FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
David L. Manning, Special Principal Associate
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.
Federal Receiver
703-573-5800
www.guamsolidwastereceiver.org
Effective Immediately, Mixed Paper Not Accepted for Recycling at Three Guam Facilities
Buyers for Recycled Mixed Paper Disappear Due to Global Recession
(Guam, December 20, 2008) – Guam Transport and Warehouse (GTW), the only outlet for mixed paper on Guam, has announced that it will discontinue pick-up of mixed paper given its inability to find markets due to the global recession (GTW’s announcement is included at the end of the release). As a result, Federal Receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) today announced that effective immediately, and until further notice, mixed paper will not be accepted in the recycling containers at the Dededo and Agat Transfer Stations and Ordot Dump. Mixed paper includes newspaper, office paper, colored paper, phone books, magazines, cereal boxes, and catalogs.
Guam residents can still recycle cardboard and glass at the Dededo and Agat Transfer Stations and Ordot Dump as part of the Guam Recycles! program. Initiated by the Receivership on September 15, 2008, the program has helped reduce waste going into the Ordot Dump by approximately 30%. This decision will increase the mixed paper going back into the Ordot Dump, which will further necessitate the acceleration of its closure.
"This is an unfortunate but necessary decision given the current state of the recycling markets worldwide,” said David Manning, Receiver Representative. "We plan to investigate alternative uses for the mixed paper, but in the short run we have no choice but to stop taking this material into the recycling program of the Solid Waste Management Division.”
About Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc., Receiver
In a Court Order dated March 17, 2008, U.S. District Court Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood appointed GBB to be Receiver with full responsibility for bringing the Guam Solid Waste Management Division into compliance with the 2004 Consent Decree for violation of the Clean Water Act. As Receiver, GBB’s objective is to work with Guam’s government, the Solid Waste Management Division, solid waste companies, the people of Guam, and the U.S. military to establish a long-term, financially viable and sustainable waste management system for Guam.
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