Gestión de materiales y residuos
Una gestión eficaz de los residuos y los materiales es fundamental para reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y promover un sistema más sostenible en el que los materiales y los productos se reutilicen, reparen, reacondicionen, refabriquen, reciclen y conviertan en abono.
Los materiales son fundamentales para nuestra economía, nuestro medio ambiente y nuestras comunidades. Todo lo que compramos o utilizamos pasa por la extracción de recursos naturales, la fabricación de productos, su transporte, su uso y, finalmente, su reciclaje, compostaje o eliminación.
Preventing waste has a greater positive impact than recycling or composting because it reduces the need for more resources, energy use and emissions associated with transportation, extraction and production. Reducing how much we consume and improving waste management are crucial for addressing climate change. To reduce our impact from materials and waste, the city is prioritizing work to reduce edible food waste, expand composting programs, implement construction and demolition material recycling programs, encourage repair and reuse, and promote the use of low-carbon concrete.
Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero procedentes de materiales y residuos
The 2021 Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory reported that waste-related emissions make up a small but critical portion of Bend’s total emissions profile. While local emissions from waste management account 2% of Bend’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental impact of materials extends far beyond what is thrown away. Imported emissions (generated during the production and transportation of goods, food, and packaging) contribute significantly to the city’s carbon footprint. In fact, the emissions from what we consume (1.2 million MT CO2e) are nearly equal the total emissions from local energy use in vehicles, homes, and buildings in our community (1.3 million MT CO2e).
Emisiones locales de gases de efecto invernadero de Bend en 2021 (izquierda) y emisiones locales e importadas de gases de efecto invernadero (derecha)
Between 2016 and 2021, Bend’s waste-related emissions remained relatively stable at about 2% of total local emissions, but imported emissions from consumption increased significantly, by 10%. Methane emissions from landfills remain a concern, emphasizing the need for increased composting and waste reduction efforts. Expanding recycling and compost programs, along with reducing material consumption, are key strategies to cutting emissions and supporting a circular economy.
Comparación del inventario de gases de efecto invernadero de 2016
Qué está haciendo la ciudad
In 2018, Bend’s waste companies—Republic Services (then Bend Garbage), and Cascade Disposal—started allowing all food waste to be put in the organics bin for curbside compost collection. Before this, only plant-based food waste was accepted. This change has made it much easier for residents to compost and has reduced confusion about what can be composted, decreasing the amount of food waste being sent to the landfill. Both waste companies promote the food scraps collection program through their websites and occasional mailers. Food waste is a significant contributor to methane emissions in landfills, and increasing composting efforts plays a crucial role in reducing Bend’s waste-related emissions. Deschutes County is happy to help you or your business start composting.
Republic Services:
Eliminación en cascada:
In 2023, the City supported an expansion of the Community Innovation Fund, a local grant program that empowers residents and businesses to develop creative waste reduction solutions. This program provides grants of up to $5,000 for projects that promote waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting throughout Deschutes County. The City allocated approximately $42,000 for both project support and administration, prioritizing initiatives that target food waste reduction and multifamily recycling—key strategies in the Community Climate Action Plan. The Community Innovation Fund is part of the Rethink Waste Project, a program of the Environmental Center.
The city also launched its own grant program in 2025 called the Climate Action Partner Grant Program, to support local non-profit organizations, government agencies, and higher education institutions implementing climate solutions.
The Oregon Recycling Modernization Act, passed in 2021 and officially adopted in 2025, is transforming the state’s recycling system. It makes it easier for people to recycle, expands access to recycling services, upgrades sorting facilities, and reduces environmental damage. The Act also created a new way to fund recycling: It requires producers and manufacturers of packaging, paper, and food service items to help pay for waste management costs.
For Bend, the Recycling Modernization Act requires improvements to waste prevention, waste reduction education, and recycling infrastructure expansion, aligning directly with the City’s CCAP goals. Bend is proactively working to update its waste programs to comply with the new regulations, accelerating progress on CCAP strategies.
To reduce waste, everyone in Bend is encouraged to embrace reusing, recycling, composting, and most importantly, reducing consumption. As the population grows, tracking waste generation helps guide meaningful solutions.
En 2021, cada habitante de Bend envió un promedio de 2.165 libras de residuos al vertedero al año.
To help drive this number down, Cascade Disposal and Republic Services launched RecyclePlus, a new doorstep recycling service to collect recyclable items that cannot go in the blue commingled recycle cart (i.e., batteries, light bulbs, textiles, plastic film, Styrofoam/block foam and plastic clamshell). This program keeps more materials out of the landfill, supporting Bend’s waste reduction goals. However, challenges remain—in 2021, Bend’s recycling diversion rate was 29%, a decrease from 33% in 2020. There is room for improvement, and the City continues to develop policies and programs to enhance recycling participation and effectiveness.
Lo que puedes hacer
Para todo lo relacionado con los residuos, Rethink Waste (un programa del Centro Medioambiental) es el recurso de referencia en Bend. Echa un vistazo a su Guía Rethink Waste para obtener información detallada sobre la prevención de residuos, el reciclaje y el compostaje.
Follow Deschutes County’s Waste Prevention tips:
- Planifica antes de comprar: Compra solo lo que necesites y elige productos de alta calidad y duraderos.
- Reducir el desperdicio de alimentos: Utiliza una cesta con el letrero «Consumir primero» en la nevera, planifica las comidas, guarda los alimentos correctamente y haz compost con los restos.
- Opta por productos reutilizables: utiliza botellas de agua reutilizables, tazas de café, servilletas de tela y bolsas de la compra.
- Pedir prestado, alquilar o compartir: Aprovecha las bibliotecas locales, los programas de préstamo de herramientas y los intercambios comunitarios para reducir las compras nuevas.
- Repara los objetos en lugar de tirarlos: Aprovecha los Repair Cafés gratuitos o aprende a hacer reparaciones tú mismo. Comprueba si las marcas de ropa que compras ofrecen opciones de reparación o reventa.
- Compra artículos de segunda mano: apoya a las tiendas de segunda mano, los mercados de reventa en línea y los programas de intercambio comunitarios.
- Dona o intercambia artículos: dona ropa, muebles y artículos para el hogar a organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro locales o a grupos de intercambio.
- Composta los residuos orgánicos: Utiliza el programa de recogida de residuos orgánicos en la acera de Bend para los restos de comida y los residuos de jardín.
- Sepa qué se puede reciclar: Sigue las normas locales de reciclaje para evitar que el sistema se contamine.
- Use RecycleOn Centers: Discover free and convenient drop-off locations that accept items that are not accepted in recycling bins at home or work.
- Utilice RecyclePlus (Cascade Disposal o Republic Services) para los artículos difíciles de reciclar: Deshazte de forma adecuada de artículos como pilas, poliestireno y aparatos electrónicos.
- Deseche los residuos peligrosos de forma segura: lleve materiales como pintura, aceite de motor y productos químicos a los puntos de recogida designados.
The holidays produce significant amounts of waste. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, U.S. household waste jumps by 25%, adding 1 million extra tons to landfills. This year, let’s rethink our gifts and celebrations to keep waste and emissions down.
Manténgase conectado
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