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07 Dec 01 - Illinois executive order; e-cards; job; bikes ** WASTE PREVENTION FORUM ** -- A project of the National Waste Prevention Coalition -------- Forum archive: http://www.reuses.com/nwpcarchive -------------------- Excerpted from a news item in the 12/7/01 New York Times, and from a 12/5/01 press release from the Illinois governor's office: ILLINOIS GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW "GREEN GOVERNMENT" INITIATIVES On Dec. 5, 2001, Illinois Governor George Ryan issued a broad-based executive order requiring state agencies to take a number of steps to improve the environmental efficiency of their facilities and operations. These measures, which state agencies must put into effect within the next six months, are in four main areas: Waste reduction; energy efficiency; environmentally preferable purchasing; and "green" construction. The executive order is based on recommendations from the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, which Governor Ryan created last year. The press release, which includes the entire executive order, plus other background information and website links, is at: http://wwww.state.il.us/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNu m=1603 The waste reduction measures (which state agencies must put into effect by March 1, 2002) include: - Whenever possible, specify that all new and re-manufactured photocopy machines and printers purchased shall have duplexing (double-sided) capability. - Require all laser printing jobs to be double-sided unless specific justification is provided not to do so. Exceptions may be provided when existing technology does not allow for duplexing or when specific documents require single-sided printing. - Conduct an educational program to encourage employees to copy on both sides of paper, make the least number of hard copies necessary, route documents rather than distribute copies, post memos and bulletins in central locations, proof documents on the computer, store files electronically rather than in hard copy, avoid needless printing of e-mail, and take other reasonable steps to save paper. - Where appropriate, eliminate unnecessary paper transactions by increasing the use of electronic media, such as e-mail and the Internet, to circulate or distribute announcements, memoranda, documents, reports, forms, manuals and publications. - Establish office reuse programs (such as reuse cabinets, reuse rooms or online exchanges) where unneeded supplies can be returned for reuse. - Discourage the use of disposable products when reusable products are available and economically viable. - To the extent feasible, acquire items that are more durable, have minimal packaging or are readily recyclable when discarded. -------------------- The next two postings are in response to the 12/5/01 news item about electronic greeting cards, also known as "e-cards." -------------------- From Yen Chin, City of Seattle, Seattle, WA: I hate e-cards. I don't care whether or not they use any physical resources because they completely fail to accomplish the essential affective function of a greeting card. Consequently they are pure garbage and 100 percent waste. They waste electricity, they waste time, and, most importantly, they waste human sentiment. -- "Simplicity doesn't mean to live in misery and poverty. You have what you need, and you don't want to have what you don't need." - Charan Singh, mystic (1916-1990) E-mail: Yen ( D O T ) Chin ( A T ) ci ( D O T ) seattle ( D O T ) wa ( D O T ) us --------------------- From Renee Kimball, waste prevention advocate, Portland, OR: ELECTRONIC GREETING CARDS This is one area where I believe the apparent "waste reduction" of electronic is NOT the best option. The most charming and interesting cards I have ever received came from Paulette Rossi here in Portland. They were hand-made from bits and pieces with wonderful messages and timely phrases. While this may take more time than e-mail, this in itself is an important factor as I will mention later. In addition, there are some "social" problems with e-mailing. The communications are usually cursory by nature and scantily clad in the "personal history information" of "hard copy" communications. As a long-time appreciator of "ephemera" (paper history in the form of letters, journals, diaries, billhead, certificates and other disappearing forms of documentation), I relish the "chewy" bits of information passed on by our ancestors from 50, 100, 200 and even 300 years ago. They are the real stuff that life was made of and included much of the "history" formerly excluded from textbooks. The incidents of everyday living are what we remember, cherish and pass on, not the dates of battles or presidents' love conquests. With e-mailing of what used to be done in letter or card form, we have eliminated the "written personal histories" for OUR descendents. How many people keep a file of their e-mail communications and electronic greeting cards? Probably very, very few. So it is from these considerations that I have gone back to handwriting (in ink pen no less) my letters and cards. I make each communication a genuine part from who I am - not just a dashed-off note because I'm too busy/rushed/harried or 24-seven-ed. It takes more time (I think more about what I have to say and have the opportunity to "masticate" my thoughts/feelings/responses before I inflict them on the universe). It makes me more aware of the person I'm communicating to (I have a dialogue, not a monologue with the person). It is time I set aside for relaxation, contemplation, revelation (it feeds my body, mind and spirit). So, it seems that (at least from my level of understanding) the old adage still holds true: Haste MAKES waste - the waste of a society where we took the time to travel, not just get there; communicate, not just chat; and experience life in real time, not just sound bites. E-mail: rrrrenee [ AT ] aracnet [ DOT ] com ------------------- Excerpted from a job posting sent by Jesse White, Resource Management Group, Sarasota, FL: Resource Management Group, Inc., an environmental consulting business, has a full-time job opening in Sarasota, Florida, for an Environmental Scientist - Reuse/Recycling Specialist. Open until filled. Salary commensurate with experience. This is an entry-level position for a person with coursework in solid waste management, recycling, and waste reduction. Job duties will include: Design, implement, and manage materials-reuse and recycling projects, with an emphasis on construction materials; Assist with commercial food waste recycling/composting program; Generate reports and project summary documents; Conduct data collection, outreach and education. Applicant must have familiarity with solid waste management, reuse, and recycling. Experience in these areas is a plus: the building construction industry; commercial composting operations; marketing; program development. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or a closely-related field. Apply by fax or e-mail. Include a letter of interest, resume and salary history. E-mail: jobs [ A T ] recyclesmart [ D O T ] com Fax: (941) 358-7731, attn: Mike Sosadeeter For information on Resource Management Group, see: http://www.recyclesmart.com -------------------- Link to the website for the Neighborhood Bike Works, Philadelphia, PA: http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org The Neighborhood Bike Works is a nonprofit educational organization in West Philadelphia that seeks to increase opportunities for urban youth through the repair and reuse of bicycles. Since the program started two years ago, about 300 donated bikes have been renovated and earned by participating youths, or sold to the public. Participants and staff have also repaired hundreds of additional bikes owned by neighborhood kids. - end -