Welcome to
B.Y.O. – U.S. Reduces

BYO stands for Bring Your Own. Add C for containers, M for mugs, U for utensils, or N for napkins. The possibilities are aplenty. We are America’s BYO enthusiasts for community, climate and environmental justice.

Featured

Michelle Brake, Environmental Policy Analyst of Canadian non-profit Mind Your Plastic makes the case for BYO as one of the top strategies for waste reduction.

Seemingly small individual BYO actions can become a catalyst and a stepping stone to important policy decisions that usher in system-wide change.

How It Works.

The idea is simple. Businesses that accept BYO containers put a sticker in their window, letting their customers know they can shop with their own containers, hassle-free. For details, see  BYO 101 for consumers and businesses and our Get Started Guide.

Find Your Local Group, or Start a New One.

Looking for a local café, restaurant or bulk store that allows you to use your own containers? See the growing network of BYO Reduces groups in the US here. Don’t see your city listed? Start a local group! See our Get Started Guide.

 

Get Involved.

BYO – US Reduces needs you! We would love to have you on board. Please contact us.

Welcome to US Reduces: Get Started

Everything you need to know to start your own local BYO Reduces group is here! We have a sign-up form, and sticker and flyer templates, and various tips to get your group started! 

The image above is the sticker for newly launched Harlem Reduces group in New York City. They are active on Instagram @harlemreduces. Give them a shoutout!

Introducing our wonderful friend EcoRate!

EcoRate helps you find eco-friendly cafes, zero waste stores, and much more to make it easy to prevent waste and support sustainable venues near you.

We are a new member of Plastic Pollution Coalition!

So excited to be a part of the positive change! We became a member in August 2023!

Two volunteers at Streets Alive! Festival in September 2022 in Ithaca, NY, holding their containers with BYO Ithaca Reduces stickers. Stickers are a reminder to bring containers from home.

Map

Check out the map of the growing U.S. Reduces Network!

Join our mission. Volunteer, Donate, Advocate. Get Started Today.