By Daniel Hiestand
Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator
Let's face it: sustainability and waste prevention are no longer optional for businesses—they’re essential for long-term success. In these tumultuous economic times, companies need all the help they can get to reduce costs, meet customer expectations, and protect the environment.
From cutting energy bills to minimizing landfill waste, sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for the bottom line.
BRING’s Rethink Business Program makes it easy for local businesses to take action. This free initiative helped 29 new Lane County businesses start their certification process last quarter.
BRING’s Rethink Business Program includes success stories like Sweet Cheeks Winery (which is estimated to save $455 annually through lighting upgrades) and IMA Financial Group (which incorporated environmentally friendly products into operations by switching to recycled paper and Green Seal cleaners).
During the first three quarters of this fiscal year, BRING helped organizations activate $9,844 in rebates and resources, including energy rebates, equipment, and pollution-prevention tools
BRING’s team provides personalized support, from identifying cost-saving opportunities to connecting businesses with funding opportunities like the GBENN and Intuit Rebate Programs. Whether it’s reducing HVAC emissions or setting up waste diversion systems, BRING’s expertise turns sustainability goals into tangible results.
Make sure to read this month’s Frontlines article by Beth Halverson, a Rethink Business Program Coordinator, to learn about her work with local food and beverage manufacturers.
Visit bringrecycling.org/rethinkbusiness to learn how your business can save money, earn recognition, and help boost our local economy.
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Electronics Recycling Competition shatters records!
 The record-setting 48 schools that participated in this year’s Electronics Recycling Competition diverted a record-setting amount of electronics waste from the landfill.
"Combining all the school participants' e-waste totals altogether now, the schools have kept a total of 41,491 lbs. of electronic recycling out of the landfill," said NextStep Recycling Executive Director Jessica Ahrenholtz. "This an incredible achievement for everyone who has contributed to the event!"
Eight Lane County schools in four different student population categories won grants to support school sustainability ($500 for first place, $250 for second place), a NextStep Reuse Store gift certificate, and a special recognition award to be given in the coming weeks.
0-300 students
- 1st: Siuslaw Middle School: 2,371lbs
2nd: Oakridge High School: 2,132lbs
301-500 students
- 1st: Veneta Elementary School: 2,521lbs
2nd: Anges Stewart Middle School: 2,295lbs
501-700 students
- 1st: Bridge Charter Academy: 3,191lbs
2nd: Prairie Mountain School: 1,688lbs
700+ students
- 1st: Willamette High School: 1,618lbs
2nd: South Eugene High School:1,153lbs
Congrats and thank you to all participating schools! See all the totals at wastewiselane.org/erc.
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First Re-Imagine Earth Day a success
The Re-Imagine Earth Day event on April 13 at the Eugene Farmers Market Pavilion was an unqualified hit! Hundreds of Lane County residents enjoyed an event featuring dozens of organizations, performers, and vendors promoting environmental sustainability. 
The gathering, sponsored by the City of Eugene Cultural Services Downtown Program Fund with financial support from the Lane Council of Governments, included a welcoming space that featured family-friendly activities, conversation, food, and prizes.
We plan to do it again next year, so we hope to see you all there!
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As event season starts, reusable dishware program helps organizers reduce waste
Planning a big event? You no longer have to rely on single-use plates and utensils that end up in the trash. With Lane County’s Sustainable Events Services (SES) Program, event organizers can switch to sturdy, reusable dishware—an easy, budget-friendly way to cut waste.
A collaboration between Waste Wise Lane County, the City of Eugene, and Action Rent-All & Events, the program provides BPA-free, NSF-certified plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, and water refill stations. Even better? The service handles delivery and cleanup.
How It Works:
- Action Rent-All delivers clean dishware tailored to your event.
- Vendors use reusables just like disposables—with far less waste.
- Attendees drop used items at designated return stations.
- Dirty dishware is collected, sanitized, and restocked daily.
The program is cheaper than disposables and recently received a $74,000 grant from the Oregon DEQ to expand. As part of that expansion, the service recently hired a new staff member to coordinate the program, who will deploy a waste calculator to measure SES waste prevention efforts.
Learn more at the Lane County Sustainable Events page.
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May 1: Interested in biking? May is your time to roll
May is Bike Month in Lane County and around the country, and there is A LOT going on if you like seeing the world from behind the handlebars.
The Lane Council of Governments’ website is packed with biking activities for beginners and seasoned cyclists if you want to ditch your car this summer.
During the month, PeaceHealth Rides offers free Bike Share Memberships, when new and existing PeaceHealth Rides Monthly Plan members can ride bike share for free. Please note riders must redeem this offer before May 18.
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May 17: Time for the Springfield Spring Cleanup Event
The city of Springfield invites Springfield residents to another Springfield Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at EcoSort in Glenwood at 3425 E. 17th Ave.
Springfield’s Spring Cleanup allows residents within Springfield City limits to recycle large items and hard-to-recycle materials at one convenient place.
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May 17: Get ‘crafty’ with your little ones this Spring at MECCA
Looking for things to do with your little ones as the weather transitions between rain and sun?
Visit the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) on May 17 and May 31 (555 High St., Eugene) for two ways to create: 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (Quiet Crafting Hour) or 12–2 p.m. (Open Crafting Hour).
Kids can drop in, make some masterpieces, and take their creations home—all supplies included! There is no registration, just pure fun. See you at the craft table.
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May 31: Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program deadline
In partnership with Stormwater Protection Systems, Lane County offers discounted storm drain cleaning. This voluntary program for businesses in Lane County offers cleaning of parking lot drains for a flat fee of $70 per drain. The $70 per-drain fee covers the removal of debris from standard parking lot drains, power washing in and around the drain, and disposal. Note: It does not include jetting, repair, or oversized storm drains. The service provider may offer a quote for additional services, which can be accepted or declined.
The County coordinates this discount program to assist area businesses and ensure clean rivers and streams. The deadline to sign up for the program is May 31.
Storm drains require regular cleaning to remove pollutants and prevent flooding. Businesses are responsible for the maintenance of stormdrains on their property. To register your property or business, complete this form. Stormwater Protection Systems contacts businesses directly to schedule the cleaning.
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June 6 & 7: Florence Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Live in the Florence area? Drop off your household hazardous waste materials at the Florence Transfer Station (2820 N. Rhododendron Dr.) on June 6 and 7. Also, drop off your household batteries (including Ni-Cad, NiMH, lithium, button, rechargeable alkaline, and silver oxide) for responsible disposal and recycling.
Many common household products contain hazardous ingredients. Anything with a caution label such as "Danger," "Warning," or "Caustic" can become a pollutant to groundwater and streams. Avoiding these products saves money and protects people, wildlife, and our environment. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/hazwaste or the Waste Wise Facebook events page.
Alternatively, if you are coming to Eugene soon, schedule a drop-off appointment at Glenwood Transfer Station (3100 E. 17th Ave., Eugene) at any time of the year at lanecountyor.gov/hazwaste.
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June 26: Beyond Toxics hosts 11th Annual’ Bee Jazzy’ event
Beyond Toxics will host the 11th Annual Bee Jazzy, a benefit to Save Oregon’s Bees, on Thursday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Silvan Ridge Winery.
Enjoy music, food, dancing, and fun! Purchase tickets and learn more at the event website.
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July 31: EWEB offers grant funding for electric mobility
Are you a non-profit, academic institution, or public organization pursuing an electric mobility project for the Eugene community? Do you know an agency that is? If so, EWEB wants to help you level up your efforts.
EWEB will provide three grants. Funding awards will be up to $30,000 each to cover up to 100% of the costs of electric mobility projects. Funding can be used to cover the costs of planning, promoting, or deploying electric transportation infrastructure, technology, awareness, vehicle purchase, or lease. Projects must be executed and deployed in the EWEB electric service territory.
Projects must be completed within 12 months of the award notification.
Interested applicants should read the 2025 Grant Guidelines, complete the 2025 Grant Application, and submit it with your proposal by July 31. For questions, contact Rachel Best at [email protected] or by calling (541) 685-7103.
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