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Sharing more than 50 years of experience and demonstrated expertise with non-profit members with waste-based businesses
Welcome to Cascade Alliance
Creating Jobs
Full-time permanent jobs for people who often struggle to find employment
Diverting Waste
Higher recycling and waste-diversion rates that improve the local environment and community sustainability
Creating Revenue
Sustainable revenue that reduces a nonprofit's dependence on grants and donations so they can keep doing the work that benefits the most vulnerable
What is a Waste-based Business?
Broadly defined, a waste-based business uses items diverted from the waste stream as a source of revenue to fund a non-profit's mission. These items may come from dumps, transfer stations, corporate contacts, or individual donations. Waste products can be utilized in 3 main ways:
1
REPURPOSED
Items kept as is, in their current state such as:
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books
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clothing
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furniture
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building materials
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art supplies
2
REMANUFACTURED
Items restored or repaired to their original useful state such as:
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appliances
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electronics
3
RECYCLED
Items reduced to their basic state and sold into the commodity market or made into something new such as:
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foam
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glass
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wood
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steel
Member Stories
Our members have achieved remarkable growth with our support. Here's what they have to say:
From space layout, to equipment purchases, to labor models and P&L reviews, we have relied on Cascade Alliance for insights and recommendations. The network of organizations has given us the opportunity to learn from and benchmark against our peer organizations in a positive and transparent way.
Ed Frechette, Chief Innovative Officer, UTEC, Inc.
Before working with Cascade Alliance we only had part time positions available for store staff. We've shifted the way we think about that important position and now five members of our store staff team are full-time and receive benefits. We've focused on hiring folks from our neighborhood and from local jobs training programs.
Madeline James, Deputy Director, Scrap Exchange
Cascade Alliance provides real-life case studies for finding solutions to work problems in different non-profit settings and different markets across the country.
Adrienne Houel, Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises
WHAT DOES CASCADE ALLIANCE PROVIDE?
Consulting:
Sample business plans, budgets, information on commodities markets, industry news and industry trends
Shared Information Library:
Member access to our library of information including business plans, best practices, marketing ideas, and commodity connections
Expertise:
Cascade Alliance is an arm of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit since 1953 with 14 retail thrift locations, two mattress recycling facilities and over 600 employees.