Become a Master Recycler in 2024 with a FREE nine-week online course (Jan. 8 to March 8, 2024)! Master Recyclers are more than just sustainability and waste prevention champions. No matter the challenges, they constantly seek to learn and share best practices regarding responsible waste prevention and waste management, leading to real results that make a real difference. 

Students meet twice weekly for 1.5 hours per class and focus on waste prevention, waste reduction, and safe disposal of solid waste. Coursework includes one compost workshop and two offsite tours on Saturday mornings. Complete the Master Recycler Program Enrollment Application at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise-masterrecyclers

Coming Soon to BRING: Repair + DIY Classes

BRING is excited to introduce brand-new classes and project-based workshops debuting at BRING in early 2024!

Designed to teach basic home repair and maintenance skills, the classes will strengthen your confidence to do-it-yourself and make upkeep of your home or rental a breeze.

BRING seeks community input to finalize the format of its new program. Please take their survey to help guide BRING in tailoring these class experiences to meet the needs of our participants.

Survey participants can enter BRING's raffle to win a BRINGmade Sasquatch wall hanging. The survey will close on Sunday, Jan. 14.

Lane County giving away FREE milk dispensers to schools

For Lane County schools seeking ways to reduce waste in the cafeteria, an exciting solution may be available! Waste Wise Lane County (a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division)--in partnership with Salem-Keizer Public Schools and Marion County--recently acquired 14 milk dispensers and is looking to donate them to county schools interested in putting them in their lunchrooms (see photo).

Wasted milk is a big deal, both fiscally and environmentally.

A recent World Wildlife Fund article illustrated this: "Bulk milk dispensers save 248 gallons of water and 30 pounds of CO2 per student each year. To put those savings in context, that’s equivalent to almost 1.5 times the amount of water the average person consumes on a yearly basis and 33.8 miles driven by a gas-powered vehicle. With 49.5 million students attending K-12 schools in the US, this would be the same as taking over 145,000 gas-powered vehicles off the road each year.

"To understand the impact this change would have for a single school, a middle school in rural Marion County, Oregon, saw their average milk waste decrease from 250 gallons to 43 gallons of liquid milk over the course of a single year."

Interested in learning how your school can save money and help reduce waste with a new milk dispenser? Contact Waste Wise Lane County Supervisor Angie Marzano at [email protected].

Three holiday leftover recipe contest winners claim great prizes

County residents shared various yummy recipes during our Simplify the Holidays leftover recipe contest. Submitted recipes were published at eatsmartwasteless.tips. Waste Wise thanks Lion & Owl, BRING, the Oregon State University Extension program, and Main Street Market for their support!

* Marilyn O'Malley (Never-the-Same Soup) - Lion & Owl $100 Gift Certificate 

* Marla Cyphert (Egg, Ham & Cheese Muffin w/ Hollandaise Sauce) - One OSU Extension Service Master Food Preserver Workshop gift certificate; handout on food dehydration; handout on making flavored vinegar ($35 value); BRING $30 Gift Certificate + BRINGmade Hummingbird Carving ($21 value) 

* Kay Oxford (Keto Chicken/Turkey & Dumplings) - One OSU Extension Service Master Food Preserver Workshop gift certificate; handout on food dehydration; handout on making flavored vinegar ($35 value); Main Street Market Sustainable Product Package ($50 value). 

Thanks to all who participated and did their part to prevent wasted food. See you next winter!