Waste Reduction Education and Promotions--Recycling and Resource Reduction

Sustainable or "Green" Building--ECICOG has collected numerous sources of information concerning environmentally friendly building for use in its lending library as well as administered a green building project (Ecohouse) for the Cedar Rapids Community Schools. ECICOG has also initiated a joint project Green Rehabilitation for Ownership (GRO), to promote environmentally friendly building concepts within a housing rehabilitation program.

Tire Recycling--At the request of member boards of supervisors, ECICOG administers a region wide education and promotion program concerning tire recycling and proper tire maintenance.

Residential Recycling--ECICOG designs and coordinates placement of ads and other print materials promoting local recycling programs.  Staff offers a variety of educational presentations to all age groups.

Commercial Source Reduction--ECICOG works closely with the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) representatives serving the ECICOG planning area.  During the past three years, ECICOG and IWE have worked, for example, on construction and demolition projects as well as a cooperative collection/marketing project.

Composting--ECICOG has provided assistance to several composting projects including: distribution of backyard composting bins to Linn County residents (1998); assistance with Kirkwood Community College composting facilities (1997-1998); and assistance with Anamosa State Penitentiary composting facility (1997-1998).

Buy Recycled--To draw attention to products that contain recycled materials, ECICOG staffed a display at a Cedar Rapids Target store and promoted/administered a grant program that funds the purchase of products containing scrap tire materials.