(ecourage) wins “Best in Show” at NextCycle Michigan’s SHAPE Sustainable Packaging Showcase
EAST LANSING, Mich. — October 21, 2025 — (ecourage) was named Best in Show at the NextCycle/SHAPE Sustainable Packaging Showcase, part of the NextCycle Michigan accelerator events hosted at the Graduate Hotel in East Lansing. The showcase is the capstone of a six-month program that helps teams refine circular solutions and pitch to judges, investors, and industry leaders.
What is NextCycle Michigan (and SHAPE)?
NextCycle Michigan is a state-supported circular economy accelerator that connects entrepreneurs, companies, and communities with technical support and resources to advance reuse, recycling, and recycled-content projects. The program culminates in public pitch showcases where teams present to a judging panel and audience.
The NextCycle/SHAPE Sustainable Packaging Showcase is co-located with the Fall Showcase and focuses specifically on packaging innovation. SHAPE (the Sustainability Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem) is led by partners including the MSU Research Foundation andRRS/NextCycle and supported by a National Science Foundation Engines development grant to catalyze regional sustainable-packaging solutions.
Why this recognition matters
SHAPE’s “Best in Show” award recognizes solutions that can meaningfully accelerate the transition away from single-use packaging. (ecourage)’s platform stood out for its ability to integrate seamlessly into existing retail operations, deliver measurable waste reduction and provide the data transparency brands increasingly need.
(ecourage)’s win signals that next-generation refill technology is moving from early experimentation into real commercial deployment, and that Michigan is positioning itself as a hub for circular innovation in the United States.
The recognition highlights a shift across the industry: retailers are no longer asking whether refill can work, but how fast it can be implemented and scaled.
What's Next for Refill Infrastructure in Michigan
Building on the momentum from the SHAPE Sustainable Packaging Showcase, (ecourage) will continue working with retailers, universities, and community partners to expand access to clean, standardized refill systems across Michigan. Insights from the NextCycle program are informing new site deployments, technology refinements and data tools that help local businesses measure impact and meet rising consumer expectations for low-waste options.
In the coming months, (ecourage) will explore additional pilots that integrate refill into everyday shopping routines — from campus hubs to community retailers to regional chains — demonstrating how scalable reuse infrastructure can strengthen local economies while reducing dependence on single-use plastic. The goal is simple: make refill the most convenient choice in Michigan, and in doing so, create a model that other states can follow.
This win marks the beginning of a new chapter for reuse, one that transforms everyday routines and brings measurable impact to communities everywhere. We look forward to supporting Michigan’s leadership in the circular economy and helping more regions adopt refill systems that truly scale.