Rethink Waste Project

a program of The Environmental Center

In Deschutes County our recycling rate is on an upward trend, but so is the total amount of waste we produce. We are in a time when we need to Rethink Waste – what we view as waste, how we can prevent it, and what we can do with it.

We’ve gathered all the local tools and resources you need on the Rethink Waste Project website, Deschutes County’s one stop shop for all things related to waste, recycling and composting. You’ll find ideas, tips and resources to help you reduce your waste, reuse what’s possible, and recycle and compost the rest.

Community Landfill Tour

September 26th, 9:00am at Knott Landfill
Did you know the Knott Landfill is 110 feet deep? Have you seen the methane flare? Do you know how long it takes a head of lettuce to decompose in the landfill? Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of what happens to your trash after it leaves the curb.

Schedule a Rethink Waste Presentation

We are available to come present to your workplace, community group, club, or civic organization. We’ll tailor our presentation to the interests and time frame of your group, and cover any and all aspects of waste prevention and reduction, or managing materials through recycling or composting locally! To schedule a presentation, please email Ani or call 541-385-6908 x26.

Repair Cafes

Repair Cafes are FREE events that bring together people with broken stuff and volunteer “fixers.” Repairing instead of replacing helps keep items out of the landfill! Bring your clothes, gear, electronics, small appliances, small furniture and household goods. Upcoming events are scheduled for:

October 21st, 5:30-7:30pm @ Redmond Library
November 18th, 5:30-7:30pm @ Bend – Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Microplastics: Ani’s maritime adventure, bottles to fabric, and end of life (or afterlife) for plastics.

August 12, 2019

Early last month I had the absolute pleasure of heading north to Seattle and spending 4 days on an incredible floating classroom called the Schooner Adventuress. I was invited back after 6 years of absence to participate in a particularly dear-to-my-heart program called Girls at the Helm. Onboard were: 18 girl participants between 7th and […]

FAQs from Talkin’ Trash: July’s City Club Forum

August 7, 2019

In the middle of July, the Rethink Waste Project was invited to come present at the monthly City Club Forum. Our own Denise Rowcroft did an amazing job talking all about waste reduction, recycling correctly, and the impacts that our consumption has on the earth. She spoke alongside Timm Schimke, Deschutes County’s Director of Solid […]

Why Less Matters

January 28, 2019

Explore how the stuff we buy, use and get rid of everyday, is impacting our world. From furniture to food, our purchasing decisions and behaviors are where we have the most impact, both positively and negatively. We all know the 3 R’s: Reduce Reuse and Recycle, but while most people focus on the 3rd R, […]

Residential Composting Pilot in Bend

October 29, 2018

Last week, Bend Garbage & Recycling and Cascade Disposal announced that they’ll be introducing a residential food waste pilot program to some areas in Bend. About 300 households from each company will participate in the pilot, which allows customers to put more food in their standard yard debris bins for curbside collection and composting. (Raw […]

Learn More

For more information about this program, email Ani Kasch or call 541-385-6908 x26.

Thank you to our Rethink Waste Project Partners.

Programs