News Release from Lane Co. Government
Posted on FlashAlert: December 20th, 2022 8:30 AM
“Repair and reuse are integral themes of the holiday campaign,” said Daniel Hiestand, Lane County waste reduction outreach coordinator. A few statistics show why:
- The United Nations Global E-waste Monitor reports the world is on pace to create 75 million tons of electronic waste (such as computers and smartphones) by 2030.
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans annually toss 12 million tons of furniture into landfills.
- Studies show that the U.S. discards up to 11.3 million tons of textile waste annually, equating to approximately 2,150 pieces of clothing each second.
“In other words, items that can be repaired—such as clocks and watches, clothing, family heirlooms, ceramics, electronics, and jewelry—too often end up in the landfill,” Hiestand said.
“Repair is a critical part of the county’s efforts to focus on actions further upstream from recycling, such as reducing and reusing,” Hiestand said. “And repair just happens to be a great gift option for folks seeking to integrate sustainability into their holiday traditions.”
The county’s most public-facing repair resource—FiX iT Lane County—is a clearinghouse for repair resources where residents can search for repair businesses, and is a great starting point for residents.
“Through repair, we hope folks take the opportunity to prevent waste while supporting local repair businesses,” Hiestand encouraged. Admittedly, he said, making repairs is often not the least expensive option compared to buying something new. “However, the payoff is well worth the investment, if viewed through a long-term lens that fully considers natural resource conservation.”
Follow the campaign on WasteWise Lane County’s Facebook page (facebook.com/WasteWiseLaneCounty).
About WasteWise Lane County
WasteWise Lane County offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources and live more sustainably. Learn more at facebook.com/WasteWiseLaneCounty.
About Simplify the Holidays
Simplify the Holidays is an award-winning program of the Center for Biological Diversity. Aligned with our mission of saving life on Earth and our belief in the interconnectedness of human life with nature, Simplify the Holidays seeks to empower individuals and families to be more conscious of the impacts of holiday traditions and, in doing so, reconnect with meaningful and lasting celebrations. Learn more at simplifytheholidays.org.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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