There is something uplifting – even soul-nourishing – when I see young folks mobilize for a good cause. It makes me feel confident about the future when I see these community members stand up for what they believe in, even in the face of adversity, and have their voices heard[Read More…]
Author: Daniel Hiestand - WasteWise
Reusable dishware program brings sustainability to big events
Hosting a community event often includes piles of disposable plates, cups, and utensils destined for the landfill – but Lane County has a better solution. Thanks to the Sustainable Events Services (SES) Program, event organizers with more than 250 attendees can now swap single-use plastics and paper products for durable,[Read More…]
‘Re-Imagine Earth Day’ has all the ingredients for fun, learning
■ What: Re-Imagine Earth Day Celebration ■ When: Sunday, April 13, 2-6 p.m. ■ Where: Eugene Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave. Art, performers, games, learning, and food. These are the ingredients of the inaugural “Re-Imagine Earth Day Celebration (RIED)” on Sunday, April 13, from 2-6 p.m. at the[Read More…]
Unhoused gain job skills via textile waste reduction
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…]
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…]
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