"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.