Beyond the Bottle: Connecting Community to the Future Leaders of Sustainability

Building a proper circular community takes much more than standardized bottles, accessible systems, and consistent tracking of operational metrics—it takes people. At Revino, we rely heavily on our local neighbors and regional network to build a resilient foundation for our growth as a reuse brand and Certified B Corp. Investing in people means investing in the #ReuseRevolution at every level.

This year, Revino was proud to host an inspiring cohort of local interns. Coming from various academic and personal backgrounds, they blended seamlessly into the Revino ecosystem while leaving a lasting mark across our operations, from hands-on bottle processing at our Community Wash Hub to data analytics, partner outreach, and creative storytelling.

Empowering Latinx Youth: Izela’s Community Impact

Through Unidos Bridging Community’s Level Up program in McMinnville, a non-profit advancing Latinx youth into the professional workforce, we were joined by Izela Bravo, a Linfield University student double-majoring in Business Management and Wine Studies.

Izela’s blend of business acumen and wine industry knowledge proved invaluable. She spearheaded direct outreach to local partners to expand our collection network, while also getting hands-on at our McMinnville Hub to see the realities of bottle sanitation behind the scenes. In addition to her hub and outreach work, Izela gathered critical UPC and return data for partners and transformed it into engaging social media content.

Reflecting on her time engaging with McMinnville business owners and community members:

“It was incredibly fulfilling to offer them a tangible opportunity to grow,” Izela shared. “Giving them an opportunity to be seen and highlighting their commitment to sustainable efforts was a highlight for me. It wasn’t just about finding a return location—it was about validating their hard work and helping them amplify and expand.”

Technical Precision in Sustainability: Jackson’s Systems Focus

Joining us through the Oregon Applied Sustainability Internship (OASIS) program via Oregon Sea Grant, Jackson Loftus is an Oregon State University graduate focused on the technical side of our operations.

Working both remotely and at our Community Wash Hub, Jackson developed two critical tools:

1. The Water Calculator & Tracking System: A real-time system to monitor operational water usage and improve efficiencies in our operations.
2. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Calculator: A tool designed to help beverage partners impacted by EPR regulations visualize the financial benefits of adopting reusable glass under evolving laws.

Jackson’s EPR tool helps Revino give prospective partners a clear financial reason to embrace reusable packaging, showing that circular systems are both environmentally and economically sound.

“I gained a lot from the hands-on operations—learning how the washing systems worked and building a tracking system where I could see results in real time was fascinating,” noted Jackson. “I definitely want to pursue a role that allows me to see change and collect data in real time from tangible systems.”

Translating Data into Storytelling: Jennifer’s Perspective

Also joining Revino through Unidos’ Level Up program, Jennifer Rosiles Malagon brought a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative communication as a recent Linfield University economics graduate.

Jennifer bridged the gap between complex operational metrics and consumer education. Her core mission was to analyze raw environmental data, such as emissions avoided and resources conserved within reuse systems or glass packaging, and translate it into accessible, visual social media stories for our audiences. 

Jennifer reflected on how working with real impact data shifted her understanding of circularity:

“While I came into my internship with a vague understanding of sustainability, working on these digestible data posts helped me grasp a better truth,” Jennifer shared. “One statistic that stood out to me connected charging 606 smartphones to the amount of energy wasted to produce just one single-use glass wine bottle. That metric became one of my biggest takeaways; it taught me that sustainable information doesn’t have to be complicated or inaccessible.”

Through trial, error, and creative experimentation, Jennifer demonstrated how data-driven storytelling can turn abstract environmental concepts into meaningful consumer action.

Investing in the Future of the Circular Economy

Our 2026 internship cohort reinforced that building a circular economy is inherently human-centered. Beyond gaining professional skills and operational insights, our interns reminded us that consumers, local businesses, and community leaders collectively drive systemic change.

As a Certified B Corp, we strongly encourage other businesses to open their doors to local internship programs. Hosting local talent creates equitable pathways for emerging leaders while giving companies a passionate, human voice to share their mission.

Together, we are proving that the future of wine & beverage packaging is rooted in community—one bottle, one wash, and one future environmental steward at a time.