Kevin Miller City of Napa Recycling Division

by Ronda Giangreco

Partnerships and programs making a tangible difference in Napa and our world

Kevin Miller is the Recycling Manager with the City of Napa. Solid waste and recycling services and programs in Napa are really a public/private between the City and Napa Recycling & Waste Services (NRWS). The City of Napa owns the recycling and composting facility while NRWS operates the facility and provides collection services under contract with the City. We recently met with him to learn about the partnership and the many programs offered by the facility.

Rarely do you encounter someone who has managed to combine their career with their passion. But for Kevin Miller, it’s clear that the environmental benefits of recycling, and the new environmental technologies on the horizon, are a source of immense fascination and personal commitment.

Marketplace: Kevin, you obviously love your job, but I doubt that as a kid you dreamed about working in the trash business. What led you to this career?

Kevin: I attended college at UC Santa Barbara and after trying a few courses of study, I set my sights on a degree in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis on Environmental Law. It turned out that I ended up at the right school since UC Santa Barbara started the second environmental program in the nation after oil spills there in the 1960’s. Being raised by grandparents, they instilled in me a deep conservation ethic and appreciation for the natural environment. But it was also observing my grandparents, who grew up during the depression, that had an effect on me. They didn’t waste anything. There weren’t any recycling programs at the curb back then, but not nearly as much trashwas generated as today’s households. People in those days needed to restore and reuse as much as they could. That impressed me.

Marketplace: And after college?

Kevin: I had the opportunity to work for a nonprofit (Californians Against Waste Foundation), then a job with “hands-on” government at the City of Folsom (where Folsom was the municipal collector of trash and recycling) and then I got a job in the private section (Weyerhaeuser Paper Company). But, by far, I most enjoy the job I have here with the City of Napa. We have the best of all worlds with the public/private partnership. The recycling and composting facility is  owned by the city and accountable to taxpayers because of that public ownership. NRWS, as a private entity, enjoys the flexibility to move quickly to new technologies and streamlined operations. I truly love it here with the City of Napa because I know that I can make a tangible difference in our world, a difference that can be quantified and it’s progressed measured. We are very proud of the fact that our facility has garnered the top award for composting in the state in 2021. And in the entire country in 2022!

Marketplace: Speaking of Napa taxpayers, what kind of services are offered through your company that they may not know are available?

Kevin: For one, the Recycle More program offers free curbside pickup of many things you might think you need to take to the dump. We can pick up your old refrigerator, the outdated computer you have sitting in the garage, even old batteries and fluorescent bulbs/tubes. All you have to do is call the NRWS office (707-255-5200) or go online to naparecycling.com and schedule a pick-up. The City and NRWS  have several other programs that can be accessed by using our website. Confused about what to put in each of the color-coded cans? We have simple, easy to understand charts on the site. Do you want to purchase certified organic compost? We have that too.

Marketplace: I know a lot of people wonder if recycling and composting is really worth the effort. Is it?

Kevin: Absolutely! ! Each year, over 170,000 tons of materials are recycled or composted at the Napa Recycling & Composting Facility. By keeping it out of the landfill, we significantly decrease carbon dioxide and methane emissions and save enough energy to power all the houses in Napa for nearly three months! I’d say that it’s worth it. But there are even more advantages to responsible waste management. Plus, the recycling industry is a huge job creating endeavor. The recycling industry in California employs as many people as the film industry. As for composting, most people find it startling to learn that the average family of four throws away nearly $1,500 worth of food each year. But it’s not just the waste of money that’s the issue; it’s also wasting our natural resources when you simply toss your food scraps in the trash. Meat, bones, shells, dairy, bread, and even soiled paper can be composted. Basically, if something was ever alive, it can be composted. Paper from trees, the scraps of leftover food all can be converted to usable soil and even, eventually, , a renewable fuel to run our garbage trucks!

Marketplace: Wait? Are you saying my leftover pizza from last night can be converted to gas for my car?

Kevin: Not exactly, and not right now. But soon we will have a new “anaerobic digestion” facility that can capture biomethane gas from organic waste (like food scraps and grape pumace) and convert it to renewable natural gas to fuel our entire collection fleet.

Marketplace: Food scraps become fuel? Wow. How does that work?

Kevin: It all happens in an airtight system that will mix food waste and green waste together for 21 days. Over that time, it slowly becomes the consistency of oatmeal and gives off biomethane gas. That gas is then captured by the system, harvested and converted to a renewable natural gas that can be used to power vehicles.

Marketplace: That sounds like it will really save some money for taxpayers!

Kevin: But wait, there’s more! When the facility is at full capacity, it will prevent 100,806 metric tons of CO2 from being released into our air over a 10-year period. That’s the equivalent of removing 21,222 cars off the road (or about 2,000 cars each) over that same ten-year period! Cleaner air, better use of resources, and protecting our environment. That’s the ultimate goal of the recycling and composting programs and facilities serving the Napa community.

Marketplace: When can we expect this amazing technology to come to our city?

Kevin: We are hoping by the end of summer 2027 we’ll be up and running. It’s a $30 million investment, of which $10 million is coming from a state grant. Napa is not only an award willing, environmentally conscious city, we’re working at making it a shining example of how a public/private alliance can create a state-of-the-art waste management system that makes our city an even more amazing place in which to live and work. Bernhard joined the Friends in 1997 almost as soon as he and his wife Ursula moved to Napa. He didn’t just “join” FONR, from the beginning he was a leader. Although the flood control design work was pretty much complete, getting the two-thirds voters’ approval to pass the initiative was going to take work. Bernhard rolled up his sleeves, and after passage, didn’t stop working for over twenty years, championing river and watershed issues to make sure the community’s best interests were heard. Sadly, he passed away in late September last year.

Bernhard agreed to that Marketplace interview, but insisted that I include Moira Johnston Block, who is regarded as the founder of the FONR. She was known as a formidable leader and a persuasive, outspoken speaker who helped both flood control opponents as well as government officials believe in and adopt the program. Moira had a deep and genuine joy for life, was always a pleasure to talk to, and I agreed to include her in the interview. Still, I was apprehensive – Moira was navigating dementia, and I worried how our talk would go. Bernhard sloughed off my concerns, said he would be present during the interview and assured me that it would go well.

I faced Moira and Bernhard sat behind me and mostly just listened. Throughout, Moira was a bit lost at times about some facts, the people involved or the sequence of events. When that happened, her brow would furrow and she would look past me to Bernhard. He never corrected her but smiled, as he would gently remind her of the information she couldn’t quite retrieve. Each time, I was amazed at the kind and soft way he supported her with love and encouragement, and each time she regained her composure as a result of his tender guidance.

I can’t remember much of what we talked about that day, or frankly, the article that came out of it. What struck me at the time and has stuck with me all these years was the loving way I watched Bernhard help his friend. It was an act of calm compassion and a true display of friendship. Bernhard taught me a lot that day, and that wasn’t even the point.

Bernard was born in southern Germany in an area that is now part of Poland. He went to work for IBM in Stuttgart, Germany and met Ursula Ehret, who also worked there. Bernhard was on the tech side of things, but his bosses were impressed with his ability to convey complex concepts to co-workers, and he was promoted to do just that. He and Ursula married in 1964, and the couple was transferred to New York. Bernhard’s career was on the rise, and the family relocated a lot, with two stints in Germany, one Dallas and a few others places, and eventually Cupertino. By then, the Krevets had two sons and a daughter. The family wanted to settle in the area and searched from Monterey, throughout the East Bay and towards Sacramento before deciding to buy in Napa. They moved to the Yacht Club. Bernhard almost immediately bought a boat and joined the Friends of the Napa River.

“Bernhard was smart and detail oriented,” said Chuck Shinnamon, the current president of FONR. Bernhard wasn’t afraid to push people to take action that would benefit the river, but he was always a gentleman about it. “He was a smile with a backbone,” Chuck added.

“I was in countless presentations by Bernhard,” said former County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht, who himself was active with flood control and other river related initiatives. “He was always prepared to speak, and he always did it right. At times over the years, he had to deliver critical, even disagreeable news, but he never did it disagreeably. He set a high bar for community environmental presentations. His stature will be missed.”

Chip Bouril, a FONR Advisory board member who served on the Flood Control Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), said “I recall that Bernhard attended almost every TAP meeting, usually as the sole representative of ‘the public.’ His input was always charmingly polite and constructive; he was to me an appreciated fixture of the TAP meetings.”

Ursula said Bernhard was always working on FONR business, which sometimes drove her crazy. “We enjoyed watching NCIS together, but I knew as soon as it was over, he’d go upstairs and start working.” The 2014 earthquake was the night before the FONR’s annual River Festival. Ursula said as soon as it was obvious that despite things being strewn everywhere their house was okay, Bernhard left for downtown to see how things looked there. She describes him as a very happy man. “He was always teaching people. I loved him, and he loved people.”

Longtime community leader Dorothy Salmon worked with Bernhard for 20 years, and said of him, “Bernhard’s dedication as the Friends of the Napa River’s voice and force for leadership, non-stop advocacy and passion, was his life. He will be missed forever and always remembered as one of Napa’s heroes.”

That’s crucial information when you realize that the number of people aged 60 years or over is expected to reach nearly 2.1 billion by the year 2050, according to the World Health Organization. This shift means there will be an increase in the number of people with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

John says, “I have seen a large upswing in the senior-aged population looking to get stronger and reduce pain. I would say the age (of my clients) ranges from 30-95, but 75% come from the 65-and-older crowd.”

The National Institute on Aging states that older adults can benefit from all three types of exercise: aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and balance. Many activities ,from exercise programs to household tasks, can count toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activities recommended each week. Mary Anne Schaffer is the general manager of HealthQuest Fitness Center in Napa. She says seniors ask for a few specific exercises.

“Exercise for balance is highly requested,” says Mary Anne. “We’ve been offering 30-minute balance classes that have drawn a lot of interest from our seniors, including those who don’t take classes on a regular basis. They recognize the importance. They may feel unsure walking or standing on uneven ground, stairs may be daunting, or even putting their shoes on feels more challenging than it used to be.

“The longer you can keep moving, the better,” she says. “Exercise is going to change throughout your life. You may have been running marathons when you were younger. You may not feel you can do that anymore, but maybe you can walk or ride a stationary bike. If you’re dealing with a lower-body injury or limitation, there are machines that only work your upper body but will still give you the benefits of cardio exercise. There are accessible ways to exercise that will improve your bone and muscular health, all while keeping your brain active too. Exercise can reduce anxiety and depression and improve your cognitive function.”

John says seniors come to him mostly for back, shoulder, or hip pain.

“The pain is usually from poor mobility over the years, never having exercised, and not working on the importance of proper range of motion, good form, and flexibility,” says John. “Getting fitness therapy and having a professional guide them through these important and fundamental aspects is key. Seniors who need shoulder, hip, and/or knee surgery will do much better if they get properly strengthened before a procedure and then work on proper rehabilitation and integration exercises afterward.”

John believes seniors have certain misconceptions about exercise. “I think that the population of seniors did not grow up with fitness as a daily activity, so understanding muscle strength, bone density, and proper mobility are new concepts.”

Mary Anne agrees. “We have seniors join who have never been members of a gym before, and they may be intimidated. Or they feel they can’t work out as vigorously as young people, so it may not be worth trying. In reality, there’s something for everyone to do exercise-wise. We offer a class called Forever Young. Participants have the option to do exercises seated or standing. Our instructors give modifications to meet everyone where they are, allowing them to keep moving. There’s always something you can do, even if you’re sitting, to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping.”

“Aqua aerobics is a popular class for seniors because there’s no impact. We have people who take walkers or canes to the fitness pool. They can get a good workout in the water without feeling they’re straining their joints. Yoga is also popular. We have quite a few seniors who take

restorative yoga, gentle yoga, or even all-level classes because they know how to modify, and our instructors can help them find ways to get comfortable and not feel stress on the joints.”

Mary Anne advises, “Take it slow if you’re just getting started. Be aware and listen to your body—which goes for all ages—especially if you’re at risk of falling. Listen to your own body. It’s okay if you start out with a little at a time. Feel free to ask questions if you’re unsure how to use a machine.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) cautions that exercise should be approached carefully. “Talk with your healthcare provider if you have an existing health condition or you are just starting an exercise program,” they advise. “Your provider can help make sure the exercise program you choose is designed with your health and wellness in mind. Exercise doesn’t have to be vigorous to be helpful. Even a walk around the park can be positive for any age body and mind, and so can 30 minutes of working in the garden.”

It’s never too late to start an exercise program, states JHM. “With today’s medical technology and scientific advances, more men and women are living longer. And with longer lives, people are looking for a higher quality of life. Greater importance is placed on independent, healthy living. Exercise is a great way to keep older people active.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s no healthy aging “magic bullet”— no single exercise, food, or pill that can guarantee a long, healthy life. But there may be something that comes close: strong social connections.

“Over many years of taking care of older patients, I’ve learned that the factors many people think are most important for aging well—such as having longevity in your family or lack of physical illnesses—do not guarantee a positive experience with getting older,” says Amit A. Shah, M.D., a geriatrician, internist, and palliative care specialist at Mayo Clinic. “It’s the quality, duration, and nature of your relationships that seem to matter most,” he says.

Exercising can be one conduit to social connection. “It’s a great way to be around other people,” says Mary Anne. “I see an increase in socialization among seniors who exercise. Even if they don’t take classes, they are just in the routine of coming to the gym, seeing familiar faces, and catching up. Our space is special because we’ve got a great community of people, some who have come here for 35 years, so they’re used to seeing the same people at the same time and place every day; they worry about each other if they’re not there, they like having coffee together.”

Experts say getting good sleep and nutrition is important. “Get eight hours every night,” says John Stewart. “Let the body and mind fully rest and recover. Eat a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated. Poor nutrition and dehydration cause more problems than we realize, especially as we age. Protein is key. Seniors need to make protein the most important part of their nutrition.”

“Learning proper nutrition strategies to regain their health has provided a brand-new outlook for my clients’ relationships with each other and allowed them to be proud of their bodies and physical health again.” Local professionals say seniors have made discoveries through proper exercise.

“I have had clients who were on the verge of in-depth back surgery and gave my programs a chance, and now, four years later, with no surgery and 80 pounds lighter, they are living fully engaged lives and participating daily with their grandchildren,” John says. “Clients who feared stairs or traveling due to too much walking gave my programs a chance, and now they travel far and wide. No destinations are off limits, and stair climbing or trails that lead to beautiful scenes are sought out and not avoided.” John says that all any client needs is an open mind and a positive mindset.

Mary Anne is awed by the seniors she sees at the health club. “I’m impressed with our seniors here,” she says. “I admire those who have run into obstacles—they’ve had an illness, injury, a fall, or surgery where it’d be easier to say, ‘I’m done, I don’t want to go back to the gym anymore.’ Yet they still find a way to continue to exercise. It may look a little different than it was before, and that’s okay. I aim to carry that same mindset as I age. I’ve been at HealthQuest for nearly 20 years, and the positive impact of exercise is undeniable for any stage of life.” John concludes, “Just keep moving. Our bodies were designed to move.”