SEATTLE, WA – Reusable packaging provider Bold Reuse has announced new partnerships and an expansion of services and jobs in Seattle. This initiative aims to further reduce single-use foodware, educate students about the circular economy, and support regional job growth. New customers launching this quarter in the region include an additional six schools within Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Academy, and Lish, Inc
The Seattle Public Schools expansion builds upon the success and positive impact of Bold Reuse’s ongoing partnership with Seattle’s Denny International Middle School. Denny’s students and faculty are defining what’s possible for successful reuse programs within schools—eliminating 26,000 single-use items with an astounding 99.5% return rate since September.
Bold Reuse in schools
Bold Reuse will also launch its reuse platform with Seattle Academy, an independent middle and high school in Capitol Hill. The introduction of reusables has been made possible through the dedicated interest and advocacy of Seattle Academy senior Griffin Schwartz. Griffin’s commitment to sustainability serves as an inspiring example for the community and reflects how the power of a single advocate can make a meaningful change.
“In just one year of implementing reuse, we’ll prevent 50,000 plates from being wasted in just the Middle School. It’s been amazing to see how many administrators got on board when they understood the environmental impact of partnering with Bold Reuse,” said Schwartz. “I can’t wait to see how Seattle Academy’s community becomes more passionate and involved as we work together over a common environmental good, starting on February 5th.”
Supporting reusable packaging for catering
In addition to expanding reuse to more schools, Bold Reuse will also support local corporate catering company Lish in transitioning to reusable foodware due to increased demand for reusables from their corporate clients. With the Bold Reuse platform, Lish will start to offer zero-waste corporate catering in February 2024.
“Our clients have been demanding reusables for their corporate catering for a long time. However, operationally, it was very difficult and cost-prohibitive to scale durables,” said Mike Waters, COO at Lish, Inc. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bold Reuse to reduce waste in corporate catering at scale.”
Dedicated reusable packaging wash facility
Bold Reuse has invested in a dedicated reusable packaging washing facility in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District to support this expansion, demonstrating its commitment to the region. This investment not only strengthens Bold Reuse’s presence but also contributes to the creation of more sustainable jobs in the downtown corridor. The company is actively hiring in the Seattle area, providing opportunities for individuals who share a passion for reuse and sustainability.
“We are excited to bring our reusable foodware program to more schools in Seattle and contribute to building vital reuse infrastructure in Seattle,” said Jocelyn Quarrell, CEO at Bold Reuse. “The addition of new Seattle Public Schools locations, Seattle Academy, and Lish Food to our movement showcases the power of community-driven sustainability. We are also thrilled to be creating job opportunities in Seattle, furthering our commitment to local economic growth.”
The Portland Timbers, Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Convention Center, Starbucks, and Imperfect Foods have trusted Bold Reuse to implement and scale their reuse systems, diverting nearly 4 million pounds of single-use products from landfills. With its Rip City Reuse initiative, the Portland Trail Blazers, a long-time leader in sports sustainability, has made reusable cups the default option for every event and game held within the arena. The reusable cups are offered to guests at no additional cost.
“We’re proud to lead the zero waste movement in professional sports,” Brittany Saulsbury, Sustainability Operations Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers, said last October. “Our partnership with Bold Reuse shows our ongoing dedication to offering world-class fan experiences while being at the forefront of sustainability within the industry. Rip City Reuse also highlights sports’ potential to drive sustainability education and global climate impact.”
For more information, visit https://www.boldreuse.com.
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
