Oregonians Urged to Prevent Waste

During Oregon’s Recycling Awareness Week 2002, Oregonians are urged to become an active part of the solution to solid waste problems by continuing the trend of generating less waste.

Gov. John Kitzhaber has proclaimed Nov. 9-16 Recycling Awareness Week in Oregon. Oregonians have cause for celebration because waste generation trends in Oregon have gone down, while nationally waste generation is still rising. Each year, Oregon has been successfully climbing toward the legislatively mandated statewide recovery goal of 45 percent by the year 2005.

During this year’s celebratory week, citizens are reminded that recycling and waste reduction efforts are as relevant today as they were in the 1970s. With a growing population that places increasing demands on neighborhoods and communities, the conservation of natural resources, green spaces and natural habitat for wildlife is essential for preserving the quality of life for future generations.

“Individuals play a critical role in sustaining Oregon’s natural resources with the choices they make when purchasing products,” says Mary Sue Gilliland, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Solid Waste Program Manager. “Consumers should keep in mind that because the majority of environmental damage is caused during the mining, manufacture and shipping of a product to market, their purchasing choices are important.”

Gilliland suggests that Oregonians consider the following when purchasing products:

·        Purchase products that are durable, have the least amount of packaging necessary and have packaging that is recyclable.

·        Remember that consumers can make a difference by controlling environmental impacts and influencing what products businesses will decide to bring to market.

“Each purchase is a signal to business about what we care about,” says Gilliland. “Then, when it’s time to throw things away, if we recycle as much as we can, we lessen the need to harvest forests, mine natural resources or manufacture virgin materials to meet the demands of today's society. Also, this typically reduces the energy and water needs during re-manufacture by more than 50 percent and lessens air pollution as well.”

To learn more about preserving resources through recycling and better-informed product purchases, visit DEQ’s Solid Waste Program Web site at http://www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/solwaste/rsw.htm or contact Mary Sue Gilliland of DEQ’s Solid Waste Program, Portland, at (503) 229-5808 or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-452-4011.