Adoption of Reuse in Federal and State Food Code Guidance
(November 4th, 2025)
In Collaboration With
Have you ever asked yourself while at a restaurant: Can I refill my own drink or food container? Can a restaurant refill a container? Can a third-party organization handle the washing of a refillable container? We answered these questions and more, as speakers discussed the permissivity of reusable containers in foodservice as noted in federal and state level food codes. Learn about the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration's federal food code supplemental guidance addressing reuse and why it is critical that all states adopt it.
Meet our Speakers:
Megan Mansfield Pryor, Environmental Specialist, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Supervisor of staff overseeing Maine's product stewardship programs focused on electronic waste, batteries, mercury-containing devices, pharmaceuticals, and architectural paint. Supporting development of Maine's Annual Product Stewardship and Waste Generation and Disposal Capacity Reports, and Maine Materials Management Plans. Megan served on the Northeast Recycling Council board for six years and holds a master’s in policy, planning, and management and a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and policy from the University of Southern Maine.
Kelley Dennings, Senior Campaigner, Center for Biological Diversity
Kelley Dennings is a Senior Campaigner with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity where she develops and executes advocacy and outreach initiatives that address the connections between gender equity, endless growth and the climate and extinction crises. Prior to the Center, she worked as a local government recycling coordinator, then worked for NC’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources before moving to the nonprofit sector where she worked with Keep America Beautiful and the American Forest Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from N.C. State and a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Florida. Her research and case studies have been published in EcoWatch, Nonprofit Quarterly, Resource Recycling, Sustainability Times etc. and she is on the board of Shareable.
Alisa Shargorodsky, Founder and Director, ECHO Systems
Alisa Shargorodsky is the Director of Philadelphia nonprofit ECHO Systems, a voting member of PR3, and a board member of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. Named Reuse Activist of the Year (2024) by Upstream Solutions, she led the first organization to secure Philadelphia’s reusable container variance. Her work focuses on decarbonizing local
economies and advancing a just transition for businesses and communities across socio-economic conditions by building city-wide reuse infrastructure grounded in climate justice and community accessibility.
Yayoi Koizumi, Founder, Zero Waste Ithaca
Yayoi Koizumi is the founder of Zero Waste Ithaca based in Central New York and co-founder of BYO-U.S. Reduces, a national network supporting Bring Your Own advocates across the country. She leads grassroots campaigns from securing BYO rights in New York to challenging synthetic turf projects at Cornell. Her work focuses on reducing waste, fighting plastic pollution, and advancing local, community-driven solutions over corporate false solutions to the solid waste crisis.
Sonja Williams, Program Consultant, CET
Sonja Williams is a Program Consultant at CET and TRUE Zero Waste Advisor focused on waste prevention, reduction, and diversion in Massachusetts. With a background in public education, public health, and environmental science, Sonja is passionate about developing practical and accessible guidance for communities to build on success and stay motivated for positive change.
