Sustainable Connections

Sustainable Connections We are on a mission to be the forum where businesses come together to transform and model a vibrant local economy built on sustainable practices.
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We advance a regenerative local economy that builds community, strengthens food systems, catalyzes climate solutions, and expands access to housing in NW Washington. We envision a thriving, collaborative community where local businesses are prosperous, and contribute to a healthy environment and the well-being of all citizens.

Greetings from the New Member Monday Correspondent's Desk! 🙋‍♀️📈We are pleased to broadcast about three new businesses m...
05/28/2026

Greetings from the New Member Monday Correspondent's Desk! 🙋‍♀️📈We are pleased to broadcast about three new businesses members this month. Let's support the local economy and learn a bit about them:

🍽️ The Skagit Table is a farm to table seasonal eatery featuring rotating pre-prepared meals, soups, salads, sandwiches and more, all locally-sourced & made from scratch with love. Available for home delivery, pickup, dine-in, or catering!

💞 Circle Of Life Caregiver Co-operative provides compassionate and respectful in-home care to Whatcom County senior and disabled adults, and is a worker owned cooperative, meaning the caregivers are empowered as owners of the business.

🙌 Washington Center for Employee Ownership - WACEO works to build a thriving, broad-based employee-owned business sector across the state. They guide businesses through every stage of employee ownership, from exploration to implementation and beyond. Contact them to learn more!

🫡 Signing off until next month. Find these local businesses and many more in our member directory https://sustainableconnections.org/local-business-directory/

~Molly, Chief Membership Correspondent and Local Business Booster

Calling all waste nerds! Join our team as the next Toward Zero Waste Program Coordinator. Do you find yourself digging...
05/27/2026

Calling all waste nerds! Join our team as the next Toward Zero Waste Program Coordinator.

Do you find yourself digging through waste bins to pull out recyclables or getting upset when your take-out meal is packaged in single-use plastics? So do we, and you may be exactly who we are looking for. Our ideal candidate is passionate about waste reduction, determined to make a positive impact, and loves networking with the public. Apply today and together we can work to prevent waste in the first place!

Application deadline: 6/16/2026

Desired start: 8/10/2026

Position wage range: $21.85- $29.50

Expected starting wage range: $21.85-$23.77

Go to our website to read the full job description and apply! https://sustainableconnections.org/individuals/employment/

If you work in food & farming, you know that any good, lasting work takes a team — and our Food & Farming program is no ...
05/27/2026

If you work in food & farming, you know that any good, lasting work takes a team — and our Food & Farming program is no exception! We wanted to give a special thank you to our gold level sponsors, who support our program at a level that enables us to put on events like the Whatcom County Farm Tour (pictured here) and the Eat Local First Trade Meeting, as well as our year-round educational and promotional activities 🚜

Huge gratitude to:
💚 Community Food Co-op
💚 Julian & Company, Real Estate Team With The Muljat Group
💚 Puget Sound Food Hub

Thank you for your support - we couldn't do what we do without you!

Are you a restaurant or food producing business that has edible surplus food? Turn it into something meaningful by donat...
05/23/2026

Are you a restaurant or food producing business that has edible surplus food? Turn it into something meaningful by donating it to our Food Recovery Program! 😁

When you participate in the Food Recovery Program, your business or organization can:
- Receive potential tax benefits and potentially reduce waste disposal costs
- Support neighbors experiencing food insecurity
- Help reduce food waste and create a more sustainable community
- Be highlighted on our social media and/or newsletters

This program accepts prepared foods, produce, baked goods, or pantry items. Every pound of food recovered through this program helps keep good food out of landfills and on the tables of folks in our community. 💚

Ready to sign up for the Food Recovery Program? Sign up online or give us a call! Check the link in our bio to learn more about becoming a donor today!

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.



Community Nights are our free, everyone come‑as‑you‑are gatherings where you can connect with community, learn what Sust...
05/20/2026

Community Nights are our free, everyone come‑as‑you‑are gatherings where you can connect with community, learn what Sustainable Connections is up to, get involved as a Local Lover, and even win fun prizes from Bellingham businesses.

Sip good beer, enjoy good company, discover fun local spots!

Our next Community Night is June 29th from 6–8 PM at Stones Throw Brewery. Expect live music, good chats, and good beers with great people. Ten percent of all beer sales from 5-9 PM will be donated to Sustainable Connections!

Everyone and anyone are invited! See you there!

"We’re local, and that’s never going to change. Neighbor to neighbor, that’s banking at its best." WECU, we couldn't agr...
05/18/2026

"We’re local, and that’s never going to change. Neighbor to neighbor, that’s banking at its best." WECU, we couldn't agree more!

🤝 WECU offers banking for people, not for profit. The importance of keeping dollars in our local economy certainly applies to banking! When folks keep their money here, they are supporting institutions like WECU that give back to our community.

That's why we are proud to have WECU as a sponsor of our Think Local First program. Thank you, WECU for putting our community first!

https://www.wecu.com/
https://sustainableconnections.org/programs/think-local/

Did you know that Recycling & Disposal Services, Inc. has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years? We’re grate...
05/17/2026

Did you know that Recycling & Disposal Services, Inc. has been locally owned and operated for over 30 years? We’re grateful to work alongside them in waste reduction and thankful for their support as a Toward Zero Waste sponsor!

RDS is committed to responsible, transparent waste management, always striving to support better recycling choices and responsible solid waste management in Whatcom County. ♻️

RDS accepts a wide array of waste streams, including general household and commercial garbage. They accept mixed-waste recycling, where the RDS team sorts recyclables, like wood, metal, and cardboard, from incoming loads. They also accept source-separated recycling, which allows customers to recycle materials more efficiently at a lower cost.

In 2025 alone, RDS recycled over 12,500 tons of material and is on track to exceed that in 2026. 🙌

Looking to build community?? Check out these upcoming events you won't want to miss! 🥗Eat Local First Business Mixer - M...
05/15/2026

Looking to build community?? Check out these upcoming events you won't want to miss!

🥗Eat Local First Business Mixer - May 19th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Sustainable Connections office.

⚡Energy Club: Electric Vehicles - May 21st from 8:00-9:00 AM at the Sustainable Connections office.

❤️ Community Night - June 29th from 5:00-9:00 PM at Stones Throw Brewery in Fairhaven.

🦋 Member Mingle - June 18th 8:30-10 AM at the Sustainable Connections office.

Come connect with other people who are passionate about creating a thriving and sustainable community! RSVP here: https://linktr.ee/sustainableconnections

05/11/2026

We’re excited to see our research exploring how technology can support Seattle’s growing network of micropantries and community fridges featured in UW News today.

The story highlights PantryMap.org, developed by our research team to connect neighbors to little free pantries across the region through real-time updates, activity feeds, pantry wish lists, and stock-level reporting. The project also explores how sensor technology can provide researchers with better insights into food distribution, reduce food waste, and strengthen mutual aid systems while preserving user privacy.

Led by the Urban Freight Lab and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CIVIC Innovation Challenge program, this interdisciplinary effort brings together expertise from across the University of Washington — Global Innovation Exchange - GIX, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health — along with community partners Ridwell, Sustainable Connections, University District Food Bank, Cascade Bicycle Club, and Washington State Department of Health.

“We’re trying to measure and quantify goodwill," said Senior Research Scientist and Co-PI Giacomo Dalla Chiara.

At the Urban Freight Lab, we’re proud to support research that combines innovation, logistics, and community collaboration to address complex urban sustainability and accessibility challenges in Seattle and beyond.

Read the full story:
https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/05/08/little-free-pantry-micropantry-community-fridge-pilot-app/

Address

1701 Ellis Street Ste 221
Bellingham, WA
98225

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13606477093

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