Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III
[Federal Register: January 19, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 12)]
[Notices]
[Page 3082-3094]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ja00-152]
[[Page 3082]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[SWH-FRL-6524-3]
Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is providing notice of
the availability of the final Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III
(RMAN III) and supporting materials. The final RMAN III contains EPA's
recommendations for purchasing 18 items designated in the final
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline III, which is published elsewhere
in today's Federal Register. This action will help use government
purchasing power to stimulate the use of recovered materials in the
manufacture of new products and expand markets for those recovered
materials. EPA designates items that are or can be made with recovered
materials and provides recommendations for the procurement of these
items under section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976 (RCRA). The 18 items EPA is making recommendations for include:
Carpet cushion; flowable fill; railroad grade crossing surfaces; park
benches and picnic tables; playground equipment; food waste compost;
plastic lumber landscaping timbers and posts; solid plastic binders;
plastic clipboards; plastic file folders; plastic clip portfolios;
plastic presentation folders; sorbents (i.e., absorbents and
adsorbents); awards and plaques; industrial drums; mats; signage; and
manual-grade strapping. The final RMAN III contains recommended
recovered materials content levels for these items and provides other
purchasing recommendations. RMAN III also contains revised recovered
materials content recommendations for steel shower and restroom
dividers/partitions, steel recycling containers and waste receptacles,
and the steel components of traffic barricades and delineators. These
items were previously designated in CPG I and II with recommendations
provided in RMAN I and II. The revised recommended recovered materials
content levels for these previously designated items are based on
comments submitted on the draft RMAN III for all items containing
recovered steel.
EFFECTIVE DATES: The recommendations for purchasing the 18 newly-
designated items are effective January 19, 2001. The recommendations
for previously designated items (i.e., steel shower and restroom
dividers/partitions, steel recycling containers and waste receptacles,
and steel components of traffic barricades and delineators) are
effective January 19, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The public docket for this notice is Docket F-1999-CP3F-
FFFFF. Documents related to today's notice are available for viewing in
the RCRA Information Center (RIC), which is located at U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Crystal Gateway One, 1235 Jefferson
Davis Highway, Ground Floor, Arlington, VA 22202. The RIC is open from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays.
To review docket materials, it is recommended that the public make an
appointment by calling (703) 603-9230. Copies cost $0.15/page. The
index and some supporting materials are available electronically. For
information on accessing the documents electronically, see Section V of
the Supplementary Information section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact the
RCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346 or TDD (800) 553-7672 (hearing
impaired). In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, call (703) 412-9810
or TDD (703) 412-3323. For technical information on individual item
recommendations, contact Terry Grist at (703) 308-7257.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preamble Outline
I. What is the statutory authority for this action?
II. Why is EPA taking this action?
III. What are the definitions of terms used in this action?
V. What did commenters say about the recommendations in the draft
RMAN III?
A. Comments on Proposed Items Containing Recovered Steel
B. Comments on Specifications for Flowable Fill
V. Supporting Information and Accessing Internet
I. What Is the Statutory Authority for This Action?
The Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III (RMAN III) is published
under the authority of sections 2002(a) and 6002 of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976 (RCRA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a) and 6962; and Executive
Order (E.O.) 13101 (63 FR 49643, September 14, 1998).
II. Why Is EPA Taking This Action?
Section 6002 of RCRA establishes a Federal buy-recycled program.
RCRA section 6002(e) requires EPA to (1) designate items that are or
can be produced with recovered materials and (2) prepare guidelines to
assist procuring agencies in complying with affirmative procurement
requirements set forth in paragraphs (c), (d), and (I) of section 6002.
Once EPA designates an item, section 6002 requires that each procuring
agency that procures the designated item using appropriated Federal
funds, must procure that item containing the highest percentage of
recovered materials practicable. For the purposes of RCRA section 6002,
procuring agencies include the following: (1) Any Federal agency; (2)
any State or local agencies using appropriated Federal funds for a
procurement; and (3) any contractors with these agencies (with respect
to work performed under the contract). The requirements of section 6002
apply to procuring agencies only when procuring a designated item where
the price of the item exceeds $10,000 or when the quantity of the item,
or functionally equivalent items, purchased in the previous year
exceeded $10,000.
Executive Order 13101 (63 FR 49643, September 14, 1998) requires
EPA to designate items in a Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG)
and publish guidance that contains EPA's recommended recovered
materials content levels for the designated items in Recovered
Materials Advisory Notices (RMAN). The Executive Order (E.O.) also
requires EPA to update the CPG every two years and the RMAN
periodically to reflect changes in market conditions. EPA codifies the
CPG designations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), but, because
the recommendations are guidance, the RMAN is not codified in the CFR.
This process allows EPA to revise its recommendations in a timely
manner and in response to changes in a product's availability or
recovered materials content.
EPA promulgated the CPG I and issued notice of RMAN I on May 1,
1995 (60 FR 21370 and 21386, respectively). CPG I designated 19 items
and consolidated five previous item designations made in earlier EPA
procurement guidelines, and RMAN I recommended purchasing practices for
these 24 items. On November 13, 1997, EPA published CPG II (62 FR
60962), which designated an additional 12 items and concurrently
published an RMAN II (62 FR 60975). The final RMAN II also
[[Page 3083]]
provided clarification of EPA's 1995 recommendations for purchasing
floor tiles containing recovered materials. Paper Products RMANs were
issued on May 29, 1996 (61 FR 26985) and June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31214). On
August 26, 1998, EPA proposed CPG III (63 FR 4558), which proposed to
designate an additional 19 items. EPA concurrently published a draft
RMAN III (63 FR 45580). The 19 items EPA proposed for designation were:
nylon carpet with backing containing recovered materials; carpet
cushion; flowable fill; railroad grade crossing surfaces; park benches
and picnic tables; playground equipment; food waste compost; plastic
lumber landscaping timbers and posts; solid plastic binders; plastic
clipboards; plastic file folders; plastic clip portfolios; plastic
presentation folders; sorbents (i.e., absorbents and adsorbents);
awards and plaques; industrial drums; mats; signage; and manual-grade
strapping. Today, EPA is publishing recommendations for 18 of the 19
items. EPA is not designating nylon carpet with backing containing
recovered materials at this time and, therefore, is not publishing
final recommendations for purchasing this item. The reasons for this
decision are discussed in the final CPG III, published in the rules
section of today's Federal Register.
EPA wants to stress that the recommendations in its RMAN are just
that--recommendations and guidance to procuring agencies to help them
meet their obligations under section 6002. The designation of an item
as one that is or can be manufactured with recovered materials and the
inclusions of recommended content levels for an item in an RMAN do not
require the procurement of an item when it is not suitable for an
agency's intended purpose. Section 6002 is explicit about this when it
authorizes a procuring agency not to procure a designated item which
``fails to meet the performance standards set forth in the applicable
specification or fails to meet the reasonable performance standards of
the procuring agencies.''(Section 6002(1)(B), 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(B)).
Thus, for example, in the final CPG III published elsewhere in
today's Federal Register, EPA is designating playground equipment as an
item that is or can be produced with recovered materials. The Agency's
research shows that this item is available in either steel, aluminum,
or plastic containing recovered materials. However, the mere fact that
this item is available containing recovered materials does not require
the procurement of steel, aluminum, or plastic playground equipment in
every circumstance. The choice of appropriate materials may depend on
state or local codes. The effect of EPA's designation (and section
6002) is simply to require the purchase of items with recovered
materials where consistent with the purpose of how the item is to be
used. Procuring agencies remain free to procure playground equipment
made of materials other than steel, aluminum, or plastic (e.g., wood)
where the design specifications call for other materials.
III. What Are the Definitions of Terms Used in This Action?
Today's final RMAN III recommends postconsumer or recovered
materials content levels which EPA believes the designated items are
generally available. The RMAN III recommends two different measures of
recovered materials: (1) A component of postconsumer recovered
materials and (2) a component of total recovered materials for the
following items: carpet cushion; railroad-grade crossing surfaces; park
benches and picnic tables; playground equipment; plastic lumber
landscaping timbers and posts; plastic binders, clipboards, file
folders, clip portfolios, and presentation folders; sorbents;
industrial drums; awards and plaques; mats; signage; and manual-grade
strapping. For these items, EPA found that manufacturers were using
both types of materials to manufacture these products. If the Agency
recommended only postconsumer content levels it would fail to meet the
RCRA mandate to maximize the use of recovered materials, because it
would fail to acknowledge the contribution that manufacturers using
other manufacturers' byproducts as feedstock have made to solid waste
management. EPA defined the terms ``recovered materials'' and
``postconsumer materials'' in the CPG and in 40 CFR 247.3. We repeat
the definitions for these terms in this notice for the convenience of
the reader.
Postconsumer materials means a material or finished product that
has served its intended end use and has been diverted or recovered from
waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer
item. Postconsumer material is part of the broader category of
recovered materials.
Recovered materials means waste materials and byproducts which have
been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but the term does not
include those materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly
used within, an original manufacturing process.
IV. What Did Commenters Say About the Recommendations in the Draft
RMAN III?
This section discusses the major public comments on the draft RMAN
III. The Agency received a number of significant comments related to
flowable fill and the recommended recovered materials content levels
for proposed designated items containing recovered steel. These
comments are discussed below. A summary of all of the comments and the
Agency's response is provided in the document entitled ``Background
Document for the Final Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) III
and Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) III,'' September 1999,
hereafter referred to as the ``Background Document for the Final CPG
III/RMAN III.'' A copy of this document has been placed in the docket
for the final RMAN III. See ADDRESSES above for information about
reviewing documents in the public docket. This document is also
available electronically on the Internet. See Section V of this notice
for information on accessing this document electronically.
A. Comments on Proposed Designated Items Containing Recovered Steel
Comment: The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) submitted comments
noting that all items proposed for designation (with the exception of
industrial drums) could be manufactured with steel made by both Basic
Oxygen Furnace (BOF) and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) processes. SRI
noted that items made by the BOF process typically contain 25 to 30
percent recovered materials including more than 15 percent postconsumer
steel. When these items are made out of steel manufactured by the EAF
process they may contain up to 100 percent recovered materials,
including 67 percent postconsumer steel. SRI suggested EPA recommend
recycled content levels of 16 percent postconsumer and 25 percent total
recovered content for all items made from BOF steel and 67 percent
postconsumer and 100 percent total recovered content when items are
made from EAF steel. SRI pointed out that currently, industrial drums
are only being made from BOF steel and, therefore, contain a total of
25 percent total recovered steel, including 16 postconsumer steel. SRI
requested that, for all items proposed in CPG III containing steel, the
final RMAN III should reflect these recovered materials content levels.
[[Page 3084]]
Response: EPA included the recommended recovered materials content
levels for steel in this final RMAN notice to reflect SRI's comments
regarding BOF and EAF manufactured steel for the items designated in
the CPG, with one exception. Rather than recommend a single total
recovered materials content level of 25 percent for items made from BOF
steel, the Agency is recommending a range of 25-30 percent. The use of
a recovered materials content range in this instance reflects both the
information provided by SRI and the requirements of E.O. 13101 for
making recommendations. EPA is also revising the content level
recommendations for the steel component of traffic barricades and
delineators, steel recycling containers and waste receptacles, and for
steel shower and restroom dividers/partitions to reflect this new
information. These items were designated in CPG I and CPG II. No other
revisions to the recommendations for items previously designated in CPG
I and CPG II are being made at this time.
B. Comments on Specifications for Flowable Fill
Comment: The FIRST Project (Foundry Industry Recycling Starts
Today), an industry consortium, suggested that there is an
inconsistency with two of the specifications listed in the RMAN for
flowable fill. ASTM's C33-93 Concrete Aggregate specification limits
the use of some spent sands that have fines content greater than 3 to 5
percent, while ACI 229R-94 indicates that foundry sands with up to 20
percent fines were successfully utilized in flowable fill mix designs.
The commenter believes that recommending ASTM C33-93 effectively limits
the use of this material without taking into account whether the
performance specification is clearly met. The commenter suggests that
the mix design specification should be based on performance, not simply
on the aggregate.
Response: EPA has learned that ASTM C33-93 was developed to
optimize the strength and compactability of concrete and was not meant
to be used with controlled low-strength material or flowable fill. The
Agency, therefore, recognizes that ASTM C33-93 may not be an
appropriate specification for sands used in flowable fill. Procuring
agencies may wish to use this specification's physical tests as a
measure to assure the quality and uniformity of the sands used in
flowable fill; however, the agency now believes this specification
should not be referred to for gradation requirements. Based on this
information, the final RMAN III for flowable fill has been revised to
delete any reference to the use of ASTM C33-93 for gradation purposes.
The RMAN recommends that procuring agencies ``refer to ASTM C33-93,
``Standard Specification for Concrete,'' to assure the quality and
uniformity of the ferrous foundry sands in flowable fill * * *.''
V. Supporting Information and Accessing Internet
The index of supporting materials for today's final RMAN III is
available in the RCRA Information Center (RIC) and on the Internet. The
address and telephone number of the RIC are provided in the ADDRESSES
section above. The index and the following supporting materials are
available on the Internet:
``Background Document for the Final CPG III/RMAN III,'' U.S. EPA,
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, September 1999.
Copies of the following supporting materials are available for
viewing at the RIC only:
``Telephone Notes, Flowable Fill Specifications, Between Lynne Gilbert,
Eastern Research Group and Paul Tikalsky, Penn State University, May
12, 1999.''
To access information on the Internet go to www.epa.gov/cpg>.
Dated: January 10, 2000.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III
The following represents EPA's recommendations to procuring
agencies for purchasing the items designated today in the Comprehensive
Procurement Guideline III in compliance with section 6002 of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and section 502(b) of
E.O. 13101. These recommendations are intended to be used in
conjunction with the RMANs issued on May 1, 1995 (60 FR 21386) and
November 13, 1997 (62 FR 60975) and the Paper Products RMANs issued on
May 29, 1996 (61 FR 26985) and June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31214). Refer to May
1, 1995 and November 13, 1997 RMANs for definitions, general
recommendations for affirmative procurement programs, and
recommendations for previously designated items. In the case of traffic
barricades, delineators, recycling containers and waste receptacles,
and shower and restroom dividers/partitions, the recommendations
published today revise the previous recommendations issued in RMAN I
and RMAN II.
Contents
I. General Recommendations
II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items
Part C. Construction Products
Section C-6 (Revised). Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions
Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel
Section C-8. Carpet Cushion Made from Bonded Polyurethane, Jute,
Synthetic Fibers, or Rubber Containing Recovered Materials.
Section C-9. Flowable Fill Containing Coal Fly Ash and/or
Ferrous Foundry Sands.
Section C-10. Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Containing Coal
Fly Ash, Recovered Rubber, or Recovered Steel
Part D. Transportation Products
Section D-1 (Revised). Temporary Traffic Control Devices
Section D-3 (Revised). Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible
Delineators Containing Recovered Plastic, Rubber, or Steel
Part E. Park and Recreation Products
Section E-3. Park Benches and Picnic Tables Containing Recovered
Steel, Aluminum, Plastic, or Concrete.
Section E-4. Playground Equipment Containing Recovered Plastic,
Steel, or Aluminum.
Part F. Landscaping Products
Section F-2. Compost Made From Yard Trimmings, Leaves, Grass
Clippings, and/or Food Waste.
Section F-5. Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts
Containing Recovered Materials.
Part G. Non-Paper Office Products
Section G-1 (Revised). Office Recycling Containers and Office
Waste Receptacles Containing Recovered Paper, Plastic, or Steel
Section G-8. Solid Plastic Binders, Plastic Clipboards, Plastic
File Folders, Plastic Clip Portfolios, and Plastic Presentation
Folders Containing Recovered Plastic
Part H. Miscellaneous Products
Section H-2. Sorbents Containing Recovered Materials for Use in
Oil and Solvent Clean-Ups and as Animal Bedding.
Section H-3. Industrial Drums Containing Recovered Steel,
Plastic, or Paper.
Section H-4. Awards and Plaques Containing Recovered Glass,
Wood, Paper, or Plastic.
Section H-5. Mats Containing Recovered Rubber and/or Plastic.
Section H-6. Manual-grade Strapping Containing Recovered Steel
or Plastic.
Section H-7. Non-Road Signs Containing Recovered Plastic or
Aluminum and Road Signs Containing Recovered Aluminum.
I. General Recommendations
General recommendations for definitions, specifications, and
affirmative procurement programs can be found in the May 1, 1995 RMAN
(60 FR 21386).
[[Page 3085]]
II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items
Recommendations for purchasing previously-designated items can be
found in the May 1, 1995 and November 13, 1997 RMANs and the May 29,
1996 and June 8, 1998 Paper Products RMANs. Revised recovered materials
content level recommendations for the steel components of traffic
barricades and delineators, steel shower and restroom dividers/
partitions, and steel office recycling containers and waste receptacles
are included in today's notice.
Part C--Construction Products
Note: Refer to Section E-2--Plastic Fencing Containing
Recovered Plastic for Specified Uses and to Part F--Landscaping
Products for additional items that can be used in construction
applications.
Section C-6 (Revised). Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions
Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table C-6, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing shower and
restroom dividers/partitions.
Table C-6 (Revised).--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for
Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions Containing Recovered Plastic or
Steel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Postconsumer recovered
Material materials materials
(%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel.......................................... 16 25-30
67 100
Plastic........................................ 20-100 20-100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendation does not preclude agencies from purchasing
shower and restroom dividers/partitions manufactured from another
material, such as wood. It simply recommends that procuring agencies,
when purchasing shower and restroom dividers/partitions made from
plastic or steel, purchase these items made from recovered materials
when these items meet applicable specifications and performance
requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the
following specifications when procuring shower and restroom dividers/
partitions:
(1) The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has issued guidance
for specifying construction materials, including plastic and steel
dividers/partitions. The AIA guidance is known throughout the
construction industry as the ``Masterspec'' and is available through
the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
(2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Guide Specification CEGS-10160,
Toilet Partitions.
Section C-8. Carpet Cushion Made from Bonded Polyurethane, Jute,
Synthetic Fibers, or Rubber Containing Recovered Materials
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table C-8, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing bonded
polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushion
containing recovered materials.
Table C-8.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Bonded
Polyurethane, Jute, Synthetic Fiber, and Rubber Carpet Cushion
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Postconsumer recovered
Product Material content (%) materials
content (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonded polyurethane......... Old carpet 15-50 15-50
cushion.
Jute........................ Burlap......... 40 40
Synthetic fibers............ Carpet -- 100
fabrication
scrap.
Rubber...................... Tire rubber.... 60-90 60-90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing another type of carpet cushion. They simply require that
procuring agencies, when purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute,
synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushions, purchase these items made
with recovered materials when these items meet applicable
specifications and performance requirements. Refer to Section C-4 in
RMAN I for EPA's recommendations for purchasing polyester carpet
containing recovered materials.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of carpet cushion specifications
unique to carpet cushions containing recovered materials. Therefore,
EPA recommends that procuring agencies use any appropriate standards
set by the Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council when
purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet
cushion containing recovered materials.
Section C-9. Flowable Fill Containing Coal Fly Ash and/or Ferrous
Foundry Sands
Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use
flowable fill containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands for
backfill and other fill applications. EPA further recommends that
procuring agencies include provisions in all construction contracts
involving backfill or other fill applications to allow for the use of
flowable fill containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands,
where appropriate.
The specific percentage of coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands
used in flowable fill depends on the specifics of the job, including
the type of coal fly ash used (Class C or Class F); the strength, set
time, and flowability needed; and bleeding and shrinkage. Therefore,
EPA is not recommending specific coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands
content levels for procuring agencies to use in establishing minimum
content standards for flowable fill. EPA recommends that procuring
agencies refer to the mix proportions in Tables C-9a and C-9b for
typical proportions for high and low coal fly ash content mixes. EPA
further recommends that procuring agencies refer to American Concrete
Institute (ACI) report ACI 229R-94 for guidance on the percentages of
coal fly ash that can be used in flowable fill mixtures.
[[Page 3086]]
Table C-9a.--Typical Proportions for High Fly Ash Content
Flowable Fills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component Range
kg/m<SUP>3</SUP>(lb/yd<SUP>3</SUP>) Mix design kg/m<SUP>3</SUP>
(lb/yd<SUP>3</SUP>)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fly ash (95%)........................... 949 to 1542 (1600 to 2600)......
1234 (2080)
Cement (5%)............................. 47 to 74 (80 to 125)............
62 (104)
Added water............................. 222 to 371 (375 to 625).........
247 (416)*
-------------------------------------
Total:............................
1543 (2600)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Equal to 189 liters (50 gallons).
Source: ``Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers,'' FHWA-SA-94-081, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, August 1995.
Table C-9b.--Typical Proportions for Low Fly Ash Content
Flowable Fills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Component Range kg/m\3\ (lb/yd\3\)
Mix design kg/m\3\ (lb/yd\3\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fly ash (6% to 14%)..................... 119 to 297 (200 to 500).........
178 (300)
Cement.................................. 30 to 119 (50 to 200)...........
59 (100)
Sand.................................... 1483 to 1780 (2500 to 3000).....
1542 (2600)
Added water............................. 198 to 494 (333 to 833).........
297 (500)*
-------------------------------------
Total:............................
2076 (3500)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High calcium fly ash is used in lower amounts than low calcium fly ash.
*Equal to 227 liters (60 gallons).
Source: ``Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers,'' FHWA-SA-94-081, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, August 1995.
Specifications: The following recommendations address mix designs,
test methods, and performance standards.
<bullet> Mix designs. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use
ACI report ACI229R-94, ``Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM)'' and
``Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers,'' (FHWA-SA-94-081, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, August
1995) in developing mix designs. Among other things, ACI229R-94
addresses materials, including coal fly ash and foundry sands, mix
design, and mixing, transporting, and placing. It also provides
examples of mixture designs containing coal fly used by the states of
Iowa, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio, and South
Carolina. ``Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers'' addresses materials,
strength, flowability, time of set, bleeding and shrinkage.
A mix design for the use of foundry sand and coal fly ash in
flowable fill was developed for Ford Motor Company. Procuring agencies
can obtain a copy of this design by contacting the RCRA Hotline at 1-
800-424-9346. Table C-9c provides the recommended trial mixture from
this specification.
Table C-9c.--Materials Quantities for Flowable Fill Mixture Containing
Foundry Sands and Coal Fly Ash
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantity
per cubic
Component yard
(lbs.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cement..................................................... 50
Coal fly ash............................................... 250
Foundry sand............................................... 2,850
Water...................................................... 500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<bullet> Materials specifications and test methods. EPA recommends
that procuring agencies use ACI229R-94 and the ASTM standards listed in
Table C-9d when purchasing flowable fill or contracting for
construction that involves backfilling or other fill applications.
EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to ASTM C 33-93,
``Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates,'' to assure the
quality and uniformity of the ferrous foundry sands used as aggregates
in flowable fills.
Table C-9d.--Recommended Test Methods for Flowable Fills (Controlled Low
Strength Materials)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification Number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D4832-95e1................... Standard Test Method for Preparation and
Testing of Controlled Low Strength
Material (CLSM) Test Cylinders.
D5239-92..................... Standard Practice for Characterizing Fly
Ash for Use in Soil Stabilization.
D5971-96..................... Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly
Mixed Controlled Low Strength Material.
D6103-07..................... Standard Test Method for Flow Consistency
of Controlled Low Strength Material.
D6023-96..................... Standard Test Method for Unit Weight,
Yield, Cement Content and Air Content
(Gravimetric) of Controlled Low Strength
Material (CLSM).
D5971-96..................... Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly
Mixed Controlled Low Strength Material.
d6024-96..................... Standard Test Method for Ball Drop on
Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM)
to Determine Suitability for Load
Application.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 3087]]
<bullet> State specifications. The following states have
specifications for flowable fill containing coal fly ash: California,
Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New
Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington, West
Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The state of Ohio has a specification entitled ``Flowable Fill Made
with Spent Foundry Sand,'' and the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
and Indiana are developing specifications for using foundry sands in
flowable fill.
If needed, procuring agencies can obtain state specifications from
the respective state transportation departments and adapt them for use
in their programs. ACI229R-94 includes mix designs from several of
these states.
<bullet> Contract specifications. EPA recommends that procuring
agencies which prepare or review ``contract'' specifications for
individual construction projects revise those specifications to allow
the use of flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous
foundry sands.
<bullet> Performance standards. EPA recommends that procuring
agencies review and, if necessary, revise performance standards
relating to fill materials to insure that they do not arbitrarily
restrict or preclude the use of flowable fills containing coal fly ash
and/or ferrous foundry sands, either intentionally or inadvertently,
unless the restriction is justified on a job-by-job basis: (1) To meet
reasonable performance requirements for fill materials or (2) because
the use of coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands would be inappropriate
for technical reasons. EPA recommends that this justification be
documented based on specific performance information. Legitimate
documentation of technical infeasibility can be for certain classes of
applications, rather than on a job-by-job basis. Agencies should
reference such documentation in individual contract specifications to
avoid extensive repetition of previously documented points. However,
procuring agencies should be prepared to submit such documentation to
scrutiny by interested parties and should have a review process
available in the event of disagreements.
Promotion program: EPA recommends that, as part of the promotion
programs required by section 6002(I) of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, procuring agencies conduct demonstration programs for
using flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry
sands. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies educate
construction contractors about the design, use, and performance of
flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands.
Section C-10. Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Containing Coal Fly Ash,
Recovered Rubber, or Recovered Steel
Preference Program: EPA recommends that based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table C-10a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing concrete,
rubber, and steel railroad grade crossing surfaces containing recovered
materials.
EPA further recommends that procuring agencies include provisions
in all concrete railroad grade crossing construction contracts to allow
for the use, as optional or alternate materials, of concrete containing
coal fly ash, where appropriate.
Table C-10a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Concrete,
Rubber, and Steel Railroad Grade
Crossing Surfaces
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Postconsumer recovered
Surface material Recovered material
content (%) materials
content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ConcreteCoal.................................. fly
ash......................... .............. 15-20
Rubber........................................ Tire
rubber..................... .............. 85-95
Steel.........................................
Steel........................... 16 25-30
67 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing another type of railroad grade
crossing surface, such as wood or asphalt. They simply require that
procuring agencies, when purchasing
concrete, rubber, or steel grade crossing surfaces, purchase these items
made with recovered materials when
these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for rubber railroad grade
crossing surfaces are based on the
weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as binders or
other additives.
Coal fly ash can be used as an ingredient of concrete slabs, pavements, or
controlled density fill product,
depending on the type of concrete crossing system installed. Higher
percentages of coal fly ash can be used in
the concrete mixture; the higher percentages help to produce a more
workable and durable product but can
prolong the curing process.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table
reflect the fact that the designated
items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace
(BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace
(EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-30% total recovered
materials, of which 16% is postconsumer
steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM
standards listed in Table C-10b when purchasing rubber railroad grade
crossing surfaces. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM
and AASHTO standards listed in Table C-10c when purchasing concrete
railroad grade crossing surfaces.
Table C-10b.--Recommended Specifications for Rubber Railroad Grade
Crossings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 2000-96.................... Rubber Products in Automotive
Applications.
D 2240-97.................... Rubber Property--Durometer Hardness.
D 412-97..................... Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic
Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers--
Tension.
D 297-93..................... Rubber Products--Chemical Analysis.
E 303-93..................... Measuring Surface Frictional Properties
Using the British Pendulum Tester.
D 1171-94.................... Rubber Deterioration--Surface Ozone
Cracking Outdoors or Chamber (Triangular
Specimens).
D 573-88..................... Deterioration in an Air Oven.
[[Page 3088]]
D 395-89..................... Rubber Property--Compression Set.
D 257-93..................... DC Resistance or Conductance of
Insulating Materials.
D 2137-94.................... Rubber Property--Brittleness Point of
Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table C-10c.--Recommended Specifications for Cement and Concrete
Containing Recovered Materials
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specification number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM C 595.............................. Standard Specification for
Blended Hydraulic Cements
ASTM C 150.............................. Standard Specification for
Portland Cement.
AASHTO M 240............................ Blended Hydraulic Cements.
ASTM C 618.............................. Standard Specification for Fly
Ash and Raw or Calcined
Natural Pozzolan for Use as a
Mineral Admixture in Portland
Cement Concrete.
ASTM C 311.............................. Standard Methods of Sampling
and Testing Fly Ash and
Natural Pozzolans for Use as
a Mineral Admixture in
Portland Cement Concrete.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part D. Transportation Products
Section D-1 (Revised). Temporary Traffic Control Devices
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table D-1, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing traffic cones
and traffic barricades.
Table D-1 (Revised).--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for
Traffic Cones and Traffic Barricades
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postconsumer
Product Material
materials Total recovered
(%) materials (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic Cones........................... PVC, LDPE, Crumb Rubber........
-- 50-100
Traffic Barricades...................... HDPE, LDPE, PET................
80-100 100
Steel..........................
16 25-30
67 100
Fiberglass.....................
-- 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the
dry weight of the raw materials,
exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table
reflect the fact that the designated
items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace
(BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace
(EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-30% total recovered
materials, of which 16% is postconsumer
steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
Section D-3 (Revised). Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible
Delineators Containing Recovered Plastic, Rubber, or Steel
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table D-3 (Revised), procuring
agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing
channelizers, delineators, and flexible delineators.
Table D-3 (Revised).--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels
for Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible Delineators Containing
Recovered Plastic, Rubber, or Steel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postconsumer content
Product Material (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Channelizers.................. Plastic.......... 25-95
Rubber (base 100
only).
Delineators................... Plastic.......... 25-90
Rubber (base 100
only).
Steel (base only) 16% postconsumer and
25-30% total
recovered materials
or 67% postconsumer
and 100% total
recovered materials.
Flexible delineators.......... Plastic.......... 25-85
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing channelizers, delineators, or flexible delineators
manufactured from another material. It simply requires that a
procuring agency, when purchasing these items made from rubber,
plastic, or steel, purchase them made with recovered materials when
these items meet applicable specifications and performance
requirements.
[[Page 3089]]
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the
following specifications when procuring channelizers, delineators, and
flexible delineators:
(1) The Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices contains specifications for the size, shape, mounting,
and placement of temporary traffic control devices.
(2) The States of Florida and North Carolina have specifications
that require the use of recovered materials in their flexible
delineators. The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) has
specifications for ``Drivable Flexible Plastic Guide Marker and
Clearance Marker Posts.'' A copy of these specifications are available
from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346.
Part E. Park and Recreation Products
Section E-3. Picnic Tables and Park Benches Containing Recovered Steel,
Aluminum, or Plastic
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table E-3a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing aluminum,
steel, or plastic park benches and picnic tables containing recovered
materials.
Table E-3a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Park
Benches and Picnic Tables Containing Recovered Aluminum, Steel, Concrete
or Plastic
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastics....................................... 90-100 100
Plastic composites............................. 50-100 00
Aluminum....................................... 25 25
Concrete....................................... ............ 15-40
Steel.......................................... 67 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:``Plastics'' includes both single and mixed plastic resins. Picnic
tables and park benches made with recovered plastics may also contain
other recovered materials such as sawdust, wood, or fiberglass. The
percentage of these materials contained in the product would also
count toward the recovered materials content level of the item.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing
park benches or picnic tables made from other materials. They simply
require that procuring agencies, when purchasing park benches or
picnic tables made from plastic, aluminum, concrete, or steel purchase
these items made with recovered materials when these items meet
applicable specifications and performance requirements.
Specifications: EPA did not identify any specifications for park
benches or picnic tables made from steel, concrete, or aluminum. EPA
recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in
their specifications for park benches or picnic tables that would
preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered
materials.
EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications
referenced in Table E-3b for park benches and picnic tables made from
plastic lumber.
Table E-3b.--Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Used In Park
Benches and Picnic Tables
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 6108-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive Properties of
Plastic Lumber.
D 6109-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Flexural Properties of
Unreinforced and Reinforced
Plastic Lumber.
D 6111-97............................... Standard Test Method for Bulk
Density and Specific Gravity
of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
by Displacement.
D 6112-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive and Flexural
Creep and Creep Rupture of
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
D 6117-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Mechanical Fasteners in
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section E-4. Playground Equipment
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table E-4a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing playground
equipment made from plastic lumber, steel, or aluminum containing
recovered materials.
Table E-4a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for
Playground Equipment Containing Recovered Plastic, Steel, or Aluminum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastics....................................... 90-100 100
Plastic Composites............................. 50-75 95-100
Steel.......................................... 16 25-30
67 100
Aluminum....................................... 25 25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: ``Plastics'' includes both single and mixed plastic resins.
Playground equipment made with recovered plastics may also contain
other recovered materials such as wood or fiberglass. The percentage
of these materials contained in the product would also count toward
the recovered materials content level of the item.
[[Page 3090]]
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing
playground equipment made from other materials. They simply require
that procuring agencies, when purchasing playground equipment made
from plastic, aluminum, or steel purchase these items made with
recovered materials when the item meets applicable specifications and
performance requirements.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the
specifications in Table E-4b when procuring playground equipment.
Playground equipment may also be subject to state and local codes and
standards as well as Federal child safety laws. EPA also recommends
that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications referenced in Table
E-4c for playground equipment made from plastic lumber.
Table E-4b.--Recommended Safety Specifications for Playground Equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specification Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Handbook for Public
Publication No. 325. Playground Safety.
ASTM F-1487-95............................ Safety Performance
Specification for
Playground Equipment for
Public Use.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table E-4c.--Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Used In
Playground Equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM Specification Number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 6108-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive Properties of
Plastic Lumber.
D 6109-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Flexural Properties of
Unreinforced and Reinforced
Plastic Lumber.
D 6111-97............................... Standard Test Method for Bulk
Density and Specific Gravity
of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
by Displacement.
D 6112-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive and Flexural
Creep and Creep Rupture of
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
D 6117-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Mechanical Fasteners in
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part F. Landscaping Products
Section F-2 (Revised). Compost Made From Yard Trimmings and/or Food
Waste
Note: Following are EPA's revised recommendations for
purchasing compost. The revisions add recommendations for purchasing
compost made from food waste to EPA's 1995 recommendations for
purchasing yard trimmings compost. Procuring agencies should
substitute these recommendations for the recommendations found in
Section F-2 of the 1995 RMAN I.
Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase
or use compost made from yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings and/or
food wastes in such applications as landscaping, seeding of grass or
other plants on roadsides and embankments, as nutritious mulch under
trees and shrubs, and in erosion control and soil reclamation.
EPA further recommends that those procuring agencies that have an
adequate volume of yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, and/or food
wastes, as well as sufficient space for composting, should implement a
composting system to produce compost from these materials to meet their
landscaping and other needs.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that
there is no language in their specifications relating to landscaping,
soil amendments, erosion control, or soil reclamation that would
preclude or discourage the use of compost. For instance, if
specifications address the use of straw or hay in roadside revegetation
projects, procuring agencies should assess whether compost could
substitute for straw or hay or be used in combination with them.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's ``Standard Specifications
for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects
1996,'' specifies compost as one of the materials suitable for use in
roadside revegetation projects associated with road construction. These
standards do not preclude the use of compost made from yard trimmings,
leaves, grass, clippings, and/or food waste.
The State of Maine has developed quality standards for compost
products that are used by its agencies and/or purchased with state
funds. The quality standards have been set for six types of compost
products, ranging from topsoil (three classes), to wetland substrate,
to mulch (two classes). For each of these types of compost product,
standards for maturity, odor, texture, nutrients, pH, salt content,
organic content, pathogen reduction, heavy metals, foreign matter,
moisture content, and density have been established. EPA recommends
that procuring agencies obtain and adapt this or another suitable
specification for their use in purchasing compost products.
The Composting Council is helping to define and develop industry
wide standards for composts made from various combinations of
materials, including yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, and food
wastes. The Composting Council publishes these standards in an
operating guide for composting facilities entitled, ``Test Methods for
Examination of Composting and Compost.'' The guide also provides
standards for the suitability of different types of composts made for
different applications, depending on the compost mix.
Section F-5. Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts
Containing Recovered Materials
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table F-5a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic
lumber landscaping timbers and posts containing recovered materials.
Table F-5a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic
Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Post recovered
Material consumer materials
content content
(%) (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HDPE.............................................. 25-100 75-100
Mixed Plastics/Sawdust............................ 50 100
HDPE/Fiberglass................................... 75 95
Other mixed resins................................ 50-100 95-100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing wooden landscaping timbers and posts. They simply require
that procuring agencies, when purchasing plastic landscaping timbers
and posts purchase these items made with recovered materials when the
items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements.
[[Page 3091]]
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM
specifications referenced in Table F-5b for plastic lumber landscaping
timbers and posts.
Table F-5b.--Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Landscaping
Timbers and Posts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 6108-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive Properties of
Plastic Lumber.
D 6109-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Flexural Properties of
Unreinforced and Reinforced
Plastic Lumber.
D 6111-97............................... Standard Test Method for Bulk
Density and Specific Gravity
of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
by Displacement.
D 6112-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Compressive and Flexural
Creep and Creep Rupture of
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
D 6117-97............................... Standard Test Method for
Mechanical Fasteners in
Plastic Lumber and Shapes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part G. Non-Paper Office Products
Section G-1 (Revised). Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste
Receptacles
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table G-1 (Revised), procuring
agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing
office recycling containers and office waste receptacles.
Table G-1 (Revised)--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for
Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovered materials (materials
Product and percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office Recycling Containers and Office Plastic: 20-100 Postconsumer
Waste Receptacles. Recovered Materials.
Paper: Refer to the Paper
Products Recommendations in
Part A of RMAN.
Steel: 16% postconsumer and
25%-30% total recovered
materials.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendations for office recycling containers and office
waste receptacles containing recovered plastic, paper, or steel do not
preclude a procuring agency from purchasing containers or receptacles
manufactured from another material, such as wood. They simply require
that procuring agencies, when purchasing office recycling containers
or office waste receptacles manufactured from plastic, paper, or
steel, purchase these items made with recovered materials when the
items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items are made from steel
manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). Steel from the BOF
process contains 25%-30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is
postconsumer steel.
Section G-8. Solid Plastic Binders, Plastic Clipboards, Plastic File
Folders, Plastic Clip Portfolios, and Plastic Presentation Folders
Containing Recovered Plastic
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table G-8, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing solid plastic
binders, plastic clipboards, plastic file folders, plastic clip
portfolios, and plastic presentation folders containing recovered
materials.
Table G-8.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Solid Plastic
Binders, Clipboards, File Folders,
Clip Portfolios, and Presentation Folders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Postconsumer recovered
Product Material
content (%) materials
content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solid plastic binders...................
HDPE.................................. 90 90
PE.................................... 30-50 30-50
PET................................... 100 100
Misc.
Plastics........................ 80 80
Plastic clipboards......................
HDPE.................................. 90 90
PS.................................... 50 50
Misc.
Plastics........................ 15 15-80
Plastic file folders....................
HDPE.................................. 90 90
Plastic clip portfolios.................
HDPE.................................. 90 90
Plastic presentation folders............
HDPE.................................. 90 90
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing binders, clipboards, file
folders, clip portfolios, or presentation folders made from another
material, such as paper. They simply
require that procuring agencies, when purchasing these items made from
solid plastic, purchase them made with
recovered plastics when these items meet applicable specifications and
performance requirements. For EPA's
recommendations for purchasing pressboard binders and paper file folders
containing recovered materials, see
table A-1c in the Paper Products RMAN (61 FR 26986, May 29, 1996). See
Table G-3 in RMAN I for EPA's
recommendations for purchasing plastic-covered binders containing recovered
materials.
Specifications: EPA did not identify any specifications for solid
plastic binders, clipboards, file folders, clip portfolios, and
presentation folders. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure
that there is no language in their specifications for these items that
would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered
materials.
[[Page 3092]]
Part H. Miscellaneous Products
Section H-2. Sorbents
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-2a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing sorbent
materials for use in oil and solvent clean-ups and for use as animal
bedding.
Table H-2a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Sorbents
Used in Oil and Solvents Clean-ups and for Use as Animal Bedding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper.......................................... 90-100 100
Textiles....................................... 95-100 95-100
Plastics....................................... ............ 25-100
Wood........................................... ............ 100
Other Organics/Multi-Materials................. ............ 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:``Wood'' includes materials such as sawdust and lumber mill
trimmings. Examples of ``other organics'' include, but are not limited
to, peanut hulls and corn stover. An example of ``multi-material''
sorbents would include, but not be limited to, a polymer and cellulose
fiber combination.
EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing
sorbents made from other materials. They simply require that procuring
agencies, when purchasing sorbents made from paper, wood, textiles,
plastics, or other organic materials, purchase them made with
recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications
and performance requirements.
Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that
there is no language in their specifications for sorbents that would
preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered
materials.
EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications
in Table H-2b when procuring sorbents for use on oil and solvent clean-
ups.
Table H-2b.--ASTM Specifications for Absorbents and Adsorbents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F 716-81................................ Standard Method of Testing
Sorbent Performance of
Adsorbents.
F 716-82................................ Standard Method of Testing
Sorbent Performance of
Absorbents.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section H-3. Industrial Drums Containing Recovered Steel, Plastic, and
Paper
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-3, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing steel,
plastic, or fiber industrial drums containing recovered materials. EPA
further recommends that procuring agencies reuse drums, purchase or use
reconditioned drums, or procure drum reconditioning services, whenever
feasible.
Table H-3.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Steel,
Plastic, and Fiber Industrial Drums
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Postconsumer recovered
Product Material
content (%) materials
content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel drums.............................
Steel................................. 16 25-30
Plastic drums...........................
HDPE.................................. 30-100 30-100
Fiber drums.............................
Paper................................. 100 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing another type of industrial drum.
It simply requires that procuring agencies, when purchasing steel, plastic,
or fiber industrial drums,
purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet
applicable specifications and
performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table
reflect the fact that the designated
items are made from steel manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF).
Steel from the BOF process contains
25%-30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications unique to
industrial drums containing recovered materials. EPA notes that
industrial drums containing recovered materials can meet applicable
U.S. Department of Transportation specifications for packaging
hazardous materials. Additionally, the National Motor Freight Traffic
Association specifications for containers used to transport goods via
truck do not prohibit the use of industrial drums containing recovered
materials.
Section H-4. Awards and Plaques
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-4, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing awards and
plaques containing recovered materials.
Table H-4.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Awards
and Plaques Containing Recovered Materials
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glass.......................................... 75-100 100
Wood........................................... ............ 100
Paper.......................................... 40-100 40-100
Plastic and Plastic/Wood Composite............. 50-100 95-100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing awards or plaques made from other materials. They simply
require that procuring agencies, when purchasing awards or plaques
made from paper, wood, glass, or plastics/plastic composites, purchase
them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable
specifications and performance requirements.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications or standards for
awards or
[[Page 3093]]
plaques containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring
agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for
awards and plaques that would preclude or discourage the use of
products containing recovered materials.
Section H-5. Mats
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-5, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing mats
containing recovered materials.
Table H-5.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Mats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubber......................................... 75-100 85-100
Plastic........................................ 10-100 100
Rubber/Plastic Composite....................... 100 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing mats made from other materials. They simply require that
procuring agencies, when purchasing mats made from rubber and/or
plastic, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items
meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. When
purchasing mats with steel or aluminum linkages, the Agency recommends
that these linkages also contain recovered materials.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications or standards for
mats containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring
agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for
mats that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing
recovered materials. EPA is aware of one ASTM specification for
wrestling mats, but does not believe that this type of mat is purchased
in appreciable quantities by procuring agencies.
Section H-6. Manual-Grade Strapping Containing Recovered Steel and
Plastic
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-6a, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing manual-grade
strapping containing recovered materials.
Table H-6a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Manual-Grade
Polyester, Polypropylene, and Steel
Strapping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Product Material
Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Polyester strapping........................
PET..................................... 50-85 50-85
Polypropylene strapping....................
PP...................................... ............ 10-40
Steel strapping............................
Steel................................... 16 25-30
67 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from
purchasing another type of strapping, such
as nylon. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing
polyester, polypropylene, or steel
manual-grade strapping, purchase these items made with recovered materials
when these items meet applicable
specifications and performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table
reflect the fact that the designated
items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace
(BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace
(EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-30% total recovered
materials, of which 16% is postconsumer
steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications unique to
strapping containing recovered materials. EPA notes that strapping
containing recovered materials can meet the ASTM strapping
specifications and selection guide listed in Table H-6b.
Table H-6b.--Recommended ASTM Specifications and Guide for Strapping
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM specification/guide number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM 3953............................... Standard Specification for
Strapping, Flat Steel and
Seals.
ASTM D 3950............................. Standard Specification for
Strapping, Nonmetallic (and
Joining Methods).
ASTM D 4675............................. Standard Guide for Selection
and Use of Flat Strapping
Materials.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section H-7. Signage
Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-7, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic signs
for non-road applications (e.g., building signs, trail signs) and
aluminum signs for roadway or non-road applications containing
recovered materials. EPA also recommends that, based on the recovered
materials content levels shown in Table H-7, procuring agencies
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing sign supports
and posts containing recovered plastic or steel.
Table H-7.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Signs
Containing Recovered Plastic or Aluminum and Sign Posts/Supports
Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
recovered
Item/material Postconsumer materials
content (%) content
(%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastic signs.................................. 80--100 80-100
Aluminum signs................................. 25 25
Plastic sign posts/supports.................... 80-100 80-100
Steel sign posts/supports...................... 16 25-30
67 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:Plastic signs and sign posts are recommended for nonroad
applications only such as, but not limited to, railway signs in parks
and directional/informational signs in buildings.
[[Page 3094]]
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel.
Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel,
of which 67% is postconsumer.
EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing
signs or sign posts made from other materials. They simply require
that procuring agencies, when purchasing signs made from plastic or
aluminum or sign posts made from plastic or steel, purchase them made
with recovered materials when these items meet applicable
specifications and performance requirements.
Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications for non-road
signs containing recovered materials. Standard specifications for road
sign size, lettering, color, strength, and performance requirements can
be found in the ``Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,'' which is
published by the Federal Highway Administration. Applicable portions of
this manual have been placed in the RCRA public docket for the proposed
CPG/RMAN III notices.
[FR Doc. 00-1068 Filed 1-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
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