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For Immediate Release 06/16/06

A Sustainable Investment: BRING’s Planet Improvement Center Takes Shape

Visual Op: The media is invited to attend the erecting of the Planet Improvement Center’s framing from10:30-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 20 at the Planet Improvement Center, 4446 Franklin Blvd., Glenwood. BRING and Lane County representatives along with project supporters will be available for interviews.

Contacts: Commissioner Bill Dwyer, 682-4203; Peter Thurston, Lane County Community & Economic Development Program coordinator, 682-4062; Julie Daniel, BRING executive director, 746-3023

Some investments have greater returns than others.

BRING’s new Planet Improvement Center is an investment Lane County’s Community & Economic Development Program (C&ED) is banking on to divert more waste from landfills, promote sustainable use of resources, provide educational opportunities, and create new economic possibilities.

C&ED allocated $100,000 from its Strategic Investment Video Lottery fund, giving BRING a boost in its fundraising efforts and making it possible to secure three pre-engineered metal buildings that will form the nucleus of the Planet Improvement Center.

"Funding projects like the Planet Improvement Center is the heart of Lane County’s commitment to community development," said Peter Thurston, Community & Economic Development Program coordinator. "We support this project as we share strategic goals with BRING including maintaining a healthy environment and contributing to appropriate community development."

Morris P. Kielty, the general contractor for this portion of the construction, will be erecting the giant metal framing of BRING’s new covered sales pavilion from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 20 at the Planet Improvement Center, 4446 Franklin Blvd., Glenwood. BRING Board and staff, Lane County Commissioners and E&CD staff , representatives from the City of Springfield, and other project supporters will attend.

Framing for the new addition to the customer service/public education building is already standing. A third building - the covered drop-off station - will be erected soon and the infrastructure, parking lot, and first bioswale are installed.

"The Planet Improvement Center expands BRING’s capacity to divert waste for reuse, promote the sustainable use of resources and serve the wider region with reuse, deconstruction and education programs," said Julie Daniels, BRING executive director. "It will help create new economic opportunity in the areas of reuse, recycling, and sustainable building."

With $1.4 million of the $2.3 million raised from individuals, businesses, foundations and public funds, BRING continues its fundraising efforts. The first phase of construction is expected to be complete sometime in fall 2006 or winter 2007.

Planet Improvement Center Background

Having outgrown its home of 35 years, BRING is conducting a capital campaign to build new headquarters and expand its educational programs and reuse and deconstruction services. Located on a 3-acre parcel in Glenwood, the new Planet Improvement Center will expand and improve BRING’s resale outlet for used building materials and integrate it with a conservation learning center. Buildings and grounds at the new site will demonstrate sustainable building techniques, including a green roof, bioswales for on-site storm water management, passive solar design and the creative use of used building materials. Art, gardens and interpretive displays are also planned for the site.

The public is invited to tour the new site at noon and 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays. Call BRING to reserve your time. To learn more about the "BRING in the Future" Capital Campaign and plans for BRING’s Planet Improvement Center, call (541) 746-3023 or visit the Web site at www.bringrecycling.org.

BRING Recycling is one of the nation’s oldest non-profit recyclers. Since 1971, BRING has encouraged people to rethink what they use and what they throw away. BRING helps the community keep useful items out of the landfill, find ways to use less material, reuse as many things as possible and recycle the rest. From collecting and processing household recyclables, to teaching kids about using earthworms to compost, to salvaging and selling used building materials, BRING has a wealth of information, practical tips and programs to help Lane County residents live more sustainably.

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Melinda Kletzok, APR

Public Information Officer

Lane County Government

125 E. 8th Ave.

Eugene, Oregon 97401

(541) 682.3747

(541) 341.2483 pager

Lane County Government provides for the safety and security of Lane County’s 336,000 citizens through public safety, public works, human services, elections, vital records and other systems