Material Resources
Material goods are created from raw resources which are extracted or produced from the earth. Once manufactured, these goods are purchased and used. At the end of their life they are dispositioned for reuse, recycling, composting, incineration or landfilling. Many of these steps result in problematic environmental and social impacts. It’s critical for sustainability that we eliminate unneeded consumption, then manage what we do use so it becomes the feedstock for new things at its end of life instead of becoming a lost resource in the landfill.
Information relating to Material Resources can also be found on these Topic Resource pages:
- Buildings (building materials, construction recycling)
- Climate Change (and the role of waste management)
- Resource Management – Multiple Resources (source includes energy, water and material resource info)
Material - General
Earth911
Website with a variety of information
Earth 911student and teacher section
Grassroots Recycling Network
Website with much information
Kids Recycle program, with resources for kids and teachers in K-12 schools
Metro Regional Government (Portland, Oregon metro area)
Metro’s garbage and recycling website
Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things
Book offered by Sightline Institute
The Story of Stuff Project
Website with great information and videos about sustainability impacts from a number of product areas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA’s Wastes website
Planet Protectors Club for Kids
Zero Waste Alliance
Website with information and resources
Zero Waste International Alliance
Local Government Websites
Look up your city or county waste and recycling website for local information and resources.
Composting
Biocycle, Journal Of Composting & Organics Recycling
American Journal on composting and organics recycling
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Organic Materials Management Website
Worm Woman
Publications, including children’s books, and Information about worm composting
Consumerism
Center for a New American Dream
Organization offers programs to help Americans reduce and shift their consumption to improve quality of life, protect the environment, and promote social justice
Donation & Reuse
SCRAP: School and Community Reuse Action Project
Information and links about projects made from reused materials.
Organizations
Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR)
Trade association website with information and resources, annual conference
Training / Listserv
Oregon Master Recycler Programs
Various counties have Master Recycler programs, including:
Jackson County
Lane County
Marion County
Metro Tri-County Area
GreenYes Listserv
GreenYes is a national listserv for information sharing and questions related to resource management