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Ken
Decio
Integrated
Waste Management Specialist
Program: Landscape Management Outreach, State
of California
The California Integrated Waste Management Board’s
mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials
to their highest and best use, and protect public health and
safety and the environment, in partnership with all Californians.
Ken Decio’s role in this state agency is to promote
the use of urban-derived compost and mulch, grasscycling , and
other landscape practices that reduce green waste, conserve
water, minimize pesticide usage, and reduce nonpoint source
pollution.
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Favorites
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Web
site:
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CNN.com
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Software:
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Computer illiterate |
Technogadget:
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Remote control for
TV (A friend of mine used to say “Kenny,
you’re a man of the 90’s…1890’s |
Movie:
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The Big Chill
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Book:
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Travels with Charlie
(John Steinbeck) |
CD:
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Summertime Dream (Gordon Lightfoot) |
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Is Earth Day an important part of
the environmental movement?
Yes. Even though it is largely a symbolic gesture, I believe
it is important to remind people that preserving the environment
is an ongoing struggle. People are so busy dealing with everyday
life (work, kids, homework, after-school sports, home improvement
projects, etc.) that most people don’t think about environmental
issues, and Earth Day is a reminder that there is much more
to do.
What one single daily thing can an individual do
to help the environment?
I think an individual needs to slow down and take a look
at how his or her actions impact the environment. Not all of
us are able to use public transportation, testify at City Council
meetings, or help restore wetlands. However, an individual
can make daily decisions that can improve the environment,
such as buying recycled-content products, using less toxic
cleaners around the home, or conserving water. These “little” actions
can have a major impact if enough people do them.
What is the State of California doing to promote
recycling?
Our agency is doing a variety of things to promote recycling
in California. Just a few examples are: working with other
state agencies and local governments to purchase recycled-content
products, supporting green building practices, mandating minimum
recycled-content for newsprint and plastic trash bags, and
encouraging composting, mulching, and grasscycling.
What is the biggest challenge in promoting recycling?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge is educating people
on the long-term benefits of recycling. Cost is a major issue,
so we constantly have to educate people to look beyond the
initial costs of recycling and focus on the long-term benefits,
such as lower disposal costs, energy savings, environmental
benefits, etc.
Do you participate in environmental activities on
your own time?
I pick up litter along a creek near my house and have also
planted native plants and trees along a stretch of the creek.
I also get involved with Creek Week and the Great American
River Cleanup as a site coordinator.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I’d like to be retired and living in the mountains…Since
that probably won’t happen, I imagine I’ll be working
for Cal-EPA. I’m really interested in protecting creeks
and rivers, so perhaps I will be working on those types of
issues.
How do you unwind and relax?
I like to walk along the river or kick back in the mountains
and soak up the sky, clouds, and the wind rustling through
the trees. I also like to relax in our backyard with my family,
sip wine, read the newspaper, and let the world take a few
spins.
What is your personal philosophy?
Try to be good to one another and the planet.
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Lewis “Lou” Arcuri,
Retired 
Ken Decio, 
Gwen Edelstein 
Ana Rasquiza, 
Donna Sanderson, 
James Shelby, 
Steve Schweigerdt, 
Fred Teichert, 
Mary
Watts, 