2020 Framework for Action

​The 2020 Framework elaborates on our core values and priorities, including emerging work. Like the original Framework, it is intended to be flexible. The 2050 Vision remains unchanged and will continue to be our guiding compass and embody the program's overarching objectives. 

This 2020 Framework serves four important functions; it

• Serves as a flexible platform to guide progress toward the 2050 Vision
• Identifies Materials Management's primary priority areas
• Articulates core values and guiding principles
• Provides a Framework for others to apply the sustainable materials management approach
  

Healthy environment for all.
Everyone has a right to live in a healthy environment free of toxics and other environmental threats – now and in the future. We work to protect ecosystems and ensure access to ecosystem services, including clean air, water and land, for all living things. 

Dignity for all human beings.
Everyone is worthy of dignity and respect. A healthy environment is important for preserving human dignity and wellbeing.

Social equity is an environmental issue.
Improving outcomes for historically marginalized communities is an environmental imperative. When the environmental benefits and burdens of materials are more equitably distributed, only then can every material choice be a sustainable one.
 
Collaboration makes us stronger.
We benefit from the experience, knowledge and perspective of others. It is essential for us to cooperatively engage and share power with community members and partners across disciplines.
 
Research and measurement are valuable tools.
We use scientific and meaningful measurement to understand where our opportunities are, to guide policy and program decisions, and to be accountable for our decision-making.

We can move beyond business as usual.
We need significant change in order to produce and use materials responsibly and that means challenging the status quo. It is important that we continuously pursue better outcomes from our economy, environment and other systems.

We must be adaptable to succeed in the face of change.

The path to realizing the 2050 Vision will contain unforeseen challenges, roadblocks and new opportunities. In order to achieve our goals, we must be prepared to adjust and adapt our approach to the unexpected.

The needs of all communities inform our work.

We respect the diversity of perspectives across Oregon. We strive to understand the variety of lived experiences and make our work relevant to each community across the state.  

The following priorities reflect our program's intended priorities for the next 10 years as we advance toward the 2050 Vision. Using the core tenets of sustainable materials management and applying life cycle thinking, we have identified these priorities as critical to achieving the 2050 Vision. These priorities include materials that have significant environmental and health impacts (for instance, air pollutants, toxics and major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.); our engagement with existing and new partners and stakeholders; and areas that will be crucial to achieving the 2050 Vision.  As environmental impacts of materials continue to alter our natural landscape in permanent and sometimes catastrophic ways, we may add priorities to respond to unexpected situations or new opportunities for meaningful action. We invite our staff, partners and public to engage with us on these priorities—or to help us identify new priorities hat deserve attention.

Lifecycle programs   

Built Environment, Business Initiatives, Food – Prevention and Recovery, Procurement, Product Stewardship, Sustainable Consumption, Toxic and Hazardous Materials, and Reuse, Repair, Product Life Extension

Measurement

Goals and Measures and Life Cycle Assessment

Solid waste and recovery     

Extended Producer Responsibility, Opportunity to Recycle, Recovery, Solid Waste Compliance and Solid Waste Permitting

Community involvement

Communications,  Grants, Outreach and Partnerships and Social Equity

Emerging priorities
We recognize that our work is likely to evolve and grow as we respond to emerging environmental and social needs. The 2020 Framework for Action includes a placeholder for us to add to our programmatic work as new priorities arise.