Hayden Homes Amphitheater diverts more than 90 percent of waste in 2025

Hayden Homes Amphitheater, a live music venue in Bend, Oregon, was recently recognized by Live Nation for the highest diversion rates of a boutique amphitheater, achieving zero waste and diverting more than 90 percent of waste from landfills in the venue’s 2025 season.

Hayden Homes has a dedicated Green Team, which sorts every bin, reuses trash bags between shows and ensures materials are properly diverted. In 2025, the Green Team’s efforts resulted in less than one ounce of waste per guest this season, equivalent to less than a 1 ounce shot of espresso worth of waste per patron, the venue says.

In total, the amphitheater recycled more than 62,000 pounds and composted more than 94,000 pounds of material. These efforts are supported by a partnership with Portland, Oregon-based OnPoint Community Credit Union, the venue’s official sustainability partner.

At the venue, fans are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and use free refill stations, leading Hayden Homes to avoid more than 89,000 single-use plastic bottles in 2025.

Additional efforts included solar-powered phone charging stations and the continued use of more than 400 bike racks across the venue to improve access to low-impact transportation.

“We approach waste management as a critical environmental challenge, emphasizing the importance of utilizing existing materials rather than consuming finite raw resources,” says Justin Alvarado, who co-manages the venue's Green Team. “The Green Team actively explores innovative waste diversion solutions, rejecting the ‘throw out’ mindset that is traditionally dominated with large events.”