Five organizations / businesses have won a grant from The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Community Grants Program to support waste reduction efforts. Out of 30 compelling applications, there were three winning projects tackling single-use disposables, one working on diversion of wasted food and one that addresses recycling contamination.
Funded projects include:
- Council on Aging of Central Oregon — to implement reusable bags for their Meals on Wheels community-based food delivery program for aging adults across Central Oregon
- Central Oregon Community College — to design and install signage across campus for consistent and accurate education that addresses recycling contamination and encourages increased diversion of recyclables from the landfill
- SCP (Soul, Community, Planet) Hotel in Redmond — to help implement an on-site composting program
- Taco Del Mar: Bend and Redmond — to replace single-use disposable food-ware and utensils with reusables for eat-in diners
- Sunriver Owner’s Association — to replace Styrofoam single-use coffee cups with reusable coffee mugs in their Sunriver SHARC Bite café
Another round of Rethink Waste community grant applications will open fall of 2020.
The Rethink Waste Project, a program of The Environmental Center, provides waste prevention and reduction education for Deschutes County residents, businesses and organizations through a partnership with Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste and local garbage and recycling service providers. They offer free presentations around waste reduction, recycling, food waste prevention and more.
