Now that most of the winter holidays have passed it’s time to pack up the reusable items and pack out the recyclable things. Kelly Bell of the Lane County Master Recycler Program has collected some handy tips to help you take care of the most common items generated during the holidays. For a list of additional holiday recycling tips go to: www.lanecounty.org/lessisbest. Click on the holiday wreath to find the tip sheet.
Recycle Block Styrofoam
St. Vincent de Paul is Lane County’s source for recycling expanded polystyrene (commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam). They shred block Styrofoam and compress it into logs, making it more cost-effective to transport it to recyclers. Styrofoam peanuts are used at Aurora Glass or resold in their thrift stores.
Households in Eugene and Springfield can recycle small quantities of Styrofoam at no charge at: Seneca, Division and Thurston stores. Keep packing peanuts and block foam separate. No food containers/cups, etc. SVdP charges a very modest fee for businesses; click here to read more about the Styrofoam recycling program for businesses.
Refurbish Unwanted Electronics
Have you looked in that drawer or closet lately? Chances are you have many unused personal electronics still sitting around since the latest ‘upgrade.’ Many electronic items (televisions, laptop computers, desktop computers and computer monitors) are now banned from Oregon landfills and more items will be added to the ban over time. These items probably still have lots of life in them but the longer they sit in a drawer or in the garage, the more likely these perfectly reusable electronics will have to be recycled rather than refurbished. Don’t delay, donate unwanted electronics right away. Drop off your unused televisions, desk top and laptop computers, computer monitors, cell phones and game consoles right after the holidays. Put these valuable items back into action serving our local community through job training opportunities for teens and adults as well as technology grants for local schools and at-risk families.
You can donate unwanted electronics to:
Garten Services www.garten.org
Goodwill Industries http://www.goodwill.org/
Lane County Transfer Stations in Cottage Grove, Glenwood, Florence, Veneta and Vida www.lanecounty.org/recycle/ewaste
NextStep Recycling www.nextsteprecycling.org
Oregon E-cycles Program http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/ecycle/index.htm
Reuse Packaging Materials
Many area businesses reuse clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap, but especially the pack-and-ship outlets. Check with a business you usually frequent to find out if they want your excess, clean packing materials.
Lorraine Kerwood, Executive Director of NextStep Recycling said, “We appreciate all donations of clean, dry packing materials such as peanuts, bubble wrap and packing foam to use for the Ebay shipping part of our business. Come on down!”
Recycle (Compost) Christmas Trees
With online scheduling and pickup and/or drop-off options it’s easier than ever to participate in a local tree recycling program. Recycle your holiday tree and greenery with any of the groups listed here and your fee or donation will benefit important activities for local youth.
Support School Garden Project and Farm to School: Collection weekend is January 7-8. Go to www.eugene2030.org and register your home for collection. Every flocked tree is $20, plain trees are $7. This effort is sponsored by Grays, Rexius, and Sanipac.
South Eugene High School students will pick up trees throughout the Eugene-Springfield area on the weekend of January 7-8. The cost for pick-up starts at $10 per tree. All proceeds go to fund the lacrosse club, which is entirely self-funded. This year’s tree collection proceeds will help to offset the considerable cost of replacing the team’s helmets with new, safer models that are designed to better protect against the risk of concussions. Go to: http://southlax.wufoo.com/forms/christmas-tree-pickup/ and fill out the online form.
The boy’s basketball team at Thurston High School will be picking up trees on January 7-8 and January 14-15. They are asking for a $5 donation. To make a reservation, call 541-68-TREES. You can also make online reservations: www.68trees.com
McCornack Elementary School's fifth grade class is fundraising for their trip to Washington D.C. this summer. They will be picking up trees the weekends of Jan. 14, Jan. 21, and Jan. 28. They are asking for a $5 donation. For more information, e-mail: dctreepickup@gmail.com.
If you want to recycle your tree by yourself, Rexius on Bailey Hill Road is accepting trees for a $2 fee. You may drop off your tree from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Waste Free Holidays Campaign
Each year at this time Master Recyclers invite community members to celebrate the season of giving by reducing, reusing and recycling waste that is typically generated at the holidays. The Waste Free Holidays Campaign will highlight one theme per week through the first week of January. Go to: www.lanecounty.org/lessisbest to view all eight Waste Free Holiday themes plus tips and resources you can use to help create a waste free and truly enjoyable season. More will be added as the season progresses so check back often for inspiration and announcements of waste free events in our area.
Lane County Master Recycler Program
Master Recyclers bridge the gap between awareness and action by motivating people to reduce solid waste at home, work, and play. Lane County Master Recycler Volunteers provide more than 2,000 hours of waste prevention education to residents, businesses and events each year.
Go to: www.lanecounty.org/masterrecyclers to learn more.
Contact: Kelly Bell, Lane County Master Recycler Program, 541-682-2059 or
Kelly.bell@co.lane.or.us
Amber Fossen
Public Information Officer
Lane County Government
125 E. Eighth Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401
541.682.3718
541.359.9143 (cell)
www.lanecounty.org
www.lanecounty.org/LCSocialMediaSites