Who can make a difference
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Homeowners throughout Oregon
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Waste facility operators
Causes of groundwater contamination
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Leaching from unlined or poorly designed landfills or dumps
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Runoff from waste facilities
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Improper disposal of household waste
into septic systems
dumped on the ground
disposed of in streams and rivers
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Lack of leachate collection systems
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Uncapped closed landfills
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Site in permeable soils in areas with high water tables
What can you do?
Individual action
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Reduce the total amount of waste that you send to landfills
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Support businesses and buy products that use recyclable/reusable materials that are non-contaminating
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Properly dispose of hazardous waste; do not combine with regular household waste
Community action
- Join in on hazardous waste collection events! Organize an event in your community
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Help arrange a visit from a waste management professional to speak with residents
- Know the rules!
What cannot
Where to take it.
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Participate in public forums related to waste facility siting, waste rules, etc.
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Encourage schools to arrange fieldtrips to learn more about waste issues:
Local landfills
Waste transfer stations
Recycling and reuse centers