(Photo by Matt Lasala)
Program Expands in 2017 to Help Reduce Waste for Events Held in the Venue.
The Les Schwab Amphitheater enters its second year of the Take Note Initiative, a program designed to reduce waste and make the amphitheater a more environmentally friendly venue. Take Note, inspired by musician Jack Johnson’s AllatOnce.org sustainability movement, accomplishes this goal through the implementation of reusable and compostable cups, elimination of single-use plastic bottles, a water filtration station and recycling, waste and compost management services. In 2016, the program’s inaugural year, the initiative cut total waste by 50 percent.
“After our success in reaching program goals last year, we are looking forward to making the Take Note Initiative even better for the coming concert season,” said Marney Smith, director for the venue. “We’ve added some more sustainable features and hope to have an even larger positive impact in 2017.”
The Take Note Initiative will expand its reusable cup program this year from beer and cider, adding different size cups to accommodate wine and cocktails. Both the Les Schwab Amphitheater Silipints and Silipint Base cups cost $20 filled with your drink of choice, and those who purchase additional drinks using the Silipint cups will receive $1 off. These Silipints are meant to be used all season long at the venue’s 2017 ticketed concerts. Those who purchased pints during the 2016 season can still use them this season to get the discount.
So far for 2017 Les Schwab has 12 concerts booked. Depending on the concert attendance ranges from 3,000-8,000 people at each company.
Existing program features will continue including no single-use plastic bottles, a water filtration system and additional drinking fountains for patrons to fill a refillable, reusable vessel, compostable glasses, plates and utensils at all food vendors and waste management provided by The Broomsmen, a local group that is committed to promoting zero waste green events throughout our community.
A complete list of upcoming concerts at Les Schwab Amphitheater can be found at www.bendconcerts.com.
Celebrating 16 years of providing Central Oregon with a beautiful outdoor riverfront venue for concerts, festivals, sporting events and more, the Les Schwab Amphitheater is Bend’s premier music venue. Opened in the historic Old Mill District in 2002, the Amphitheater was named in honor of a remarkable Central Oregonian, Les Schwab. The venue accommodates approximately 8,000 patrons for some of the biggest names in entertainment, the Bend Brewfest in August, plus free concerts by local and national performers in the Bend Memorial Clinic Free Summer Sunday Concert Series.
