King County’s Solid Waste Division announces a new program to help businesses develop projects focused on expanding waste prevention, repair, reuse, recycling, and composting – actions that save resources, cut waste, and preserve landfill space. NextCycle Washington is a free, six-month program offering a combination of business and technical support from Resources Recycling Systems, Cascadia Consulting Group, and Start Consulting Group.
The program offers mentorship from community leaders and industry subject matter experts, and access to its professional network along with identifying funding and partnership opportunities. Participants in NextCycle Washington can be entrepreneurs or start-ups, small businesses, established corporations, non-profits, or a collaboration of entities.
“King County is dedicated to supporting businesses with promising circular economy projects that help expand waste prevention and recycling,” said Emily Coleman, Circular Organics Program Manager at King County. “Through NextCycle Washington, businesses will get the essential resources they need to ready their projects for investment and implementation.”
Selected applicants will have access to:
- A multi-day business boot camp to develop growth plan fundamentals, one-on-one consulting with experienced mentors and subject matter experts to improve and refine business models and project plans
- Facilitated networking opportunities to foster collaborations and partnerships
- Engagement with community voices to ensure equitable outcomes and generate grassroots support
- Identification of funding pathways and connections to potential investors
- Support to develop and refine presentations to help secure project funding
Applications will be accepted through July 15.
NextCycle Washington was developed in partnership with representatives of local and state government, businesses, and community groups focused on reducing waste, and expanding reuse and recycling. This collaboration ensures that NextCycle Washington is inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of businesses and organizations throughout the state.
Funding for NextCycle Washington is provided through King County’s Solid Waste Division, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Commerce and Seattle Public Utilities. Technical support and program management is provided by Resources Recycling Systems, Cascadia, Start Consulting, and Traversal Designs.