Volunteer
Donate Food
Compost
Reduce Packaging Waste
Reduce Commercial Food Waste
Reduce Packaging Waste
Reduce single use container waste from To Go food by using Rogue To Go
Rogue Disposal & Recycling and Dry Creek Landfill Information (541) 779-4161, Medford.
Transfer Station – Dry Creek 8001 Table Rock Road White City, OR 97503. (map)
If you are served by Southern Oregon Sanitation, type the name of a waste item and they’ll tell you how to recycle or dispose of it
Plastics: What’s Recyclable, What Becomes Trash — And Why – excellent information on recycling responsibly
This article addresses the confusion around re-usable containers in the time of COVID-19 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/22/reusable-containers-safe-during-covid-19-pandemic-say-experts
Zero Waste
The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
– Zero Waste International Alliance
Zero Waste is a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean. The process recommended is one similar to the way that resources are reused in nature.
Zero Waste refers to waste management and planning approaches which emphasize waste prevention as opposed to end-of-pipe waste management. It is a whole systems approach that aims for a massive change in the way materials flow through society, resulting in no waste.
Zero Waste is more of a goal or ideal rather than a hard target. Zero Waste provides guiding principles for continually working towards eliminating wastes.
TEN STEPS TO ZERO WASTE
Awareness – Choosing sustainable values and knowing your impact.
Phase out – Start eliminating disposable items and saying no to excess waste.
Simple Swap – Tackle the big four: water jug, coffee cup, straw, and grocery bags.
Patience – Give yourself time to adjust. You will forget your coffee cup and leave your bags at home!
Better Solutions – Look for ways to improve on food storage. Try something new in bulk. Make your own lip balm or cleaner.
Education – Learn what is recyclable. Talk to friends, family, and colleagues. Take a class, watch YouTube, or read a blog.
Consumer Habits – Change your habits for the long term and keep thinking ahead.
Community – Learn what’s happening in your neighborhood, such as Talent Zero Waste movie nights, Jackson County Master Recyclers, SOMRA, Lend Me A Plate programs.
Community Action – Take a course, volunteer with a zero waste event, participate in a local or traveling clean-up.
Policy – Attend a City Council meeting, advocate at the state, or write policy such as Ashland and Talent’s Ban on Plastic Bags.
Eliminate The Big Four!
ZERO WASTE EATING
Foldable plate/bowl
Tupperware
Utensils with bag, chopsticks
Straw
Coffee and water cup
Cloth napkin
Beeswax wrap
SOMRA – Lend Me A Plate
ZERO WASTE SHOPPING
Reusable bags – small and large
Tared glass containers – small for spices, large for bulk
Containers for soap or pet food
Pen or pencil
Bring twistie ties
ZERO WASTE TRAVEL
Cooler, large basket or bag
Coffee and water cup, large water jug
Cloth napkin
Salt and pepper
ZERO WASTE HYGIENE
Thinx underwear, Diva Cup, or Glad Rags
Handkerchief
Make your own beauty or cleaning products such as lip balm, bath bombs, soap, toothpaste powder, lotions
Cloth hand towels
Safety razor
Bamboo toothbrush
ZERO WASTE CLOTHING
Clothing swaps – “Naked Lady” events
Thrift stores
Buy Nothing online groups
Buy ethically
Make art, get creative and sew
