TWO WOMEN, ONE MISSION: SAVE THE EARTH
Julie Tucker (left) and Cindy Allen (right) combined forces for the good of the Gorge.
by Robin Allen
April is Earth Month so there is no better time for the first Gorge Community Recycling Pop-up Depot happening in Hood River at the Rebuild-it Center on Sat. April 24th from 10am-3pm!
I sat down with the two incredible local women behind it all and discovered who they are, why this event is such a need in our community and how we can help!
Meet Julie Tucker, Owner and Project Manager of the not-for-profit, sustainable materials management company, Emerald Systems LLC and Cindy Allen, semi-retired, bookkeeper and avid gardener. They are both long time residents of Hood River, environmentalists and Moms.
Robin Allen: First of all, how does a woman who studied Natural Resources and Wildlife conservation, has an AA in Renewable Energy Technology and a Bachelor's of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and a woman with a BS degree in Psychology/Math/Accounting and a Masters in Education meet and realize they have the same goals + ideals for saving the Earth?
Julie Tucker: Well, I’m a board member of the Gorge Rebuild-it Center and I met Cindy through Heidi Venture who was helping get the store and board of directors back on track. Heidi recommended I reach out to Cindy to see if she could help us with our bookkeeping. Cindy dove in head first and got us back on track. She is definitely one of the key players that keeps Gorge Rebuild-it Center going and got us to where we are now.
RA: Well, that makes perfect sense that the Gorge Rebuild-it Center would bring you together and now, that is where you’ll be having your event! What was the inspiration for this event?
JT: I have to say it was Cindy 😊. I was talking to her son-in-law, Paul Antunes, and chit chatting about ways to help the general public recycle odd items and he told me that Cindy was very passionate about this and that she had gone to a couple events in Portland that had a great program and was inspired to do something similar here in our community. So, I reached out to Cindy, we had a meeting and came up with a game plan!
Cindy Allen: Yeah, I’m super excited to be able to team up with Julie and pursue this pilot program, Gorge Community Recycling Pop-up Depot. Let's just say Julie is the brains and I'm the cheerleading organizer.
RA: I like that. I think balance in every endeavor, especially events is so important. So, ladies, is there a bigger vision for this event past Earth Week?
CA: Our vision goes beyond this event for sure.
JT: Yes, I would love for it to. It will depend on the feedback, participation and support of the community. I think we will though. I get calls on a weekly basis on people wanting to be able to recycle off shoot items that the transfer stations don’t take.
RA: I think so too. I know I’m personally always trying to find alternative ways to recycle things. And, with an event where I can just drop off my items and you all have the resources to take them where they need to go is amazing.
RA: So, ladies, what do you hope people will get out of this event?
CA: Besides just recycling items that our blue bins won’t take, we want to educate the community about a circular economy* and hopefully get them more involved in changing one's habits as well as advocate for policy changes to make businesses more responsible for how their product is disposed.
JT: Yes! I agree. Education!!! And, materials diverted from landfills. I LOVE to show people what recycling really is and how it works. BUT the real hope is to it get people to consume smarter. Purchasing items that can be reused, composted properly or materials that are a part of the circular economy.
RA: Wow! You two are so inspiring and passionate! Where did that come from?
CA: I've always been intrigued by recycling. When I was a kid, my Dad and I used to go on walks and collect cans. It always amazed me how many we could find. He taught me littering was bad and to try and use what you have before buying new. So, the 3 R's...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...has always been important to me.
JT: I've always felt this overwhelming need to protect the environment since I can remember. My first real memory is watching a documentary when I was about 7yrs old in 1977 and just getting absolutely pissed about the destructions of deforestation and the loss and harm to wildlife that happens.
At one point, I got hyper focused on the amount of garbage humans generate and that’s where I got more in depth about recycling commodities, zero waste solutions and the circular economy and educating people, institutions and corporations on sustainability and how the three pillars of sustainability, People – Planet – Profit can+need to work+grow together.
RA: Ok, I like that. The 3 R’s and the 3 P’s. Now, knowing where your passion and inspiration comes from to help Mother Earth, why do you personally think She, the environment, is worth saving?
JT: It’s our job! Humans need a healthy environment to stay alive and thrive and we were given the ability to either protect+nurture it or destroy it. No other being on this planet has the ability to heal and protect the earth and animals as we do. Our world is a beautiful healing place in nature and in urban cities if we can nurture it and coexist together.
CA: Chief Seattle brings it home for me.."This we know...the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected, like blood which connects one family. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life - he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
RA: Yeah, that definitely brings it home. Thank you ladies for taking the time to give us a little insight on who you are and why this event. One last thing, can you share some logistics about the event.
JT: Sure.
CA: Of course.
RA: Where exactly are you hosting this event?
JT: We are hosting this event at the old nursery in front of Gorge Rebuild-it Center (995 Tucker Rd.). It is across from Bryant Pipe & Supply who, by the way, are letting us use the space for free. They are big supporters of sustainability.
RA: Is this event free?
CA + JT: Yes!
RA: Will you be taking monetary donations though?
CA + JT: Yes!
RA: What type of recyclables ARE you excepting at this event?
CA + JT: All #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7 recyclables, Bailing twine, plant pots & trays, styrofoam (polystyrene, polyurethane and polyethylene).
For images + examples and to share this event with people and businesses, please check out our Facebook Event page.
RA: What are some tips for how to bring items?
CA: CLEAN – no food debris or liquid. Keep material separate according to category and/or number.
How will all the recyclables be dealt with?
JT: We will sort and fill the proper containers as we go at the event. Once the event is over, we will drive the materials to their designated destination to be recycled and or upcycled. Below, is a list of the main companies we use at this time.
♻️Agilyx
♻️Environmental Conscious Recycling
♻️NW Poly
RA: Once again, thank you ladies for putting on this incredible event and Mother Earth thanks you too! 🌺🌎🙌
