July Green Drinks
2024-07-11 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This Summer, High Desert Makers is partnering with The Environmental Center, and Open Space Event Studios to bring July Green Drinks done Maker style!
This particular Makers Green Drinks event is designed to give Makers of All Ages, who are dedicated to responsible environmental stewardship, a place to show and tell (and sell) what you make and why. There are creators of all ages out there who use materials that promote a circular economy, upcycle waste-stream-diverted materials, and re-imagine uses for existing materials. Some makers create music, stories, theater, performances, and other art that requires very few material things at all.
REGISTER HERE!

Repair Café at SCP Redmond
2024-07-17 17:30 - 19:30 | SCP Redmond, 521 Southwest 6th Street, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
Join us for Repair Café with host SCP Redmond Hotel! Please RSVP here to let us know if you plan to join us!
Got a broken something? Bring it to one of our Repair Cafés!
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project coordinates with an amazing group of volunteer fixers to host Repair Cafés every few months. These free events connect people with broken stuff to people who like to fix stuff – they’re all about repairing things (together). Stuff like, jewelry, small appliances and electronics, outdoor gear, clothing, and more.
Repair Cafés are held around the world! Repairing with other people saves natural resources, prevents waste, and cultivates community. The term Repair Café was established by Martine Postma, who coordinated the very first Repair Café in Amsterdam, on October 18, 2009. Learn more at www.repaircafe.org

Designing a Plastic-Free Future with Regenerative Materials
2024-07-18 14:00 - 15:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The urgency of our plastic pollution crisis requires a substantial shift in the way products are designed, manufactured, used, and recirculated. From textiles and food containers to sachets and protective shipping packaging, plastic continues to dominate across industries and persist, polluting people and the planet at every stage of its existence. As we create a more circular economy, what exciting bio-based feedstocks and technologies are emerging to help transition away from fossil-based inputs? Can nature-based solutions both be regenerative and scalable?

Community Innovation Fund - Info Session (Virtual)
2024-07-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Event
Virtual Event (Zoom link shared prior to meeting)
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project is accepting applications for the last round of the 2024 Community Innovation Fund (CIF)! This program provides up to $5,000 per awarded project to implement waste reduction, reuse, recycle, and compost projects throughout Deschutes County. If you’re interested in learning more about the application process and what kind of projects can qualify, come join us for this Info Session to learn more and have your questions answered.
REGISTER HERE!

BPRD Summer Community Celebration
2024-07-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Big Sky Park, Neff Road, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Come visit The Environmental Center’s booth!
Enjoy fun, interactive activities provided by Bend Park and Recreation District as well as other community organizations. There will be music, entertainment, treats and much more to contribute to an evening of summer fun! Spanish-speaking staff on site.

Drop it, Swap it - FREE Reduce and Reuse Event 2024
2024-09-28 09:00 - 14:00 | Deschutes County Road Department Parking Lot, Southeast 27th Street, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
Drop it Swap it is an event where people bring small, portable items that are clean and in good working condition, which they no longer want or need. Items are dropped off early, categorized, and then displayed on swap tables where participants can browse and find something new to take home. These Free Swaps are a fantastic way to give new life to items, reduce waste, and prevent things from ending up in the landfill. Additionally, the event fosters a strong sense of community, offering residents a chance to meet and connect with like-minded individuals.
Date : September 28, 2024
Time : Drop it! 9am -10:30am
Swap it! 12pm- 2pm
Location : Deschutes County Road Department Parking Lot
61150 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR 97702
Why Participate?
This event isn’t just about finding something new – it’s about making a difference. By participating in Drop It, Swap It, you’re helping to keep perfectly good items out of the landfill and giving them a second life. It’s a fun, eco-friendly way to de-clutter your home and discover hidden treasures from others in our community!
How It Works:

Drop It: Bring your unwanted, portable items to the event from 9-10:30am at the Deschutes County Roads Department. Items will be sorted by category to make browsing easy.
Swap It: Once the items are set up, the swap begins, 12-2pm! Browse the tables, find items that catch your eye, and take them home- all for free!

Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry
2024-11-09 11:00 - 15:00 | Deschutes County Fair & Expo, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States
The 9th Annual Central Oregon ​​​Fill Your Pantry is a community bulk buying farmers market created so YOU can fill up your pantry, freezer, and root cellar full of great local products for the winter. Say bye-bye to busy holiday lines and produce that has traveled farther than you during holiday vacations, and say hello to a cupboard full of local meat, grains, vegetables, ferments, and more.
The Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry will allow you to stock up on items like potatoes, onions, leeks, beets, winter squash, garlic, honey, flours, apples, pears, dried beans, krauts, baked goods, and more.
This is a bulk focused farmers market, so bring your muscles! Farmers, ranchers, orchardists, and producers will be selling large quantities of items. For example, 20lb bags of onions, 50lb bags of potatoes, 25lb ground beef boxes, etc. This is a great opportunity for vendors to move product before the harsh Central Oregon winter and a great opportunity for YOU to save money and eat well all winter long.

Sorting Truth from Trash: A November Green Drinks on America Recycles Day.
2024-11-15 16:00 - 18:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
In light of recent coverage of some of the deceptive practices behind “advanced plastics recycling” and plastics recycling in general, join the Rethink Waste Project and local expert panelists for Sorting Truth from Trash: The Realities of Recycling on America Recycles Day.
We’ll show a short film and presentation, then take a deep dive into your questions about recycling, while covering why it’s important we move the conversation from recycling towards reduce and reuse wherever possible. Come grab a drink, a bite, and meet others at this informative happy hour.
This free event is now sold out, but you can still sign up for the waiting list!

Repair Café with Deschutes Public Library in Redmond
2024-11-20 17:30 - 19:30 | Redmond Proficiency Academy, 657 SW Glacier Ave #2710, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States

Repair Café at The Gear Fix
2025-01-27 17:30 - 19:30 | The Gear Fix, 550 Industrial Way, Suite 183, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
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Trash-fashion Maker-Mentor workshop:
2025-02-28 08:00 - 17:00 | 375 SW Powerhouse Dr Suite 100, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Rubbish Renewed presents free Trash Fashion DESIGN WORKSHOPS in collaboration with DIYcave.
• How can I create something from nothing?
• What is the value of trash beyond the landfill?
• What is its story?
Sign up for one of the first ever Rubbish Renewed free community design workshops! Rubbish Renewed is partnering with DIYcave to inspire and support new and burgeoning trash fashion designers of all ages. We created two 2-hour workshops to help jump-start your vision with an additional 1-hour free studio time gift card from DIYcave. Space is limited to 12 participants for each workshop. Several dedicated designers, material manipulators, and technical teachers will be on hand to meet you where you are in the process. Come with garment ideas, material samples, and an open mind!
Design Workshop 2: Friday, March 7th 4-6pm. Sign-up by visiting the Applications tab at rubbishrenewed.org or DIYcave.com

Kids’ Entrepreneur Spring Market
2025-03-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The Kids’ Entrepreneur Market is an entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market, for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services, all while considering the protection of our beloved planet.

Community Innovation Fund - March Info Session
2025-03-18 15:00 - 16:00 | The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR, 97703
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project is accepting applications for the first round of the 2025 Community Innovation Fund (CIF)! CIF provides up to $5,000 for any projects that reduce waste in Deschutes County. If you’re interested in learning more about the application process and what kind of projects can qualify, come join us for this Info Session to learn more and have your questions answered.
Please note: This is an optional Info Session, and is not required to apply for the CIF. We recommend browsing past projects on the CIF Projects Showcase to see the wide array of projects we’ve funded.
Please RSVP for this event!

Repair Café w/ Deschutes Public Library
2025-06-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave, Redmond, OR, 97756, United States

Repair Café with COCC Redmond
2025-11-13 17:00 - 19:00 | COCC Redmond, 2324 NE College Lp, Redmond, OR, 97756 , United States

What's Recyclable Anyway? (and what the heck is the RMA?)
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:30
Event: What’s recyclable anyway? (and what the heck is the RMA?)
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 18th 6-7:30pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Did you know our consumption accounts for half of our emissions? Did you hear that Knott Landfill is close to full? Have you heard contradictory things about recycling and whether it matters?
This July, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a sweeping bill that modernizes Oregon’s recycling infrastructure, and makes producers responsible for their packaging (see our blog post for more information). Do you have questions about what has changed or what is about to change? Or maybe, are you skeptical that these changes will have any meaningful impact?
At our 4th annual America Recycles Day event, come get answers to all these questions and more by a panel of experts.
A big thanks to our panelists!
Panel:
Colin Teem, Materials Management – Eastern Region Specialist, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Rachel VanWoert, RMA Technical Assistant, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Susan Baker, Diversion and Franchise Services Manager, Deschutes County Solid Waste
Moderator: Kavi Chokshi, Rethink Waste Program Manager, The Environmental Center
Questions? Email kavi@envirocenter.org

Questions? Email kavi@envirocenter.org

Repair Cafe with School of Ranch & Open Space
2026-04-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
