Winter 2024
RBAC's quarterly newsletter discusses current topics of interest to recycling businesses, including information on financing opportunities, commodity markets, and new technologies.
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Final Call for Recycling Business Development Grants!
Attention North Carolina recycling businesses: If you're looking to expand your recycling capacity, now’s the time! RBAC invites you to apply for a 2025 Recycling Business Development Grant.
Funding limits have increased, allowing applicants to apply for up to $75,000 per project.
Deadline Extended: Submit your application by November 26, 2024. Send all proposals to Marc Bottger at marc.boettger@deq.nc.gov.
Don't miss out—download the RFP today!
Local Grant Opportunities For Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Multiple grants are now available through several organizations to support small businesses in Western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene. These programs aim to provide critical funding for rebuilding businesses in impacted areas.
Eligible businesses may apply for grants to assist with recovery efforts, with deadlines approaching soon. Learn more about these opportunities and how to apply by visiting the Mountain BizWorks Grant Page.
Piedmont Disposal Utilizes RBAC Grant to Expand Market Reach
Through a 2024 Recycling Business Development Grant, Piedmont Disposal made major advances to improve its operational efficiency and expand its recycling capacity. With funding for a new forklift and rotating clamp to feed their shredder conveyor, Piedmont Disposal is now able to run continuous shredder operations five days a week, allowing them to process a higher volume and broader range of materials—including challenging items like paper cores and tubing. Exceeding initial expectations, this project also allowed Piedmont Disposal to add one new full-time position and increase projected material diversion by an estimated 1,000 tons of paper products annually. According to owner Mack Long, “the Recycling Business Development Grant has played an essential role in supporting Piedmont Disposal’s growth and helping advance sustainability in the region.”
Hurricane Helene Impacts and Response
Impacts from Hurricane Helene were widespread throughout western North Carolina, including numerous damage reports at recycling businesses and community-based recycling infrastructure. Damage ranged from destruction of facilities to supply chain and staffing disruptions to temporary closures due to power outages and road conditions.
In the face of such challenges, many NC recycling businesses contributed critical resources, including warehouse space, transportation, and on-the-ground assistance to aid recovery efforts. Companies like Simply Green Recycling delivered relief supplies and provided recycling services in areas where other businesses couldn’t. Curbside Management provided emergency trash collection for the community while their recycling facility was without power, quickly resumed recycling operations once power was restored, and set up additional recycling drop-offs for residents. Powerhouse Recycling donated solar modules, collected and delivered needed supplies, and put equipment and staff to work to access and repair roadways in Yancey County. Hartsell Scrap Metal, despite experiencing communication blackouts, prepared themselves to resume serving their community at the earliest possible moment.
With cleanup efforts underway, North Carolina recycling businesses are playing an essential role in decreasing the amount of material sent to landfills for disposal. Debris contractors are relying on local recyclers to divert scrap metal, white goods, vegetative debris, electronics, and household hazardous wastes. Local efforts have also sprung up to recycle cardboard boxes and water bottles from relief supply distribution sites.
Working tirelessly to ensure that recycling operations continue throughout the recovery, NC recycling businesses are demonstrating the resilience and commitment of the industry to environmental sustainability and community support.
CPRC Roadshow Visits Southeastern Container
The Carolina Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC) concluded the 2024 segment of the Your Plastic Means Products Roadshow with Session 3: The Role of Manufacturing in Advancing Plastic Recycling on September 25 at Southeastern Container in Kings Mountain, NC. The session tackled key challenges in plastics recycling—such as consumer education, recycled PET (rPET) supply, and recycling-friendly packaging design. It also explored innovative solutions like on-package recycling messaging, buy-back programs, and improved material recapture processes.
A central theme throughout was the industry's commitment to consumer education, product design for recyclability, and corporate responsibility in creating circular systems. Attendees also toured Southeastern Container's drink bottle production space and participated in a networking lunch. The CPRC looks forward to the final roadshow session, scheduled for early spring 2025, to continue advancing plastics circularity. We hope you will join us! Find our more at Your Plastics Means Products
APR Members Gathered in Charlotte
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Fall Member Meeting was held from October 22-24 at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to network and exchange knowledge with industry professionals from across North America. With a focus on partnerships, technical advancements in plastics, circularity, and innovative tools, the event highlighted key developments in recycling and sustainability. Wendy Worley, NC DEACS Deputy Director, presented to APR members and attendees on NC’s recycling business development incentives and the Carolina Plastics Recycling Council’s (CPRC) efforts to champion circularity, emphasizing the collaborative work underway to drive impactful change in the plastics industry across the Carolinas and the Southeast.
NC Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 10-Year Update
In September 2024, NCDEQ released the 2024-2034 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan. Recognizing the need to extend the state’s existing landfill capacity, the plan focuses on strategies to maximize diversion and grow the circular economy through investments in private and public materials management infrastructure. Five topic areas are identified for advancement and improvement in the coming decade, with specific objectives and key actions to:
- Advance waste reduction;
- Grow the circular economy;
- Develop infrastructure and optimize material recovery;
- Manage special waste streams; and
- Educate and engage with the public
The development of the plan was a collaborative process that reflects the inputs and efforts of many parties, including: the public, waste and recycling industry associations, community and environmental advocacy groups, local and state government agencies, facility owners/operators, and the NCDEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) and Division of Waste Management (DWM).