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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2019)
8A • COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • MARCH 1, 2019 Recycle from A1 way and there’s always a cost associated with that,” said Tim Alverson, Manager of Cottage Grove Garbage Service. “It boils down to economics.” Companies have to weigh the worth of taking curbside materials and the reliably high number of soiled mate- rials among plastics has some choosing not to accept it. While some municipalities like Eugene and Springfield allow certain plastics in their commingle containers, others have stopped. “For example, here in Cot- tage Grove, we no longer take plastics at the curbside,” said Alverson. “And that’s actual- ly that case for Junction City, Florence, Oakridge – they’re no longer taking plastics ei- ther. There’s just simply no market for this stuff.” To address the pile up of plastic, occasional round- ups are held throughout the county, like one currently scheduled for April 7 at the Water from A1 sanitary surveys. The bill au- thorizes OHA to adopt a sched- ule for these remuneration fees based on the size and type of each water system and allows it a limited increase in fees once per year. There are concerns that this new structure may place a greater financial burden on cities by increasing opera- tional costs. This one-two punch to wa- ter suppliers has seen a state- wide reaction. Organizations such the Oregon Water Util- ity Council and the League of Oregon Cities have argued on behalf of the affected wa- ter communities while local municipalities have been pe- titioning their legislators to find funding. Glenwood Transfer Station in Eugene. In anticipation of the event, Cottage Grove Garbage Service is collect- ing #2, #4 and #5 plastics until the end of March, joining several other col- lection sites around Lane County. Plastics must be brought to the Cottage Grove ad- dress at 2055 Getty Court, cleaned and sorted. For the rest of year, the Cottage Grove Garbage Service has compressed its recycling rules to three core instructions for residents: • Commingle only these items in the recycle bin: paper, phone books, mag- azines, catalogs, junk mail, newspaper, box board, foil and tin or aluminum cans. Cardboard it is to be flat- tened and placed in or next to the bin. • Set these items next to the bin: Glass (food and beverage glass only) with- out lids, caps or corks. Used engine oil must be placed in the original plastic contain- “We are lobbying our rep- resentatives to bring that for- ward during the legislative session and get it attached as an amendment for some bill somewhere to provide funding for us to do that mandatory regulative testing,” Pardee said. “So we’re hoping that happens.” Representing Cottage Grove, Stewart and Pardee traveled to Salem to attend a legislative symposium and visit the offic- es of state legislators Sen. Floyd Prozanski and Rep. Cedric Hayden where concerns were shared and left with staff aids. The symposium provided an opportunity to ask a repre- sentative from OHA [WHO?] what would happen should cities’ funding concerns fall on deaf ears. “He said he didn’t know Family Seeking Small Homestead Are you planning on selling your home and land on the outskirts of Cottage Grove? We would like to become the new stewards of your homestead, and promise to love your place as you do. Please email details to burgundyjoy@protonmail.com and that he would check on it,” Pardee said. The OHA representative was also asked what water suppliers er no larger than 5 quarts, but no transmission fluid, cooking oil or antifreeze is allowed. • Clean all material: This means no food res- idue in glass or tin cans, no soiled paper or card- board, no wax-coated material and no lids or caps. Plastic or contaminat- ed material will be left curbside. Getting people to fol- low these instructions, though, is not a goal without its challenges. “There’s a lot of wishful recycling,” Alverson said. “In spite of the fact that it’s explicitly expressed what’s taken at the curb- side, people still just try to put things out that they feel should be recycled.” Ultimately, Alverson said, the system requires an attention to detail and a degree of common sense on the part of waste generators. “Trying to get people to follow instructions will al- ways be the challenge,” Alver- son mused. “So you’re really just talking about human na- ture and the vast differences among folks.” Still, Lane County’s repu- tation for being environmen- tally conscious may take it far along that road. It’s lead- ership among Oregon coun- ties speaks to the desires of a community aiming for green- er living. “While we are doing great recycling in Lane County, that alone will not get us to our goal,” said Orlandini in the Waste Management Division’s press release. “We must help our community prevent the waste from occurring in the first place.” The new recycling guide is available on the county’s website at lanecoun ty.org/ government/county_depart ments/public_works/waste_ manage ment/recycling. Details about the plas- tic roundup can be found at www.lanecounty.org/plastics- roundup. should do about the lack of ap- proved labs in the state. “He didn’t have an answer,” said Pardee. “We’re holding our breath waiting for him to get back to us.” Health, Happiness & Wellness A guide to local businesses committed to helping our community thrive Counseling & Mental Health Bridges Community Health Individual, Family & Couples Therapy Now Accepting New Clients For Medication Management Call (503) 860-4216 To Schedule with a Therapist call (541) 514-5013 bridgescommunityhealth.com Offices in Eugene & Cottage Grove We bill OHP & Most Commercial Insurances South Lane Mental Health Serving Cottage Grove Since 1988 • Outpatient Counseling for Children, Adults & Couples • Psychiatric Medication Management • Crisis Assistance 541-942-2850 • 541-942-3939 • www.slmh.org Dental Health Delaying going to the Dentist? Sedation Dentistry is a Dream come True... find out if its for You! BIRCH AVENUE DENTAL • Comprehensive General Dentistry • Advanced Cosmetic Techniques • Implants 1325 Birch Avenue, Cottage Grove 541.942.2471 Park W. McClung, DDS & Tammy L. McClung, DDS Dr. Bitner D.D.S., P.C. 350 Washington Ave • Cottage Grove Lumineers The Most Natural Veneer (behind International Fitness) 541-942-7934 Dr. Shane Parsons 605 Jefferson Ave. Cottage Grove Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Emergency appts. available daily New patients welcome 2 Hygienists available • Same friendly and caring staff Please call for an appointment at 541-942-9171 Pharmacies BI-MART Pharmacy OPEN at 9am Mon. - Sat. • Convenient Walk-Up Window 100 Gateway Blvd. • 942-9107
