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"Minimalism is asking why before you buy."
-Francine Jay |
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Waste Matters
Community Calendar
We know you care about the environment and waste reduction, and it's great to connect with others. Feel free to use this calendar to stay connected to the events around you and feel free to share it with others.
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How Green is your Holiday?
From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, household waste increases by more than 25%. Added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons all add up to an additional 1 million tons of trash a week. Help be a part of the solution!
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Student Recycle Art Calendar
Students throughout Marion County submitted drawings for the theme, "What it means to be green." The top 14 entries were selected and turned into a calendar. Why 14 you ask? That's so that we could have an overall winner, featured on the cover of the calendar and a January 2020 for those of you that are super long-term planners. The student winners received $50 - $100 prizes and will be recognized on a televised award ceremony at the Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting. The art calendar was coordinated by Reed Carlson, a recycling coordinator for the Mid-Valley Garbage and Recycling Haulers Association. Master Recyclers that have volunteered in 2018 will receive a copy.
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Marion County Approves New Solid Waste Collection Rate
Marion County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing Nov. 28 to discuss the proposed rate change by franchised haulers in unincorporated areas outside of city limits. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the proposal with the approved rate change taking effect on January 1, 2019.
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Homemade Holidays for Adults:
Last-Minute Gifts
Saturday, December 15, 2 pm - 4pm
Salem Public Library, Anderson A&B rooms
Marion County Master Recyclers and volunteers will be there to teach you how to make two upcycled crafts. Library staff will also be assisting to make other fun, simple gifts to give.
All supplies and instruction are provided. This program is for adults (16+).
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We still have an Opening for Your Best Friend!
The Winter 2019 Master Recycler class is almost full, but we still have a couple of spots left. Help your friend, spouse, colleague, or that grumpy guy down the street become a knowledgeable solid waste citizen. They'll learn detailed info about the 3 R's, composting, vermiculture, hazardous wastes, and much more. Classes commence Jan. 24th and run until March 7th. Two ultra-cool Saturday field trips will follow the Marion County waste and recycling trail to places they've never dreamed of.
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Reuse Wins at the Salem City Council
The Salem City Council has banned plastic carryout bags throughout the city. Reuse Bags will be encouraged and a 5 cent fee will be charged for each paper bag. Large stores have until April to implement the change. Smaller stores will have until September.
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Volunteers Needed
We are looking for Master Recycler volunteers to spread the good news of waste reduction to our Marion County friends and neighbors. We'll need 2 volunteers for each time slot:
Friday, January 11
Noon to 3:30
3:30 to 7 PM
Saturday, January 12
10 AM to 1 PM
1PM to 4 PM
4 PM to 7 PM
Sunday, January 13
10 AM to 1:30 PM
1:30 PM to 5 PM
This volunteer opportunity counts towards Master Recycling payback hours.
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Make Memories, Not Trash
Are you looking for gift ideas this holiday season? Studies show that gifts of things typically get trashed, but memories from experiences create less waste, deep connections, and memories that last a lifetime. Check out the Marion County curated list for your favorites!
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December, Inspiring Reduce and Reuse
December's challenge is to reduce/reuse plastic cups. Since plastic cups are NOT allowed in the mixed recycling cart, share your photo of how you reuse plastic cups and or reduce using them in the first place.
Submit photos, your name, address, and phone number by December 19, 2018.
We will post the photos collected on facebook December 21 (https://www.facebook.com/MCEnviroServices). Share your entry photo with friends to gain more votes/likes.
The entry with the most likes on facebook by 7am, December 28, 2018 will win a prize and waste reduction bragging rights.
Stay tuned for January's challenge: Plastic Bottle Caps!
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Plastic Tub Challenge Winner!
Voters weighed in and chose Amanda's homemade, reusable bags. "I’ve switched over the majority of my grocery shopping to my local Co-op and Costco- neither of which uses plastic bags at checkout. So I found some organic cotton and sewed myself a couple of different sized bags. The bigger one has handles and can be rolled up for storing and the smaller one has a drawstring and can be used for buying bulk items (which also cuts down on plastic packaging!). The mesh ones I bought in a multi-pack and use for potentially wet/dirty produce because they rinse off and dry easily." -Amanda
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