Eight Creative Community Endeavors in 2024
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project’s Community Innovation Fund – made possible through support from Deschutes County Solid Waste, City of Bend, and Visit Central Oregon – provided $32,974.51 in funding to eight unique community projects in 2024. From reusable bags for meal kits, to bottles for summer programs, and dishware for events and weeklong bicycle tours; from expanding bulk refills and extending the life of produce; to sorting, composting, and recycling… continue reading to learn about the creative waste-reduction projects implemented across Deschutes County in 2024.
Since its inception in 2020, CIF has awarded more than $94,000 to 35 projects that reduce waste in Deschutes County. CIF provides up to $5,000 (with no minimum) for each project. Applications are now open through April 15th, 2025.
We are thrilled to share the 2024 CIF Projects! In addition to learning more about each of the projects below, take a look at the interactive CIF Projects Showcase to view all the innovative projects that have reduced waste and continue to have a long-lasting impact in our community.
Reusable Bag Initiative for HDFFA Fresh Harvest Kits
Organization: High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA)
Project Description: HDFFA distributed Fresh Harvest Kits, their ready-to-make meal kits provided to food pantries throughout the region, in reusable bags made from 100% recycled laminated PET material. In addition to the thousands of single-use bags avoided, they learned that reusables bags are much sturdier and more durable for distributing washed produce than paper bags, making for a much better experience for all involved. Program participants were also able to re-use their bags for future pantry shopping.
Impact: 2,640 single-use bags avoided.
SFF Presents – landfill waste reduction, improved recycling and initiating composting
Organization: SFF Presents
Project Description: SFF Presents implemented supervised recycling and food waste stations at outdoor events in 2024, with the goal of composting about 2,300 pounds of food waste and increasing recycling rates from 8% to 16%. Using Big Ponderoo as a learning opportunity with 5 stations, they then expanded to 10 stations at SFF venues.
Impact: 53% reduction in landfill waste at Big Ponderoo; 43% reduction at Sisters Folk Festival.
Farm to Warm Springs Project
Organization: Around the Bend Farms
Project Description: Around the Bend Farms incorporated a cooling box to increase the longevity of the produce it delivers to recipients at Warm Springs Reservation through the VeggieRX grant administered by the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance.
Impact: Around 450 pounds of food spoilage prevented, feeding an estimated 60-100 people.
Increase your water intake!
Organization: High Desert ESD and Juntos Aprendemos
Project Description: High Desert Education Service District (ESD) provided Juntos Aprendemos summer program participants with reusable water bottles. Juntos Aprendemos, which serves families with children who are 3-5 years of age, reduced the amount of plastic bottles purchased for approximately 65 families over 8 summer programs within Bend, Redmond, Madras and Sisters.
Impact: Nearly 500 single-use water bottles avoided. 65 families received reusable water bottles.
Rubbish Renewed Walk our Talk Zero Waste Event Program
Organization: Rubbish Renewed
Project Description: Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show expanded their successful Walk our Talk Program, a self-contained, reusable system for 600. The lendable system is modeled in a one night event saving thousands of disposable service ware from the landfill, and changing mindsets for a lifetime. Volunteers run the program with information to inspire use and replication of this lendable system for other events. It provides service/sorting/waste reduction ware, signage, educational materials and guide to create and promote a successful zero waste event, including partnering with: local garbage service; event venue host; food and beverage vendors; with clear signage and volunteer roles for facilitation.
Impact: Over 1,950 single-use items avoided, and over 1,700 people reached.
Reusable Lending Ecosystem
Organization: Bicycles Rides Northwest (BRNW)
Project Description: Bicycle Rides Northwest (BRNW) established a large-scale reusable mealware inventory that BRNW owns, manages and stores, including 400+ plates, bowls, cups and utensils. BRNW provides their mealware inventory and event equipment rentals through their Sustainable Event Equipment Library (SEEL) program to established organizations and events on a case-by-case basis.
Impact: 60,000 single-use items (plates, bowls, cups, spoons, silverware) avoided.
Recycling Initiative at Bethlehem Inn
Organization: Bethlehem Inn
Project Description: Bethlehem Inn is implementing a robust recycling program at their Bend and Redmond locations. The program will help expand their recycling from cardboard to a larger assortment of materials and make an impact on the amount of waste generated, with the big picture goal to have an environmentally friendly campus.
Impact: Project implementation still underway
Expanding Liquids in Bulk at Locavore
Organization: Central Oregon Locavore
Project Description: Central Oregon Locavore is expanding their liquid bulk section and eliminate single-use plastics, by building a custom shelving system tailored to their needs. Locavore will use repurposed wood wherever possible in the construction. Locavore will also extend the impact of the project by creating specific educational content regarding single use plastics, their impact on the environment (and how that affects the soils for farmers), and showcasing their bulk refill station that uses repurposed bottles and jars as an alternative. Finally, Locavore will promote refill and reuse to visitors, customers, and the community.
Impact: Project implementation still underway
Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, and would like some support getting your idea off the ground? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund to receive project support and funding! 2025’s first round deadline is April 15, 2025. Learn more and apply at envirocenter.org/community-innovation-fund! Questions? Contact kavi@envirocenter.org
The Community Innovation Fund is a program of The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project in partnership with Deschutes County Solid Waste and the City of Bend, with additional support from Republic Services and Cascade Disposal. The Rethink Waste Project envisions a community that understands the upstream and downstream impacts of using Earth’s resources and makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials. You can see everything the Rethink Waste Project offers on it’s website www.RethinkWasteProject.org.