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Why Reuse Is the Future of Events — And How to Make It Work for Yours

Event planners, vendors, and sustainability leaders: ready to ditch the waste without adding stress? Over the past few years, Bold Reuse has helped transform large-scale festivals, trade shows, and local community events into sustainability showcases using reusable foodware systems.

Here’s what we’ve learned from eliminating over 725,000 single-use items in Seattle alone — and what you should know before you bring reuse to your event.

Seattle has long been a leader in sustainability, making it a natural fit for Bold Reuse’s mission to eliminate single-use waste. The city’s progressive policies, engaged community, and innovative event organizers have created the perfect environment for scaling reuse systems. From stadiums and music festivals to conventions and corporate campuses, we’ve partnered with local changemakers to prove that reuse isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.

By focusing on Seattle, we’ve been able to test, refine, and scale our systems in a city that values environmental impact and innovation. Now, with more than 725,000 single-use items eliminated from Seattle events, we’re sharing key insights to help events in more cities adopt reuse with confidence and success.

🔑 Key Lessons from the Field

1. Material Matters More Than You Think - Polypropylene and melamine are highly recommended for pop-up festivals and events due to their durability, cost, and ease of operation. We have heard of event planners wanting to use stainless steel, but it’s heavy, hard to move in bulk, and gets hot when used for warm foods. Think about comfort, not just durability.

2. Vendor Simplicity Is Essential - If ordering and signing up is hard, vendors won’t do it. That’s why we’ve built simple systems that remove friction from the process.

3. Local Grants Make It Easier - Cities across the country are offering funding to reduce event waste. A few to check out:

Seattle: Reuse Seattle – grants + infrastructure for Seattle-based events
Kansas City: MARC – Kansas City-based waste reduction funding, up to $3,500 per project.
Portland: Ecolloyd Lending Library – Portland-based support, including free access to foodware and cups. We also have an event grant through ODEQ that we can use to support projects. Reach out to us directly if you're interested.

📍Real Events, Real Impact

🎶 Northwest Folklife Festival - 3 years running with Bold Reuse. Over 25,000 disposables eliminated, and attendees love the upgraded experience.

Reusable cups replace disposables at the Northwest Folklife beer gardens. Photo credit: Pat Kaufman

Reusable cups replace disposables at the Northwest Folklife beer gardens. Photo credit: Pat Kaufman

🎉 West Seattle Summer Fest - With support from Reuse Seattle, vendors made the switch to reusables, diverting 32,677 single-use items, and they’re bringing reuse back this year.

The guest returns his plate to the designated reuse return bin. Photo credit: Pat Kaufman

📈 Northwest Event Show 2025 - Trade shows can go reusable. This year’s event resulted in 13,236 single-use items being avoided by vendors using Bold Reuse systems.

Nutty Squirrel Gelato serving up a sample in a reusable ramekin. Photo credit: Jennifer Skelley

Water stations with reusable cups for attendees. Photo credit: Jennifer Skelley

🎯 What Makes a Reuse Program Successful?

Event organizers don’t have time to reinvent the wheel, which is why Bold Reuse exists. We’ve built an end-to-end solution that works for busy planners, high-volume vendors, and sustainability teams.

✅ Custom Programs (plates, cups, utensils — you choose)

✅ On-Site Support (so your team doesn’t have to manage it alone)

✅ Cleaning + Logistics (we handle the dirty work—literally)

✅ Impact Reporting (show your guests & stakeholders the real difference reuse made)

💡 Why Reuse Works for Events

Beyond the environmental benefits, reuse saves money. Fewer disposables = lower purchasing and waste-hauling costs.

Bonus: It also unlocks new opportunities for sponsor engagement!

And your guests? They notice the difference—reusable products feel higher quality, more thoughtful, and more in line with the values that today’s attendees care about.