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Zero Waste Guide - Bend & Central Oregon

Whether you live in the city or in the woods, from coops to apothecaries, you'll find many opportunities to reduce your impact on the planet.

· 8 min read
Zero Waste Guide - Bend & Central Oregon

So I moved to Central Oregon in 2020 (remember the last page of my quaranzine?!).

It all happened really fast, our landlords gave us notice because they were planning on selling the house we were renting, there wasn't anything interesting to rent in the city, and we had been considering moving to a rural area for a while, so when the perfect tree house popped up on Craigslist, we jumped on the opportunity (though I was convinced it was a scam).

A couple of days later, we took a trip south to visit the house and meet the landlord (turned out he wasn't a scammer) and three weeks later we were moving to Central Oregon!

You know me, it didn't take me long to research everything Zero Waste related in the area.And though it will take forever for me to be able to visit any shops that are not my local grocery store, I thought I'd still put together a little Zero Waste Central Oregon guide, because Zero Waste is not dead, bringing reusables is safe and even though we might have taken a step back during the pandemic, Zero Waste is here to stay!

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Last updated: January 2026: This guide reflects what’s possible when community, care, and intention meet. If you have updates, additions, or corrections — especially small, local, or under-the-radar resources — I warmly invite you to share them in the comments. Zero waste isn’t about perfection; it’s about learning together.

The Zero Waste Central Oregon Map, also available in full page.

Above is a map of businesses, organizations, and markets in Central Oregon that support a zero waste lifestyle.

I've created various layers so that the map is not overcrowded.

You can show them by clicking on the arrow on the top left of the map and selecting the ones you're interested in seeing.

Then click on each of the locations to learn more about which products they sell in bulk, which items they accept for donation, or what can be recycled there.

And below, you will find Conscious by Chloé's Ultimate Zero Waste Guide to Central Oregon!

Zero Waste Community Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

1. Join the Zero Waste Community!

  • Join the Zero Waste Bend Community on Facebook.
  • Join the Zero Waste Sisters Community on Facebook.
Zero Waste Essentials Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

2. Zero Waste Essentials made locally

Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

3. Buy in Bulk

Is this your first bulk shopping trip? Check out this Shopping in Bulk 101 Guide. And keep your eyes peeled for refillable beer bottles.

Bend

Redmond

Tumalo

Sisters

Thrift Stores Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

4. Shop Second Hand/Donate

The most sustainable way to shop is to not shop, but if you really need something, second-hand is an earth-friendly option (according to the amazing Buyerarchy of Needs).

Bend

Redmond

Sisters

Tumalo

Renovate Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

5. Repair / Renovate

Make it last! I recently discovered my passion for darning socks, but sometimes, you need to let a professional do the work.

Bend

Sisters

  • Miss Sew-It-All - Sewing & alterations
  • Resharp - Sharpening services at Sisters Ace Hardware

Don't forget to check out the schedule of Repair Cafés in Central Oregon.

Recycling Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

6. Recycling / Composting

Check out your local recycling (and composting) curbside services. Other items can be diverted from the landfill through the following organizations. Or you can also find a recycler or reuser, and find a PaintCare drop-off location.

Bend

Sisters

  • Sisters Recycle Center (328 Sisters Park Dr)
  • Spoons (473 E Hood Ave) - Glasses, hearing aids, and phone collection box
  • The Pony Express - Old cell phones, packing supplies (peanuts, air pillows)
  • Ray's Food Place (635 N Arrowleaf Trail) - Plastic bags collection box
  • Sisters Sheriff Substation (703 N Larch St) - Unwanted or expired medications
  • Summit Health (231 E Cascade Ave) - Glasses collection box
  • Oak Street Neighborhood Compost
  • Habitat Thrift Store (211 E Cascade Ave) - paper bags
  • Habitat ReStore (254 W Adams Ave) - paper bags
  • The Stand (254 E Adams Ave) - Neighborhood Compost, berry baskets, paper bags
Library Sharing Economy Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

7. Sharing Economy

Sharing is caring. And do you really need to buy your own table saw? Check out these free sharing resources and never buy another item you'll only use once.

Gardens

Libraries

Buy Nothing Groups

Post anything you’d like to give away, lend, or share with neighbors — and ask for what you need.

Rental Companies

Skill Learning Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

8. Skill Learning

Learning how to do or make something is really empowering and those skills can then be passed along to friends or future generations!

Bend

Tumalo

Sisters

The Deschutes Library offers access to online classes. Find more activity ideas here.

Green Beauty Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

9. Chemical-Free Self Care

Self-care is so important, but you want to make sure that it is as good for you as it is for the people who provide it and... the planet.

Bend

Sisters

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

10. Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants

Do I really need to tell you how hurtful mass animal exploitation is for the ecosystem?

Check out the map, there are so many great restaurants in town :)

Bend

More earth-friendly spots listed here.

Redmond

Sisters

Green Services Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

11. Green Services

Green Hotel Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

12. Green Lodging

Zero Waste Heroes Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

13. Central Oregon Zero Waste Heroes

Because Central Oregon wouldn't be the green hub it is without these everyday eco-warriors, I wanted to give them a shout-out!

Get Involved Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

Get involved

And volunteer in the many organizations and community stores mentioned above.

More Resources Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

More resources

Podcasts Zero Waste Bend and Central Oregon by Conscious by Chloé

Podcasts

  • Talking Trash with Peggy LaPoint - A Green Tips podcast diving into the world of sustainability by talking to people in business and non-profits, and folks knee-deep in the field of sustainability

And don't miss my other Zero Waste Guides.

I hope you'll find this guide useful. I'll try to keep it updated. Please share your suggestions in the comments below.

This post is not sponsored but contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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