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.

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 the storage site 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. 

What equipment is available?

We have 300+ sets of reusable mealware kits by Preserve - 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, and other equipment.

In partnership with Rubbish Renewed, there are reusable wheat-straw plates and cups, stainless steel cups, forks and spoons.  About 200 of the plates and each cup size.  About 200 forks and about 120 spoons.  They also put together a really nice kit with bus tubs to wash the gear, collapsible table to organize everything, signage and more, all in some really nice totes and rolling job boxes.  Inquire for more on that setup.

NOTE: We run our large-scale bike tours in June and July each year, so SEEL equipment is not available to borrow during those months.  The Rubbish Renewed mealware may be available during those times. 

Rubbish Renewed has their annual event and fundraiser in early May (May 8 in 2026) and gear will be limited during their event also.  Inquire for more information on what we will have.

BRNW will do our best to schedule and accommodate lending to the community. Please fill out the form in the next section to begin communications with BRNW staff on scheduling requests.

How do I reserve equipment?

Complete the initial request form below to start the reservation process. Once you've reached out to us, we'll contact you back to work out the details.  It may be a few days, so please be patient.  If you don't hear from us in a few days, use the form below to do a follow-up.  

You can also use the form below to indicate you are interested in more information about the program.  Select that option and we will get in touch with you.

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Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone number (optional)

Contacting for:

• I am interested in borrowing gear
• I am following up on a request
• I would like more information on the program

I am following up on a previous request - please contact me. *

Please give us the information we need to contact you and information about your first request, in case it got lost in the bit bucket. Thanks!

a for Company

I am representing *

• a company or organization
• private party

Company or organization *

Purpose or Event (optional - helps with program use tracking)

Approximate start and end dates for the gear I would like to borrow: *

There are some blackout dates for gear based on organizational operations but we can discuss that further.

Gear I am interested in borrowing:

• Preserve mealware
• Rubbish Renewed mealware
• Coolers
• Beverage coolers/dispensers
• Folding-leg tables
• Folding chairs
• Pop-up canopies - most are 10' x 10'
• Other - please add in field below

Please add any other starting information on your request - rough quantities, etc. We will work out the details by email - this is just to start the process and see if we have the gear available for the dates you are looking to use the gear.

Comments or Questions

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SEEL in action

Here’s a great example of how SEEL can help events reach a higher level of sustainability with lower levels of waste. The zero-waste Spaghetti and Story event at High Lakes Elementary School in Bend used equipment from BRNW’s SEEL program, including our reusable mealware.

BRNW partners in the SEEL program:

The Environmental Center in Bend

Rubbish Renewed in Bend