Hooray for Lane County! We’re officially the No. 1 recycler in the state. Residents should be proud to live in a county that has as many recycling options as ours. Lane County boasts not only the University, which has one of the best university recycling programs in the country, but also a multitude of recycling options for everyone in the community. Lane County offers venues for recycling everything from soda cans to motor oil. As a direct effect of these options, the county has recovered and recycled 52 percent of its collected waste, truly earning the recognition it’s received from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Another great service which makes it easier to recycle is the new curbside yard debris program in Eugene. We can also be proud of the Begin Recycling in Neighborhood Groups recycling service, or BRING, which recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary.
One of the best things about this achievement is that we have ourselves to thank. Everyone who recycles plays a part in reducing waste and making Lane County No. 1. Whether it’s just soda cans or all of your household waste, you can be proud that you helped this happen and will continue to help it happen in the future.
While the bigger picture includes getting companies to use less packaging and waste in their manufacturing processes, Lane County’s new recognition once again brings home the point that taking care of the environment starts with the little things we do as individuals.