SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Requests for new unemployment benefits have reached a 16-year high. The US Labor Department said Thursday 542,000 people filed jobless claims last week. That's up 27,000 from the week before.

In Lane County, there's a drastic 21 percent rise in claims this year compared to last. So far, more than 43,000 jobless people have applied for assistance.

Sandy Harris is one of the latest workforce casualties, but she's found a unique approach of turning to green for green.

"She told me this was one of the hardest things that she'd had to do, but due to the economy, they had to let me go," said Harris.

Harris' three-year career with Select Temp Agency's corporate office in Springfield ended in the blink of an eye.

"I really didn't expect it to happen to me," said Harris.

Ironically, a business that helps the unemployed find work, laid off one of their own last Friday.

"I went to my computer at home, well, a friend's house actually. I needed a hug. Filed for unemployment," said Harris.

But she didn't stop there. That same afternoon- the single mom of two turned to a company based in California which manufactures bio-degradable paper products out of pulp from sugar cane. Harris signed up to become a distributor, was sent a sample of plates, napkin, even toilet paper, and wha-lah! 'Green To Go' was born.

"I cringe if I go to a restaurant and they give me a 'to-go' box and my salad's in Styrofoam. I know it's never going to go away, so I need to get my product out there."

"Sometimes being laid off is an opportunity for people," said Brian Rooney, a labor economist with Oregon State Employment Department.

Rooney sees money in going green.

"Business is the engine to the economy, and if somebody is trying to get into green technology, that's probably a good way to go."

But as the credit crisis continues to leave a volatile mark on almost every industry, Harris remains strong.

"I'm going to fight. We're going to get through this. Go out there and see if I can sell my product," said Harris.

Harris said doesn't have any clients yet, but is hoping to get her website up and running in the next couple of days.

Rooney said if there's a silver lining to the American job market right now, it's in the health care industry. He also said Oregon's newest unemployment numbers should be released on Monday.