message in a bottle: broadening views about reuse

Message in a Bottle: Broadening Views About

Reuse

Geoffrey D. Glenn, Danielle L. Mecham

City of SpokaneRegional Waste System

Recycling

City of Spokane curbside collections 65,000+ residential customers Follow daily refuse collections

Regional Recycling Facilities 3 fixed facilities Serves Spokane County population Self-service

Glass Collection

Average City curbside collections 4,100 tons yearly

Average Regional Transfer Station collection 458 tons yearly

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City Collections

SRSWS

Glass Collection

Glass as a Problem

Changing markets 2008

Processing/Disposition Costs for processing Limited alternatives Recycling and disposal

Response

Transported to local facilityAggregateAdditional alternatives

Recycling Re-use Pilots

Glass Production

Material tested: Aggregate in road construction (~15%) Identified other uses

Aggregate 2009

3,000 tons aggregate (5/8 minus screened glass) 2011

2,500 tons aggregate (5/8 minus screened glass) 500 ton mulch (5/8 minus to 3/8 minus)

Alternatives

Alternatives Dry Well Medium Pipe Bedding Fishery/Hatchery Traction Sand Decorative Sand Landscaping Amendment Concrete Additive Fireplace Glass

Alternatives

Viable options Landscape mulch Fishtank bedding Traction sand

Prohibitive Costs Interest Production Inputs

Issues

Culture EngineerCost to amend existing base Production prohibitive

Projects

Xeriscape Display GardenOn Track Academy

Problem Area – Waste to Energy

Area adjacent to HHW Safety Fire code

Maintenance costsWater conservationAesthetics Customer perception

WSU Xeriscape Project

Regional System glass pilot Review technologies and methods Safety issues Problematic area

Washington State University Landscape Architecture Program Landscape Architecture Interns

WSU Xeriscape Project

Xeriscape Ideology

Term coined in Colorado Focuses on native plantsDry regionsWater conservation Use of recycled materials Growing in popularity

Xeriscape Ideology

Native plants used Adapted for region Requires less maintenance and water

Xeriscape Ideology

Use of recycled materials Glass Shower doors Concrete sidewalk & curbing Brick Man hole ring

Lower environmental impact Extended life span Diversion

Glass End of life cycle Sustainability Problem becomes solution

Design Themes

On Track Academy

Alternative high school Novel approaches to learning Elective enrollment

Edible Schoolyard project Environmental studies class Student run Goal: Farm-to-Table aims

On Track Academy

Need for glass Garden space filler Seeking local alternatives

Community involvement Student tour and Q&A Provide resources and expertise

On Track Academy

Project Successes

Community involvement City government University students and graduatesAt-risk studentsLocal artists Local contractors InnovationRe-use of materials

Where Do We Go From Here?

Good press Educating the public

Established contracts with vendors e-Cullet

Feed stock for local mulch production Potential for use in highly visual city locations

Local interest Aggregate producers, architects, and landscapers

Thank you!