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Greetings!
School has started, and schedules are starting to settle in. It's hard to believe summer vacation is over.
I had the opportunity to visit a number of fairs and festivals over the summer, both for work and for play, throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho. It really is amazing to see how different states, counties and communities handle their "waste" materials. Some have recepticles for every element, from food and paper products for composting, to recycling, to garbage, while others only have garbage. Some are well managed, with cans and plastic bottles going in the right containers, while others are a hodge podge of mixed materials in both the recycling and waste containers. I actually found myself "dumpster" diving at one event, spending 2 hours pulling cans and soda/water and drink bottles out of the garbage cans. Yes, protective gloves were worn.
The experiences just highlighted for me how much our communities need the passion and direction of our Master Recyclers. For the most part, people want to do the right thing, but just need to know how, they need direction, they need a simple means of getting it done the right way. So, let's all pitch in and help!
This month's e-news has several learning and service opportunities for our Master Recyclers. If you've got suggestions, feedback, or would like to submit an article for our newsletter or Tri-County blog, let me know.
Enjoy a beautifual September!
Heather Alexander Solid Waste Specialist Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program 541-506-2636 |
| ReUse Conex Comes to Portland October 18-20 |
Don't miss ReuseConex in Portland Oct 18-20, 2012. ReuseConex is the only conference that brings together people from a wide variety of reuse sectors to share ideas and learn about reuse. Attend the conference Thursday and Friday, then spend Saturday reveling in reuse possibilities at the free public ReuseExpo. You can also sign up for just a single day of the conference.
ReuseConex is hosted by the Reuse Alliance, a national nonprofit organization working to increase public awareness of the social, environmental, and economic benefits of reuse. With a theme of "Growing Reuse Communities," the conference covers a wide spectrum of reuse topics including building community support, green collar jobs, zero waste strategies, the economics of reuse, creative reuse, food issues, building materials reuse, and more. Keynote speakers will be announced soon, and you don't want to miss David Allaway's session on "life cycle assessment and upstream reuse."
The ReuseExpo on Saturday, Oct 20 lets the public join conference attendees to learn about and purchase a variety of reused, upcycled, and recycled products. A ReArt exhibit and sale, open to attendees during the conference, joins the public Expo on Saturday.
Other exciting events include a ReFashion show that includes Portland's Junk to Funk and SCRAP's Rebel Craft Rumble, a "fast-paced, entertaining, highly creative event that takes reuse to places never before imagined." SCRAP reminds us all that reuse can be fun.
Reuse Alliance members receive a discount on the registration fee, and everyone can still take advantage of early registration discounts. If you are not already a Reuse Alliance member, you can sign up when you register. Register now at www.reuseconex.org/register. |
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A little competition might help your school increase its recycling rates!
Are you looking for a fun and creative way to increase school recycling participation in your community? Keep America Beautiful's (KAB) second annual Recycle-Bowl is a comprehensive nationwide recycling competition for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Open to all schools, the incentive-based recycling competition kicks off again this October and registration is now open on the Recycle-Bowl website at http://recycle-bowl.org. The competition runs from October 15 through November 9, culminating around America Recycles Day on November 15.
Participating schools will track and report how much recyclable material they collect for a chance to win prizes. At the close of the four-week competition, the school in each state that collects the most recyclable material per capita will win $1,000. A national champion will then be chosen from among the statewide winners to receive an additional grand prize valued at $2,500.
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 An even better day at the beach... Volunteer for SOLVE's Beach and Riverside Cleanup 9/22
Do you love Oregon's beaches and rivers? Then join thousands of Oregonians on Sept 22 for the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup, presented by the Oregon Lottery. This is your chance to literally dig in and do something good for our beloved state! Efforts will include planting trees, pulling invasive plants, and removing trash and debris.
Pick a place you love-there are over 100 project sites across the state-and help clean it up. We're Oregonians - It's Our Nature to Volunteer!
Register for a project near you as an individual or group (dates and times may vary). Then, show up at the time and location you have chosen wearing gloves and a smile. |
| R101 to Offer Recycling Education at Individual Pace |
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OSU and AOR Planning to Launch R101 in September
Recycling 101 (R101) is an online, Oregon-specific, recycling and waste prevention class that will give students the tools they need to move toward a more environmentally sustainable way of life. The course will be modeled after the highly successful Master Recycler training that is available in eight Oregon communities. To date, roughly 2,500 Oregonians have completed a Master Recycler course. They have contributed approximately 42,000 hours educating and motivating others to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. And they have made significant changes in the way they, and often their employers, use natural resources.
R101 has the support of the major players in Oregon's solid waste arena. The lead organization in the project is the Marion County Environmental Services Office. Current partners include: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; Lane County; Oregon Refuse & Recycling Association; Solid Waste Association of North America - Beaver Chapter; Association of Oregon Recyclers; Jackson County Recycling Partnership; Jackson County OSU Extension Service; Oregon Green Schools Association; SP Newsprint; Douglas County; Allied Waste; Dahl Disposal Services; and the Garten Services Foundation.
Members of the R101 Steering Committee met with Chris LaBelle, Director Professional & Noncredit Education at OSU, and his staff on July 3. They selected a template that allows online users to take the course on various platforms. This template will sense the platform being used (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer) and adapt its on-screen presentation to fit that platform.
OSU and the R101 Steering Committee are working to have the course up and ready by the end of September 2012.
For more information on registration, visit OSU's Professional and Noncredit Education's website or email learn@oregonstate.edu. |
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Thank you for all you do to help educate your family, friends, co-workers, and community about sustainable and healthy living.
Sincerely,
Heather Alexander
Solid Waste Specialist
TriCounty Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program |
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Quick Links |
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 | | KAB: Recycle Bowl for School | |
Join KAB for Recycle-Bowl Webinar on 9/18
KAB Webinar: Recycle-Bowl Webinar - Focus on Education
Tues, Sept 18, 1:30pm-2:30pm PDT
FREE
Register here
Join Keep America Beautiful (KAB) for a webinar that will describe Recycle-Bowl, the competition in which all schools are eligible and participants track and report how much material (cans, bottles, and paper) they collect during four weeks in the fall.
KAB will explain how prizes work, give an overview of the toolkit, and discuss the various educational items available as part of the competition.
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| | Waste Audit Assistance | |
Are you interested in helping local companies learn how they can improve management of their materials? Are you willing to help with waste and recycling audits?
Our program was recently contacted by a local organization who is looking to improve their recycling, but they first need to assess what they are throwing away. Would you like to help? If so, call or email Heather Alexander. |
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I can recycle that? | |
There are so many items we don't think of as recyclable, so we just throw them away. Check out our Facebook page and this sidebar for information on "odd" recyclables.
Broken Window Airconditioners?
Yes! Paul Lepinski at A&P Recycling in The Dalles takes a number of metal appliances.
A & P is located at 280 Webber Street in The Dalles. |
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