[P2assist] Fiber Drums

[Tom Rhodes]

Good day, Dorothy,

	Thanks for your posting to P2Assist. We appreciate everyone's
participation.
	One of the best recycling market resources available currently, is
the Directory of Markets for Recyclable Materials, available online at
www.p2pays.org/DMRM/ . The directory gives the names, locations and contact
information for a number of companies that handle recyclable commodities,
including fiber drums (listed under "paper").
	Is the raw material you are using something that you can buy in bulk
(by tank or truckload) or in returnable totes? If so, that may be the way to
go to eliminate the drums altogether. How many drums are generated on a
weekly average?
	Depending on the quantity of materials that you purchase, you may
have some bargaining power with your vendor. In essence, the vendor is
working for you. They want your business and may be willing to negotiate
different packaging, returnable packaging or more environmentally friendly
packaging for your raw materials. If you approach them about modifying the
packaging to meet your needs, make sure you speak with the appropriate
person in management at the vendor's facility. A letter to the vendor may
have more punch than a phone call. Never underestimate your power of
negotiation as a purchaser. Don't write off the concept of vendor
back-hauling empties. Remember, they want your business. Are there other
vendors of the same material at a competetive price and quality?
	If you have exhausted those avenues with no success, you may want to
call other industries that may be able to use the drums. Call your Chamber
of Commerce to see what types of industries or businesses are in your area.
There may be some that could use the drums.
	Just as a heads up to you and other businesses in this region, the
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance is working
toward developing a waste exchange in which businesses can exchange waste
products for re-use. We will keep you posted.
	Please do keep us informed as to your progress in working out your
drum waste situation. If you need further assistance, let us know.

Best wishes,
Tom

Tom Rhodes
Waste Analyst/P2pays Listserv Administrator
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and
Environmental Assistance
(919) 715-6516
"To the greater good......."


-----Original Message-----
From: vannoyd@konica.com [mailto:vannoyd@konica.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 8:38 AM
To: P2assist
Subject: [P2assist] Fiber Drums


We have had to switch vendors on one of our raw materials. With this switch
came ~55 gallon fiber drums with metal rings on the top and bottom. The raw
material is in plastic bags inside these drums, so the material rarely
touches the drum. We are in a dilemna on disposing of these. Our current
drum recycler will not take them, the vendor does not want them back and we
can not put them in our metal or cardboard recycling areas due to the
combination of the two materials. It would be time consuming and costly for
us to attempt to separate the two.
Are there any ideas out there to help us dispose/recycle these? Is there
anyone out there who could use these drums? Please contact me if these
drums interest you or if you can help out in any way.

Regards,
Dorothy

***************************************************************
Dorothy D. Vannoy
Environmental Engineer/Quality Systems Coordinator
Konica Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.
Ph: 336-449-8000 ext. 336
Fx: 336-449-7871
E: vannoyd@Konica.com

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