Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for UO/NextStep Surplus Store

University of Oregon and Next Step Recycling Partner to Bring Reuse Products to Eugene-Springfield

University of Oregon has expanded its surplus property operation to include a new retail store at 547 Q St. in Springfield, and they are bringing a friend along with them. Next Step Recycling will also have a presence in the store, a partnership with the Office of Sustainability that expands what both organizations can offer the Eugene-Springfield community.

Jessica Ahrenholtz, Executive Director of Next Step, says, “NextStep Recycling is so excited to partner with University of Oregon’s Office of Sustainability. What a wonderful way for these two organizations to work together toward a common goal of reuse and sustainability.”

A grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday April 30, 11am-1pm. 

The Office of Sustainability took over the bulk of UO surplus operations in 2022, which led to increased visibility and engagement for the campus community. The program then moved to offering public sales for items not selected for campus reuse. The growing success of the program, combined with the need for stable and more functional space, led to the move to the Springfield store. 

“Next Step has been operating re-use programs for nearly 20 years,” noted Steve Mital, Director of Sustainability at University of Oregon. “We are delighted to partner with and learn from them as we launch our newest community sustainability program.”

The new store will be open Wednesday-Friday, 10am-5:20pm, and Saturday 12-2:30pm. In addition to computers, cords, appliances, and other small electronics from Next Step Recycling, the store will have available a rotating supply of office furniture as well as other small and large items from University of Oregon. 

“Our team is really excited to be able to offer this expanded store for our local community,” said Cimmeron Gillespie, UO’s Surplus property and waste reduction specialist. “We have so many cool things from our ‘bread-and-butter' items like desks, chairs, and filing cabinets to wild one-offs like a pastry case or dozens of industrial brass doorknobs. It's always an adventure at surplus and that makes it fun.” 

The University of Oregon is the flagship research institution for the state of Oregon, located in Eugene and Portland. Next Step Recycling is a social enterprise in Eugene, OR that recycles electronics and provides technology access and training to those in need.