Hats off to ... County Efforts to
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Hamilton County, Ohio

In 1995, industries in Hamilton County, Ohio, recycled more than 50 percent of their waste. Yet much of the 275,000 tons that ended up in the county's landfills did so because of a lack of a strong recycling market, even though much of the waste had the potential to be reused. In order to reduce the amount of solid waste disposed at the landfills, "The Interchange" was developed by the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services.

The Interchange is a materials exchange program operating through a newsletter that gives companies with reusable waste products the opportunity to let other companies know these products are available. Companies that have a waste product with the potential for reuse, such as old corrugated cardboard boxes or wood pallets, can take out a listing under the "Materials Available" section. If a company is looking for a material, it can place a listing under the "Materials Wanted" section.

Each listing contains a detailed description of the material, quantities available or wanted and other pertinent information. Each listing is also assigned a code so that company specific information is not printed in the catalog.

Company information is provided after an organization contacts the Department of Environmental Services. Once the contact information has been given, the two organizations work out arrangements for the transfer of material.

In addition to providing information on reusable products, The Interchange newsletter also offers articles addressing environmental issues of concern to area companies and highlights local organizations with successful waste reduction and recycling programs.

In its first year, more than 140 companies used the exchange service. More than 20 transfers of materials were made between businesses, which diverted 25 tons from the local landfills. The program was very successful and well received in the business community, both inside and outside the county. Because of its success, the county has plans to expand the program to seven neighboring counties.

Hennepin County, Minn.
In 1993, Hennepin County, Minn. instituted its "Free Products Program," to make household products that are still safely useable available to the public free of charge. Some of the products given away as part of the program include oil-based paint, adhesives and glues, motor oil, household cleaners, latex paint, automobile products, TVs, VCRs, computers and stereos.

The program operates out of an existing household hazardous waste collection facility. As materials come into the facility, a staff person screens them against reuse protocol established by the county. Reuse protocol includes such things as making certain the product has a label intact enough to show the product name, manufacturer, and direction for use, as well as any caution or other safety information. If the items pass all review criteria, they are inventoried (date, material description, product code, product weight or volume) and placed on shelves.

The program has been very successful. Since its inception, more than 56,000 items have been given away, which amounts to approximately $130,000 saved in avoided disposal costs.

(Hats off was compiled by Peggy Beardslee, research assistant. Programs described are selected from the winners of 1997 NACo Achievement Awards. For more information on these programs, contact the NACo Research Department at 202/393-6226.)