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Solid Waste /Recycling - Beginning in January, 2005 the City of Eugene's Solid Waste and Recycling <br /> Program implemented a pilot collection program for food discards. Approximately 1400 collection <br /> customers received instructions to recycle food scraps into their yard debris recycling bin. The year long <br /> study will evaluate the collection and processing costs and material preparation issues associated with a <br /> City -wide collection program for residential customers. Previous work by the Program in the arena of food <br /> discard composting has led the Oregon DEQ to begin a process to re -write its compost facility permitting <br /> rules. A study completed in 2003 indicated that food waste is one of the largest components of the waste <br /> stream still being landfilled by Eugene generators. Generation of this waste is evenly split between <br /> commercial, residential, and multi - family sources. <br /> Throughout the City organization, staff are active in trade or advocacy associations that are working on <br /> state or national issues related to environmental sustainability. The Association of Oregon Recyclers is an <br /> Oregon trade association that is leading an effort to modernize Oregon's beverage container redemption <br /> system at the direction of the Chair of the organization; Alex Cuyler of the City of Eugene's Solid Waste <br /> and Recycling Program. <br /> West Eugene Wetlands - The West Eugene Wetlands Program recently won the prestigious Julian <br /> Award for Sustainability from the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The <br /> partnership program manages land for several threatened and endangered species, including the Fenders <br /> blue butterfly, Kincaid's lupine, Willamette Valley Daisy, and Bradshaw's desert parsley. The <br /> partnership has successfully acquired nearly 3,000 acres including the recent acquisition of a key parcel <br /> connecting the Willow Creek nature preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy with Amazon Creek. <br /> The partnership is currently working on plans for an education center that will aspire to achieve a high <br /> level sustainable building design certification known as LEEDS (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design <br /> Standards). <br /> Green Fleet - The city's fleet continues to use environmentally friendly fuels such as (B -20) bio- diesel, <br /> which began last year. The blend contains 80% regular diesel fuel and 20% bio- diesel, a cleaner - burning <br /> alternative fuel. The City has been a partner in the Lane Clean Diesel project sponsored by the Lane <br /> Regional Air Pollution Authority, the state Department of Environmental Quality and other local public and <br /> private entities. The guaranteed volume agreements have allowed the initiation of a bio- diesel production <br /> facility in Portland which will eventually lower the costs of this alternative fuel. <br /> This year's plan includes reducing emissions in diesel operated vehicles by installing retrofit emission <br /> control devices and by implementing other alternative fuels like ultra low sulfur diesel again in conjunction <br /> with the Lane Clean Diesel project. The sulfur content in ultra low sulfur diesel is less than 30 parts per <br /> million, which is significantly lower than the normal diesel fuel used today within the city's fleet. The <br /> Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the combined use of B -20, ultra low sulfur diesel and <br /> a emission control device can reduce tailpipe emission close to that of a natural gas operated vehicle <br /> without any engine modifications. These enhancements will significantly advance the City's goals of <br /> sustainability and environmental stewardship. <br /> The City now has 79 active sedans (not counting police vehicles), of which 15 are hybrid (Toyota Prius). <br /> This represents 19% of that fleet and is a significant increase. We also have our first hybrid Sport Utility <br /> Vehicle (Ford Escape). <br /> Wastewater Division's Environmental Management System - The Wastewater Division of the City's <br /> Public Works Department established an environmental management system (EMS) in 2001. The <br /> objective of the EMS is to clearly identify the operating principles and practices that will be effective at <br /> improving the overall environmental benefits from the Division's responsibilities for operating and <br /> maintaining the regional wastewater treatment facilities. The system is registered as compliant with. the <br />