Image Credit: Barkingside-21

Our Recycling Bubble Has Burst: Now What?

For many years we have been comforted in knowing that if we ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ much of what we used to consider waste could be saved. Recycling seemed a great way to relieve us of the burden of over-consumption. Yet, in the Rogue Valley, our Consumption accounts for over 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions for which we are responsible.

But now, China has stopped accepting our recycling; the bubble has burst and many of us are having trouble dealing with it.

At the next SOCAN general meeting, Tuesday March 27 at 6:00 pm at Medford Public Library, we will consider the new reality and what it means for all of us who care about and wish to minimize our impact on this precious planet.

The program will feature discussions of:

• Why we are here and what it means, led by SOCAN Co-facilitator Kathy Conway
• What is happening to the Ashland and Talent waste and recycling program, led by Recology Waste Zero Specialist Jamie Rosenthal.
• What is happening in the Medford and environs waste and recycling program, led by Community & Governmental Affairs Manager Laura Leebrick.
• Where we go from here – considering necessary behavioral changes.

Area residents will explore what we can and cannot do if we wish to reduce our impact, and how the new normal should influence what we do.

The program is free and open to the public.