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A Project of The Environmental Center
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Rethink Waste

Tools and resources to reduce waste at home or work!

Blog

Meet Kavi, Our Rethink Waste Project Coordinator!

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Recycling Information

Recycle Right!

Wasted Food and Composting

Learn More on Organics

The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project (RWP) envisions a community that makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials.

We provide education and engagement opportunities, including web and print resources, community events and presentations, advertising, technical assistance and more! Our goal is to empower Deschutes County residents, visitors, and businesses to prevent waste and then recover as much as possible through individual behavior changes as well as systems changes.

WHAT WE OFFER

Applications are OPEN for the Community Innovation Fund!

Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your neighborhood, workplace, school, your favorite park or restaurant, or other community space, but aren’t sure how to get started? Apply for the Rethink Waste Community Innovation Fund!

Rethink Waste will be hosting information sessions on Feb. 7th, May 9th, and Aug. 8th, from 1-2pm to answer questions prior to each quarter’s application deadline.

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Make Your Next Event GREEN by Borrowing Reusable Dishware (it's FREE!)

Planning a gathering, meeting, or event for your family or community group? We can help you make it sustainable!

The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Program (RWP) offers durable dishware kits in an effort to encourage the community to make the switch from disposables to reusables. Check out the link below to request reusable dishware kits for FREE!

Reusables Rental Request

Schedule a Rethink Waste Presentation or Training

Interested in scheduling a free Rethink Waste presentation or training about waste prevention including food waste reduction, recycling right, best reduce practices for your workplace, current events, or more? Virtual presentations are available! Please contact for more information.

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Waste prevention and reduction education for Deschutes County residents.

The Rethink Waste Project provides the tools and resources you need to help you reduce waste – and rethink the way you think about waste. From learning easy ways to reduce waste at home, such as composting and simple non-toxic alternatives, to paying attention to your purchasing habits and understanding what it means to buy local, we can all take steps towards the same goal: reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink.

In partnership with:

Deschutes County
Republic Services
Cascade Disposal

Meet Kavi, Our Rethink Waste Project Coordinator!

February 10, 2023

Welcome, Kavi! We are excited to have Kavi Chokshi, pronounced kuh-vee, like a covey of quails, (he/him) join The Environmental Center as the very first Program Coordinator for the Rethink Waste Project. Kavi will be working part-time in that role, while also working on starting Kavi’s Chai. Previously, Kavi worked for Central Oregon LandWatch, and comes with […]

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We’re Celebrating 10 Years of Repair Café!

January 13, 2023

In 2013, we hosted the first Repair Cafés here in Central Oregon. Have you ever been to one of our Repair Cafés? Repair Cafés are held all around the world, and connect people with broken stuff to people who like to fix stuff. Repairing with other people saves natural resources, prevents waste, and cultivates community. […]

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FIND A RECYCLER OR REUSER

GET STARTED

Not sure what to do with items that aren't collected curbside? Think before you throw anything away. Use the search boxes below to find local businesses that reuse and recycle a wide variety of stuff.

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Rethink Waste Events

Apr 04

Happy Hour in the Garden

April 4 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Environmental Center
Apr 18

Happy Hour in the Garden

April 18 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Apr 26

Spring Repair Café at OSU-Cascades in Bend

April 26 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
OSU Cascades

View More…


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