(Photo courtesy of Deschutes County)
Events in the county have historically been significant sources of waste, often characterized by inconsistent signage, similar-colored bins and limited instructions, leading to high contamination rates. Events that offered both recycling and trash collection often found bins contaminated with a mixture of recyclables and waste, resulting in increased costs for organizers and materials unable to be recycled. EventCycle Solutions provides event organizers with the essential infrastructure to increase recycling recovery and diversion rates and reduce landfill waste.
Supported by the Bend Sustainability Fund, a Visit Bend Project, this initiative enabled Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste to purchase portable waste stations specific to event organizers, offering a sustainable long-term waste reduction solution. These portable stations are color-coded with clear signage to assist attendees in separating redeemable bottles and cans from the waste stream. Transparent bags allow attendees to see the contents of each bin, helping to minimize contamination.
In partnership with Lay It Out Events(LIOE), the county piloted this system at the Alpenglow Nights concerts. Waste stations were placed throughout the park and collected materials were put in containers provided by waste haulers. Throughout the concert season, LIOE achieved increased diversion rates and cost savings, and reduced the number of bins needed from waste haulers. Continued usage of this system yielded a diversion rate of approximately 30%. Julia Gilley, event director, stated, “The simplicity of this system streamlines waste management and is far more cost-effective than previous systems.”
Bend Parks and Recreation’s Events Specialist Daniela Ahmed shared the Waste Reduction Guide with organizers using parks for events, thereby expanding program reach. Organizers of events such as Art in the High Desert, Bend Summer Pride and NatureConnect Fest found the system both easy to use and effective for waste stream separation. As these stations are used countywide, their impact continues to grow and may include additional materials collected for diversion.
Susan Robbertson, from General Duffy’s, observed the effectiveness of EventCycle bins at the Deschutes County Fair and saw them as a solution for the Summer Kicking Concert Series. Waste stations were utilized for the final four concerts, with staff reporting enhanced efficiency in sorting bottles and cans. Plans are underway to invest in a similar system for year-round use at General Duffy’s.
The EventCycle Solutions free loan program standardizes event recycling across the county, making recycling intuitive and enhancing resource recovery. Nonprofits also benefit significantly, redeeming bottles and cans, raising over $4,000 to date from materials that would have otherwise been wasted. If you are interested in using EventCycle Solutions, visit Deschutes County EventCycle Solutions web page.
