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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.01.23 Conservation Commission Agenda Packet ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Meeting Agenda January 23, 2019 — 6:00 PM Community Development Building, Siskiyou Room 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order 2. Commission Vacancies Update Welcome new member Marion Moore 3. Consent Agenda Meeting Minutes -November 28, 2018 December 19, 2018 4. Announcements (5 min) 4.1. Next Regular Meeting: February 27, 2019 4.2. Upcoming Sub-committee meetings 4.3. Other Announcements from Commissioners 5. Public Forum 0 0 min to be evenly divided by public wishing to speak) 6. Reports/Presentations (15 minutes) 4.2 Council Liaison Update 4.4 City Operations/Administration 7. Old Business (20 min) 7.1. Commission Monthly Column in Sneak Preview (5 min)) Feb—EVA+EV Empower(Marni/Stu) March—Electric yard/landscape equipment(James/David) April—Hazardous Waste(Jamie) May—Water conservation/supply(water sub-committee w/Julie) 7.2. Sub-committee updates • Water • Waste Prevention 8. New Business (60 Min) • DEQ Materials Management Grant Application Update • CEAP 2.0 Committee Update 7. Wrap Up 8.1 Items to be added to next agenda CITY 0, F 11qXL S F"-1 L AN DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission November 28, 2018 Page Iof5 DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE ASHLAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order Chair Roxane Beigel-Coryell called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commissioners Risa Buck, Marni Koopman, Jamie Rosenthal, and Bryan Sohl were present. Staff liaison Adam Hanks and Council liaison Stef Seffinger were also present. Commissioners James McGinnis and David Sommer were absent. 2. Commission Vacancies Update Beigel-Coryell announced that there were still two vacancies on the Commission. Hanks stated that two people have applied since the October meeting. Beigel-Coryell stated that one of the applicants she encouraged to apply,but might not be able to commit to a three-year term as the applicant will be graduating in June. 3. Consent Agenda Beigel-Coryell asked if there were any corrections on the consent agenda item for the September 26, 2018 minutes. Buck moved to approve the minutes with Koopman providing a second. The motion passed with all in favor. 4. Announcements 4.1 Next Regular Meeting: December 1911 Beigel-Coryell announced that because of the holidays the December meeting will be held on week earlier on Wednesday, December 191h. The time and location is staying the same. Beigel- Coryell also asked if anyone will be absent to please let her and Hanks know in a timely manner. Koopman stated that she would not be able to attend the early December meeting. Hanks informed the Commission that Julie Smitherman, Water Conservation Analyst, would be attending the December meeting. 4.2 Upcoming Sub-Committee Meetings Buck stated that the Waste Prevention Sub-committee will meet after the meeting to discuss scheduling one for the sub-committee. 4.3 Other Announcements from Commissioners Rosenthal announced that Recology is having its final leaf drop day on Sunday, December 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beigel-Coryell stated that Southern Oregon University (SOU) will have finals week next week and most students will be leaving for their break after. No other Commissioners had updates for this meeting. 5. Public Forum Marion Moore—just applied for one of the vacancies on the Conservation Commission and was excited to be considered for one of the positions. Ann Barton—was happy to see some of the same members from the ad hoc Climate Energy and Action Plan Committee (LEAP 1). She also mentioned that there is a thread on the Nextdoor app about two stroke engine leaf blowers. The consensus is to get rid of these leaf blowers City wise DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission November 28, 2018 Page 2 of 5 based on greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and health effects. Barton, who is a part of the Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance Community's Drawdown group, announced that in March the group is planning a two-day workshop in Medford with Steve Schein. The workshop will be about reducing restaurant waste. Barton asked if the Commissioners knew any Ashland restaurants who might be interested and that they could contact herself or Lorraine Cook from the Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance Community. Buck commented that the Commission recently started a sub-committee looking at educating and possibly incentivizing electric landscaping equipment throughout the City. Hanks stated that there will be an article in the Sneak Preview's Conservation Corner for the March about the sub- committees work and educating the public. This draft will be available at the January meeting. Huelz Gutcheon—The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a dire report a few months ago with grim news on the current climate assessment. Gutcheon emphasized that the State of Oregon has state wide planning goals and guidelines. According to Gutcheon, the Planning Commission is focused on Goal 10 Housing, but seems to be ignoring Goal 13 Energy Conservation. Gutcheon believes that Goal 13 should be a priority for the Planning Commission. 6. Reports/Presentation 6.1 Council Liaison Update Councilor Seffinger has been discussing the final recommendation of the Climate Energy and Action Plan Implementation Committee (LEAP 2) to Council with Stu Green, Climate and Energy Analyst. The discussion involves how a permanent LEAP Commission could coexist with even benefit the Conservation Commission. CEAP 2 will give their formal recommendation to the City Council in the next couple of months and a draft of the proposed Commission Ordinances. Hanks added that the recommendation will probably occur in either a January or February Council meeting. 6.2 City Operations/Administration Hanks updated the Commission on the status of the 10 by 20 request for proposal (RFP). The RFP has been tabled after an internal meeting concluded that City staff should meet with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to discuss the City's contract before moving forward. The main concern is the "take or pay"provision that requires the City, as a full requirements customer, to get all of electric power supply from BPA. If the City does not, they will still have to pay for their full power load amount to BPA regardless if the power is coming from alternative sources. This provision does allow for the City to pay the lowest price for the electric power it receives from BPA. Seffinger commented that the current BPA contract expires in 2028. Hanks informed the Commission that there are potential other ways to meet the 10 by 20 through utilizing community solar and smaller, decentralized renewable energy production,just not a large solar farm as originally proposed. Hanks also updated the Commission on community solar within the City and a solar cooperative group. This coop group does not need a virtual net metering program as the host or site of the renewable energy system gets a 10% discount on their electric rates through the cooperative. The group is looking at two different models for raising funds: one for investors and another for DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission November 28, 2018 Page 3 of 5 subscribers. This aligns with the City's intention to facilitate all renewable energy and energy efficiency proposals that can work in collaboration and help Ashland residents have a cleaner energy mix. The City is seeing the electric vehicle (EV) incentives being utilized by residents. The program also gives the City data about residents switching to electric which helps the City get an early notice about registrations. This notice can help match to the State's credit program for EVs. The City's website now has an Energy Efficiency Home Analysis Tool allowing residents to complete a survey about their energy use by using pictures of the actual appliances and lights in their home. The survey also shows residents how they can save by making upgrades and giving discounts for those upgrades. The survey can be accessed by going to WI.pL.Hashland.eeaudit.com/. Hanks mentioned that the City is putting out a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an energy services company(ESCO) in the next week or two. The hope is to have one selected in late January. An ESCO would help the City with funding and project managing of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within City facilities. Seffinger added that since there are some new members to the City Council, they will be having a strategic planning session before the next budget cycle. Hanks clarified that it will focus on goal setting before the budget cycle with will occur in late March and early April and have a more time for strategic planning later. 7. Old Business 7.1 Commission Monthly Column in Sneak Preview • January—EMPOWER Ashland (Hanks and Green for CEAP) Beigel-Coryell let Hanks know that he and Stu Green can submit whenever they like. • February—EVA and EV Empower(Koopman and Green) Koopman will work with Green about revitalizing the article to remind people about the EV and charger incentive as well as Electric Vehicles for Ashland. Hanks mentioned the possibility of the City offering car chargers at businesses in the future, but there are a lot of issues to work out for that to happen. Beigel-Coryell reminded that this article is due at the December meeting for approval. • March—Electric Yard/Landscape Equipment (McGinnis and Sommers) Beigel-Coryell reminded that this article will need to be ready and approved at the January meeting. • April—Hazardous Waste (Rosenthal) Beigel-Coryell reminded that this article will be approved at the February meeting. • May—Water Conservation/Supply(water sub-committee with Julie Smitherman) Beigel-Coryell stated that the draft will need to be ready for the March meeting for approval. Buck stated that Smitherman will be attending the next month's meeting with a presentation and could discuss it with her then. DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission November 28, 2018 Page 4 of 5 7.2 Sub-committee Updates • Water Buck met with Smitherman last month and discussed the residential laundry to landscape program. Currently,participants are required to pay $40 a year to Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) if they do not fill out the application in a timely manner. Smitherman is hoping to work with DEQ to get information on participants so she can reach out to participants and help them with the program since DEQ currently does not have an outreach program. The program also gives City data on participants' usage. • Air Quality Hanks stated that Sommers gave a good update last meeting about the new sub-committee's progress. They are looking into possible incentives or discounts for landscape contractors to buy electric equipment from local stores. The sub-committee will probably focus more on educating and outreach to the public since incentives for smaller equipment is not usually funded. The March article will probably focus on best practices for users. • Waste Prevention Beigel-Coryell updated that this sub-committee is expanding the downtown recycling program. They have already reached out to a few businesses to sponsor and take care of baskets in front of their businesses. Beigel-Coryell also said that they are hoping to get Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) on board for their downtown stop trash cans. The Straws on Demand program is looking to expand with some improved and streamlined marketing materials from the City. Hanks will follow up with Green on the production of these tent cards and other materials as needed. The sub-committee is also waiting to hear about the DEQ grant for reusable to-go boxes hopefully by next month. Buck announced concerns about businesses not compiling with the bag ban requirements. Currently, businesses are okay with not using plastic bags, but are not charging for other types of bags. Hanks has been updating Andrew Barrow, Code Compliance Specialist, about the Ordinance and how to enforce it. Because of the smoky summer some downtown businesses are hoping from a compromise from the City on charging ten cents per bag. Some discussion surrounded about increasing or decreasing the charge as well as having a sponsored reusable bag by multiple local businesses. 8. New Business • DEQ Materials Management Grant Application Update Beigel-Coryell made this update under the Waste Prevention sub-committee section above. • CEAP 2.0 Committee Update Seffinger announced that the Committee is hoping to have the proposed Commission Ordinances accepted by Council after their final recommendation, so implementation of both can start. The recommendation will create a permanent CEAP Commission and change the Conservation Commission's charge to prevent overlap. EMPOWER Ashland outreach program is also moving forward with the goal of impacting community use and reduction. Koopman asked if the committee and possible permanent CEAP Commission has a plan for meeting 8% of target in the LEAP plan. Hanks stated that the update on greenhouse gas inventory is mainly done by Stu Green with the help from the Good Company who initially put together the first greenhouse gas DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission November 28, 2018 Page 5 of 5 inventory. This will include comparative data from the first inventory and that 8% will be in the greenhouse gas cycle. • CEAP 2.0 Permanent Commission Draft Ordinance • Conservation Commission Powers/Duties Draft Ordinance Sohl asked for clarification that the Ordinances will outline different responsibilities between Conservation (outreach focused) and a permanent CEAP (technical and policy focused). Hanks confirmed this difference and emphasized that the hope is that the Conservation Commission will be able to utilize and implement the EMPOWER plan. The idea is that each Commission will meet every other month with the same staff member and possibly some members from both Commissions to help with continuity and communication. Sub-committees of both would have more time to meet between meetings. Sub-committees could also present to other Commissions for increased communication and integration. Sohl asked if members of each current group would continue with its current members. Hanks stated that the practical way would be to ask current members if they would like to continue with this new charge and fill in the any vacancies with appointments. Hanks stated that if accepted this would probably be implemented in May or June. Sohl moved to approve the recommendation of the draft Ordinance for the Conservation Commission provided by CEAP 2 for Council. Koopnzan provided a second. The motion passed with all members in favor. 8. Wrap Up 8.1 Items to be added to next agenda Hanks reminded that Julie Smitherman will be presenting at the next meeting. Any members who would like to add something to the agenda need to email Beigel-Coryell and Hanks. Also if any members cannot make it to please let them know. Hanks will copy Sohl on future air quality sub-committee meetings. Beigel-Coryell adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Action Items: • If any members plan on being absent for the December meeting, let Beigel-Coryell and Hanks know in a timely manner. • Koopman will work with Green about revitalizing the February Sneak Preview article (due in December) to remind people about the EV and charger incentive as well as Electric Vehicles for Ashland. • Hanks will follow up with Green on the production of the Straws on Demand tent cards and other materials as needed. • If any members who would like to add something to the agenda, email Beigel-Coryell and Hanks before the next meeting in a timely manner, need to email Roxane or Adam. • Hanks will copy Sohl on future air quality sub-committee meetings. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Taylor Executive Assistant DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission December 19, 2018 Page 1 of 4 DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Wednesday,December 19, 2018 Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order The December meeting of the Conservation Commission was called to order by Chair Roxane Beigel-Coryell at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners Risa Buck, James McGinnis, Jamie Rosenthal, Bryan Sohl, and David Sommer were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was also present. Commissioners Marni Koopman and Councilor Stefani Seffinger were absent. 2. Commission Vacancies Update Hanks announced that there is one current applicant. Beigel-Coryell announced that there is still one seat open if anyone knows someone that might be interested. 3. Consent Agenda No items were on the Consent Agenda and the November minutes will be included with the December minutes for approval at the January meeting. 4. Announcements 4.1. Next Regular Meeting:January 23, 2019 Beigel-Coryell announced that the next regular scheduled meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way. 4.2. Upcoming Sub-committee meetings Beigel-Coryell asked if there were any current Sub-committee meetings scheduled. Buck stated that the Waste Prevention Sub-committee will schedule a meeting for January after this meeting. Hanks stated he will email Stu Green, McGinnis, Sohl, and Sommer to organize a time to discuss the Air Quality Sub-committee. 4.3. Other Announcements from Commissioners Rosenthal stated that Recology will be picking up Christmas trees for two weeks at the beginning of January starting on Monday, January 7, 2019. The pick-up days will occur during the regular recycling days and will be for everyone not just those who subscribe to the green box pickups. This will be a week after the Boy Scouts tree pick-up day on Saturday, January 5, 2019, which can be scheduled and are done for donations. Recology is also pushing back their pick-up service to account for Christmas and New Year's Day holidays. For residents with Tuesday or later pick up days, service will be one day later (including a Saturday service for Friday pick-ups). Sommer informed the Commission of the $109 million bond passed for the Ashland School District (ASD). ASD is now releasing a request for proposal (RFP) for a bond project management company closing on January 16. One and a half percent of the bond (for new constructions) must be used for solar energy technology and the district is leaning towards the most cost-effective option of rooftop solar which could also utilize the City's virtual net metering program. AMERESCO, an Energy Services Company, was also hired by ASD to help leverage funding for installing upgrades and new systems. The bond committee has kept an open plan to DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission December 19, 2018 Page 2 of 4 help the bond project management plan on what will maximize efficiency. ASD can look into the future at the next bond cycle which is in 25 years, but will see 12 to 13-year step downs which gives them a lot of flexibility. Sommer has also talked to the Grange Coop and Bi-Mart about giving discounts for electric landscaping equipment. He said that there was positive feedback at the corporate level about this possibility. Beigel-Coryell announced that Southern Oregon University is installing the third of its three solar installations. This one will be on the Hannon Library and students pay for the solar and the University buys the power back and students get transfer each year for power generated. The pricing is similar to what SOU pays for the City with fees, although the cost per kWh is higher than what the City charges. SOU has also applied for a Department of Environmental Quality grant for smaller plates in the dining facility to eliminate food waste. The current larger plates will go to the retail dining hall which currently uses disposal able plates. This is to help combat food waste since the University has an all you can eat plan for students and it will force them to take less food or take more trips. 5. Public Forum Louise Shawkat Ashland, OR—announced that the Transportation Commission will be holding their regular meeting tomorrow and will be reviewing their final chapter of their proposed plan to be presented to Council. If it is approved by Council, then the City will have a plan to apply for funding for innovations in transportation. The plan looks at having smaller vans to transport and pick up residents at their homes rather than investing more into large buses. This section was focused solely on buses and automobiles. Other sections focus on walking or biking. 6. Reports/Presentations Beigel-Coryell asked to move Julie Smitherman's, Water Conservation Analyst, presentation to the first part the of the Reports/Presentations section of the agenda. There was no opposition. 6.1 Water Conservation Program Update—Julie Smitherman, Water Conservation Analyst Presentation on Water Supply and Conservation by Julie Smitherman can be;found ,,,,,,,,,,here. 6.2 Council Liaison Update None 6.3 City Operations/Administration Hanks announced that goal setting with the new Council will take place in January and include some public input. The current Council has dealing with land use appeals that intersect with the Climate and Energy Action Plan and transportation issues as they are multi-family units. An update to TNC will occur on January 15 Council meeting. The amendment brought back will mirror Medford's ordinance and the Council will discuss if they would like to accept all of it, parts of it, or not at all. The 10 by 20 RFP is set for February 19, but will mainly include a staff report about its status based on a meeting with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The City will have an annual meeting with solar contractors to discuss what is working and what is not. Budget discussions will be included since solar was overspent for this biennium largely due DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission December 19, 2018 Page 3 of 4 to the State's residential tax credits expiring at the end of 2017. New administrative policies have been signed concerning fleet and facilities fuel switching. The appliance rebates are going away as they are not enough to help consumers and BPA is phasing out. 7. Old Business 7.1. Commission Monthly Column in Sneak Preview Beigel-Coryell is hoping that Koopman and Green to have an article by January's meeting for publication in February. Otherwise Beigel-Coryell will write an article. Sommer and McGinnis will also prepare an article on electric yard and landscape equipment to be approved in January for the March publication. Buck will email Sohl, who is interested in joining the Water Sub- committee and helping with the May Water Conservation and supply article, about meeting in January. Beigel-Coryell and Hanks reminded all that article drafts are needed the Monday before the scheduled meeting to be included in the packets. For next meeting, article drafts are due by Monday, January 14 for the packet released on Wednesday, January 16. 7.2. Sub-committee updates • Water Buck stated the Sub-committee will plan to meet in January with Koopman and SAL • Waste Prevention Hanks and Green will provide marketing materials for the Straws on Demand expanded program. The Sub-Committee is also expanding its downtown basket program and three more businesses have agreed to participate. Buck will help Hanks and Green do a thank you to all the participating businesses by the Spring of 2019. 8. New Business 8.1 DEQ Materials Management Grant Application Update Hanks announced that the Commission received the DEQ grant for the full amount of$9,700. There were 59 proposals submitted for a total of$3.4 million. Only 16 applicants were selected to be funded including SOU. Beigel-Coryell clarified that this grant the Commission applied for was for the reusable take out containers for participating restaurants downtown. 8.2 CEAP 2.0 Committee Update McGinnis announced that CEAP 2.0 ad hoc committee had their last meeting the week prior. They reviewed the benchmarks and indicators for the committee's charge and will be giving their final recommendation to Council in February 2019. The recommendation includes an amendment to the Conservation Commission charge emphasizing outreach in addition to their current work and a permanent Climate Policy Commission. The Climate Policy Commission will focus on more technical work and policy. Both Commissions will work in conjuncture as they will have the same staff liaisons and will meet every other month with the possibility of having Sub-committee members from both Commissions meeting in between. If approved by Council, the Climate Policy Commission will probably form in June or July while the Conservation Commission's charge change would take 30 days from the second reading of the amendment to their Ordinance. 9. Wrap Up and Adjournment DRAFT Minutes for the Conservation Commission December 19, 2018 Page 4 of 4 9.1 Items to be added to next agenda Beigel-Coryell asked if anyone wanted anything added to the agenda for next time to please send it to her or Adam the Monday before next meeting. If any members will be absent, please let Beigel-Coryell and Hanks know beforehand. Buck has stated that she will not be able to attend the February 27 meeting, Sohl will not be either. Beigel-Coryell adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Action Items: • Hanks stated he will email Stu Green, McGinnis, Sohl, and Sommer to organize a time to discuss the Air Quality Sub-committee. • Beigel-Coryell is hoping that Koopman and Green to have an article by January's meeting for publication in February. Otherwise, Beigel-Coryell will write an article. • Sommer and McGinnis will prepare an article on Electric yard and landscape equipment to be approved in January for the March publication. • Buck will email Sohl, who is interested in joining the Water Sub-committee and helping with the May Water Conservation and supply article, about meeting in January. • Hanks and Green will provide marketing materials for the Straws on Demand expanded program. • Buck will help Hanks and Green do a thank you to all the participating businesses by the Spring of 2019. • Beigel-Coryell asked if anyone wanted anything added to the agenda for next time to please send it to her or Adam the Monday before next meeting. • If any members will not be able to attend the January meeting let Beigel-Coryell and Hanks know beforehand. Waste Prevention Subcommittee Meeting Notes Monday, January 7, 2019 1:30pm at 351 Walker Ave. In attendance: Risa Buck, Jamie Rosenthal, Marni Koopman, Roxane Beigel-Coryell, Stu Green, Egon, Christy Straws on Demand • Need to work with City to update promotional and outreach materials to better match City of Ashland branding, more streamlined and attractive for businesses to display o Risa and Roxane will work with Stu on this • Use launch of expansion as an opportunity to thank and recognize existing partners • Public comment: We need to have some kind of straw that is edible or digestible, Americans won't give up drinking from straws. Reusable Cup Program • On hold while we work on reusable take out container program • Requests made to consider cups made of materials other than plastic Downtown Can & Bottle Recycle Baskets • Jamie still waiting to hear from RVTD about putting baskets at bus stops downtown • New baskets with sponsorships o Anonymous sponsor outside of chase bank o Bug-a-Boo o Summit and Fields o Anonymous sponsor outside of Paddington Station • New baskets and signs should be ready for distribution soon Reusable Take Out Container Program • City of Ashland was awarded grant from DEQ for the pilot program • City meeting with DEQ to discuss grant agreement on January 23rd at 2:30-4:30pm • Stu will reach out to Go Box PDX to explore if there are options to join their program or share resources • Roxane and Risa will meet with business owners to let them know we are moving forward and get their input on best type of container(size, shape, materials, etc.) • Items to be addressed: o Name for the program o Type of container to use (shape, size, material, etc.) ■ Discussion around wanting to use something other than plastic ■ If we do end up with plastic, get something with recycled plastic content o Inventory management plan/protocol for participating businesses o Communication plan/system for participating businesses o Outreach/Marketing plan for program launch o Cost for consumers to use program o Program Agreement for business participants ■ Outline responsibilities, agreements, etc. o What kind of token system will we use (Jamie will look into options) o How does the program work with delivery or phone orders o Examples of similar programs using non-plastic materials (Christy and Egon will research) Next meeting: Monday, January 28th, 1:30pm at 351 Walker Avenue Have you ever found yourself standing before your recycling bin with a bewildered look on your face, a disposable item in hand?You're not alone! Understanding how to properly dispose of the items we discard can be tricky, especially when you receive mixed messages from product manufacturers and marketing. It is important to remember that recycling is different in every community. The recyclability of items largely depends on a community's scale and proximity to recycling markets.The best thing to do when questioning whether something can be recycled is to check with your local waste hauler. Ashland and Talent are both served by Recology and information about what can be recycled locally is available on their website. However, if you're looking for a quick guide to answer your questions about some of the peskiest items, we have your answers here! Plastic Bags/Wrapping: Plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping cannot be recycled in your curbside bin! Unfortunately, if placed in your commingled recycling, the plastic bags get tangled in the recycling equipment at the Material Recovery Facility(MRF) and results in dangerous and costly repairs. If you have plastic bags or wrapping for recycling, check with your local grocers for special collection bins. You can also bring your soft plastics (i.e. plastic bags, plastic wrap, etc.)to the Ashland's Recycle Center on Water Street for recycling. Styrofoam: Did you know that Styrofoam is comprised of 99%air?! This makes recycling it very costly, as all air must be removed and a large volume of the compressed Styrofoam has to be collected and stored in order to ship it to a processor. Unfortunately,that means that we cannot recycle Styrofoam at this time, so be sure to avoid using it or place it in your garbage bin. Cans& Bottles:Are you aware that Oregon is one of a few states with a Bottle Bill?Select beverage containers sold in Oregon require the consumer to pay a deposit that can be redeemed upon return of the container at an approved redemption center. In Ashland, you can bring them to any grocery store. The redemption value increased in April 2017 from five cents to ten cents per eligible container. In 2018, the types of beverage containers included in the Bottle Bill expanded to include nearly everything except wine and milk containers. Before bringing your cans and bottles to a redemption center, make sure to remove all lids or bottle caps and empty any food or liquid. If you do not want to collect the redemption value,you can also place these containers in your curbside bin or offer them to someone else to bring in for redemption. Lids/Bottle Caps:Although your cans, bottles, and plastic tubs can be recycled,the lids and caps belong in the trash. Unfortunately the lids and caps are too small and flat to be captured in the mechanical sorting process. Make sure to remove them and place them in the trashcan, not your recycle bin. Disposable Cups: Disposable cups are often one of the trickiest and most confusing discards. Whether paper, plastic, or Styrofoam, disposable cups are not recyclable anywhere in southern Oregon. If you must use a disposable cup, be sure to discard of it in your trashcan. Or, better yet, avoid using them all together by bringing your own cup or thermos for your tasty beverage! Cartons/Aseptic Containers:What in the world is an aseptic container, you ask?Aseptic containers, sometimes referred to as Tetra Paks, are the rectangular containers that you may buy soups, non-dairy milks, or coconut water in.These containers often have a recycle symbol printed right on them, instructing the consumer to please recycle it, however these cartons ARE NOT recyclable in southern Oregon.This is the perfect example of a time that you cannot trust the label, as these cartons are not universally recyclable despite what the package tells you. Similarly,waxed paper cartons like those you find milk or juice in, are also destined for the landfill. Be sure to discard of all paper-type cartons in your garbage bin. Clamshells: Sometimes you may find yourself with a clamshell, not the ones from the ocean,the plastic kind that you get with take-out orders or produce.This is another item that we often feel compelled to recycle, but don't!These clamshell containers are not recyclable in southern Oregon and need to be avoided or sent to the landfill. While we're at it,the same rule goes for most food-carting materials, aside from rigid tubs (such as yogurt tubs) or cardboard boxes from cereal or crackers.Any paper-type material that your food directly touches is not recyclable.