Recycling classes lead to new lifestyle.

Byline: RECYCLING By Pat Sweeney For The Register-Guard

When I graduated from the Lane County Master Recycler program in May 2003, my brain felt as stuffed as my stomach after a Sunday buffet. And I had a notebook full of facts, figures and ways to reduce waste in case I forgot anything.

Among other things, I discovered that manufacturing an aluminum can is more expensive than making the soda that goes inside. I realized that I can reduce my personal consumption of aluminum by buying fish at the local fish market instead of in a can at the grocery store. I also learned that hair and dryer lint contain nitrogen and are valuable additions to a compost pile.

A dazzling array of speakers at eight evening classes entertained us. Rodney Bloom, a vermiculture specialist and Master Recycler, demonstrated the use of a worm compost bin and showed us that if the conditions are set up right, red wiggler worms can eat our non-meat food scraps.

Sandy Aldridge and Dale Lugenbehl shared how they have changed their lives to live simply, and encouraged us to resist the American way of defining people's worth by the amount of stuff they own.

We discussed strategies to reduce resource use. Can I do without, use what I already have, share with others, or buy products without packaging?

On the tours to recycling facilities, I was surprised to hear that the leachate and methane gas generated from the garbage mounds need to be monitored for 30 years after the waste is dumped at the Short Mountain Landfill.

I learned that methane gas generated at Short Mountain is converted into electricity that powers the equivalent of 1,200 average homes per year.

I watched employees recover recyclables from commercial mixed waste at the EcoSort Materials Recovery Facility, and saw how Weyerhaeuser recycles cardboard.

During the year after the class, my classmates and I volunteered in the community for a minimum of 30 hours each. We were encouraged to design our own projects, such as teaching or hands-on recycling at a business.

For those of us who completed our 30 hours of volunteer service within a year of graduation, this training was offered at no charge.

I opted to write newsletter articles and do research for the Association of Oregon Recyclers. My volunteer experience also included collecting and sorting garbage at the Eugene Celebration, and answering questions and passing out literature at the BRING booth at the Oregon Country Fair, ASUO Street Fair and the Home Improvement Show.

At each point, I gathered recycling information and met people in the community who work to keep the world green. I learned as much while doing community service as I did in the classroom.

About once each month, the Master Recyclers convene for a potluck where we eat, work on recycling projects, learn and listen to inspiring stories about projects in the works from graduates.

From the Master Recycler program, I got an inside look at recycling operations in the community, met an army of garbage warriors and found ways to contribute to the community.

The program turned out to be not only an education, but a lifestyle change.

The Master Recycler certification program is offered through the Lane County Waste Management Division. The next nine-week class begins March 29. There will be lectures, guest speakers and discussions on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and two Saturday field trips.

To register, call Lorraine Boose, the Lane County Master Recycler Coordinator, at 682-2059. The class size is limited to 25. The application deadline is March 9.

This column is provided by Lane County Recycling. Pat Sweeney is a Master Recycler.