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Waste <br />Prevention <br />WASTE PREVENTLON <br />Problem Summary <br />Oregon has a policy that source reduction or prevention of solid waste should be consid- <br />ered the first solid waste management option above recycling, composting, energy recovery, <br />and disposal. The policy has been in place since 1983, but Oregon has not expended much <br />effort in developing the framework necessary to realize the benefits of waste prevention. <br />Today as we see disposal costs rising and the world becoming more concerned about deple- <br />tion of natural resources, other environmental impacts, and the ability to be competitive in <br />difficulteconomictimw, it is critical that we look at our manufacturing and consumption <br />habits. <br />Objective 1 <br />Research and develop a waste prevention program for Oregon which addresses indus- <br />trial and municipal solid waste. <br />Strategies: A. Survey businesses, industry and institutions to determine the <br />current level of waste prevention awareness and practices and to <br />identify participants interested in waste prevention programs: <br />• Responsible Party: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: Business, Industry, Institutions <br />• Timeline: First Third <br />B. Conduct workshops, promote pilot projects; identify industry <br />needs and develop technical assistance programs. <br />• Responsible Party: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: Business, Industry, Trade Associations <br />• Timeline: First Third <br />C. Coordinate and provide technical assistance to volunteer <br />participants to conduct waste audits and material assessments, <br />and to develop, implement and assess waste prevention and reuse <br />programs. The participants will report to DEQ on activities that <br />best achieve waste prevention goals while having economic <br />benefits and demonstrated cost savings. <br />• Responsibility: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: Business, Industry, Institutions, Local Governments, State Agencies. <br />• Timeline: First Third <br />Waste <br />Prevention <br />D. Develop waste prevention training manuals, waste assessment. <br />handbooks, and other informational materials for public use. <br />• Responsible Party: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: Business, Industry, Local Govemments <br />o Timeline: First Third <br />E. Establish a clearinghouse to distribute materials and publicize <br />programs to the general public, private sector and government. <br />• Responsible Party: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: Business, Industry, Local Governments <br />e Timeline: Second Third <br />F. Develop and promote the use of a waste exchange <br />program for the private and public sectors. <br />o Responsible Party: Business and Industry <br />o Resources: Department of Administrative Services, Local Governments <br />• Timeline: First Third ; <br />G. Oregon's progress in the waste prevention program will be <br />measured overall by determining the waste disposed, per capita, <br />on an annual basis with a baseline established in 1995. The <br />amount of waste disposed. per capita should show a steady <br />decline. <br />• Responsible Party: Department of Environmental Quality <br />• Resources: State Agencies, Local Govemments, Business, Industry, Institutions <br />• Timeline: Ongoing <br />18 I 19 <br />