I was very excited when I first heard about BRING’s Toolbox Tactics workshop series to help bolster DIY skills. The reason for this was twofold: (1) I own a historic home that keeps providing me with lots of repair opportunities (i.e., it’s a money pit), and (2) I have about as much confidence in my DIY skills as I do in my ability to fly a commercial airliner.
The 90-minute courses are designed to empower up to 10 attendees — who may range from beginners to folks with more advanced skills — with skills covering everything from wiring basics to furniture upcycling.
Courses are $30 (with some Oregon SNAP card holders eligible for reduced-priced admission) and are held at the BRING Community Education Workshop (4446 Franklin Blvd.) on select Saturdays. To learn more, visit bringrecycling.org/classes.
“We started DIY classes to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to fix and maintain their home and belongings and to get the most from the funky and fun treasures BRING has to offer,” BRING Executive Director Sonya Carlson said. “This not only helps them save money but also reduces waste by encouraging the repair and reuse of valuable materials. By providing hands-on experience and mentorship, we aim to build a resilient community capable of tackling repair projects with confidence.”
I look forward to increasing my confidence levels at future Toolbox Tactics classes and hope to see you there!
Creswell Fix-It Fair next week
Bring your damaged outdoor gear, bicycles, small appliances, and power tools to the Creswell Fix-It Fair on Wednesday, July 10. The free public event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. during the South Valley Farmers Market at Harry Holt Memorial Park (127 N. 4th St.).
Fix-It Fairs promote reuse and repair by offering participants opportunities to have household items repaired by fixer coaches. Participants can watch and learn repair skills, discover local repair resources, and extend the life of household items — keeping more stuff out of the trash and saving money.
Repairs take an average of 30 minutes, and attendees can only bring items that can be reasonably carried in. In addition to repairs, Creswell attendees will be treated to an upcycling demonstration and farmers market activities. Hope to see you there!
Daniel Hiestand is the waste reduction outreach coordinator for Lane County and a monthly columnist for The Chronicle. You can reach him at [email protected].
Sustainable repair & reuse trivia
Take a few minutes to test your knowledge of reuse and repair and take our challenging trivia quiz. Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone, “spin the wheel” to choose a nickname, and play the game.
Waste Wise Lane County, a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division, seeks to empower residents, businesses, and schools with resources to reduce waste and live sustainably. Sign up for the Waste Wise newsletter at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.
