09/23/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. MacDonald noted that staff has indicated that it will be difficult for the Lane County wasteshed to meet its 30 percent mandated goal by 1995 and Questioned whether 80 percent was reasonable as a goal for the year 2000. Ms. Bascom suggested that the board explore the possibility of crafting leg- islation for the packaging industry that will assist the community in meeting its solid waste reduction goals. Ms. Utecht pointed out that the council would probably need to expand this into a statewide discussion in order to have any real impact on the packaging industry. Mr. Nicholson said that a reduction in the waste stream should be the commu- nity's primary goal and said that this could be accomplished, in part, by making it difficult for citizens to dispose of wastes improperly. He com- mented that self-hauling can be a very effective means of waste-stream reduc- tion because many self-haulers make a concerted effort to precycle. He en- couraged the council to analyze the issue in new ways. Mr. Robinette said that recycling is an important part of the effort to re- duce the waste stream. He noted, however, that there is currently an insuf- ficient demand for recycled goods and said that the community should make an effort to bring industries into Eugene that utilize recycled materials. Mr. Rutan agreed on the need to deal with the issue in a comprehensive man- ner. He encouraged the council to set realistic goals and said that it is unlikely that Eugene, by itself, could have any real impact on the packaging industry. He felt that the City should adopt a combination of "carrot and e stick" strategies. Mr. Nicholson agreed that locating markets for recycled products needs to be done on a statewide basis. He also said that it is key that the council incorporate the issue of life-cycle costing into its program. Mr. Boles said that the council should form a task force with the responsi- bility of developing a long-range waste management plan. Ms. Utecht commented that focusing immediately on the elimination of yard debris from the waste stream would allow the City, with Springfield and Lane County, to meet 1995 mandates. She noted that there is an opportunity to look at local markets for recycled yard debris. Mr. MacDonald supported the concept of bringing recycling industries into Eugene; Eugene could have the potential to become a regional center for recy- cled materials. He said that the City may be able to get money from the State for this effort. Mr. Nicholson said that the SWRB should continue to be the forum for discus- sions about this issue, but it should report directly to the council rather than to the City Manager. He also voiced concern that the City's last rate- setting process violated its own ordinance. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 23, 1991 Page 4 Dinner Meeting