Heraufs, Boohers recyclers of the year

Allan and Diane Herauf earned honors as Sisters' residential recyclers of the year and Espresso Junction won distinction as business recycler of the year at the April 21 Recycler of the Year awards ceremony in Bend.

Deschutes Refuse and Recycling Association, the City of Sisters and The Recycling Team applauded the recyclers for their dedication and accomplishments in recycling, reuse, waste prevention and use of recycled products.

The Heraufs have been recycling for over 10 years. They do it so well that they don't even fill the smallest-size garbage can. They say that waste reduction encompasses their everyday life and has become second nature.

The environment is the number one reason the Heraufs recycle.

"The earth is getting so overpopulated that recycling is becoming necessary to conserve our natural resources, Allan said.

The Heraufs first reduce their waste at the grocery store. They try to avoid excess packaging, buy products in bulk, favor products in recyclable packaging, favor products in glass because not all plastic is recyclable, and reuse containers and zip lock bags.

"Composting is also a super good way to reduce wet garbage and come back with a black soil, noted Allan. "We used to compost in the valley and plan to start here soon.

The Heraufs also are opening a smokehouse and restaurant and made arrangements with an Oregon meat supplier to utilize reusable product totes rather than non-recyclable cardboard boxes.

Espresso Junction started recycling about 1-1/2 years ago after Papandrea's Pizza, a past recycler of the year, encouraged them to start.

Recycling was an obvious imperative for the small purveyor of coffee drinks.

"Recycle or get buried in garbage, Rudi said. "Through recycling, we cut our garbage by at least 80 percent.

The program was so successful at Espresso Junction, that the owners started recycling at home and reduced their garbage can to the smallest size, which translates to dollar savings too.

"More importantly, Rudi said, "I really believe that every little bit you do makes a difference.

Espresso Junction recycles plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cardboard. The Boohers buy everything in bulk and use cloth towels instead of paper. Some customers bring back their java jackets for their own reuse. At home the couple also uses cloth diapers for their child.

In Deschutes County, 31,600 tons of material were recycled in 1997, accounting for a 31 percent diversion of solid waste from the landfill.