Dear Unity Environmentalists!
The updates on the Eugene recycling programs are becoming
clear. Check out this website for the latest news on what we can expect about recycling
plastics… for now. Please read the minutes from the August meeting
too. There are many details below.
Recycling
| Eugene, OR Website
International Day of Peace: September 21, 2025
Join the Peace Wave at noon, 9/21, across all timezones on
Planet Earth! Peace and environmental
well-being are deeply interconnected: both require systems of care,
cooperation, and sustainability to thrive. War and conflict devastate
ecosystems—through deforestation, pollution, and displacement—while resource
scarcity and ecological collapse often fuel violence and geopolitical tensions.
In contrast, a peaceful society is better equipped to protect natural
resources, enforce environmental regulations, and foster global collaboration
on issues like climate change. Thus, nurturing peace creates the conditions for
environmental stewardship, and safeguarding the environment reduces the root
causes of conflict, forming a mutually reinforcing cycle of resilience and
justice.
Learn more here (https://internationaldayofpeace.org/) and
stay tuned for local events in Lane County!
River Clean-Up Opportunities:
We agreed to continue to explore opportunities to join in
clean-ups along the river. We plan to have
a group clean-up in October as well. We will get those details to the Unity
bulletin. In the meantime, Willamette Riverkeepers
hosts Trashy Tuesday cleanups every 3rd Tuesday of the month. You
can register at their website for August 19, or Sept. 16th here.
This week, there is also a Pride Paddle event on Thursday. More details here: Event List — Willamette
Riverkeeper
Meeting Agendas and Notes from August 08 and July 13, via
Ruth and Denice Ward
Present: Ron, Cathy, Nicole, Rex, Betsy, Denice, John
Garrett, Ruth K., Donna O'Neal
1. Betsy - Shared some thoughts related to
the Gratitude presentation done this year by Eric Alan, Tom Titus and others.
She
was struck by the quote: "We are not here to save the world, we are here
to serve the world"
- Think of the koi
in the pond - just has to be in the pond to complete its purpose. - and so are
we -- don't stress, just
do what we do - to lift up the Earth!!
2. Ron. "Aloha" reminded us about the meeting
on August 15th at Unity sponsored by the Elder Council. A follow-up to the
documentary shown earlier.
- Bonnie Paquin said there will be 2 tables in the
fellowship hall for Q&A and sharing. She asked if we wanted a table for
EAT. Betsy, Rex, Ruth all volunteer to be here. Ruth is collecting fliers from
other environmental groups to share at this table.
Ron will be at the Elder Council table.
3. How to Broaden Our Scope
Ron attends Interfaith Earthkeepers
Meetings. They do a variety of projects that are "hands on" and
coordinate with McKenzie River Trust.
Ruth suggests that if Ron can't fo, one of us
takes his place to keep up with the news.
Cathy asked about the next river clean up. John
Garrett looked online and reported that the soonest one is on the water in
boats. We can find out more by checking Willamette River Keepers.
- Do we want to connect with other groups?
4 Clean ups
Tugman park is pretty clean. The consensus is that Dairy
Mart is a good place to try next. If we don't like it, we can choose another.
Donna suggests we just pick a certain Sunday of the quarter. Ruth suggested we
do the 2nd Sunday,after a short meeting of EAT,
5. Recycling
Do we Diana to come again?
Rex went to Sanipac and got a flyer, which was different
than the one that came in his bill. Seems to still be confusion.
September 16th at 3:30 at Bring there is a seminar about
recycling. Rex is going to go with his questions. Thanks, Rex.
-Nancy's is now collecting the lids of yogurt tubs, since we
can put the tubs in regular recycling.
- Ron was told if container was 3" wide, or 2" by
2", it could be recycled. Ron is going to check on recycling clean plastic
bags. John noted that Albertsons takes plastic bags - but we don't know if it
has to have symbol and #.
-Lowes has collection for #2,#4 plastic bags.
Since we have to wait for clarification, we (Ruth) will ask
Diana to come to the September 14 meeting.
5. Kitchen Update
Geneva came to the meeting, and
reported that Sunny is not interested in changing the system in the kitchen
herself, but is OK with Geneva working on it. (Compost, etc)
Bill brought a compost bucket, and it will be placed next to
trash. Ruth and John have offered to take it home. THANK YOU!
* We need to make an announcement at Sunday Service to get
the "bucket news" out there.
PLASTIC Clamshell, etc, - Kitchen staff is willing to
separate the plastic containers that the food donations come in, andwe can take
them.
REMINDER TO EAT: Please bring your own plates/cups to be
used in the Fellowship Hall. We need to model this habit.
Donna suggests we bring them in a small bag that we can
stash under our chairs rather than find a place to store them together. AGREED
Other:
Ruth will check with Gina about announcing bucket and
"bring your own plate"
Interfaith Earthkeepers meets the 4th Wednesday of the
month.
Tip for Bulletin: Check MECCA - they can help you recycle items.
- I
spoke to Diana and she says she has been to several meetings and is clear
on what the current state-wide plastic recycling rules are at this time so
I invited her to the EA Team meeting the second Sunday of September. She
said we can bring examples of plastics we are not sure of and she will
tell us if they are recyclable or not. She said she also has additional
info for us.
- For
the EA Team table this evening, I have a flyer from Interfaith
Earthkeepers. There will be two individuals from 350 Eugene who will also
bring some flyers. I will see if anything else comes in this morning.
Updated August Agenda
- Go
Over agenda - any additions?
- Designate
notetaker
- Updates
on
- Recycling
- Next
clean-up activity
- Working
with kitchen angels to reduce waste at UV
- Discussion of
broadening impact/connecting with other groups
- Tip
for October bulletin
- Other
items?
- Designate
facilitator for next meeting
Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team
Meeting Minutes July 13, 2025
Present: Ruth, John, Ron, Cathy, Mary, Betsy, Michael, Bill
Item
· Plastics Recycling
o Discussed next steps. Master Recycler,
Diana, is attending trainings related to the new plastic recycling rules. She
will reach out to us and will be happy to speak at a future EA team meeting to
update us so that we can pass the information on to the congregation.
· Next Clean-up
o Discussed the list sent by Donna
o Discussed potential of another river
cleanup with Willamette River Keeper.
o Michael will send an email with
information and potential dates.
· Other potential
activities
o Amanda provided information regarding an
event in Cottage Grove for the United Nations International Day of Peace on
September 21 and wondered if UV could have a table or some other activity
there. Because the event is on a Sunday and the timing overlaps with
the UV service we will not be able to participate.
· Listening session on
reducing waste at UV events with representative from UV Kitchen Angels (Geneva)
o Compost: There is probably room for a
compost bucket next to the trash can in the kitchen. Bill offered to bring in a
5 gallon bucket for this use. Geneva will talk to Sunny. Will need to share
with the congregation before implementing.
o Separating plastics from other trash:
There is limited kitchen space. If we can figure out where to put another can,
Geneva thinks the Kitchen Angels would be willing to separate plastic from
other trash.
o How to reduce use of plastics: Lynn
provides all of the plastic-packaged food from Fred Myers and donates this
weekly of her own heart and volition.
o How to reduce use of paper plates/plastic
utensils. Some of us have started bringing our own plates/utensils to
after-service refreshments. Discussed the possibility of encouraging
congregants to bring their own reusable dishware/utensils as well as the
possibility of providing plates/utensils for congregants to put together their
own reusable “kits.” This will require some education of the community. Geneva
suggested a Sunday service skit.
· Do we want to broaden
or reach/effort and tie in with other groups and efforts with a larger impact?
o Betsy indicated she has information to
share about this but did not have it available for this meeting. We will look
to hear from her at a future meeting.
o Ruth is a member of Indivisible Eugene
Springfield (IES) which has an environmental action group. IES is part of a
coalition (Activist Coalition of Eugene Springfield (ACES)) which includes the
environmental groups 350 Eugene, Beyond Toxics, and Interfaith Earthkeepers of
Eugene Springfield.
§ Ron attends meeting of Interfaith Earthkeepers.
§ Some of us are involved with and/or on mailing
lists for other local environmental groups, e.g., Divest Oregon, McKenzie River
Trust, Long Tom Watershed, Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN).
o Due to limited time, will continue
discussion at next meeting.
Next meeting: August 10, 2025 Tentative agenda items
o Updates on:
§ Recycling
§ Next cleanup activity
§ Reducing waste at UV
o Discussion of broader reach, joining
other groups with Betsy providing info if she has it.
o Let’s decide on a tip for October so we
can get it to Gena by September 7! If you have a tip, pass it on to John!
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