newsletter

A new program for businesses in Lane County, helps businesses learn to conserve resources which results in saving money. Participating businesses that meet conservation bench marks are eligible to receive the Re:think Award.

To learn more about Re:think, visit the BRING website.

Windermere Real Estate marked the month of April by focusing on sustainability.   An E-waste drive, plus educational opportunities for their 95+ realtors was organized with help from GreenLane member Kristena Cox, and the support of NextStep Recycling.

By Jim Wilcox

I got a call from a State agency a few weeks ago asking for financial data for the local bike industry. Seems they were compiling the economic impact of various industries located in Oregon, and bike retailers, manufacturers and other associated businesses were in the mix. I have to admit, when I thought about how many people it took to make bikes, sell bikes, repair bikes or supply parts for bikes, there wasn't a huge impact compared to other industries.
   

In September of 2007, I had a dream of creating a local organization.   It would be a single resource for the networking and educational needs of businesses and organizations in our community which had the desire to become more sustainable. This was a lofty idea, and I knew I needed help.  I contacted Isbel Ingham who was working with NextStep Recycling.

Starting in June, GreenLane luncheons are changing to once a month.  We wanted to focus on education for our members, and delivering quality content, and we realized that two luncheons a month was stretching our Events/Networking Committee a little thin.  Luncheon meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month. 

In January we celebrated our first year anniversary right where we started -- at Northwest Community Credit Union. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since we got our start. 

Come join Climate Masters @ Work for an educational and fun class that will help you generate cost savings through energy and resource efficiency.

You will be connected with the latest information and research from industry professionals and experts about how your organization impacts the environment and how a changing environment will impact you.

Classes Begin: Feb 16th! 8-10am Apply now!

Cost: $350 (Springfield Chamber of Commerce will pay the tuition for the first Springfield business to sign up!)

This month kicks off the GreenLane Newsletter.  We’re looking forward to higlighting members, accomplishments, upcoming events and news. We'll be producing the newsletter every two months -- so the next one will be out in March.

If you have an article that you would like to contribute, please email newsletter [at] greenlane-sbn [dot] org.

We’ll be delivering it electronically, so keep your eyes on your inbox.

Not on the email list? Sign up now.

In January of 2009, we launched GreenLane. The past year has been spent identifying the direction our organization is to take, as well as digging into the nuts and bolts work of developing a Steering Committee, creating committees, and creating our first Board.  When we began last year, we were a handful of people with a lot of energy and excitement about what GreenLane could be.  We ended this year with the strong support from the Eugene and Springfield business communities, as well as the structure in place to continue making this vision a reality.  

Every two weeks, members have the opportunity to meet at our networking lunch.  The past year, we’ve been working to shape these meetings as not only a time and place for members to get to know each other and share resources and ideas, but also to bring valuable educational opportunities and information.  In September, we accomplished this with joining with the City of Eugene.

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy greeted members at the lunch, and spoke about the city’s focus on sustainability.  GreenLane members then broke up into four groups and met with representatives of Eugene’s Sustainability Initiatives.  Each group focused on a particular topic. 

Ethan Nelson focused on green building, and outlining the city’s new Green Building Incentive Program for commercial and residential properties.