Rethink Business Program

lane county’s sustainable business resource

Join the green business movement in Oregon! Rethink Business is an all-in-one-hub for Lane County businesses to become more sustainable. Get expert help, unlock valuable resources, and showcase your environmental commitment to gain recognition.

Our team of sustainable business coordinators offer free technical support, connect businesses to incentive programs, and deliver valuable education on a range of topics – from training employees in recycling protocols to installing energy efficient equipment, and can walk you through designing additional solutions to meet specific needs.

featured businesses

MECCA

“Working with BRING for the lighting upgrade was great. They were so easy to work with and helpful,” said Heather Campbell, Executive Director of MECCA. With the help of a Green Business Grants rebate, MECCA upgraded 59 lights to LEDs—reducing energy use by 59% and saving 3,608 kWh each year. “Getting the rebate allowed us to make important upgrades that will benefit MECCA for years to come.”

Viking Brewing

Viking Brewing Co. boosted efficiency through BRING’s Food + Beverage Manufacturing Partnership and a GBENN x Intuit rebate. By servicing their walk-in cooler and reefer unit, they’ll save 2,628 kWh of energy each year—preventing nearly a metric ton of CO₂ emissions. With annual savings of $255 and a $1,000 rebate, their investment will pay for itself in just seven months.

Blue Lotus Chai

Blue Lotus Chai earned BRING’s Rethink Business Innovator Certification and captured a $420 rebate through an EWEB Energy Audit. By installing occupancy sensors on their highbay LED lighting, they improved safety, saved 1,050 kWh annually, and cut their bill by about $102 each year—reducing their footprint by .39 MTCO₂e. “Working with Beth from BRING was a very positive experience for us… she arrived at just the right time when we were planning a facilities project,” shared the Blue Lotus Chai team.

join the Rethink Business network

We provide technical assistance and valuable resources to help you make meaningful changes at your own pace. While not every business will go on to complete certification, our goal is to support your journey towards sustainability, no matter where you start or how far you go. Businesses that simply engage with the Rethink Business program through our network enjoy access to free resources, grant funds, and other incentives, with no obligation to complete certification. Whether you’re a small owner-operator enterprise, a well-known local staple, or a multi-location brand, we want to work with you!

want to go further? apply to certify.

  1. Get started. We use GreenBiz Tracker, an online tracking database that makes it easy for businesses to get started, track efforts, and become Certified. Complete your assessment online – Apply Now
  2. Site visit. We visit your business to observe your business facilities, supplies and equipment, and current practices.
  3. Expert guidance. Receive a customized report of recommended actions and resources with clear steps for implementation.
  4. Earn recognition. Achieve Rethink Business Certified status when all required recommendations are verified by your Coordinator.
  5. Recertification. Your Certified status is valid for five years. At the end of that period, a Rethink Coordinator will reassess your practices to ensure the latest program standards are being met.

for a limited time

Green Business Grants: The Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) and Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, have partnered to help small businesses in four states save energy and money by implementing energy efficiency upgrades so businesses can operate more sustainably. For a limited time, rebates up to $1,500 will be awarded to about 30 businesses in Oregon. Applications for this round of funding are now closed.

Food and Beverage Manufacturing Partnership: Food and beverage manufacturing is a vital economic driver for Oregon, with deep connections to our state’s agricultural heritage. For a limited time, our Rethink Business is offering a special technical assistance program for food and beverage manufacturers in Oregon interested in preventing pollution throughout the manufacturing process. Click here to learn more.

certified businesses receive

journey to 2050

Published in 2012, Materials Management in Oregon: 2050 Vision and Framework for Action, is a guiding document for much of BRING’s current work. This framework was developed by a work-group convened by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that included BRING’s former executive director, Julie Daniel. The document envisioned an Oregon in the year 2050 ... Read more