How You Can Help
Everyone can make a difference. A simple change in your everyday life can reduce waste and save water and energy.
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Energy
- Choose a smaller home with efficient features that require less energy to heat and cool.
- Buy energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and appliances to save both money and energy.
- Consider an all-electric heat pump when replacing your heating or cooling system for improved efficiency.
- Upgrade to an ultra-efficient insulated electric water heater when replacing your hot water system.
- Purchase Energy Star-rated electronics and appliances to maximize efficiency and savings:
- If Central Electric Cooperative is your utility provider, explore their residential energy efficiency incentives:
- If you are a Pacific Power or Cascade Natural Gas customer, check out Energy Trust of Oregon’s incentives, financing options, and efficiency programs:
- Renters can also benefit from energy efficiency programs – learn about ways to reduce energy use in apartments and rental homes:
- If you live in Pacific Power territory, enroll in the Blue Sky Program to purchase renewable energy credits and offset your electricity use:
- Subscribe to a community solar project for potential savings on your electricity bill.
If your electric utility is Central Electric Cooperative, learn about their renewable energy programs and incentives. - Explore solar energy options for your home or business:
- Use smart home technology like programmable thermostats and energy-efficient lighting.
- Weatherize your home by sealing air leaks, upgrading insulation, and installing energy-efficient windows.
Transportation
- Learn about different transportation options with Commute Options:
- Plan your trip with Cascades East Transit and check out the TransitApp:
- Download the Veo app to take advantage of the City’s bike share program:
- Share the ride with Get There Oregon:
- Visit Bend Bikes Road Maps to see various paths and biking streets in the City of Bend:
- Offset your travel by purchasing air travel offsets from Cool Effect:
- Learn how you can save money through the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program for new and used vehicles:
- Learn about incentives and resources available from Pacific Power:
Materials and Waste Management
- Plan before you buy: Purchase only what you need and choose high-quality, long-lasting products.
- Reduce food waste: Use an “Eat First” basket in your fridge, plan meals, store food properly, and compost scraps.
- Opt for reusable products: Use refillable water bottles, coffee cups, cloth napkins, and shopping bags.
- Borrow, rent, or share: Use local libraries, tool lending programs, and community swaps to reduce new purchases.
- Fix items instead of tossing them: Take advantage of free Repair Cafés or learn DIY repair skills. Check if your clothing brands offer repair or resale options.
- Shop secondhand: Support thrift stores, online resale markets, and community exchange programs.
- Donate or swap items: Give away clothing, furniture, and household goods to local nonprofits or swap groups.
- Compost organic waste: Use Bend’s curbside compost program for food scraps and yard waste.
- Know what to recycle: Follow local recycling guidelines to keep contamination out of the system.
- Use RecyclePlus for hard-to-recycle items: Properly dispose of items like batteries, Styrofoam, and electronics.
- Dispose of hazardous waste safely: Take materials like paint, motor oil, and chemicals to designated drop-off locations.
Attend an Environment and Climate Committee Meeting
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Got an idea?
Check out The Environmental Center’s Community Innovation Fund, a grant that supports programs aimed at reducing waste in our neighborhoods, workplace, schools, restaurants, and other community spaces. The program awards grants to individuals, businesses, non-profit and community organizations to support waste reduction, reuse, repair, and sharing projects throughout Deschutes County.