Become a recycling expert and help make a difference.

Byline: RECYCLING By Lorraine Boose For The Register-Guard

"It's never too late to save the world.' So the bumper stickers say, at least.

At a time when our natural resources seem to be stretched to the limit, it is empowering to have a forum to help make the world a better place.

One forum exists in the Lane County Master Recycler Program, where information on waste reduction, reuse and recycling is taught in a free, eight-week class offered twice a year by local experts.

It may seem simplistic to think the act of recycling can make a difference, but consider this from the Container Recycling Institute: If Americans had recycled the 32 billion soda cans they trashed in 2002, they would have saved 435 thousand tons of aluminum - enough to rebuild the entire U.S. commercial air fleet more than one and a half times.

To see an even greater impact, consider waste reduction and reuse: If 1,000 Americans reduced their junk mail by half, 170 trees would be saved, 46,000 pounds of carbon dioxide would not be evaporated into the atmosphere and 70,000 gallons of water would not be used in the process of making junk mail.

In a recent `Waste to Work' report from Portland State University, state leaders were urged to pursue waste-based economic development which focuses on creating new businesses, products and jobs through reducing waste. If all of the usable waste currently sent to Oregon landfills was collected and made into new products, the authors of the report conclude that 22,000 jobs could be created.

Clearly, implementing the `3 R's' - reduce, reuse, recycle - can make a profound difference to our environment and economy.

Within the past four years, 140 Lane County residents graduated from the Master Recycler Program and volunteered thousands of hours to further recycling efforts in our schools, workplaces and communities.

In June, Florence used grant money from the Department of Environmental Quality and assistance from the Lane County Waste Management Division to offer two-day Master Recycler training.

The eight Florence residents who took part learned about paper and plastics recycling, electronic waste and household hazardous waste disposal, education and outreach, household and commercial waste reduction, composting and vermiculture, and buying recycled goods.

All students are required to complete 30 hours of volunteer work to earn the distinction of `Master Recycler.'

The new Florence area Master Recyclers volunteered at the Florence household hazardous waste collection in June and also helped staff the recycling booth at the Lane County Fair. A few of the Master Recyclers are involved in helping Florence build and maintain a new compost demonstration site at the Florence Food Share garden, while another is establishing recycling collection at her church.

Meanwhile, a couple of the Master Recyclers are gearing up for an important project by bringing enhanced recycling education to Florence area schools.

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.

Another eight-week Master Recycler training program will begin in Eugene on Sept. 28. Classes continue every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at Lane County Public Works off of North Delta Highway.

For more information or to sign up, contact program coordinator Lorraine Boose at 682-2059, or via email: [e-mail].

This column is provided by Lane County Recycling.