(Salem, OR) — First Lady Cylvia Hayes learned about the Oregon Department of Corrections’ sustainable practices during a tour yesterday of its Salem facility, which recycles items from the state’s 14 prisons. "Our precious resources in Oregon should be preserved for future generations," First Lady Cylvia Hayes said. "The Department of Corrections is doing its part by accepting the challenge to change its practices. With inmates' help, our prisons recycle more, save energy and reuse items to be more sustainable and conscientious of our environment." The Department of Corrections launched its comprehensive recycling efforts in January 2013. Adults in custody at each institution sort through trash to reduce the amount each prison sends to landfills. Recycled items include cardboard, ballistic vests, batteries, five-gallon plastic buckets, plastics and clear shrink wrap film, fabric/textiles, shoes, foam, wood, paper, lead, metals, fluorescent bulbs and ballasts, E-waste and chip bags. Over the past 15 months, the recycling program has generated cost savings and waste reduction. Highlights include: • As of March 2014, more than 132,000 snack bags have been collected and processed through TerraCycle, Inc., a recycling company. The Department of Corrections gets cash credit for the recycled items that it donates to local charities. The Department of Corrections was recently recognized for its sustainability efforts. In March, the department was named Recycler of the Year at the 2014 Mid-Valley Green Awards Ceremony in Salem. The award honors sustainable and green-minded companies, organizations and people.