The City and County of Denver can help your next event go green! Funding is available now to help public events switch from disposable to reusable cups. $2,500 per permitted event is available. This funding aims to reduce your event's waste and make your event more sustainable. Event planners and organizers will partner with a reuse service provider that provides cups, collection bins, delivery and pick-up logistics, and sanitizing services. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Event planners and organizers looking to use reusable cups at their 2023 public events are eligible to apply. Events must occur within the City and County of Denver.
Apply for Funding
Grants are paid out of the city's disposable bag fee fund and managed by the city's Certifiably Green Denver program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
Any permitted public event held within the City and County of Denver in 2023 is eligible to apply.
What are the requirements?
How much funding can I request?
The maximum amount of requested funds per applicant is $2500. The funding request must match a Reusable Cup Service Vendor quote that meets all requirements.
What requirements must a Reusable Cup Service Vendor meet?
Event planners/organizers are responsible for selecting and receiving a quote from a Reusable Cup Service Vendor that meets the following requirements:
- Provide reusable cups at the event.
- Provide collection bins with proper signage to aid event attendees in returning reusable cups at the event.
- Follows standard operating procedures to ensure proper transport/sanitization/storage of reusables; sanitization must be done at a wash hub within Denver that the City and County of Denver has licensed.
- Report reusable cup metrics post-event to understand waste reduction impacts and associated costs or savings.
What do I need from a Reusable Cup Service Vendor?
You need a price quote from a Reusable Cup Service Vendor for the number of reusable cups and collection bins you will need for your event. Please attach the quote to your application.
What is a Waste Data Sharing Agreement?
- Number of attendees and number and cost of disposable cups purchased in the previous year of the event.
- Number of attendees and number of reusable cups required for the 2023 event.
- Waste hauling costs for the previous year of the event and for the 2023 event.
- The number of volunteers staffed at the event.
- Metrics provided post-event by Reusable Cup Service Vendor. For example, the number of reusable cups used and their return rate.
If you have any questions about this, reach out to CertifiablyGreenDenver@denvergov.org.