When Leah Murray and Sheila Ramerman delivered the mini-PCs to the Ophelia’s Place office in Eugene a couple of weeks ago, their gratitude was profound and their excitement about the possibilities was infectious, as shown in the following below. Ophelia’s Place is currently planning their fall 2024 programs and activities, so we’ll be communicating with them over the summer to define how this branch can help their clients with research and applications for college and scholarships using those mini-PCs.

If you haven’t voted yet, check your email inbox for your electronic ballot. Your personalized email may show “AAUW” as the sender, but the email address is  vote@simplyvoting.com. This message contains your electronic voting credentials. If you can’t find that email, email connect@aauw.org ASAP with your name and email address, and request that another electronic ballot be sent to you.

If you need a refresher on the ballot issues, visit National Election 2024.

It’s important that your voice be heard!

Recycling News
It’s spring cleaning time! For me, that means finding a home for my stashes of recyclable plastics that my residential recycling service doesn’t collect. Although Westminster Presbyterian Church no longer collects plastics for the community beyond its membership, other options exist.

Local options
Wendy Cook recently visited two local businesses that collect recyclables at no cost:

Garten Services—Eugene Branch
2345 W. Broadway
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 868-1550

They take the following items

• #1 plastic bottles and jars (not tubs). They must be clean, but labels can be left on.
• Shredded paper

Call to schedule an appointment. Wendy made her appointment just a few days out.

QSL Print Communications
3000 Pierce Pkwy.
Springfield, OR 97477
541-687-1184

• They take #2, 4, and 5 plastics.
• Clean the plastics and sort them by number.
• Remove all labels and foil or other sealant around the rims.
• Bring them in bags or boxes that can be left with them because they don't have big storage bins.
• Drop off your items during regular business hours; no appointment is needed.

Lane County Waste Management
The county will connect you with a registered volunteer community collector who will accept your #2, 4, and 5 plastics at no cost. Email the county at plasticscollection@lanecountyor.gov and provide your full address.

I emailed a few days ago and received the names of two volunteers who live within 3 miles of me. I’ve already heard back from one of them, and he’ll even come to my house to pick up the items. I wish I had emailed the county ages ago!

The county also sent me a flyer with complete details about the plastics accepted.

EcoGeneration
Currently, this nonprofit organization offers free recycling events in Creswell and Cottage Gove, but hopefully it will resume drop-off events in Eugene and Springfield. Visit the website for details. I attended two events more than a year ago at Sheldon Community Center.

Bra recycling
“The Bra Recyclers is a social enterprise clothing recycling company focused on the recycling and reuse of bras and other lingerie to support women and girls around the world in transition and/or escaping domestic violence or human trafficking. We currently donate new and preloved bras to over 100 nonprofit organizations.”

They accept new and gently used bras, sports bras, mastectomy bras, prosthesis, and new panties.

If there’s interest among branch members, we could collect bras and mail them, using the company’s flat-rate shipping offer. Wendy and I would cover the cost. Many thanks to Wendy for finding this opportunity!

Share your recycling news
Have you tried out other recycling options? Let us know!