Lane County News

As the gift-giving season heats up—and Lane County’s “Simplify the Holidays” social media campaign eclipses its halfway point—the county reminds residents to consider the gift of repair as a sustainable gift option.

 

“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).

Original source can be found here.