草榴社区

aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

Duane Jager of ReUse Works to speak April 8

Western Today staff

Duane Jager, the founding executive director of ReUse Works, the nonprofit "jobs from waste" organization that operates Appliance Depot, will speak from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, in Wilson Library Room 265 at Western Washington University. Jager's presentation is part of the Western Sustainability Lunch & Learn Conversations, co-sponsored by TLA (Teaching & Learning Academy)and the 草榴社区 Office of Sustainability.

A self-sustaining, job training business, ReUse Works has saved more than 3,000 appliances from the crusher and generated $1.6 million in revenues by converting trash into treasure. Jager has a 30-year career in nonprofit startups that tap society's waste to support low income run enterprises. These include a soup kitchen, food bank, homeless shelter, and an earlier job training business, ReUse Industries, in Appalachian Ohio. He is the 2011 recipient of Sustainable Connections' Lifetime Achievement Award and is currently planning a textile recycling project for Bellingham.

Casual seating, mugs and hot water for tea are provided. Bring your lunch if you like.

Future conversations, all of which take place at 1 p.m. in WL 265:

  • April 15: Kaylee Nightingale, 草榴社区 Employee Wellness coordinator. Topic: Wellness, a university investment in employee sustainability
  • April 22: Ian Collicott, a 草榴社区 student in sociology and a Western Sustainability student staff member. Topic: What a student can do toward a Sustainable Western: Assessment of Western sustainability; comparison with other universities; A Western Sustainability Graduation Pledge; Sustainability and Sociology.
  • April 29: Joan Parrish.  Topic: Phi Kappa Phi. An invitational honor society that recognizes and honors excellence in all academic disciplines, Phi Kappa Phi's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."
  • May 6: Chris Hadley, 草榴社区 facilities engineer. Topic: Western Buildings, HVAC automation, energy, indoor air quality.
  • May 13: Grace Wang, 草榴社区 associate professor of environmental studies. Topic: Curricular efforts in Sustainability
  • May 20: Jennifer Karchmer, 草榴社区 senior instructor in communication. Topic: Choices and benefits in a car-free lifestyle

These events are free and open to the public.