By Jack Bentivoglio
Waste Reduction Program Assistant, Waste Wise Lane County
Hello, my name is Jack Bentivoglio, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the newest member of Lane County Public Works Waste Management Division. I recently joined the team as a Waste Reduction Program Assistant, where I help lead the Sustainable Event Services (SES) Program.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to Bend, Ore., after high school. What was meant to be a gap year quickly turned into a bigger journey when I realized I wanted to pursue a career in sustainability. After starting at Central Oregon Community College and taking an introductory sustainability course, I knew I had found my path.
I later transferred to the University of Oregon, where I earned my B.S. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainable Business. While I originally planned on immediately start wildland firefighting post-graduation, an opportunity with Lane County came my way and I never looked back. However, I’m still interested in giving back to Oregon and firefighting in the future.
At Lane County, my primary role is managing the Sustainable Event Services Program, which launched in 2022 and has since supported dozens of events across Lane County. SES provides a sustainable yet elegant alternative to disposable serviceware by offering reusable plates, bowls, cups, stainless steel utensils, and even portable drinking water stations. The program is designed to help event organizers reduce waste while still creating an enjoyable experience for their guests.
Day to day, I collaborate with event coordinators to plan and implement SES at community festivals, concerts, and other large public gatherings. I work with food vendors to integrate reusables into their operations, manage passionate volunteers who help run dishware stations, and coordinate with our local partner, Action Rent-All, to handle storage and delivery. I’m also working with a third-party developer to create a tool that will track the environmental impact of our program, giving us real data to show how SES is helping Lane County meet its sustainability goals.
This work means a lot to me because I’ve always loved live events but I’ve also noticed how much waste they generate. The SES Program gives me the chance to combine my passion for music, food, and community gatherings with my commitment to sustainability. Plus, I get the added perk of enjoying great food and entertainment while working toward a cleaner, greener Lane County.
If you’re planning a medium to large public event and want to explore ways to make it more sustainable, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at (541) 514-8295 or [email protected]. Together, we can keep events both fun and environmentally responsible.
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