MiSBF Webinar Series - Safe and Sustainable Foodware: Introduction to Reusable Foodware Products

Join MiSBF and University of Illinois Chicago for the first session in the Safe & Sustainable Foodware webinar series as we discover why single-use packaging isn’t the only option. This session will explore the growing field of reusable foodware systems for both dine-in and takeout operations. Learn about product types, service models, and logistics for implementing reusables in restaurants, cafeterias, and institutions. Presenters will share examples from pilot programs and discuss how reusables can reduce costs, cut waste, and meet customer expectations for sustainability.

Speakers:

• Genevieve Rattray, Sustainability and Innovations Manager, City of Ann Arbor
• Connie Lilley, Michigan Territory Director and Green Schools Coordinator, We ReUse

This 8-part webinar series will equip restaurants, institutional food service providers, business associations, and community partners with the knowledge, tools, and resources to transition away from food service products containing PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Each session explores a critical piece of the solution, from understanding health and environmental risks, to navigating product certifications, to engaging staff and patrons in sustainable practices. Participants will hear from early adopters, industry experts, and peer institutions, gaining practical strategies for overcoming challenges and advancing safer, certified-compostable, and reusable alternatives. One session will be offered in Spanish, and all webinars will focus on supporting business owners across Michigan and the Great Lakes region.