I have some exciting year-end numbers to share. These are full-year numbers from all facets of our in-store compost/recycling/trash programs at our flagship store, located at 29th & Willamette in Eugene.

The first big number is the 2010 compost total. We accounted for a whooping 200 tons of food waste that was composted, rather then sent to the landfill. This was accomplished with the help of our composting partner, Rexius. This composted material eventually finds its way to local gardens.

Add to that 200 tons of compost:

• 96 tons of mixed recyclables

• 250 tons of cardboard

• 186 tons of glass

• 4 tons plastic wrap

• 4 tons plastic

• 10 tons aluminum

That’s a grand total of 750 tons of recycled or composted materials saved from the landfill in 2010!

In comparison, the amount of trash taken to the landfill was a diminutive 186 tons, 564 tons less than what was recycled or composted. Yee ha!

This means that approximately 80 percent of our total store waste was recycled or composted last year – not bad! And I’m optimistic that we can do even better this year.

Thanks to everyone – our employees, customers, recycling and composting partners – for all your hard work and dedication to our Eco Efforts programs.

I look forward to greener days ahead!