The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) was presented with the Recycler of the Year Award at the Mid-Valley Green Awards on Saturday, March 11, at Willamette Heritage Center. DOC was praised for its recycling and upcycling efforts of ballistic vests, shoes, and fabric; its refurbishing of furniture; and its donation efforts of hundreds of blankets to the Salem Sleeping Bag Project. DOC’s Central Distribution Center (CDC) recycled or upcycled 2.3 million pounds of backhauled commodities from its institutions in 2016 — up from 1.6 million pounds in 2015. CDC staff worked with prison staff from across the state to collect the following items for recycling or reuse — diverting over 750 tons of waste from landfills: 4,310 lbs. of ballistic vests; 72,600 lbs. of tires; 1,200 lbs. of printer cartridges; 42,875 lbs. of e-waste; 1,390,391 lbs. of cardboard/office pack paper and 219,270 lbs. of confidential shred. “DOC is a resourceful agency that is finding ways to be a better steward of our environment,” said DOC Sustainability Programs Manager Chad Naugle. “I am amazed by the recycling efforts from staff and adults in custody. This Recycler of the Year award would not be possible without the dedicated staff across the department.” The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to sustainable operations to protect our natural environment and improve quality of life for healthier communities. Sustainable practices help protect natural resources, save taxpayer money, and model positive lifestyles to the adults in DOC custody.
