Oregon Climate Peer Exchange - October 16th
DEQ is partnering with The Good Company, a Eugene-based sustainability consulting firm, to host a statewide peer exchange workshop on Oct. 16 addressing consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions. Over 50 local government staff and allies will gather to discuss local climate action planning tools and techniques, with a focus on actions targeting carbon-intensive consumption activities such as housing, food and transportation. Participating cities include Portland, Beaverton, Eugene, Bend, Mosier and Sisters.
ReCollect Webinar: How to Reduce Contamination With Better Recycling Communications
For private waste haulers, education is key to helping your customers build proper recycling habits. Digital communications are a more cost-effective, real-time and adaptable way to reach your customers when they need up-to-date information fast. The Webinar will take place Thursday, September 26th at 10:00am. Have other obligations at that time? No problem, a link to the webinar will be provided to all who register for viewing at a later date.
WEBINAR: Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Web Academy Webinar: Electronic Waste Generation and Management and the Cost of Digitalization to the Environment
Over the last three years, EPA has consulted with the Consumer Technology Association, the Staples Sustainable Innovation Lab and Dr. Callie Babbitt from the Rochester Institute of Technology to develop, design and implement research to explore the impacts of electronics across their life cycle. Dr. Babbitt will present the results of this study by sharing the major trends in electronic waste generation and management and the implications for sustainable materials management.
DEQ Wasted Food Measurement Study
DEQ has completed a major milestone in its food waste prevention work, and recently published its findings on the Oregon Wasted Food Study. This study tracked wasted food in both urban and rural households—using quantitative and qualitative research methods—to increase our understanding of how much, what, and why food is discarded by people in Oregon. This work was conducted by Portland State University’s Community Environmental Services.
Key findings include:
California could become the first state to ban single-use plastics
The ban in California could have impacts on the sector in other states, because any company importing goods to California would have to comply with its plastic standards. Much like California’s emissions standards tend to cause changes in the automotive industry nationally, such a bill has the potential to shift the plastic landscape more broadly.
Outlines of Plastic Waste Debate Emerge in Congress as Lawmakers Step Up Focus
While it’s still early stages, some lawmakers are floating ideas like producer responsibility bills for packaging and European Union-style restrictions on some single-use plastics. But other legislators seem to be steering toward proposals that focus on more traditional goals, like building out government-financed curbside recycling infrastructure.
Legislative Act Could Create Catalyst in Reduction of California Plastic Waste
Senate Bill 54 and Assembly Bill 1080, collectively called the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, are identical companion bills that aim to reduce single-use packaging and product waste in California by 75% by 2030. The two bills were proposed by Sen. Ben Allen, who represents parts of southern and western Los Angeles county, and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who represents southern San Diego.
Thank You to Our Sustainable Oregon 2025 Sponsors
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