Document 4vKbqExb2v3YX3BzpzD5axZyV

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 8/2/2017 8:25:23 PM Ayn-Monique Klahre Ex. 6 Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] RE: Interview for BobVila.com? Hi Ayn, Please attribute our responses below to an EPA spokesperson: -What percentage of American households recycle? We do not track the number of households that recycle, but we do know that nationally, 34.6 percent of municipal solid waste is recycled. -Do you have stats on how much recycling is done "wrong" (items in wrong bins, etc)? Since recycling is administered at the local level across the country, EPA does not have such data. Some industry stakeholders have cited and noted the increase in contamination. Some organizations that have done work in this area include: Keep America Beautiful education campaigns, The Recycling Partnership operational improvement efforts, Container Recycling, the recycle often recycle right campaign, and Closed Loop Partners funding infrastructure improvements. -What happens if you put the wrong item in the wrong bag--does the whole thing go to the trash/landfill pile instead? It depends if your local provider recycles the item in question. If your local provider recycles that item, then they might be able to sort it out and put it in the correct pile. It is important to check with your local recycling provider to ensure that they will accept certain items before placing them into a bin and to make sure that you're putting items in the correct bin to begin with. In addition, wrong items can impact the safety of haulers, processors and other citizens, contaminate other recyclable items, harm existing recycling infrastructure, and add more costs to local programs. -Is recycling still expensive for cities, or have costs come down? EPA does not have data on recycling for cities since recycling is administered at the local level. Some organizations that have done work in this area include: AMERIPEN 100 cities study, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's Recycling Availability Study and The Recycling Partnership's Updated 2016 State of Curbside Report. The last two reports were featured on the EPA SMM Web Academy November 17, 2016 and August 18, 2016. -Is there any site that's best for decoding the symbols on the bottoms of plastic containers? Please visit our website for more information on resin symbols, which are the symbols on the bottom of plastic bottles and containers: https://www.epa.gOv/recvcle/how-do-i-recvcle-common-recyclables#pla. Some organizations that have done work in this area include: American Chemistry Council and EPA from its SMM Web Academy from October 15, 2015. -Where online do you suggest people go to find out if a specific item is recyclable in their area? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00001  Please visit our web page to find out if a specific item is recyclable in a particular area: https://www.epa.gov/recvcle/how-do-i-recvcle-common-recyclables -Can you name 2-3 items that people are constantly surprised CAN be recycled? We don't have a list of such items. Please view our web page on common recyclables: https://www.epa.gov/recvcle/how-do-i-recvcle-common-recyclables -Are there any other items that have come up in conversations with your friends/average recycling people that you're surprised they're misinformed about? We don't have this type of information available. Specific areas of concern. It is important to note that these responses are general guidelines. Since recycling is administered at the city or county level, it depends on your local area, so please check with your local provider first. -Can aluminum foil be recycled? Has something changed, or why is this confusing? Generally, if you shape aluminum foil (that doesn't have much food residue on it) into a ball, you can recycle it. Please check with your local recycling provider first. -Can you recycle pizza boxes, or do they have too much food on them? Generally, pizza boxes cannot be recycled but they may be compostable. It is important to first check with your local recycling provider, as it depends on your area. -Can wire hangers be recycles? Why/why not? Most dry cleaners will accept wire hangers. Please check with your local dry cleaner first to be certain. -Do coated paper milk cartons go in paper or plastic? Do you have to rinse them first, and what about the caps? Coated paper milk cartons may be recyclable or compostable depending on your area. Please check with your local recycling provider first. Yes, it is best to first rinse all cartons and containers before recycling them. -Can you recycle styrofoam food containers? While most recyclers don't accept Styrofoam, check with your local recycling facility to be certain as it depends on your city or area. -Can you recycling food takeout containers (like the round plastic ones)? Generally, you can recycle the plastic containers if they are emptied and rinsed clean of food debris. Please double check with your local recycling provider first. -Can you recycle clear plastic egg cartons? What about the paper inside--take it out? It depends on the material of the carton and on your local area. Please check with your local recycling provider first to be certain. -Can you recycle clear plastic berry containers? Do you need to detach the little absorbent paper at the bottom? It depends on the container. Please check with your local recycling provider first to be certain. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00002 -Can you recycle paper napkins/paper towels? Why or why not? Wet paper/food-soiled paper products may be compostable. Please check with your local recycling provider first to be certain. -Can broken ceramic pieces (like a mug or plate) be recycled with glass? Why/why not? Generally, no, broken pieces of material cannot be recycled since they will contaminate the recycling stream. Please check with your local provider for proper ways to dispose of broken materials Enesta Jones U.S. EPA f.f 4 Office of Media Relations _Q ir.L_2Q2 _ -56 7 8 7 3 . ________ i Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." From: Ayn-Monique Klahre [ Ex'g" i Sent: Wednesday, August oi;TOT7'4:2TPWT--------------------------------1 To: Press <Press@epa.gov> Subject: Fwd: Interview for BobVila.com? Hello I just checked in with Christie on these questions for an article I'm writing, and got her out o f office. Is there someone who can help me? She expected to have answers early this afternoon. Thank you, Ayn-Monique ---------- Forwarded m essage----------- From: StClair, Christie < StClair.Christie@epa.gov> Date: Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 10:34 AM Subject: RE: Interview for BobVila.com? To: Ayn-Monique Klahre <i _ _ Hi Ayn-Monique, I do think it's possible. W e'll answer in writing, just fyi for your planning purposes. Christie Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00003 From: Ayn-Monique Klahre j Ex. 6 Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 10:32 AM To: StClair, Christie <StClair.Christie(5)epa.gov> Subject: Re: Interview for BobVila.com? Hi ChristineJust making sure you saw the below--do you think it's realistic to get answers on these by tomorrow afternoon? All the best, Ayn-Monique Ayn-Monique Klahre Lifestyle Editor j Content Creator Ex. 6 On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 4:25 PM, Ayn-Monique Klahr Ex. 6 wrote: Hi Christie- Thanks for the quick response! I'm copying my questions below. Happy to have them answered by email or phone, whichever is easiest for your team. Do you think it's possible to have a response by early afternoon on Wednesday? Hope you had a nice vacation last week! All the best, Ayn-Monique Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00004 Background info: -What percentage of American households recycle? -Do you have stats on how much recycling is done "wrong" (items in wrong bins, etc)? -What happens if you put the wrong item in the wrong bag-- does the whole thing go to the trash/landfill pile instead? -Is recycling still expensive for cities, or have costs come down? -Is there any site that's best for decoding the symbols on the bottoms of plastic containers? -Where online do you suggest people go to find out if a specific item is recyclable in their area? -Can you name 2-3 items that people are constantly surprised CAN be recycled? -Are there any other items that have come up in conversations with your friends/average recycling people that you're surprised they're misinformed about? Specific areas of confusion -Can aluminum foil be recycled? Has something changed, or why is this confusing? -Can you recycle pizza boxes, or do they have too much food on them? -Can wire hangers be recycles? Why/why not? -Do coated paper milk cartons go in paper or plastic? Do you have to rinse them first, and what about the caps? -Can you recycle styrofoam food containers? -Can you recycling food takeout containers (like the round plastic ones)? -Can you recycle clear plastic egg cartons? What about the paper inside-- take it out? -Can you recycle clear plastic berry containers? Do you need to detach the little absorbent paper at the bottom? -Can you recycle paper napkins/paper towels? Why or why not? -Can broken ceramic pieces (like a mug or plate) be recycled with glass? Why/why not? Ayn-Monique Klahrs Lifestyle Editor j Content Creator Ex. 6 On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 3:55 PM, StClair, Christie < StClair.Christie@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Ayn-Monique, I'm glad you followed up. I didn't see your email last week, as I was on vacation. Do you have a set list of questions I could share with a subject matter expert here? Thanks, Christie Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00005 From: Ayn-Monique Klahre j Ex. 6 Sent: Monday, July 31, 20l7'3:36'PM------------- To: StClair, Christie <StClair.Christie@epa.gov> Subject: Re: Interview for BobVila.com? Hi Christie- I'm following up on this interview request I sent last week. Might I be able to schedule a phone call with you tomorrow or Wednesday? Thank you, Ayn-Monique Ayn-Monique Klahre Lifestyle Editor j Content Creator Ex. 6 On Tue, Jul 25, 2017 at 4:49 PM, Ayn-Monique Klahre Ex. 6 ote: Hi Christie, How are you doing? I'm writing an article for BobVila.com called "9 Home Recycling Myths, Debunked." Basically it's list to clarify some of the home recycling topics people still have questions about (can aluminum foil be recycled? do milk cartons go with paper or plastic-- and what about the caps?). I've found conflicting information on various online sources and am hoping to go straight to "the" source for this one! Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00006 I was hoping I could do a 30-minute interview with you on the subject, ideally early next week (Mon 7/31Weds Aug2, pretty much anytime 9-5). Is there a window where we might be able to talk on the phone? If so, please let me know when's best for you. i can send the questions in advance if you'd like. Thanks in advance for your help! A yn-Moni que Ayn-Moni que Wahre Lifestyle Editor | Content Creator- Ex. 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028362-00007