Bring your broken items and questions; volunteers will help you learn how to repair your things.

Save money, save natural resources and be part of a DIY and reuse culture. Free and open to all.

Volunteer Randi Ponce helps at the clothing repair station. Click to view larger.

Repair skills offered:

• Appliances (small items only, please)
• Bicycles
• Clothing (hand and machine sewing)
• Computers (hardware and software)
• Electronics (small items only, please)
• Housewares (furniture, lamps, ceramics, vacuums, etc.)
• Jewelry
• And more!

Repair demonstrations:

5:45-6:05 DIY Safe Pest Control: Ants & Fruit Flies – Learn how to minimize ants and fruit flies in your home, using natural, homemade methods, and take samples home with you to get started. (Leaders: Lindsey Almarode, Campus Recycling Outreach Assistant and Jodie Davaz, Waste Watchers volunteer)

Volunteer Kevin Grant leads a bike maintenance workshop at the April Repair Fair. Click to view larger.

6:15-6:45 Basic Bike Maintenance – Learn basic maintenance and repairs like fixing a flat tire and chain upkeep. Learn when you should take your bike to a professional, and learn what bike repair resources are available to you locally. (Leader: Jacob Kollen, SSI Transportation Projects Coordinator)

7:00-7:20 Don’t Just Spring Clean, Green Clean – Whether you’re moving out of the dorms, ending a lease, or just looking for a little spring cleaning, learn how a few basic, food-safe ingredients can clean your whole home. Leave with a sample of all-purpose cleaner so you’re set to get started. (Leaders: Kyle Reed, Campus Recycling Outreach Assistant and Amanda Abbott, Waste Watchers volunteer)

Additional event details:

We don’t have spare parts, but will do our best to repair what we can and/or refer you to where you could find the parts you need. If you have parts already, we may be able to help you install them.

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook.

Map of location and parking. Click to view larger.

Directions: We are located on the corner of 13th St and A Ave at 644 SW 13th Street. Enter through the warehouse gates on 13th St., between the railroad tracks and A Ave. Also see the map to the right.

This event is organized by the student group Waste Watchers, a joint group of Campus Recycling and the Student Sustainability Initiative. Repair Fairs occurred twice per term during the 2012-13 academic year, and this is the final one of the year. For more information, contact Andrea Norris via email or at 541-737-5398.

Video

Want to see what a Repair Fair is all about? View this video clip recap from a past fair:

Moving out of the dorms is an interesting time because so many students are vacating them on or around the same day. Hundreds, if not thousands of undergraduates and grad students are in transition looking for parking spaces, lifting items from point A to point B, and filling dumpsters with whatever they’re not willing or interested in taking home.

When all is said and done the environmental impact of the situation can be enormous but if everyone tries to do their part and be a little more green-minded the damage can be limited.

That being the case consider the following suggestions for a greener end to the academic year:

Packing

Chances are when the days begin winding down students will initiate the moving out process by starting to pack. Some green packing tips include:

• Reuse the same bags belongings were brought in.
• If boxes are needed don’t buy new ones. Instead seek out used boxes from local businesses.
• In place of foam peanuts use clothing and crumple up newspapers and magazines to protect breakables.
• If the plan is to return in the fall try storing as much as possible in the area so there’s less to haul back and forth. When there’s less to carry it may be possible to save on gasoline and take public transportation.

Downsizing/discarding

While packing it’s very likely students will downsize and discard a number of things they accumulated over the semester like text books, furnishings, and clothing. Before putting them out on the street where they may get ruined or taken away by the local waste removal system try some of these solutions:

• Textbooks: Unless they won’t be used again they can sometimes be resold to their suppliers, local bookstores, or students. Otherwise toss them in the recycling bin.

• Furnishings: Some students may have bought a few extra things for the dorm like a rug, lamp, or recliner to give it a personal touch. If they aren’t interested in keeping them resell or give away to friends who will put them to good use.

• Clothing: Sometimes extra clothing accumulates and when it’s time to pack up students realize they’ll never wear some of the new additions. Either hold a clothing swap with other students or donate everything to local institutions who help the needy.

Cleaning

After everything has been sorted through the last thing to take care of is clearing up trash and leaving the dorm room somewhat respectable. Green tips:

Cleansers: Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies which are less damaging to the environment when poured down the drain. Alternatively making your own from vinegar or baking soda is another option.

Recycle: Feel good about where you put your trash and recycle all your paper, tin, glass, and plastic refuse.

Vacating

Finally, before leaving make a list of everything that was used over the course of the year and which things had precedence over others. That way when it’s time to move back in the late summer you can quickly toss together your belongings on a minimalist level and live a little lighter.

Also, plan for next year by considering areas where you could lead a more sustainable lifestyle at school.  It may mean purchasing a few reusable water bottles, cutlery, or mugs but it will give you a head start on greening the coming school year.

Jakob Barry is a green living journalist for Networx.com. Networx.com helps homeowners save time, money and frustration by connecting them with home improvement professionals.

OSU Divest, the on campus campaign moving for Oregon State University to sell off its investments in fossil fuel industries, will be showing the movie “Do the Math” on Thursday, May 23rd at the Westminster House!

The movie is a 42-minute documentary on global warming and the fossil fuel industry. To see the trailer and learn more about the film, click here: http://act.350.org/signup/math-movie/

If you’re not convinced yet, there will be free pizza at the event as well! Come join and get inspired!

Come to the OSUsed Store on Wednesday, May 22nd between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m, where all dotted merchandise will be 75% off, and white tag items (housewares) will all be 50% off!

The OSUsed Store is located at 644 SW 13th Street in Corvallis (view on Google Maps). We will have many items for personal or departmental use – computers and computer accessories, furniture (desks, file cabinets, tables, chairs, bookcases, etc), office supplies, sporting goods, household items, bicycles and much more.

Our public sales provide an opportunity for the general public to make personal purchases. Departments are welcome to shop 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, or during public sales on Wednesdays. Sale price is only good during the public sale time listed above.

See our other sale dates on our calendar. For more information, visit our public sale page or contact us.

Campus Recycling is now hiring for a Student Design Assistant to join our outreach team, to design and implement print and digital media.

Job Description

Job duties include:

Graphic design (constitutes 60% or more of work hours):

• Designing, ordering and distributing print and digital media such as posters, fliers, recycle bin signs, newspaper ads, and graphics for digital use (website, blog, social media, TV slides, etc.)
• Using OSU brand identity guidelines and/or templates to create media
• Taking photos and/or recording video for marketing pieces or to capture events and activities

Other marketing:

• Assisting in the development of marketing plans
• Occasionally creating written content (blog posts, website information, event descriptions, etc.)
• Occasionally staffing booths at events, providing event support, contributing to event planning, participating in volunteer meetings or assisting with other waste reduction outreach as needed

The successful applicant will start work by the start of fall term 2013 (Sept. 30), or can start in summer if available (any time on or after June 18).

The position is for 10-16 hours/week, at a starting wage of $9.50/hour. Applications are due Tuesday, May 28.

For a list of qualifications and application instructions, please download the full hiring announcement here (PDF).

The video was filmed by Waste Watcher Jodie Davaz at the February Repair Fair.

Be sure to mark your calendars, for we will be holding our last Repair Fair of the year on Wednesday, May 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. Learn more at the calendar and Facebook pages. We hope to see you there!

Check out a song he wrote about compost, written by Ahern and recorded by David Simmons.

Composting Song – Kevin Ahern

Could just be the perfect accompaniment to all this wonderful weather we’re having. Thank Kevin, and to everyone else, enjoy!

Bring your broken items and questions; volunteers will help you learn how to repair your things!

Save money, save natural resources and be part of a growing culture of reuse.

Volunteers Geoff and Jason answer questions about computer repair. Click to view larger.

Repair skills offered:

• Appliances (small items only, please)
• Bicycles
• Clothing (hand and machine sewing)
• Computers (hardware and software)
• Electronics (small items only, please)
• Housewares (furniture, ceramics, lamps, etc.)
• And more!

Repair demonstrations:

Volunteer Annie prepares to start a sewing demonstration at the February Repair Fair. Click to view larger.

6:10-6:40 pm – DIY: Home Water Conservation (Mark Taratoot): Overview of Corvallis’s water system, water treatment and quality, conservation measures, DIY water audit and irrigation issues

6:50-7:20 pm – 3 Common Sewing Fixes (Annie Kersting): Demonstrations for buttons, patches, and zippers

7:30-8:00 pm – ABC’s of Bike Maintenance (Kevin Grant): Air: Proper inflation and tube-patching/replacing; Brakes: Safe and efficient stopping; Chain: Keep things oiled and running smoothly and quietly; Recommendations for basic/minimal tools.

Additional event details:

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook.

We don’t have spare parts, but will do our best to repair what we can and/or refer you to where you could find the parts you need. If you have parts already, we may be able to help you install them.

Map of location and parking. Click to view larger.

Directions: We are located on the corner of 13th St and A Ave at 644 SW 13th Street. Enter through the warehouse gates on 13th St., between the railroad tracks and A Ave.

This event is organized by the student group Waste Watchers, a joint group of Campus Recycling and the Student Sustainability Initiative. Repair Fairs occur twice per term during the 2012-13 academic year. For more information, contact Andrea Norris via email or at 541-737-5398.

One Hundred years ago the class of 1913 planted the majestic elm trees we now enjoy in the Library Quad.

Come join in as we plant a tree as a gift to the next 100 years and honor and appreciate the gift of 1913

West side of the OSU Library Quad.  Along Waldo Place between Jefferson Way and Campus Way (across from the east entry to Strand Agriculture Hall)

Friday 04/26/2013 Noon

Questions? Contact Norm Brown –Urban Forester OSU Campus Operations  Norm.Brown@oregonstate.edu

At OSU, we have been celebrating Earth Day ever since the first one in 1970. But we’re too hardcore for just one day of observance of this amazing planet we live on, so we celebrate for a full week! Hence: Earth Week, a week of fun and educational activities geared toward raising environmental awareness and engagement.

Below is the calendar at a glance; learn more by clicking on the title of individual events, or view the full event line-up here.

Saturday, 4/20

• Earth Day Service Projects | 8 am-5 pm | Corvallis area parks and gardens | Pre-reg. required
• Earth Ball 2013: All Species Masquerade | 7-11:45 pm | Corvallis Odd Fellows Hall, 223 SW 2nd St | $7 in advance, $9 at the door, 12 & under FREE

Monday, 4/22

• Hoo-Haa Earth Day Celebration | 3:30-7 pm | Organic Growers Club Farm. Electric Rd, Hwy 34 | RSVP on Facebook
• Native Tree Walk w/ Edward C. Jensen | 5-7 pm | Peavy Hall Courtyard | RSVP on Facebook

Tuesday, 4/23

• 13th Annual Earth Week Community Fair | 11 am-3 pm | MU Quad | Free Styrofoam recycling too! | RSVP on Facebook
• Environmental Justice Conversation at the SSI | 5-6:30 pm | Student Sustainability Center, 738 SW 15th St | RSVP on Facebook

Wednesday, 4/24

• OSUsed Store Earth Week Sale | 12-3 pm | OSUsed Store, 644 SW 13th St | Click here to learn how to get 25% off.
• Your Power to Create Positive Change in Apparel | 12:30-2:30 pm | MU 221
• Addicted to Plastics Documentary | 4-6 pm | Gleeson 100

Thursday, 4/25

• Sustainability Bike Tour | 2:15-3:15 pm | MU Quad | Bikes and helmets provided if needed, but please bring your own if you have them.
• Campus Creature Census | 3-5 pm| People Park (next to Gilkey)
• Eco Film Festival: “YERT” | 5:30-7 pm | MU Journey Room | RSVP on Facebook

Friday, 4/26

• Arbor Day Centennial Tree Celebration and Planting | 12-1 pm | Valley Library Quad

Saturday, 4/27

• Drug Take Back Event | 10 am-2 pm | Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St | Get the details before you go.

We hope you can join us at one or more of these amazing events.

Earth Week is sponsored by Campus Recycling and SSI, in partnership with the Sustainability Office. Happy Earth Week!