The 2026 Electronics Recycling Competition—a partnership between Waste Wise Lane County (Lane County Waste Management) and NextStep Recycling—has once again set a new benchmark for waste diversion in local schools. Following a record-breaking 2025 competition, participating schools surpassed expectations again this year.
Last year, 48 schools diverted 41,491 pounds of electronic waste from the landfill, an all-time high at the time. This year, between January and April, 46 schools collected an impressive 55,293 pounds of e-waste. That’s 13,802 pounds over 2025, marking a 33 percent increase in materials recovered.
Pleasant Hill Elementary led the pack as the top-collecting school, bringing in an impressive 7,677 pounds of electronic waste.
"NextStep is thrilled with the outstanding amount of e-waste collected for the 2026 Electronics Recycling Competition,” said NextStep Executive Director Jessica Ahrenholtz. “It is so wonderful to educate and inform our future generation about the importance of keeping electronic waste out of our landfills. Thank you to all of the participating schools and for the amazing support from our community."
The top two winners in each student enrollment division will receive:
- A $500 Lane County Waste Management sustainability grant (first place)
- A $250 Lane County Waste Management sustainability grant (second place)
- A NextStep Reuse Store computer gift certificate
- A special recognition award
For more information about the competition, including full results, or to learn how your school can participate in future years, visit wastewiselane.org/ERC.
Student enrollment divisions
0–300 students
(1) Triangle Lake Charter School: 5,088 lbs.
(2) Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School: 1,877 lbs.
301–500 students
(1) Pleasant Hill Elementary School: 7,677 lbs.
(2) Siuslaw Middle School: 4,154 lbs.
501–700 students
(1) Meadow View School: 2,120 lbs.
(2) Junction City High School: 1,020 lbs.
701+ students
(1) Prairie Mountain School: 3,207 lbs.
(2) North Eugene High School: 991 lbs.
About Waste Wise Lane County
Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. Learn more at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.
About NextStep Recycling
The mission at NextStep Recycling is to provide technology and training to children and adults with barriers to employment and education while protecting the environment and community from hazardous waste. Visit NextStep's Recycling & Donation Center (245 Jackson St., Eugene), NextStep's ReUse Store (987 Garfield St., Eugene) and the UO/NextStep Surplus Store (547 Q St., Springfield). Learn more at nextsteprecycling.org.