The second forum on "Dealing With Waste in a Sustainable Community" was held on February 26th at Willamette University School of Law.

Dr. Paul Connett, world-renowned expert on incineration and the negative effects of their emissions spoke about zero waste and sustainable practices. He emphasized the need to reduce waste generation at the source. Recycling and reusing materials is essential to reduce the amount of waste that will need to be disposed of in other ways. He recommends taking the residual materials after extensive recycling and putting it through a biodigester and then landfilling the small amount that remains. This means that the maximum use can be gleaned from the waste materials and as little as 10% put in a landfill. Dr. Connett says that the technology is readily available, clean and energy efficient. In addition to these efforts Dr. Connett proposes that the community work on analyzing where the waste comes from to see if alternative materials can be used or non-recyclable materials eliminated. If you can't use it, don't use it. A research consortium could be created utilizing local college students, private enterprise and government leadership to investigate ways to reduce waste and generate jobs on a local level.

Jeff Hahn of Covanta Energy Corporation talked about the history of the waste to energy facility at Brooks operated by them through a contract with Marion County. The plant was built over 10 years ago and has been upgraded for emissions controls. They consistently exceed the federal and state guidelines for emissions. He feels that the incinerator has done what the county residents had hoped by eliminating the need for a new landfill. The plant generates enough electricity for 6,000 homes. The Company monitors both the incinerator and the ash monofill for pollution. The capacity of the incinerator is limited and Marion County already sends about 50,000 tons of waste to the Coffin Butte landfill near Corvallis. He said that a third burner could be added to the existing facility. However, the contract with Marion County would need to be extended.

Following their presentations, the speakers answered questions from the audience.

The two forums are being aired on CCTV at www.cctvsalem.org

The final forum will be March 26, 2009 at Willamette University School of Law room 201 at 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. No registration is required and is free and open to the public.

The topic will be an overview of the Marion County Solid Waste Management Plan (MCSWMP) by Jeff Bickford and Doug Drennen of JR Miller Associates. They will also explain the recommendations that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee is making to the Marion County Board of Commissioners in April. The Plan is designed to set the policies for the next 5- 10 years.

Also on the agenda will be an overview of the two-year study on Solid Waste in Marion and Polk Counties conducted by the League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties. They will give their reactions to the MCSWMP and other observations about management of municipal waste in both counties.

"Dealing with Waste in a Sustainable Community"

The first in the series of community forums presented by the League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties and 8 other co-sponsoring groups regarding "Dealing with Waste in a Sustainable Community" was held on January 22 at Willamette University. About 45 people attended the Forum. The information shared in this first forum was very basic and focused on waste reduction, recycling and the creation of jobs through these efforts.

The next forum will be a more specific topic of the use of the incinerator at Brooks by Marion County/Covanta. Dr. Paul Connett a world renowned expert in incineration, waste products created by this process and zerowaste strategies will present on the topic of "Nanoparticles to Nonsustainablity". Jeffrey Hahn of Covanta will present the industry's perspective on why they think that incineration is a 'green' alternative to landfills and their future plans for their operations in Marion County.

The last forum will deal with the Marion County Solid Waste Management Plan that has been undergoing a review and includes recommendations for how to deal with waste that will go to the Marion County Board of Commissioners in April.

Included in that forum will be the League of Women Voters presentation of their own study of Marion/Polk counties municipal waste strategies. This will include their comments on the recommendations and observations about what was included or not included in the Marion County Plan.

Materials from the Marion County Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee (SWMAC) are on the County web site regarding this Plan. Within it are recommendations to continue to use the incinerator for the next 20 years (at least) and to expand the capacity of the incinerator in the next decade at an estimated cost of $200 million.

The intent of the Forums is to stimulate community dialog about the issues of greater investment in prevention of waste and waste reduction verses investment in a long term commitment to the incinerator.

Spreading the word about the event and refer people to the websites of Marion County , the Physicians for Social Responsibility and Waste Can.org.

The Forum was recorded by CCTV Salem for February 1, 2009 .

League of Women Voters Community Forums

The League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties will hold three community forums in early 2009, open to the public at no cost, to inform citizens on issues of solid waste management in Marion County and to solicit involvement in the decision making process.

Dealing with Waste in a Sustainable Community

Location: Willamette University, School of Law, Wm. Paulus Lecture Hall

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Registration and Displays – 6:30 p.m.
Presentations – 7:00 p.m.
Followed by Q&A

Forum One – Jan. 22, 2009


Oregon DEQ Waste Reduction Strategies
 – Cathie Davidson, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Recycling is up in Oregon, but so is waste generation. Consumers and businesses need to develop new strategies for waste reduction.

Recycling Efforts in Marion County
 – Alan Pennington, Waste Reduction Coordinator for Marion County Environmental Services
Marion County leads the state in percentage of recycled materials, but more can be done. Population growth is putting pressure on existing facilities.

Creating Jobs and Saving Resources through Recycling

 – John Matthews, Garten Services
Garten has been recognized as a leader in recycling since the recycling industry first began to move mainstream in the 1970's.

Forum Two – Feb. 26, 2009


Incineration Dangers: From Nanoparticles to Nonsustainability

 – Dr. Paul Connett, renowned expert on zero waste and waste incineration by-products.


Covanta/Marion County Waste-to-Energy Facility as an Integrated Part of the County's Waste Management System

 – Jeffrey Hahn, Environmental Director for Covanta Energy Corporation

Forum Three – March 26, 2009

Marion County's Solid Waste Master Plan
 – Jeff Bickford, Marion County Environmental Services and Doug Drennen, J.R. Miller Consultants

League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties Waste
Study: presentation of the League 2-year study including questions raised by the committee and response to the MCSW Master Plan recommendations.
 – Deanie Anderson, Susann Kaltwasser, David Phelps, and Sharon Johnson

Forums Cosponsors:

• League of Women Voters of Marion/Polk Counties

• Friends of Marion County
• Health Care Without Harm
• Oregon Center for Environmental Health
• Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Oregon Toxics Alliance
• Salem City Club
• Willamette University – Sustainable Communities

Driving Directions:
- From I-5 take the Highway 22 exit (# 253).
- At first light, head west (a left turn for those coming from the south, a right when coming from the north).
- Stay on Highway 22 for about 1.5 miles.
- As you pass 17th street you'll start up an overpass. At the top of this overpass there is an exit to the right for Willamette University.
- Keep left as the exit divides.
- Go through the stoplight, and continue past Willamette University entrance to the next stoplight, at Winter Street. Turn right on Winter Street and use the Guest Parking lots or street parking.