately white-rot fungi and some bacteria.

Researchers found that they could pull the enzymes responsible for breaking down waste out of the white-rot fungi and decided to use these enzymes and the bacteria that has been proven to break down lignocellulose as part of their study.

In an effort to circulate these enzymes and bacteria throughout the waste so they can do their job, they are combined with leachate, which is then sprayed on top of the waste or pumped into the landfill through holes drilled through the waste.

The study also investigated practical application and how the composition of the waste in a landfill affected the flow of the augmented leachate through waste. While previous studies of this lignocellulose degradation have shown success, they have been conducted in controlled environments and adapting these systems to real world conditions has proven less effective. One of the biggest issues with the practical application of these systems is the heterogeneous makeup of the waste in landfills. Waste composition in studies has been homogeneous, making it easier for the leachate and the bacteria to travel throughout the entirety of the waste.

THE RESULTS AND THEIR REAL-WORLD IMPLICATIONS

Results from this study indicate that the bacteria were able to break down all lignocellulose-containing material tested, while the enzymes degraded all material except wood.

Given the greater success they had with the bacteria, researchers then applied it to waste with a homogenous composition, finding an increase in gas production. However, when applied to waste with a heterogeneous composition, they found it was difficult for the bacteria to do its job and spread to all parts of the waste due to preferential flow.

In practical application, researchers submit that in landfill cells with homogeneous waste composition, the bacteria has the potential to enhance gas production and therefore greater energy production. However, in cases of landfill cells with heterogeneous waste composition, researchers suggest mechanical pre-treatment, or homogenization of the waste prior to building landfill cells. Lastly, the work may also have implications for stabilizing organics left in the landfill after closure as a post-closure.