Minnesota Nonprofit Program Rewards Businesses for Reducing Single-Use Plastic

In Minnesota, a new initiative has been formed to reduce single-use plastic from food-service businesses, using a tiered recognition system based on the concept of social capital, and a rebate to help with the cost of meeting sustainability goals.

MNimize hopes to encourage local businesses to take steps to reduce the amount of single-use plastic they use in the operation of their business. To do this, they offer four levels of recognition, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and businesses can display these “awards” if they meet certain reduction requirements.

"We try to make change as easy as possible by doing this work on their behalf..."

A rebate of up to $500 is also available, through a grant, that helps cover the cost of minimizing single-use plastic, as small businesses may worry about an increase in operating expenses when switching away from relatively cheap, single-use plastic.

The program, which is a partnership of Hennepin County and Minnesota Waste Wise, an affiliate program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, was created and is led by Hannah Bohn, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Waste Wise, whose background lies in cultural anthropology and international development.

Describing MNimize’s origins, Bohn says, “In late 2021, Hennepin County released an RFP for an organization to create a campaign to help restaurants reduce single-use plastic. Given Waste Wise's experience assisting businesses in waste reduction and recycling projects, it was a great opportunity for us to expand our work in source reduction and in the food service industry.

“We undertook a year-long research and development project to learn more about similar programs across the country and understand the motivations, challenges, and goals of local food service businesses to create MNimize.”

Bohn points out that the organization understands that meeting these goals can be a challenge, and she hopes that MNimize can help get them both recognition and a lightened financial burden for their efforts. “Many businesses are already taking action to reduce single-use plastic, and we celebrate and promote those efforts through the recognition side of our program.

“We also know that many businesses are interested in taking further action but might benefit from a bit of assistance in identifying alternatives, connecting with vendors, and educating staff. We try to make change as easy as possible by doing this work on their behalf—and provide a financial incentive to sweeten the deal. Some businesses even see cost savings from the changes they make from reductions in procurement and disposal costs. We are very grateful to the businesses that have joined us so far, and we hope to encourage more Minnesota food businesses to come onboard.”

According to Bohn, MNimize has partnered with 43 businesses, and has reduced an estimated 153,595 single-use items.