[Fashion]
Springtime is busy season for waste prevention and sustainability efforts
By Daniel Hiestand
Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator
In this article:
I love seeing programs like the one featured in this month's Waste Wis e Tip. It highlights the Re-Patch program, a joint effort between the City of Eugene, the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and the Viking Textile Maker Hub. it's such a great marriage where business interests align perfectly with environmental sustainability. I highly suggest you take a minute and watch.
We have lots of news this month, so onward.
Electronics Recycling Competition: Donate directly to NextStep
The Electronics Recycling Competition runs until the end of April, and some of the 50 participating schools have already had their e-waste pickup weeks while others are still scheduled.
Even if NextStep Recycling has come by your school to pick up your collected e-waste, you can still donate more on behalf of your school by dropping it off at the NextStep Donation Center (245 Jackson Street, Eugene). The same goes for schools that are still waiting for their pickup week.
Just drop it off at NextStep and tell them what school you want to donate it to.
Even businesses can donate their electronic waste to schools during the competition—and NextStep will even pick it up!
Please note pickup is for businesses only, not residents.
BRING small business rebate program deadline extended to March 7
BRING’s Rethink Business program has partnered with the Green Business National Network (GBENN) and Intuit, maker of Quickbooks, to provide rebates up to $1,000 for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades so that your business can reduce utility costs and emissions!
 Approximately 45 small businesses in Oregon will benefit from this limited-time program, helping them implement projects such as LED lighting upgrades, EV charging stations, HVAC maintenance, and more, to reduce energy consumption and emissions. You could be one of them!
This rebate program can help your business reduce utility costs, upgrade equipment, and be recognized for your environmental actions.
To qualify for a rebate, your business must:
- Be located in Lane County
- Employ 100 or fewer staff members
- Complete BRING’s Rethink Business program Ambassador tier
- Complete your energy efficiency project by May 30, 2025
- Agree to have your impact story shared nationally
__________
Fix-It Fair March 7 at Campbell Center in Eugene
Join the city of Eugene Waste Prevention Program and the Campbell Center for a free Fix-it Fair! Bring your broken household items—i.e., small appliances, bikes, or electronics—and let technicians repair them at no cost.
Visit the Fix-It Lane County Calendar to learn more.
NOTE: Please limit what you bring to one (1) item per person, which should be something one person can carry without assistance. While our repair staff and volunteers will do our best, fixes cannot be guaranteed. Repair times may vary from several minutes to two hours, depending on crowd size and the complication of repairs.
Finally, we hope all attendees view Fix-It Fairs as more than just a place to fix your stuff for free. We hope you learn repair skills and mingle with fellow attendees and fixers in a spirit of inclusivity and connection.
Whether it's engaging in conversations or simply people watching, Fix-It Fairs are—at their core—about community. Drop on by!
__________
New Toolbox Tactics classes—including March 9 course—announced
As the weather improves, it may be time to restart home repair projects that have been dormant during winter. Up your DIY game by enrolling in BRING’s popular Toolbox Tactics workshops.
Toolbox Tactics Class: Intermediate Electrical
Date: March 9 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Prerequisite: Completion of Basics of Wiring
Description: Enhance your wiring skills in this intermediate course. Participants will learn about splices, outlets, GFCI, and dimmer switches, along with advanced wiring techniques and safety standards.
Toolbox Tactics Class: Paints, Stains, and Sealants
Date: April 6 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Description: Learn the fundamentals of selecting, applying, and maintaining these crucial finishes for your projects. From choosing the right type for each surface to mastering application techniques, this hands-on workshop equips you with the knowledge to achieve professional-quality results in your DIY endeavors.
Learn more and sign up for the classes at bringrecycling.org/events.
Make sure to check out the Fix-It Lane County Calendar for upcoming Toolbox Tactics classes and Fix-It Fairs.
Come see us at the Home Show, March 7-9
Join Waste Wise Lane County and our table partner, Eugene Area Gleaners, during the Lane County Home Show (March 7-9). Stop by our booth (#327) to learn about how you can reduce food waste! As part of the show, we've also invited longtime composting expert Rodney Bloom to present.
__________
Sustainable Event Services program awarded grant
Oregon DEQ recently awarded $1.2 million in Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine grant funds to 14 recipients in 11 counties across Oregon that stood out for their vision, creativity, and potential to make a meaningful difference in waste prevention. DEQ received 110 applications from across the state in which applicants demonstrated innovation, dedication, and community impact in their project proposals.
 Lane County Waste Management was one of the award winners and received a $74,000 grant to support its Sustainable Events Services program.
Waste Wise Lane County runs the program in partnership with the city of Eugene and Action Rental-All & Events. Sustainable Events Services offers durable dishware and water bottle refill stations to event producers who want to avoid disposable paper plates, plastic forks, plastic cups, and other materials that end up in the trash. The program delivers dishware cleaned and sanitized for events and collects the dirty dishes after its conclusion—all for much less than the cost of purchasing disposable food service ware.
__________
Applications are open for the EWEB 2025 Greenpower Grant
Are you a local school, non-profit or public organization? Do you have a project that supports a healthy climate through clean energy or carbon mitigation? Would a $50,000 grant help make your project more attainable? You may be eligible to apply for the 2025 Greenpower Grant!
The Greenpower Grant is back and currently accepting applications. This grant, funded entirely by Greenpower subscribers, supports projects that:
- Expand the use and adoption of renewable energy
- Promote clean energy education
- Reduce or offset carbon emissions
Grant eligibility is open to schools, nonprofits, and public organizations for projects that support a healthy climate through clean energy or carbon mitigation.
- Application deadline: March 26, 2025
- Subscriber voting begins: April 9, 2025
Previous winners include:
Friends of Trees has received the grant three times. Their most recent grant in 2023 funded the expansion of their Neighborhood Tree program into areas in Eugene with low tree equity scores.
Eugene Mission received the $50,000 grant in 2021 and installed a solar energy system for their Learning Center, which serves as a hub for classes and activities.
Pearl Buck Center received the $50,000 grant in 2018, building a 24-kilovolt solar array at its West First Street facility. The system reduced carbon emissions and provides educational content for all participants and the community through a wall-mounted video and solar page.
The winner of the Greenpower Grant is selected by Greenpower subscribers through a voting process. If you apply for the grant, please encourage your followers and supporters to subscriber to Greenpower so they can cast their vote in April.
Subscriptions start at just $1.50 per month for a 100 kilowatt-hour block, with additional options to match up to 100% of the customer's electricity use with renewable energy.
EWEB developed the Greenpower Grant Program in 2008 and since then thousands of EWEB customers have chosen to support clean, renewable energy by enrolling in the program. In addition to buying renewable energy and funding the Greenpower Grant subscribers are also funding EWEB's solar electric program and K-12 education and events related to renewable energy and carbon emissions.
|