Sustainability at Home

Sustainable Transportation

Bike, Bus or Walk

Use alternative transportation to save money on gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, get a healthy workout and get to know your neighbors, all at the same time.

Sustainable Consumption

The choices we make about purchasing and maintaining our "stuff" can have a big impact on our personal finances as well as the environment. Perhaps you can find what you need at a second hand store or fix your broken item instead of throwing it away. There are dozens of ways to save money, energy and resources, if you stop to consider the options.

Simplify Your Life

Limit your purchases. Buy second-hand products and appliances. Purchasing out of necessity limits waste and reduces greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production and transport of goods.

Buy Locally

Purchase organic, local products to support our economy and reduce the impacts of production and transportation. Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags!

The ToolBox Project

Lane County residents can access a volunteer-driven home and garden tool-lending library to transform their homes, businesses and neighborhoods.

Eat Less Meat

Studies have shown that consuming meat and dairy products has a similar effect on climate change as driving your car. This doesn’t mean you have to give up meat altogether. Just try having a vegetarian meal a few times a week.

Neighborhood Sharing

Maybe your neighbor is willing to lend their canning equipment or share the cost of renting that rototiller you need once a year. In Eugene there’s a growing interest in sharing and borrowing- actions that have the added value of building stronger ties with family, friends and neighbors. 

Check out the Quick Links for a few resources to help you change your consumption habits.

Reduce Waste

Curbside Recycling

Eugene’s recycling rate is over 50%, but there’s always room for improvement! 

Cubside Composting

Eugene tosses 40 million pounds of food into the local landfill each year and half of this food waste comes from homes. If you have residential garbage service, you have the option to put food waste into your yard debris bin instead of in the garbage!