[Wasted Food Prevention]
By Daniel Hiestand
Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator
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A coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to sustainability, with support from the City of Eugene Cultural Services Downtown Program Fund Grant, is proud to announce Re-Imagine Earth Day, an inspiring, action-oriented community event.
The event will be a capstone event for Food Waste Prevention Week, which runs from April 7-13.
Join Waste Wise Lane County, MECCA, BRING, Shift Community Cycles, City of Eugene Waste Prevention and dozens more sustainability-focused organizations, artisans, and performers on Sunday, April 13, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion in Downtown Eugene (85 E 8th Ave.) for a unique celebration designed to empower individuals and communities to live more sustainably.
It’s been over a decade since EWEB’s last Earth Day Celebration in Eugene, which brought together public agencies, nonprofits, and entertainment to help the public learn how to live more sustainably.
This dynamic indoor/outdoor event will foster tangible behavior change and provide opportunities to engage, learn, and take meaningful steps toward a healthier planet.
What to Expect at Re-Imagine Earth Day
Re-Imagine Earth Day is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action. Attendees will have the chance to:
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Connect with organizations, nonprofits, agencies, and businesses promoting sustainable behaviors, programs, products, and services.
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Explore eco-friendly products and services from local vendors.
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Discover artisans who incorporate recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials into their work.
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Enjoy performances by artists whose creations inspire environmentally responsible themes.
We hope to see you there!
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New mattress law makes mattress recycling free
Good news for Lane County residents with old mattresses to dispose of: Recycling them is now free with the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program!
 
Visit drop-off locations including St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County recycling facility and the Glenwood Transfer Station in Eugene, plus other locations from the valley to the coast. Find Lane County locations near you at www.ByeByeMattress.com/Oregon.
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There’s still time left to help your school win Electronics Recycling Competition
We are coming down to the wire for this year’s Electronics Recycling Competition!
You can still donate more on behalf of your school by dropping it off directly at the NextStep Donation Center (245 Jackson Street, Eugene). 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.
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Lowell-Dexter Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event slated for April 26
For folks in and around Lowell-Dexter, save a trip to Eugene and drop off your household hazardous waste materials closer to home. 
Stop by the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District (389 Pioneer Street, Lowell) on Saturday, April 26 between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a household hazardous waste collection event.
Alternatively, if you are coming to Eugene soon, you can easily schedule a Thursday or Saturday dropoff appointment at Glenwood Transfer Station (3100 E. 17th Ave., Eugene) at any time of the year at lanecountyor.gov/hazwaste.
Learn more at the collection event page.
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Lane County giving away free compost at upcoming events
Last year, Lane County Waste Management was awarded a USDA grant to support the distribution of 5,000 tons of free food-waste compost to the community. The program aims to serve all Lane County residents and agricultural producers, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.
The program's compost is created from food and yard waste collected in curbside yard waste bins from Eugene, Springfield, and Veneta residents. As gardening season ramps up, there are three upcoming “Free Compost Day” events all residents are invited to attend.
For all the events, come prepared with shovels, buckets, tarps and anything else you need to transport compost! Free compost events will supply bulk compost (unbagged) to Lane County households, up to 1 cubic yard per household, while supplies last.
April 19 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Rexius |150 Hwy 99, Eugene 97402
April 26 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Center for Rural Livelihoods | 80574 Hazelton Rd, Cottage Grove
May 31 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Center for Rural Livelihoods Community Educational Garden | 1440 Birch Ave, Cottage Grove * Note: May 31 event will also feature limited supply of 50 lb. bags
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BRING adds new DIY, compost courses
Spring is in the air, and so are home and garden projects. Let BRING help elevate your skills with new educational offerings.
Toolbox Tactics Class: Paints, Stains, and Sealants | April 6, 1-4 p.m.
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.
Free Compost Workshop | April 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
For beginning to experienced composters, these hands-on workshops will cover the basics of how composting works, which materials to use, and the different methods and types of compost bins available. Workshops are led by knowledgeable backyard composting information specialists.
Toolbox Tactics Class: Prime & Paint Walls 101 | April 20, 1-4 p.m.
In this class, you'll discover the do's and don'ts of interior painting while mastering safe and clean practices for both wall and trim applications. This hands-on class will equip you with the techniques needed to achieve a professional-looking finish.
Visit the BRING events page to learn more and register.
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Springfield’s Spring Cleanup returns May 17
Spring in Springfield brings more than just warmer weather—it also signals the return of the annual Spring Cleanup event. This year, the event is on Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at EcoSort in Glenwood (3425 E 17th Ave., Eugene). This longstanding community tradition, now in its third decade, offers residents a valuable opportunity to responsibly dispose of unwanted items and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
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Lane County Master Gardener Plant Sale
The annual Lane County Master Gardener™ Association Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lane County Event Center (796 W 13th Ave., Eugene) inside the East Expo Halls. 
The Master Gardener™ Plant Sale will offer vegetable & herb starts, beautiful hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, native plants, aquatic plants, houseplants, bare root trees, shrubs, and more. The plants are propagated and grown by Master Gardeners according to “best practices” put in place by OSU Extension in consultation with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to help control invasive weeds, pests, and diseases from spreading throughout Oregon gardens, as well as wholesale purchases and donations from local nurseries, all available at great prices.
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