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[Transportation]
By Daniel Hiestand
Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator
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I’ve always admired folks with mechanical skills, mostly because I have few. When I engage in home or auto repairs, my efforts are often a model of inefficiency. Despite that, I’m happy to report I have been improving my skillset since buying my first house six years ago.
Recently, I’ve been trying to branch out a bit more and improve my bicycle maintenance and repair skills. While I love jumping on my bike and taking a ride—especially here in bike path-laden Lane County—I often wonder what would happen if I needed a major repair while out and about.
To help address this blind spot, I recently signed up as a member of Shift Community Cycles. Depending on the level, Shift’s various membership opportunities give community members access to many potential benefits, including an indoor workstation, bike repair tools, insight from knowledgeable volunteers and staff, discounts on used parts for sale in the shop, and access bike-related classes.
If you’d rather pop in for a class or workshop, you can also visit the Shift events page.
While I haven’t been to the shop as much as I’d like, I look forward to hanging out and learning in the shop more often! Do you have any goals when it comes to sustainable transportation? Let us know at [email protected].
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New Oregon recycling law comes online July 1
Exciting news! Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) officially goes into effect after five years of planning and preparation on July 1. The RMA introduces significant changes to how Oregon funds, collects, and recycles packaging, paper, and food serviceware.
Lane County residents and businesses may notice small changes in their recycling services, receive updated information about what can be recycled, and learn more about where the materials they recycle end up. The goal is to enable all Oregonians to recycle with confidence and have certainty that their recyclables will find a new life.
Before the RMA, accepted recyclable materials, recycling services, and collection options for residents varied across the state. The new law requires producers and manufacturers of packaging, printing and writing paper, and food serviceware to contribute to funding recycling services. That funding will be used to modernize and standardize recycling across the state.
In anticipation of this new law, Waste Wise News will take a break in July as we focus on promoting RMA.
More information will be available in the coming weeks, so make sure to check your inbox!
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UO-NextStep Surplus Store opens in Springfield
NextStep Recycling and the University of Oregon Office of Sustainability held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 30 to mark the opening of the Surplus Store at 547 Q St. in Springfield. The retail store is stocked with low-cost furniture, electronics, and household items provided by UO Sustainability and NextStep Recycling. The store is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m.
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June 6 & 7: Florence Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
If you 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: Gardening, composting, and pickling highlight OSU Extension offerings during month
OSU Extension’s network of teachers, experts, mentors, and volunteers is at your service! During June, learn everything from what herbs and flowers are edible, the basics of composting, how to pickle produce, and more. Visit the OSU Extension Service in Lane County events page to learn more.
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June: Shift holds celebration, e-bike event, summer camps & maintenance classes
- You are invited to join Shift to celebrate three years in its space! Join Shift for Wheels, Wine, and Whimsy in the Whit on June 6 at 6:30 PM. There’ll be wine tasting, small bites, and a silent auction. This is a chance to invite folks who have not been in our community bike shop to see everything Shift does. Support its programs, Free Bikes 4 Kidz giveaway efforts, and learn more about the nonprofit’s work. Open to all.
- On Saturday, June 14, Shift will hold the 4th Annual eRide (aka eBike) Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City of Eugene Campbell Community Center. Stop by to test ride electric bikes, scooters, and more from a variety of Eugene's bike shops in one place! Learn all about e-bike safety, laws, and financing. Experience for yourself how e-bikes aren't just the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint, but the most fun! Already have an e-bike? Ride on over and show off your e-bike to other folks who are curious about them. In addition to test rides, come for music, food, and free bike tune-ups!
- Summer camps at Shift start this month! Shift still has space for half-day summer camps for ages 8 - 15, June - August. Click here for more information and to register.
- Did you know that Shift offers weekly maintenance classes? Each Wednesday night, come work on your bike with community members! Shift mechanics will be on hand to answer questions and show you how to maintain your bike. Each week is geared toward a specific audience, so please pick the one that best represents your identity. There is a $10 drop-in fee, free to members.
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June 8: Founded Vintage Fix-It Fair
Join the city of Eugene Waste Prevention Program and Founded Vintage for a free Fix-it Fair on Sunday, June 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.! Bring your broken household items—i.e., electronics, power tools, textiles, bikes/skateboards—and let our technicians repair them at no cost. 
NOTE: Please limit what you bring to one (1) item per person, which should be something one person can carry without assistance. While our repair staff and volunteers will do our best, fixes cannot be guaranteed. Repair times may vary from several minutes to two hours, depending on crowd size and the complication of repairs.
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June 22 & 29: Toolbox Tactics Class: Frame a Shade Structure
From basics of framing to building a sturdy and stylish shade structure! In this two-day class on June 22 and June 29 (from 1-4 p.m. on both days), BRING will guide you through constructing a 10’x10’ pergola-style shade structure—a great addition to any yard, patio, or garden.
You’ll learn how to measure, dig, and secure posts for a stable foundation, gain essential carpentry skills as we assemble the frame, and get hands-on experience installing metal and vinyl roofing panels for durability and weather protection. Learn more at bringrecycling.org/events.
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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.
Are you enjoying the newsletter? Are there topics you wish we would cover? Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected]. Thanks for reading.
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