SEEL | BRNW

SEEL

Sustainable Event Equipment Library (SEEL)

Bicycle Rides Northwest (BRNW) is a nonprofit organization that operates multiple bicycle tours each year. We’ve been doing tours since 1986, and we have a reputation for the best customer service in the business. We’re self-supported on the route, with vehicles, drivers, catering operation, shower trucks, portable toilets, bike mechanics, massage therapists, yoga, an acupuncturist and more. To make all of this work, we have gear - LOTS of gear. Canopies, tables, chairs, coolers, mealware and more.

For roughly 10 months a year, all that gear sits in storage units. So we created a way for others to borrow our gear, free of charge, when we're not using it. Using a grant from The Environmental Center, we purchased hundreds of sets of reusable mealware and created SEEL - the Sustainable Event Equipment Library - in 2024. We partner with Rubbish Renewed and other local organizations to publicize the program, which is open to organizations, schools and individuals.

What equipment is available?

We have 300+ sets of reusable mealware kits - plates, bowls, cups and utensils; this makes up the core of our lending library. We also have dining tables and chairs for 300 people, plus 10x10 pop-up canopies, large and small coolers/dispensers, camp chairs and other equipment.

Who can use SEEL?

Anyone can request to use SEEL equipment - the idea is to remove obstacles to getting event equipment, and reduce the need to buy more equipment. It can be for a graduation party, an arts festival, an athletic event... whoever we can help by sharing.

What are the terms and conditions?

You must make a formal request and identify what equipment you need to borrow. We have an Equipment/Program Manager who will respond to requests and work with you on the details. You'll arrange to meet our manager at one or both the storage sites we use, to pick up the equipment. Same for returning it - you make an appointment to meet our manager.

We expect you to treat the equipment as well as if you bought it. It should be returned in the same condition it was in when it left, and it MUST BE CLEAN. Because the program is centered around reusable mealware, it's the responsibility of the borrower to return items properly cleaned and sanitized. You can ask our Program Manager about ideas for accomplishing this.

We'll get credit card information from you when you reserve equipment, but we won't charge anything on it unless you damage the equipment, don't return it, or return it unclean and we have to clean it ourselves.

How do I reserve equipment?

Contact BRNW for more information, or to start the reservation process. Once you've reached out to us, we'll contact you back to work out the details.