Eco Experience

Featured here will be resources, opportunities, ideas, projects, and more to help you learn why it is important to "not harm the environment" and take action in becoming more "eco-friendly."

Check out this article "What does Eco-Friendly mean?

Use it up

• If you have it, use it – Whenever possible, use up what you already have before buying something new. It might not be as shiny or fancy, but it will be functional.
• Make it at home – Making things, especially food at home is always going to be less expensive and better than what you can buy. Use up whatever scraps and leftovers you have to make something new. Lane County Food Waste Prevention
• Use leftovers – Shop your fridge; plan meals around what you have. Don’t throw away food just because you don’t want to eat it. Instead, make less, so there aren't leftovers.
• Substitute when you can – Whether it’s cooking substitutions or reusing something for another project, substitutions are a great way to use up excess.

Wear it out

• Put your clothes to work – The landfill is no place for clothing. Repurpose stained, holey or faded clothes as cleaning rags, or wear them for messy work. Old shoes are great for things like mowing the lawn and working in the garden as well. Remember-Don't love it-donate it!
• Used is Rad – You’d be amazed how far clothes can go if you don’t mind used. You can even do things like letting out hems to make kids’ clothes longer or take things in for shorter and younger siblings. Used isn't just for kids!
• Repurpose – Before throwing something out, try and think of a way you could repurpose it or donate it. Take items to places like St. Vincent de Paul, Next Step (electronics), BRING recycling center.

Make it Do

• Fix it, don’t toss it – Instead of throwing something away because it’s broken, see if you can find a way to fix it.. There might be times when you have no choice but to replace items, but there’s nothing wrong with making it work! Use a Fix-It Fair.
• Learn to sew – Knowing how to sew can extend the life your clothes for years. Let out hems, sew on a button, patch holes or combine a couple too-small shirts to make one that fits just right! MECCA offers sewing classes and other workshops from time to time and they are super fun!
• Use thrift stores – Save money by buying from thrift stores. Not only can you find unique, old and cool things there, but you can save a lot of money! Add your creativity and you’ll be surprised. Thrift decorating ideas
• Use it more than once – You’d be surprised how many things around the house can be reused or used for multiple things. 100 Uncommon uses for Common items
• Use what you have – Before you go buy something, look at what you have and see if you have something that will work just as well as that shiny new product.

Do without

• Know why – RETHINK For everything you do, know the reason why. Do you really need that shiny new object, or is it just kind of neat? Do you have to eat out tonight, or do you just want to? Understanding your choices will help you stray away from needless expenses and bad habits.
• Stay local – Rethink your trips out and about and find things to do locally or at home, to lower your carbon footprint. Also, fewer trips to the mall and other places will help curb impulse buying. Carbon Calculator
• Keep it simple – Doing without can really simplify your life. You’ll be amazed at how much easier things are without all of those little, unnecessary things.
• Donate or Sell what you don’t need – If it isn’t functional, beautiful or memorable, then you don’t need it. Declutter and get rid of the stuff that we all collect over the years to make more room for useful things.

Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: http://bit.ly/EcoChick
Phone: 541-790-5933