Community Innovation Fund (CIF) Projects

Since it's inception in 2020, the Rethink Waste Project's Community Innovation Fund has awarded more than $88K to 35 projects that reduce waste in Deschutes County.

Thanks to support from our partners – Deschutes County Solid Waste, Visit Central Oregon, City of Bend, Cascade Disposal, and Republic Services – CIF can now fund up to $5K per project with multiple award rounds each year. Applications are now open for the 2024 funding cycle!

Browse through the projects below to see the wide-range of applicants, ideas, and impacts. You can filter with the options below, or click a project for more details.

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Soul, Community, Planet, Compost

SCP (Soul, Community, Planet) Hotel
A variety of compost and food waste bins

SCP (Soul, Community, Planet) Hotel in Redmond implemented an on-site composting program.

2020
cost-under-500material-foodprogress-complete

Eat-in with Reusables at Taco Del Mar

Taco Del Mar: Bend and Redmond
A tray of food featuring chips and salsa and mexican food in a ceramic reusable bowl

Taco Del Mar in Bend and Remond replaced single-use disposable foodware and utensils with reusables for all eat-in diners.

2020
cost-500-2kmaterial-plasticprogress-complete

Rethink Your Drink

Sunriver Owners Association
Reusable ceramic coffee mug, in front of a Rethink Your Drink sign, next to self-serve coffee airpots

Sunriver Owners Association implemented a “Rethink your Drink” campaign, eliminating all single-use styrofoam coffee cups and offering only re-usable ceramic mugs for coffee, eliminating 18,250 styrofoam cups per year and raising awareness for simple sustainable choices in daily life.

2020
cost-500-2kmaterial-plasticprogress-complete

Reusable Bag Program for Meals on Wheels

Council on Aging of Central Oregon
reusable vinyl tote bag with council on aging of central oregon logo

Council on Aging of Central Oregon implemented reusable bags for their Meals on Wheels community-based food delivery program for aging adults, saving up to 525 pounds of plastic bag waste per month!

2020
cost-500-2kmaterial-plasticprogress-complete
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