As we head into the holiday season, Waste Wise Lane County is giving Lane County residents lots of opportunities to get involved in waste prevention and sustainability-related activities, starting with two next weekend.
Springfield Fix-It Fair
Join us for music, food, and a chance to fix your broken stuff at the Springfield Fix-It Fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11-2 p.m. at Connected Lane County’s Spark at Booth Kelly facility (303 S. 5th St., Ste. 150). Enjoy music by Corwin Bolt & The Wingnuts and food available for sale from Red Five Hot Dog Company. Fix-it Fairs are free public events where attendees work with repair coaches to repair everyday household items for free. During this event, fix:
- Household items
- Electronics
- Power tools
- Textiles
- Bikes/skateboards
Free Compost Giveaway
From now through 2026, Lane County is giving away 5,000 tons of Love Food Not Waste® compost made from organic material collected through residential and commercial organics programs in Eugene, Springfield, and Veneta at eight free compost events hosted in local communities. Learn more at lanecountyor.gov/compost
The first Free Community Compost Day is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, during the Willamette Farm & Food Coalition’s annual “Fill Your Pantry” at the Lane Events Center Agricultural Pavilion from 12-4 p.m. To haul away compost, you don’t need to pre-order materials for the Fill Your Pantry event. Walk-ins are welcome.
Cottage Grove recycling event
Do you live in Cottage Grove or South Lane County and want to recycle your #2, #4, & #5 plastics? This event is just for you! Plastics must be clean and sorted by number. Drop by the Cottage Grove Library & Community Center, 700 E. Gibbs Ave., Cottage Grove, on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note this event is geared toward South Lane County residents.
For Eugene & Springfield residents: please email [email protected] and provide an address to be paired with a community collector in your neighborhood. More information is available at lanecountyor.gov/plasticscollection
Electronics Recycling Competition
Do you have unwanted, unused, or broken electronics? Donate them to your student’s school during the NextStep Electronics Recycling Competition from Jan. 7 to March 20, 2025. Schools that recycle the most e-waste can win grants of up to $500, a NextStep Reuse Store computer gift certificate, and a recognition award! Last year, 18 Lane County schools collected 13,269 pounds.
Pass on the competition registration form by Dec. 13 to your student’s principal by visiting wastewiselane.org/ERC.
Waste Wise Tip: Sign up for our newsletter!
Waste Wise Lane County publishes Waste Wise News, a monthly, theme-based e-newsletter specially produced for Lane County residents. Readers will learn about various topics, including recycling, sustainable transportation, food waste prevention, reuse, repair, renewable energy, and more. Each issue features guest-written “expert” articles, local resources, and more related to each monthly theme. Sign up for Waste Wise News at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.
Daniel Hiestand is the Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator and a monthly columnist for The Chronicle. 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.
