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Seattle Public Schools Reuse Program

Seattle Public Schools

Transforming Waste Management with Reusables in Schools

Million Pounds Averted from Landfill 0 single-use items diverted from landfills

The Problem: Single-Use Waste Overload

Schools discard thousands of single-use items daily – especially during breakfast and lunch hours. Recognizing the environmental and financial strain of this waste, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) was ready to take action. SPS wanted to make the bold shift to durable and reusable alternatives in its cafeterias. However, implementing such a transformative change has its hurdles. Some school kitchens lacked large-scale dishwashing capabilities, and SPS did not have the staffing resources to manage the cleaning and logistics of reusable internally.

The Solution: Bold Reuse’s Turnkey Reusable Program

To overcome these challenges, SPS sought external support and found an ideal partner in Bold Reuse.

Infrastructure Support: Durable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils replaced single-use items, which were funded through grants and district initiatives.
Operational Ease: Bold Reuse handles dishwashing and logistics, solving the challenge of limited school resources for these operations.
Local Impact: The program has created jobs and opportunities to educate communities about sustainability.

Real Change in Action

Waste Reduction: Nearly 300,000 single-use items were eliminated at SPS across 17 schools within two years.
Streamlined Operations: Outsourcing cleaning and logistics to Bold Reuse has allowed for an effortless implementation.
Student Empowerment: The program fosters a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility throughout the schools.
Community Benefits: This supports the local economy and advances the circular economy.
Expansion: Since launching in 2023, the program has expanded to 17 schools, with nearly 300,000 single-use items diverted from landfills.

The Impact