Lane County Schools Compete to Collect E-Waste, Win Grants This Earth Week

Forty-eight Lane County schools collected more than 41,000 pounds of electronic waste last year. Now, with the 2026 Electronics Recycling Competition entering its final weeks, schools across the county have until April 24 to surpass that mark and claim grants of up to $500.

The competition, organized by Lane County's Waste Wise Lane County program and Eugene-based nonprofit NextStep Recycling, launched January 6 and closes on Earth Week's final day. Schools compete by the weight of electronics they collect, with top performers earning cash grants, NextStep Reuse Store gift certificates, and public recognition.

NextStep Recycling Executive Director Jessica Ahrenholtz made clear that participation extends well beyond school walls. "Teachers, administrators, students, parents, or anyone wanting to support a school can drop off electronics at the NextStep Donation Center at any time during the competition," Ahrenholtz said. The donation center sits at 245 Jackson Street in Eugene, where individual donors can designate a specific school to receive weight credit for their drop-off. NextStep also coordinates truck pickups directly from schools throughout Lane County.

Eligible items cover most household electronics: microwaves, televisions, printers, cords, cell phones, computers, monitors, keyboards, tablets, game consoles, and other audio/visual equipment. Non-electronic items don't qualify for credit.

The environmental stakes are real. E-waste contains lead, mercury, and cadmium, all of which require specialized handling to prevent contamination of soil and water supplies. Keeping those materials out of Lane County's landfills is central to Waste Wise Lane County's broader waste reduction mission.

NextStep brings an additional dimension to the competition's impact. The Eugene nonprofit runs job training and placement programs for youth aging out of foster care, adults with disabilities, seniors, and others facing employment barriers, meaning the electronics that flow through its doors support workforce development as well as recycling.

Donors should label contributions with their chosen school's name to ensure proper credit is assigned. Lane County plans to publish final school totals by late May. More information is available through the Waste Wise Lane County and NextStep Recycling websites.