Every so often (though not often enough), the stars align where business interests align perfectly with environmental sustainability. Such is the case concerning a new partnership between the city of Eugene, the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and the Viking Textile Maker Hub (VTMH) to address unemployment while reducing textile waste.[Read More…]
Author: Daniel Hiestand - WasteWise
Column: Is your bank accelerating the climate crisis?
Imagine being unhoused during a recent Lane County heat wave, a freezing weather event, or when wildfires created some of the unhealthiest conditions on planet Earth in 2020. The climate crisis will have a disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable community members: the unhoused. This recognition—climate change impacts marginalized communities[Read More…]
Being WasteWise: Get plugged in to school electronics recycling competition
It’s likely a safe bet you have some old electronics lying around the house. Think laptops, cell phones, cords, cables, monitors, keyboards, speakers, tablets, game consoles, remotes, or AV equipment. Maybe even VCRs! You get the point. We all have unwanted, unused, or broken electronics. If you’ve been seeking a[Read More…]
Column: Waste doesn’t have to be part of meaningful holiday season
In my job, I run across many screaming statistics about solid waste, pollution, and climate change that sometimes make me stop and say, “Yikes.” Just in time for the holidays, I ran across these statistics from the nonprofit ReFED regarding Thanksgiving food waste. Last year, ReFED estimated that Americans would[Read More…]
Springfield, Cottage Grove bustling with waste prevention, sustainability events next weekend
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[Read More…]
Sunny side up: Does solar energy make sense for your home?
Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to make some energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades to my home. During this process, I examined the feasibility of installing solar panels. As it turned out, my home was not a great candidate for installation (too much shade), but I still wanted to[Read More…]
WasteWise: Lane County educators now equipped with sustainability, waste prevention curriculum
The other day, I came across a magazine article articulating the disconnect between the science of climate change and environmental sustainability and our education system. Specifically, the Education Week article examined teachers’ low confidence levels when tackling sustainability-related topics in the classroom. “More so than their colleagues in other countries,[Read More…]
Whether weathering the climate crisis or thriving in an uncertain political future, community is key
I have a friend who seems to know everyone in his Springfield neighborhood—and I mean really know. For at least a half dozen houses in either direction, he’s cultivated relationships in which he and his neighbors share everything from propane heaters for weathering winter power outages to impromptu Sunday night[Read More…]
Local nonprofit’s DIY workshops just the thing for this not-so-handy ‘handyperson’
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[Read More…]
This month, try trading that steering wheel for something different
When was the last time you went on an errand without your car? When was the last time you traveled to a friend’s house or your place of work using a bus, bike, or your own body as the vehicle? Understandably, it may have been a long time. After all,[Read More…]
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