BRING Rethink Business Program

✅Green Business Tip: What gets flushed can have a major impact on plumbing systems, wastewater infrastructure, and the environment. 🚽🧻

Providing trash cans in restroom stalls and posting clear educational signage helps prevent wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, and other materials from entering sewer systems where they can cause clogs, backups, and costly maintenance issues. Simple restroom upgrades can protect infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and support healthier waterways.

⭐️Certification Highlight: Sunriver Brewing Company - Oakway Pub

Sunriver Brewing Company, a central Oregon-owned craft brewery, earned Innovator-level Rethink Business Certification by strengthening sustainability across its operations. They replaced an outdated steam well with a high-efficiency model, saving approximately 4,921 kWh annually, reducing energy use, lowering operating costs, and cutting emissions by about 0.15 metric tons of CO₂e each year.

Beyond equipment upgrades, Sunriver Oakway Pub also improved purchasing practices, added clear recycling and restroom signage, and completed an energy audit to better understand future efficiency opportunities.

With support from the GBENN x Intuit Rebate, they activated $1,000 in funding to complete the upgrade, showing how targeted investments can drive long-term impact. Sustainable brewing practices like these are good for both the planet and the business!

Major glow-up for Oregon’s recycling system ♻️

In the next few years, brands will be investing tens of millions of dollars into strengthening local recycling programs and operations and working in partnership with government agencies and recycling companies. Let’s build a cleaner Oregon together 🌎

⭐️Certification Highlight: Gratitude Brewing

Gratitude Brewing, a Eugene-based craft brewery, earned Ambassador-level Rethink Business Certification by taking a hands-on approach to improving efficiency in its historic space. They focused on reducing energy waste in their walk-in cooler by adding strip curtains and door sweeps, explored safer cleaning products, and completed an energy audit to identify future efficiency opportunities.

Together, these improvements help lower energy use, reduce operating costs, and create a more resilient brewing operation. Through the Rethink Business program, Gratitude Brewing is showing how practical changes can lead to meaningful impact!

✅ Green Business Tip: The paper products your business purchases every day can make a meaningful difference.

Choosing office paper, envelopes, paper towels, and toilet paper with at least 30% post-consumer recycled content helps conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and support markets for recycled materials.

It’s a simple purchasing decision that supports a more circular economy while reducing your environmental footprint.

⭐️Certification Highlight: Handcrafted Design LLC

Handcrafted Design LLC, a Eugene-based metal fabrication business, earned Ambassador-level certification by strengthening sustainability practices across their workshop and operations.

Owned by Jared Hamilton, Handcrafted Design creates custom pieces for homes and businesses across the Willamette Valley, and is now pairing that craftsmanship with more environmentally responsible practices. They transitioned to EPA Safer Choice–certified cleaning products to reduce harmful chemical use, completed an energy audit to better understand efficiency opportunities, and improved recycling and battery disposal practices to support safer waste management.

Together, these changes create a healthier workspace, reduce environmental impact, and set the foundation for future energy-saving upgrades! Through the Rethink Business program, Handcrafted Design is showing how even small, behind-the-scenes improvements can lead to long-term sustainability and smarter operations.

Every day, an estimated 2.2 million pounds of material generated in Oregon never makes it into the recycling system.

is changing that. By expanding recycling access and making it easier to understand, Oregon is stepping up together. ♻️💪

Follow and for information about local changes to access.

⭐️Certification Highlight: Drop Bear Brewery

Drop Bear Brewery, a Eugene-based craft brewery, earned Innovator-level Rethink Business Certification by making smart, targeted upgrades across its brewing operations. They replaced worn gaskets on freezer drawers and their walk-in cooler to eliminate energy waste and upgraded LED lighting throughout the facility. Together, these improvements save approximately 1,793 kWh annually and reduce their carbon footprint by 0.66 metric tons of CO₂e.

Building on these upgrades, Drop Bear continues to prioritize efficiency at every level by optimizing cooling systems, improving insulation, and exploring future solar opportunities while also focusing on local sourcing and low-waste brewing practices. With support from the GBENN x Intuit Rebate, Drop Bear’s total investment was largely covered, leaving a net cost of just $165.33 and a return on investment in about 10 months. They now save approximately $203 per year going forward. Sustainability at Drop Bear is built into how they brew, operate, and serve their community.

✅ Green Business Tip: An energy audit is one of the best ways to uncover hidden opportunities to save money and reduce waste in your workplace.

Many businesses are surprised to learn how much energy is being lost through outdated lighting, inefficient equipment, HVAC systems, or everyday operational habits. A professional energy assessment can help identify practical upgrades that lower utility costs and reduce environmental impact.

Contact your utility to schedule an energy audit for your business.

⭐️Certification Highlight: Everyone Village

Everyone Village, a community-centered organization, has earned Steward-level Rethink Business Certification by taking steps to improve its sustainability practices. They’ve implemented key improvements, including energy conservation training for staff, sealing windows and doors to improve efficiency, and completing an energy audit to better understand and manage their energy use. They’re also reducing waste by composting food waste and providing accessible recycling throughout their space.

Together, these efforts create a more efficient, low-waste operation while supporting a healthier environment for both staff and the community. We’re excited to see Everyone Village continue building on this strong foundation!