Reuse Deschutes
Learn more at our DISH Kick-Off Virtual Presentation
Come join us for our DISH (Diverse Input on Sustainable Hospitality) Kick-Off on Wednesday, 3/25 from 3-4pm for a presentation from The Story of Stuff!
What's Reuse Deschutes?
Reuse Deschutes is a working title for an initiative to switch Central Oregon's food service sector from single-use serviceware to reusables.
With grant funding from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), City of Bend, and Visit Bend, and support from Deschutes County Solid Waste (DCSW), we are excited to tackle one of the largest sources of single-use waste by modeling reuse in action.
How will it work?
We are working on two separate but connected components:
A reusable container program
Users and businesses get to participate in a program that standardizes reusable containers and the return process, creating a network of eateries similar to a program like Rogue To Go.
- What: Reusable take-out containers
- Who: All food service businesses
- How: Customers can opt-in to the program – for purchase or borrow
Reusables at food cart lots and events
In partnership with Bold Reuse, we're excited to launch a Central Oregon Wash Hub and Reuse System with support from 7 food cart lots and 4 key event organizers and venues.
- What: Reusable dishware + cups
- Who: Food cart lots, events, and hospitality businesses without access to dishwashing
- How: Businesses make the switch
More information to come.
You can also see this evolve through two of our previous blog posts:
Interested in participating in either? Email kavi@envirocenter.org
What are the benefits?
Here are a few reasons we’re excited for this project:
Save 250,000+ single-use items a year
Eliminate PFAS, micro-plastics, and contaminants from our food
Businesses save on container cost w/ each meal
Collections & dishwashing – keeps resources within the community
Keep litter and microplastics out of our parks, forests, and waterways
Model sustainability as a visitor destination
Changes systems to help shift culture
How is this funded?
Reuse Deschutes has received three grants:
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Materials Management Grant: $125,000 for a reusable container program and food cart lot pilot
- City of Bend Climate Action Partner Grant Program: $15,000 for composting and a campaign
- Visit Bend – Bend Sustainability Fund: $100,000 for a Central Oregon Wash Hub
In addition, the Rethink Waste Project receives funding from Deschutes County Solid Waste, with additional support from Cascade Disposal and Republic Services.
We're seeking sustainable long-term funding. Want to chat? Email kavi@envirocenter.org.
What's next?
We are kicking-off our Diverse Input on Sustainable Hospitality process with the help of a stakeholder advisory group.
This group includes:
- Community residents and program users
- Restaurants, food carts, and food service businesses
- Equity, accessibility, and underrepresented perspectives
- Deschutes County Solid Waste, Environmental Health, and DEQ
- City staff, Environment Committee, and Beyond Plastics
- Other regional systems, like Rogue To Go, or reuse experts
- Tourism and business associations representatives
- The Environmental Center staff and/or board member(s)
This group will over the course of three meetings between March 25th and April 22nd, help decide the name, process, and containers for the program to help best serve Central Oregon. (While DISH is now full, if you think you can still lend a unique perspective, especially in terms of representing underrepresented community or food service voices, please email kavi@envirocenter.org).
You can learn more about our process in this DISH Overview document.
You can also provide your input by taking one of our surveys:
Want to be involved?
Would you like to be involved with Reuse Deschutes as a volunteer, donor, or sponsor?
Please reach out. Contact Kavi Chokshi at kavi@envirocenter.org.