ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
November 18, 1998
EMU Century Room A

Attendees: Janet Rose, John Bittner, Patty Krier, Bev Murrow, Robyn Hathcock, John Baldwin, Karyn Kaplan, J. R. Gaddis, Connie French, Kay Coots, Wendy Weston, Chris Ramey, Martha Ravits

Kay chaired the meeting and started off with introductions and asked for any additional agenda items.

Karyn requested one additional agenda item -- review committee appointments. Kay noted that the student and OPEU appointments had recently been made.

Recycled Paper Policy:

J. R. distributed 11 x 17" signs which are being used in Printing Services and the copy centers to promote the Envirographic brand paper and read "Please ask about our 100% post-consumer waste, chlorine-free white copier paper – 8 1/2 x 11 available now". These signs may be used or reworded for more specific situations. It is $3.34/ream, white, multipurpose, works very well in copy machines and may be recycled with other white paper products. Standard default in printing is currently 50% recycled 20% post consumer. Beginning January 1, 1999 the standard will go to 50% recycled and 30% post consumer waste in all papers by federal statute.

Printing Services has been conducting tests on bamboo and hemp papers in 30 departments with the heaviest paper use such as the Knight Library. Seventy percent of the results are in with all but two departments preferring bamboo over hemp paper.

JR pointed out some negative aspects of bamboo products such as does not contain any post consumer content and countries which produce bamboo products will cut down forests in order to grow it. Higher cost is also a factor so J.R. encourages departments to try one or two reams at a time. Printing has contacted Fox River as to what quantities the UO would need to order for them make a 30% post consumer waste product in bamboo or hemp. Also in beginning stage of a comprehensive, collective agreement with other universities that if we can generate enough interest to get a mill to bring bamboo or hemp paper production commercially into the United States rather than from offshore sources.

The UO community has gone from using approximately 20-25% in recycled paper products 5 years ago to around 75% today. The committee commended JR for doing a terrific job. He also gave credit to the operations manager and other employees in Printing Services.

John brought up the issues of making sure dioxin free products are used since even the EPA standards on dioxin are too lenient and much more dangerous than the standard implies. The DEQ Emission Policy Committee in Portland is discussing the issue regarding dropping the standards completely because any amount of dioxin is extremely dangerous to humans and the environment.

Karyn stressed that neon, goldenrod and heavily dyed papers are the worst contributors of dioxins, lead, and heavy metals. She is running an ad in the Emerald to educate people on the neon issue. Signs need to be posted around campus to alert users to this problem. JR suggested that the committee decide on how it should be worded, and he will work on getting the signs posted. Kay suggested that a subcommittee work on the issue.

J.R. felt it would be helpful to invite a paper company representative to address the pros and cons of alternative paper products. John suggested that JR call Joe Edney, a DEQ official in Eugene, who could talk about hybrid poplar (20 projects to grow poplar have been funded by the Department of Economic Development).

Kay passed out copies of an E-mail which was sent to Dan Williams summarizing last year’s EIC activities.

The River Front Research Park Review Committee report was distributed via E-mail to EIC prior to the meeting (it can also be found at http://president.uoregon.edu/Final Report.html). John talked about a resolution which was introduced to the UO Senate by six senators reaffirming the findings of the River Front Committee. The feedback from faculty is that the committee report is not strong enough on protecting the river environment. The resolution would make it possible to revisit the issue again and strengthen what is already there. Karen asked that John keep the committee updated. The resolution will be voted on at the next Senate meeting. John suggested forming a subcommittee to review this resolution and to determine if EIC will support it. Since the Senate will meet before the next EIC committee, John suggested E-mailing the subcommittee’s findings. There was resistance to this approach; therefore John offered to go and make copies so that a vote could be taken immediately. After review and discussion of the resolution a motion to support the resolution was made and seconded. The vote was unanimous with two abstentions. John will take the decision to the next Senate meeting.

Kay distributed a draft of the Operating Environmental Policy. The Comprehensive Environmental Policy states that administrative units will develop their own individual policy to fit specific needs. The Operating Environmental Policy is a model.

Members signed up for the following subcommittees:

Connie French

Janet Rose

J.R. Gaddis

John Bittner

Martha Ravits

Chris Ramey

Karyn Kaplan

Bev Murrow

Connie French

Kay Coots

Robyn Hathcock

Karyn Kaplan

Patty Krier

John Baldwin

Wendy Weston

Kay asked for nominations to chair the committee. Karyn Kaplan was nominated and voted in unanimously. Kay suggested that a student representative act as co-chair and Wendy Weston consented. The chair decides on voting status of ex officio members. Karyn agreed that they would have a vote.

Minutes submitted by Linda Johnson

Note: The EIC email list is administered by Connie French. eic-com@lists.uoregon.edu