Exceptional Earth Day!

The 8th Annual Earth Day and Energy Fair happened this past weekend with enormous community turnout and participation. Over 80 exhibitors were on hand to showcase conservation, sustainability, and green living. Event organizers report that nearly 3000 Douglas County Residents came out to brave the snow and hail to enjoy the free event, music, and prizes.

The most extraordinary part of this year’s Earth Day and Energy Fair at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, is that organizers planned a couple of recycling events to coincide with the festivities. First, nearly 700 pounds of used tennis shoes were collected in front of Douglas Hall and delivered to Nike in Eugene to be ground up into new athletic running tracks. Second, 3 truckloads of electronic waste was collected for recycling from local businesses and families. This amounts to 24,000 pounds or 12 tons of waste diverted from our local landfill.

In addition, the event demonstrated how a large scale venue like the Douglas County Fairgrounds can successfully subscribe to a “zero waste” philosophy. Each exhibitor was encouraged to minimize waste, as was the concessionaire. Organizers provided zero garbage cans; only recycle bins staffed by volunteers to educate fair goers. A waste audit at the end of the event indicated that of the 227.2 pounds of waste generated; only 5 pounds went to the landfill as garbage. The rest was either recycled or composted. This amounted to a recycling rate of 97.5%. The average household in Douglas County only recycles 30%.

Chris McCullough, Douglas County Waste Reduction Manager and event coordinator stated “The success of this program is due in large part to the great partnerships and volunteers.” McCullough goes on to say that “Douglas County is rich in community leadership. Despite differing approaches and ideologies, each partner and volunteer is fully engaged in the shared goal of a clean, green Oregon.

For more information on this or any other of the County’s waste reduction programs contact Douglas County Public Works at 440-4350 or visit them online at http://www.recyclepower.org/

Press release issued by Douglas County Public Works

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

By Kathy Presnell

It is not often that mothers get to blame their daughters for something, but I blame my recycling bug on my daughter, Onica Kibby.

She was an environmental science major at Willamette University in Salem, and as she shared what she was learning, I became increasingly aware of the impact my life was having on the environment. Then she bought me a composter for my birthday several years ago and I was instantly smitten. I have so much fun turning food waste into nutrient-rich loam, I cannot wait to take my scraps out to the composter and give it a stir!

I take special joy in running through the shredder the credit card offers I receive in the mail, and then adding the shreddings to the compost bin. I figure they are adding “manure” to the pile.

To me, recycling is a natural extension of what mothers teach their kids to do — pick up after yourself.

Before you purchase something, be mindful of how you will dispose of it when it is done. I have experimented in my small kitchen with a variety of configurations of recycling centers and the one I have found works best for me is a general, commingled bin in the kitchen and then a sorting area out on the patio. There I sort items into six bins with lids: glass, aluminum/tin, plastic, mixed paper, newspaper and magazines. The compost goes in a bucket under the sink.

Because we don’t use a garbage service, I take the bins to one of the local Sunrise Enterprises recycling centers on my way to work once a week. With these simple recycling efforts we have been able to cut the amount of trash we take to the landfill by more than half.

Away from the house, I am on a crusade against Styrofoam ... specifically the little Styrofoam containers that restaurants provide for leftovers. It never disintegrates, and in 500 years (I did the math!) your great- great- great- great- great- great- great- great- great- great- grandchildren will still be looking at the container you had to have because you could not finish your sandwich. So I take a reusable plastic container (think Tupperware or Gladware) with me when I go out to eat and pack my leftovers in that.

Restaurants love it! You are saving them money, and as long as you are just filling it with items that are already on your table, it doesn't violate any health codes.

This year I purchased a half share in Big Lick Farms, the community-supported agriculture farm in Myrtle Creek. My produce should start arriving in a couple of weeks, and I am eager to see what I will be getting. In this way I can support a local farmer, enjoy fresh produce for eight months of the year and know that only a small amount of fuel was expended delivering it to me.

The trunk of my car is full of used athletic shoes donated by members of Downtown Fitness and Aerobics toward our Reuse-A-Shoe program at this weekend’s Earth Day and Energy Fair. We collect worn shoes and give them to Nike, and they in turn shred them and recycle them into track and playground surfaces. The Roseburg High Leadership class has been an active participant in this drive, as well as Sunrise Enterprises. We hope to save 1,000 pairs of shoes from going into the local landfill this year.

On the road, my car's carbon generation is offset through Terrapass. I tell them the number of miles I drive in a year and pay them to plant trees to offset that usage. But a better transportation alternative may be in my future. Onica and her husband Ryan just bought an electric scooter and they brought it down this weekend for the Energy Fair for me to try. I have a feeling she may just start me on something new!

Recycling is easy and sensible. It is important that you find a system that works with your lifestyle and available space. Start small by studying your garbage and see what two things you could easily keep out of the landfill (like plastic and mixed paper) and start recycling those. Once you have done that for a couple of weeks, concentrate on another item (like aluminum/tin).

Eventually you will find more and more ways to divert items from the landfill and back into service through recycling and composting.

I love drinking water out of plastic bottles – they are so convenient, measurable and portable. So I wash mine in warm, soapy water and refill them. When they are worn out, I recycle them. It is reduce, reuse and recycle for a reason – reduce waste generation, reuse what you can and recycle what you cannot reuse.

Kathy Presnell is a volunteer with the Waste Reduction/Recycling office of Douglas County. This posting is as published in the News Review.

Pineview Mobile Home Estates Sets the Bar

When driving around town, everywhere you go you can find a garbage dumpster within view. Every now and again, you may even find a receptacle for recycling your old corrugated cardboard courtesy of your local garbage hauler. But how many other private opportunities exist out there to recycle other items? More importantly why do we not see these opportunities? The answer comes down to time.

It takes time and energy to manage waste responsibly. It does not require more money, just more thought.

In Sutherlin, Pineview Mobile Home Estates has demonstrated that thoughtfulness by providing North County’s newest recycling opportunity. For the residents within their two parks, Pineview has designated and area specifically for recycling. Pineview residents can now recycle all clean mixed paper, tin, aluminum, plastic, glass containers, newspaper, and cardboard. By partnering with Sunrise Enterprises for free pick up, Pineview’s owners and managers are realizing enough savings on monthly garbage bills to pay for the small investment in containers and will soon experience real savings each month. Kudos go out to these community leaders for providing their residents a true opportunity to recycle.

Recycling is an integral part of our county’s solid waste management program. By recycling we are diverting waste away from the landfill, thereby saving precious and expensive space. In addition we are reclaiming important renewable resources such as wood fiber, plastics, metal, and glass. All while providing employment for Oregon’s workers.

By recycling our materials through the opportunities that abound, you can save money and precious natural resources and energy. If you want to know more about waste reduction, contact me today. Together we can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and Trash Douglas County Less!

http://www.recyclepower.org/

Article seen as published in the North County News as part of a regular "Talkin' Trash" column.

E-Waste Rumors

There have been many rumors floating around about the current and future disposition of our electronics recycling partner, Monitors and More. Many people have been inquiring lately as to where they should take electronic waste since Monitors and More has shut down.

Monitors and More has recently closed their retail location on Stephens Street in Roseburg. This has led many citizens to make some assumptions. To be perfectly clear, Monitors and More is very much alive and well. They are still located in their original warehouse location of 1900 SE Main Street in Roseburg, just behind Young’s Garden and Pet.

Monitors and More has been for the last several year an integral part of the recycling community here in Douglas County. Last year alone, over 560 tons of electronic waste was diverted from our local landfill through their recycling efforts.

Electronic waste or “E-waste” is important to recycle because it contains many toxic and environmentally hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. By recycling scrap electronic components, we prevent the escape of these dangerous elements into the local water and soil.

Monitors and More currently accepts the following: Computers, monitors, stereos, VCR and DVD players, printers, scanners, cables, and more. Their motto is “if you can plug it in and it doesn’t cook something or wash something, we take it”. You can find them online at http://www.monitorsandmore.org/ for more information.

By recycling our waste through the opportunities that abound, you can save money and precious natural resources and energy. If you want to know more about waste reduction, contact me today. Together we can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and Trash Douglas County Less!

http://www.recyclepower.org/

Article seen as published in the North County News as part of a regular "Talkin' Trash" column.

Electronic Roundup

This Saturday, April 19^th from 10AM to 4PM all electronic waste will be accepted for FREE at the Douglas County Fairgrounds!!! In partnership with Douglas County Public Works and Allied Environmental, several tractor trailers will be in the parking lot of the fairgrounds all day to collect all types of “E-Waste”. Computers, monitors, stereos, DVD & VCR players, cell phones, cables, printers, scanners and more will be accepted for FREE.

This event is in conjunction with the 8^th Annual Earth Day and Energy Fair held in and around Douglas Hall. This fair has been established to celebrate our natural resources, conservation, and a clean environment. Over 80 exhibitors will be on hand sharing a wealth of information on how to live a greener, healthier life, promote Oregon’s resources, and inspire stewardship. This is a family fun fair with lots of things for children of all ages as well as informative booths for adults.

Music and entertainment happens through out the day. Food will be on hand for sale. And there are door prizes just for coming. Local sponsors have made available two mountain bikes to be given away!

In addition to the electronics roundup, there will be a collection point to recycle your old tennis shoes. These will be collected and sent north to be ground up and turned into new running track!

By recycling our materials through the opportunities that abound, you can save money and precious natural resources and energy. If you want to know more about waste reduction, contact me today. Together we can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and Trash Douglas County Less!

Article seen as published in the North County News as part of a regular "Talkin' Trash" column.

Recycling Events

In conjunction with the Annual Earth Day and Energy Fair we are having two collection events! Please share the following information with your friends, family, patrons, and colleagues of Douglas County. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DAY Date: Sat. April 19th, 10am-4pm Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds Parking Lot FREE TO DROP OFF!!! In conjunction with the Earth Day and Energy Fair! ITEMS COLLECTED: Computers (CPUs and Monitors), VCRs, DVD Players, Cell Phones, Video Game Consoles, Printers, Scanners, Cables, Stereos, etc… Businesses encouraged to participate! WHY? E-Waste composes one of the fastest growing and highly toxic waste streams in the industrialized world. There will soon be an estimated 300 million to 600 million obsolete computers in the U.S., all containing lead, mercury, cadmium, and dioxin-like flame retardants. Obsolete computers pose a serious threat to human health and the environment when improperly disposed or recycled. Sponsored by Douglas County Public Works, 440-4350 __________________________ TENNIS SHOE RECYCLING DAY Date: Saturday April 19th, 10am-4pm Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Douglas Hall FREE TO DROP OFF!!! In conjunction with the Earth Day and Energy Fair! Tennis Shoes in any condition accepted and will be recycled into new running tracks by NIKE. Sponsored by Douglas County Public Works, 440-4350 A special thank you to Kathy Presnell of Roseburg for organizing this event

Every Day Is Earth Day

National Earth Day falls on April 22^nd each and every year since its inception in 1970. Created as a grass-roots movement, Earth Day was designed to bring attention to the needs of our environment. In the 38 years since, much has been learned about our role in conserving natural resources, developing sustainable practices, and fostering a better understanding of our impact on future generations.

That final element I stated above is what rings most true to me. I want for my children, every opportunity I have had and more. That includes all of what Oregon offers; beautiful landscapes, healthy living, clean water and strong communities.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the use of our natural resources. As stewards of our land we just need to do so using sustainable models.

Earth Day is fast approaching and we should be reminded of its ideals. However, every other day of the year we should remind ourselves of our connection to the land, each other, and our children. If we approached every day as Earth Day, we will ensure that our grandchildren’s grandchildren have all of Oregon’s bounty that we have enjoyed.

By recycling our materials through the opportunities that abound, you can save money and precious natural resources and energy. If you want to know more about waste reduction, contact me today. Together we can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and Trash Douglas County Less!

Article seen as published in the North County News as part of a regular "Talkin' Trash" column.