BRING Community DIY classes in full swing

See individual class descriptions, details, and pricing at the BRING website. 




Class sizes are currently limited to 12 participants, and pre-registration is required. You must be 18 years or older to participate. Visit the BRING events calendar to read descriptions for each class and click "Get Tickets" to register.

BRING offers two price points for each class. General Admission is the standard class price. Oregon SNAP Card holders and those with similar income levels may register for Reduced-price Admission. There will be a limited number of Reduced-price admissions available for each class. Please pick the admission price most appropriate for you.

Register today!

EcoBiz certification offered to automotive shops outside of Eugene

Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program open till Oct. 31

Lane County’s Stormwater Management Program is back and accepting business applicants.

This voluntary program allows county businesses to help maintain stormdrains for a reduced flat fee of $68 per drain. Lane County coordinates in partnership with Stormwater Protection Systems (SPS). 

Lane County-based businesses can sign up each fall and spring in anticipation of heavy rainfall and more water entering the stormdrain systems. To register a company for the fall program, visit lanecountyor.gov/SCAP or email [email protected] and sign up by Oct. 31.

Stormwater often drains directly into rivers and streams without treatment, resulting in pollutants from parking lots and roadways, contributing to water quality issues. Stormdrain cleaning and maintenance are vital in ensuring clean waterways by removing contaminants like heavy metals, oil, pesticides, and fertilizers while reducing parking lot flooding.

Duck Truck Rolls Down 90% Thanks to Smart Meters

By Jennifer Connors
EWEB Communications Supervisor

It’s fall in Eugene and that means the local population will once again swell with the arrival of University of Oregon students. With a total enrollment of almost 24,000, students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to make Eugene their temporary home.

Each fall, the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) experiences a surge in utility service requests as students move into rentals. In peak seasons, EWEB processes up to 1,200 requests per day, often leading to delays.

However, smart meter technology has revolutionized EWEB's ability to manage these changes. Truck rolls have decreased by 90%, as smart meters now allow remote service connections and disconnections. “We can start or stop service without sending technicians into the field, reducing labor costs and speeding up the process for customers,” said Jason Stuart, EWEB’s metering supervisor.

With service orders now processed automatically, University of Oregon students and the entire Eugene community are benefitting from fewer vehicles on the road, lower carbon emissions, and improved services.

Looking ahead, smart meters will support advanced rate designs and demand response programs, giving customers more control over their bills while enhancing grid reliability.

Spanish Fix-it Fair empowers community through education, sustainability

By Marylin Padilla

City of Eugene Waste Prevention Intern

On Sept. 15, the Peterson Barn Community Center was filled with energy as the City of Eugene’s Waste Prevention team welcomed over 100 attendees to its Spanish Language Fix-it Fair, an event designed for the Spanish-speaking community. This unique event gave participants an opportunity to get their broken items repaired free of charge while enjoying a vibrant mix of cultural celebration, music, and hands-on education.

With Eugene’s Latino population making up approximately 8.5% of the city's residents, the Spanish Language Fix-it Fair was a crucial step in creating an inclusive space where all services—from repairs to educational resources—were offered in Spanish. More than 50 items were repaired during the event, including small motors, cellphones, textiles, and bicycles, giving participants the opportunity to extend the life of their possessions while learning practical repair techniques. Spanish-speaking fixers restored these items and empowered attendees with skills that can help reduce waste and rethink daily consumption habits.