(Photo courtesy of The Environmental Center)
The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project shares the eight creative community-led waste-reduction projects funded through its Community Innovation Fund in 2024! Applications now open through April 15.
The Community Innovation Fund (CIF) offers up to $5,000 to individuals, groups, and businesses for ideas that reduce waste in their neighborhood, workplace, school, favorite park, restaurant, or other community space. The goal of the fund is to help bring waste-reduction ideas to life in our community!
Thanks to Deschutes County Solid Waste, City of Bend, and Visit Central Oregon, CIF awarded $32,974.51 to eight unique projects across Deschutes County in 2024.
|
Organization |
Project Name |
Impact |
| High Desert Food and Farm Alliance |
Reusable Bags for Fresh Harvest Kits |
2,640 single-use bags avoided. |
|
SFF Presents |
Towards Zero Waste Initiative |
53% reduction in landfill waste at Big Ponderoo; 43% reduction at Sisters Folk Festival. |
|
Around the Bend Farms |
Farm to Warm Springs Project |
450 pounds of food spoilage prevented, feeding an estimated 60-100 people. |
|
High Desert ESD + Juntos Aprendemos |
Increase your water intake! |
Nearly 500 single-use water bottles avoided. 65 families received reusable water bottles. |
|
Rubbish Renewed |
Walk our Talk Zero Waste Event Program | Over 1,950 single-use items avoided, and over 1,700 people reached. |
|
Bicycle Rides Northwest |
Reusable Lending Ecosystem |
60,000 single-use items (plates, bowls, cups, spoons, silverware) avoided. |
| Bethlehem Inn | A Robust Recycling Initiative | Project implementation underway. |
| Central Oregon Locavore | More Liquids in Bulk at Locavore | Project implementation underway. |
You can learn more about the projects and see photos on the blog post: Eight Creative Community Endeavors in 2024.
$46,500 is available in 2025, and all who are interested are encouraged to apply.
Applications are now open through April 15.
About The Environmental Center:
The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. As a regional place for environmental education, engagement, and action, we are leaders in shaping a healthy future for people and the planet. Our programs and advocacy efforts focus on building community connections, educating students, revolutionizing energy, and rethinking waste.
