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Editor's Note: This month, instead of focusing on a particular topic, we will highlight news from our sustainability and waste prevention partners throughout Lane County. Next month, we return to our theme with our "Food Waste Prevention" issue.
[Partner News]
Changes coming to Lane County's rural transfer sites
By Devon Ashbridge
Lane County Public Information Officer
Also in this section:
Following a robust discussion, the Board of County Commissioners voted to close a $3 million budget gap in Lane County’s Waste Management Division by increasing fees and reducing some services.
 “Our community values rural transfer sites, and they are an important part of our solid waste system,” said Waste Management Division Manager Jeff Orlandini. “We rely on the fees people and haulers pay when they bring us materials to fund our transfer sites and other services, but those revenues have declined sharply in recent years. These changes will allow us to balance our budget while preserving as many of our services as possible.”
The budget gap is the result of several years of waste exportation by Waste Connections, which owns Sanipac, EcoSort, and County Waste & Transfer. Historically, communities and solid waste haulers have helped fund transfer sites and other services, such as household hazardous waste collection and recycling programs, by paying a fee when they bring garbage to Lane County sites. By taking waste out of Lane County to a site owned by W aste Connections near Medford, Ore. Lane County is unable to collect enough fees to keep services at the current level and the Waste Management Division does not receive tax funding.
While haulers in unincorporated Lane County and the cities of Eugene, Florence and Oakridge are required to bring their waste to Lane County to support our local system, other cities have refused to require their haulers to do the same, including Cottage Grove, Creswell, Springfield, and Veneta.
The changes adopted by the Board of Commissioners will take effect on Aug. 10,  and include three components: a fee increase, reduced hours at multiple locations, and closure of the Walton Transfer Site. After August 10, Lane County will still operate 14 solid waste transfer sites—more than any other county in Western Oregon—and the new minimum fee remains lower than Lane County’s five comparator counties, where minimum disposal fees range between $28 and $53.63.
Summary of changes
- The fees for using transfer sites will increase by 5 percent and the new minimum fee at all transfer sites will be $25 (formerly $15). There are no fee changes for municipal solid waste brought to Short Mountain Landfill by commercial haulers.
- There will no longer be a $1 discount for bringing recyclables.
Reduced hours
- Creswell Transfer Site (34293 Cloverdale Road):
- Creswell will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Veneta Transfer Site (24444 Bolton Hill Road):
- Veneta will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will be open Wednesday–Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Other transfer sites:
- Many other locations will have slightly reduced hours.
Closures
- The Walton Transfer Site (18585 Transformer Road) will permanently close on Aug. 10.
Fix-it Booths lined up for August; BRING Fix-It Fair returns in September
Contact: Mitra Gruwell
E-mail: [email protected]
"Fix-it Booths" are free public events where attendees work with fixers to repair everyday household items for free. Unlike larger Fix-It Fairs, the Booth model features a single fixer. However, this reduced presence means free repair services will be available over a more extended period.
We are entering the second of of the booth season, so there is still time to get your stuff repaired. Check out the upcoming schedule!
Florence Fix-It Booth | Saturday, Aug. 15 | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Florence Habitat for Humanity | 2016 US-101, Florence
Fixers: Ben, Tenar & Tom
What: Small Appliances
Oakridge Fix-It Booth | Sunday, Aug. 16 | 2-5 p.m.
Where: Westfir Oakridge Community Farmers Market | W. 1st St., Oakridge
Fixers: Kamden, Bee Havior
What: Phones & Small Appliances
Eugene Fix-It Booth | Tuesday, Aug. 18 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza | 85 E. 8th Ave., Eugene
Fixers: Bee, Eris, Tenar
What: Leather, Clothing & Sewing Machines
Cottage Grove Fix-It Booth | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: South Valley Farmers Market | W. 1st St., Oakridge
Fixer: Ben
What: Bicycles & Mobility Devices
Florence Fix-It Booth at Black and White Event | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: South Parking Lot, Siuslaw Middle School | 2525 Oak St., Florence
Fixers: TBD
What: Bikes, Small Appliances, Textiles & Sewing Machines
Springfield Fix-It Fair at BRING | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Where: BRING | 4446 Franklin Blvd., Eugene
What: Lamps, Small Appliances, Bicycles, Power Tools /Small Lawn Motors, Upcycling Activity, Tool Sharpening
Note: Lane Transit District (LTD) will provide complimentary bus passes for attendees to and from the event! LTD will provide more information closer to the event date.
Florence Black and White Community Collection Event Aug. 22
Contact: City of Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee
E-mail: [email protected]
Help keep Florence beautiful at this free community recycling and collection event! Hosted by the City of Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) in partnership with Lane County and County Transfer & Recycling (CTR), this convenient drive-thru event makes it easy to responsibly dispose of or donate a variety of household items.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: South Parking Lot, Siuslaw Middle School
Accepted items include unwanted tires, refrigerant appliances, propane tanks, rechargeable batteries, yard debris, paint, reusable building materials, household goods, mattresses, eyeglasses, hearing aids, pet food and supplies, non-perishable food donations, and select hard-to-recycle plastics. A free Fix-It Fair booth will also be on-site, offering repair services for eligible household items.
This is a great opportunity to recycle, reuse, donate, reduce waste, protect the environment, support local nonprofits, and keep Florence and the Oregon Coast clean and sustainable.
Volunteers are welcome! For more information or to volunteer, contact the EMAC Team.
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Florence Household Hazardous Waste Roundups return in October
Contact: Chad Ficek or Jake Schiewe
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: (541) 682-4120
 For folks in and around Florence, save a trip to Eugene and drop off your household hazardous waste materials closer to home when Lane County Waste Management hosts two days of Household Hazardous Waste collection on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3.
Florence Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
When: Friday, Oct. 2 | Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Florence Transfer Station (2820 Rhododendron Dr., Florence)
Florence Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Florence Transfer Station (2820 Rhododendron Dr., Florence)
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.
Alternatively, if you are coming to Eugene soon, you can easily schedule a Thursday or Saturday drop-off appointment at Glenwood Transfer Station (3100 E. 17th Ave., Eugene) at any time of the year at lanecountyor.gov/hazwaste.
Lane County Waste Management's reusable dishware program makes big impact
Contact: Jack Bentivoglio
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 682-6791
Since April, Lane County Waste Management's Sustainable Event Services program has helped eight large-scale events (including the 2026 Wildflower Festival and Eugene/Springfield PRIDE! Festival) make dramatic reduction in waste generation.
Because of the service—which was used by more than 30 food vendors—approximately 77,350 single-use items (e.g., dishes, utensils, cups) avoided the trash. This reduction removed an estimated 3.9 tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and saved food vendors $1,935 in single-use material costs.
A win-win! Learn more about the program at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise-events.
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Habitat for Humanity opens applications for reusable accessibility ramps
Contact: Amanda Adams
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 741-1707
Every day, Habitat of Central Lane receives urgent calls about ramps. The calls are nearly always the same two scenarios: The homeowner is unable to have the surgery they need if they don’t have a ramp or they can’t come home from skilled nursing until a ramp is installed.
Accessibility ramps are critical for independence, dignity, and living at home. Aluminum ramps are a practical, sustainable solution because they are lightweight, durable, and reusable. These can be installed quickly, removed, and reinstalled in new locations as needs change, reducing waste while extending their impact.
This program helps ensure low- income homeowners can age in place. Habitat ramp program serves local Seniors, Veterans and People with disabilities whose income is up to 80% of the Area Median Income. When homeowners no longer need the ramp, Habitat asks that it be returned back to us to be reused.
To view the Area Median Income as calculated by HUD (Federal Office of Housing and Urban Department) for the Eugene/Springfield metro area please go to our website habitatlane.org. For more information about our ramp program please call (541) 741-1707 or email [email protected]
ToolBox Project expands access via new bilingual outreach
Contact: Katy McGuire
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 838-0125
This summer, the ToolBox Project is reaching more neighbors through new community partnerships, thanks to recent support from Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation.
A grant from the Foundation made it possible to hire our Bilingual Outreach Coordinator, Tania, who has already engaged with over 200 community members and is helping ToolBox Project connect with Spanish speakers in our community to make tools more accessible to all.
Recently Tania and ToolBox Library Services Coordinator, Katy, visited Plaza de Nuestra Comunidad to introduce the tool lending library to Spanish-speaking small business owners.
Participants were excited to learn they can borrow instead of buy, a huge benefit for seasonal projects, one-time jobs, or businesses just getting started. Many of the attendees work in construction and cleaning. Inexpensive access to tools will help reduce costs and will support their businesses and help encourage sustainability.
Best of all, Tania was able to explain what we do and answer questions in Spanish. Participants learned they can visit the tool library on Saturdays—when Tania’s on duty—for assistance in their preferred language.
The groups also had fun learning more about some of our more esoteric tools, including electric cultivators, cider presses, pressure washers, and even a jackhammer! One more step toward making repairs, maintenance and projects more accessible for everyone and sustainable for the sake of our future by sharing.
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Storm drain cleaning program for county businesses signup deadline Oct. 31
Contact: Angie Marzano
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 682- 6536
Storm drains discharge rain water to local streams and rivers and require regular maintenance to remove contaminants and prevent flooding. Lane County coordinates the Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program (SCAP) in partnership with Stormwater Protection Systems to help Lane County businesses maintain their parking lot drains at a discounted price.
Storm drains often empty into vegetated water quality facilities or to the public stormwater system, which leads straight to our local waterways. Businesses are responsible for maintaining storm drains on their property. It is best to clean out catch basins at least once per year and replace oil-absorbing media annually. SCAP can help your business:
- Save with a discounted rate of $68 per drain for professional cleaning of a parking lot standard basin;
- Prevent parking lot flooding and reduce water pollution;
- Automatically submit storm drain maintenance records.
Sign up by Oct. 31 at LaneCountyor.gov/SCAP or email: [email protected] with questions.
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New street trees bring shade, climate benefits to Broadway corridor
Contact: Willow Hamilton
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 729-4188
 The City of Eugene is beginning the second phase of the Broadway Sidewalks and Paving Project. This project is designed to improve safety for people who walk, drive or take the bus, to increase accessibility as more housing is built in the area, and to plant street trees for livability and climate resilience.
Phase one was completed in Fall 2025. In that phase, the City removed the southern third driving lane on Broadway and used the space to widen the sidewalks, add a planting strip for street trees, and create parking bays for commercial use between Patterson and Alder Streets.
Phase two, which began in July, includes new asphalt paving on Broadway from Mill to Alder Street, along with more sidewalk widening, street tress, and lane reallocation. Most paving will take place at night to reduce the effects on travelers.
Businesses in the area will remain open, but entries and exits to parking lots might be intermittently affected. The City asks people to slow down, stay alert and be patient when moving through the work zone.
Phase two is expected to be finished by November 2026.
The project is mainly funded by the voter‑approved pavement bond measure and the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. The Broadway Sidewalks and Paving Project is another step toward creating a safer, more accessible and more vibrant urban environment in Eugene.
Stay informed on street construction activity by visiting eugene-or.gov/traffic.
Washed Ashore jellyfish sculpture debuts in Florence
Contact: Terry Hankins, Director of Marketing, Driftwood Shores Resort
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 999-3078
 Florence is now home to a permanent public art sculpture by Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea. The whimsical, 12-foot-tall jellyfish now welcomes visitors at Driftwood Shores Resort & Conference Center, where it is displayed beside the resort's aquatic center.
Constructed entirely from repurposed marine debris collected from Oregon beaches, the sculpture transforms discarded plastic and other ocean litter into a vibrant work of art with an important message. Every Washed Ashore sculpture encourages viewers to consider the impacts of marine debris, litter, and single-use plastics on ocean ecosystems and coastal communities.
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. at Driftwood Shores Resort & Conference Center (88416 1st Ave, Florence). The public is invited to attend and celebrate this unique addition to Florence's public art collection.
Additionally, Driftwood Shores is running a contest through social media to help name the jellyfish. Find out more at facebook.com/DriftwoodShores.
The jellyfish art installation was inspired by Driftwood Shores and a small group of local residents who share a passion for art, conservation, and the Oregon Coast. The effort was made possible through a $20,000 grant awarded to Driftwood Shores by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA), with additional support from the City of Florence, the Florence Public Arts Committee, members of the Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC), and community volunteers.
Bike share program hits 1.5 million trip milestone
Contact: Justin Sandoval
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 915-8615
 On July 4, PeaceHealth Rides bike share program reached an incredible milestone: 1.5 million trips since the program launched in 2018.
It took 6.5 years to achieve the first 1 million trips, and just 1.5 years to achieve half a million more! With a fleet of 450 bikes, PeaceHealth Rides is now on track to provide well over 300,000 trips in 2026.
Behind every one of those trips is the work of local nonprofit Cascadia Mobility, which has operated PeaceHealth Rides since 2021. As a “two-wheel transit agency,” Cascadia Mobility maintains and repairs the bikes, redistributes them throughout Eugene and Springfield, supports riders, and helps make bike share accessible to more people.
That work is also a form of waste prevention. By maintaining and repairing the fleet, Cascadia Mobility extends the useful life of each bike and keeps bikes and their components in service longer. Whenever possible, individual parts are repaired or replaced to reduce unnecessary waste while keeping 450 bikes safe, reliable, and ready for our community.
The impact extends beyond the people riding the bikes. Bike share gives community members another way to reach work, school, appointments, businesses, and public transit. It helps reduce car dependence while contributing to a healthier, more connected, and more resilient transportation system.
Growing ridership also creates a virtuous cycle: more people ride when they see other people riding. As biking becomes more visible, it begins to feel safer, easier, and more practical for everyone.
Community support is essential to keeping this momentum going. Whether you ride regularly or simply believe in the value of bike share, residents can support Cascadia Mobility’s work by becoming a PeaceHealth Rides Monthly Member.
For $15 per month, members receive free unlocks and up to an hour of riding each day. Your membership helps Cascadia Mobility keep 450 bikes maintained, available, and ready whenever someone needs one, and supports the services Cascadia Mobility provides throughout the community.
Download the PeaceHealth Rides app to sign up.
Then tell us how bike share saved your day by tagging @peacehealthrides on social media.
Are you enjoying the newsletter? Are there topics you'd like us to cover? Please share your thoughts with us at [email protected]. Thanks for reading.
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