DEQ Releases 2009 Oregon Material Recovery and Waste Generation Rates Report
Did
you know that energy savings from recycling in Oregon in 2009
equaled the cost of 216 million gallons of gasoline? Or that
greenhouse gas reductions from recycling, composting and energy
recovery amounted to the equivalent of about 4 percent of all
greenhouse gas emissions in the state that year?
These facts and hundreds of others are in DEQ's recently released 2009 Oregon Material Recovery and Waste Generation Rates Report.
This year's report summarizes how various county waste management areas around the state fared in meeting their 2009 material recovery goals, which were set several years ago. Twenty-five of the 35 areas met their goals, while the state overall fell just short of its 50 percent solid waste recovery goal for 2009.
"We're not sure if the decline [in waste generation] ... is mainly a reflection of the down economy or if it's due to more awareness of sustainability issues such as waste prevention," said Mary Lou Perry, the report's author.
DEQ thanks you for your efforts to help reduce waste!
Tips for a Green Halloween
Make
your costume from recycled materials or swap old costumes.
Lots of odds and ends can be reused for great costumes, and
don't forget to choose a reusable bag or container to collect
your goodies.
Recycle old Halloween decorations or choose more
earth-friendly ones. The cotton you used for last
Halloween's spider web can be reused, but what says Halloween
better than a pumpkin? This way, you can compost some of your
decorations (along with any Halloween-party food waste) rather
than contributing to a ton of stuff ending up in the landfill or
your garage.
Leave the car behind. Walk, bike or take
public transit to find the best trick-or-treat neighborhoods.
Give out sustainable treats. Treats can be
more than ethical, earth-friendly chocolate and candy too.
All-natural treats (like honey sticks or organic fruit leather)
or earth-made treasures (like seashells) still delight children.
More green Halloween guidance here.
DEQ Regulates PGE Boardman
DEQ just
wrapped up two weeks of public hearings on closure options for
Portland General Electric's coal-fired power plant in Boardman
as part of a month-long public comment period that ended Oct. 1,
2010. Thank you to those of you who shared your thoughts.
In response to PGE's request for DEQ to review early closure options that meet federal standards, the proposal outlines the pollution controls necessary for plant closure in 2015-2016, 2018 or 2020. PGE has also submitted a new alternative 2020 closure plan for comment.
DEQ will address comments and prepare its final proposal for the Environmental Quality Commission. The commission is expected to reach a decision at the December 2010 meeting.
Follow the process at DEQ's PGE Boardman web page.
DEQ Invites You to Comment on Woodstove Rules
Come
comment on the rules for how the new DEQ woodstove program will
operate! The
new woodstove law, designed to protect
homebuyers from potential fire hazards and clear the air of
unnecessary wood smoke pollution, went into effect Aug. 1, 2010.
Now DEQ is working to clarify the process of how the law will be
put into effect.
Passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature, the law requires the removal and decommissioning of any uncertified woodstove or fireplace insert from a home when it is sold. The law also allows DEQ to develop rules to address a broader range of home wood-heating devices such as outdoor wood-fired boilers and other uncertified wood-burning devices.
The comment period closes Oct. 29, 2010. There will be hearings upcoming and you can share your comments with us now online.
Welcome to DEQ's
e-Newsletter
Keeping you
informed of the latest environmental news affecting Oregon residents
is the goal of Oregon Environment, a quarterly e-newsletter produced
by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
At DEQ, it’s our mission to be a leader in restoring,
maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land and
water. We look forward to sharing news, tips and resources you can
use to make a positive difference for our environment.
Reduce Idling to Prevent Air Pollution
Vehicle exhaust is a major source of air toxics, smog-forming chemicals, fine-particle pollution, and greenhouse gases.
In order to reduce vehicle exhaust, DEQ Director Dick Pedersen is challenging all DEQ employees to become healthy air ambassadors by reducing vehicle idling on the job and at home.
He's asking staff to turn off the engine if they anticipate being stopped 30 seconds or more. He's also requesting they spread the word to family, friends and neighbors.
But all Oregonians can help reduce idling! Start an anti-idling program at your workplace, school or place of worship.
DEQ also has "Turn Off Your Car" reminder decals for windshields. Contact Susan Drake for decals at 503-229-6918.
For more information, check out DEQ's Reduce Idling Fact Sheet.