About BRING Recycling

Bring Recycling is one of the oldest non-profit recycling organizations in the nation. Founded in 1971, BRING was formed to promote what was then considered a radical concept—recycling. Today, 90% of Lane County households recycle.  BRING has pioneered groundbreaking programs that are now part of everyday life, including:

• Curbside pickup of recyclables
• In-the-schools education
• Building deconstruction   
• Resale of used building materials
• Collection of hard-to-recycle materials  

BRING’s Mission

BRING promotes a healthy and sustainable environment through education, innovative conservation programs, and community involvement in conserving natural resources. We help people understand the connection between the resources they use and the clean air, pure water and wild places they value.

BRING’s Services

Education: BRING offers free classroom and after-school programs, tours, and educational resources for children and adults throughout Lane County.

Information & Referral: BRING provides information and referral on recycling and resource conservation by phone, newsletter and web site.

Used Building Materials : BRING offers a wide selection of building materials at its Reuse Warehouse at 4446 Franklin Blvd. BRING picks up usable materials in the Eugene/Springfield area and materials in good condition may also be dropped off. Donated items are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Deconstruction : BRING’s licensed and bonded crew dismantles buildings to salvage reusable materials, such as cabinets, sinks, windows, flooring & lumber. Donations of salvaged materials are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Recycling : BRING collects, processes and markets household recyclables at the county transfer station. BRING promotes the collection of hard-to-recycle materials such as plastic plant pots, computers, televisions and athletic shoes.

Each year BRING:

• Reclaims 2,400 tons of recyclable materials
• Salvages 650 tons of reusable building materials
• Answers 9,000 requests for information
• Educates 17,000 children and adults.

BRING in the Future

Now that recycling is part of everyday life, BRING has turned its attention to an even bigger problem—the wasteful consumption of natural resources. We’re throwing away more valuable resources than ever before, and waste continues to pile up. The wasteful use of resources is linked to every serious environmental and social problem we face: global warming, pollution, declining habitats, energy shortages.

Capital Campaign

To meet this global challenge on the local level, BRING launched its first-ever capital campaign to develop “The Planet Improvement Center.”

This new 3-acre community facility opened for business in June 2007.  It is planned to be a model of sustainable development where visitors from throughout the region can gather innovative ideas and inspiration for reusing materials and conserving resources.

The new site offers significant improvements over BRING’s old quarters, including covered shopping, convenient loading areas and paved parking. Ongoing plans for the new facility include educational displays, art and gardens showing creative uses of recycled and reused materials. The site incorporates green building techniques such as a green roof, bioswales for storm water treatment and passive solar.

Our new home will allow BRING to expand its education programs and to reach more people. At the same time, it will make more materials available for reuse, extend the life of the landfill, and create jobs and opportunity for the community.

The site is being developed in two phases, and Phase One is now complete.  Phase Two will add more covered retail space, art, gardens, intrepretive signage and demonstration projects. 

Total project cost is $2,340,000, with $1,700,000 for Phase One.  Phase One fundraising is complete, and planning for Phase Two is underway.  Take a look at our new site!   Planet Improvement Center.