Complete Engagement , Environment

Waste to Walls: Taos Locals Learn How to Build With Plastic

Taos

Local Champion: Taos Initiative For Life Together
Date Funded: March 1, 2023
Grant Amount: $29,930

When local nonprofit Taos Initiative For Life Together (TILT) started repurposing plastic amidst the pandemic and turned waste into permanent structures, Taos residents began asking how they might be able to do the same. The requests became particularly urgent as the Town of Town had stopped recycling plastic and locals needed an alternative way to dispose of waste. Having built several prototype structures using a plastic baler, TILT recognized the need to share their knowledge with the community. And with a second grant from the LOR Foundation, TILT is now offering resources—including training videos, brochures, and workshops—that will locals use similar building techniques and recycle more plastic.

In The News

‘Putting Repurposing Plastics on The Map’ (Taos News, April 2024)

Contact our community officer in Taos. Meet Sonya Struck

Related Story Baling (and Building) in Taos

Taos County — May 2021

When the Town of Taos stopped recycling plastic, a group of locals created an innovative solution: turning waste into walls. With a little help from the LOR Foundation, they’re poised to make a dent in the overflowing plastic. Read more

More Engagement, Environment Solutions

Environment / Cortez A Community Animal Response Team Enhances Cortez Emergency Preparedness

Local Champion:: Montezuma County
Date funded:: March 17, 2025
Grant Amount:: $5,000

Environment / Cortez Gardening Classes Cultivate Food Security in Cortez

Local Champion:: Montezuma County Extension Office
Date funded:: March 13, 2025
Grant Amount:: $2,030

Environment / Libby Event Equipment Helps Libby Relaunch a Beloved Gravel Bike Race

Local Champion:: Libby Parks District
Date funded:: March 6, 2025
Grant Amount:: $10,000

Environment / Taos Killing Two Trees with One Saw: A Woodshop Beautifies Taos Public Spaces with Invasive Trees

Local Champion:: Taos Land Trust
Date funded:: March 3, 2025
Grant Amount:: $21,700

Engagement / Libby A Community Resource Program Offers Support to Libby Families

Local Champion:: Lincoln County Unite for Youth
Date funded:: February 25, 2025
Grant Amount:: $7,500

Engagement / Weiser New Technology Expands Digital Access at Weiser Public Library

Local Champion:: Friends of the Weiser Public Library
Date funded:: February 21, 2025
Grant Amount:: $8,570

See All solutions

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.