Rethink Waste Announces 2022 Community Innovation Fund Recipients

The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project is thrilled to showcase the recipients of the 2022 Community Innovation Fund (CIF)! CIF is a funding program that supports individuals, businesses, and community organizations throughout Deschutes County advance projects that aim to reduce waste right here in Central Oregon.

Fields Farm & Spider City Brewing will initiate a brewery waste diversion program. As part of this project, they will capture trub, waste hop matter, (that’s typically washed down the drain) at Spider City Brewing and deliver to Fields Farms to be used as an ingredient in the compost pile or used directly as a mulch. 

Reuse All Detritus (RAD), Central Oregon-based upcycling business, will expand its list of acceptable materials. As part of this project,they will purchase a brand new Ashford Country Spinner 2 loom which will allow them to spin up to 1” diameter rope out of plastic bags! Check out RAD LLC on Instagram @rad_llc or on their website www.radllc.org.

Latino Community Association (LCA) will initiate a reusable dishware program at their facility. LCA, inspired by the reusable dishware system at The Environmental Center, will purchase their own reusable dishware set for LCA events and for individuals to check out from the community center.

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) will expand recycling station education. COCC will develop and install permanent waste sorting signage outside of the Wickiup Residence Hall, and develop and implement portable sorting signage for indoor and outdoor events around the residence hall.

Deschutes Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) Skills Lab will develop a comprehensive food composting system as part of a classroom garden and eco-literacy program for the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Congratulations to these businesses and organizations, and keep up the great work!

The Community Innovation Fund is a program of The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project in partnership with Deschutes County Solid Waste with support from Republic Services and Cascade Disposal. The Rethink Waste Project envisions a community that understands the upstream and downstream impacts of using Earth’s resources and makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials.