ECHO Systems Awarded EPA Grant to Expand ‘Philly Unwrapped’ Waste Reduction Initiative
Philadelphia, PA – Since its inception in 2016, ECHO Systems has been transforming the food industry in Philadelphia, one plastic container at a time. Guided by its motto, “we stop trash where it starts,” ECHO promotes reuse systems among small food establishments, community grocers, and local farms to combat single-use waste.
In November 2025, ECHO Systems–together with its 35-member coalition – secured a $101,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its flagship initiative, “Philly Unwrapped.” The U.S. EPA Region 3 Thriving Communities – Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Grant will launch a free waste-reduction toolkit that will help food, beverage, event and hospitality businesses and local communities prevent waste at the source in 2026.
“ECHO Systems is specifically focused on preventing waste at its source. The EPA Region 3 grant will help Philly Unwrapped educate local businesses and residents on how we can achieve solid waste prevention,”
Launched in 2023, Philly Unwrapped began as a working group led by ECHO Systems to engage businesses—particularly within Philadelphia’s Hispanic business community—around waste reduction and reuse. Community listening circles and ongoing resident-led conversations guided the program’s direction and informed its growth.
With the new EPA grant funding, Philly Unwrapped will advance several key initiatives, including:
- Launching a free community waste-reduction toolkit for food, beverage, hospitality, and events businesses in January 2026.
- Hosting six community education events—four in-person and two virtual—focused on reuse and building a more circular Philadelphia.
- Providing technical assistance and grant opportunities to local food businesses transitioning to reusable or low waste container options.
- Collecting, analyzing, and publishing measurable waste-diversion data to support local and regional policy shifts toward solid waste prevention and upstream solutions.
The grant comes at a pivotal time as Philadelphia faces intensifying waste-management challenges and growing community demand for sustainable alternatives. ECHO Systems’ collaborative, accessible, and data-driven approach continues to position the organization as a leader in regional waste-reduction innovation.
Residents, businesses, and community members passionate about reducing waste, advancing climate justice, and building a more circular economy are encouraged to get involved. Philly Unwrapped has expanded to reach a broader range of diverse communities and inclusion is at the core of their community work.
To learn more, join the coalition or take this one-minute survey.
Funding Acknowledgment: “The work that provided the basis of this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.”
About Philly Unwrapped: Philly Unwrapped, a coalition of over 35 local businesses and organizations led by ECHO Systems, is grounded in environmental justice, community access, and advocacy. The purpose of Philly Unwrapped is to empower local food businesses to embrace sustainable packaging by providing accessible resources, fostering equitable engagement, and championing community-driven policy and funding initiatives. Learn more about Philly Unwrapped here.
About ECHO Systems: ECHO Systems is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit committed to achieving waste-reducing outcomes across the city. Our mission is to empower communities with educational resources and technical assistance and increase access to third-party warewashing solutions, fostering a culture of local reuse in collaboration with our partners. We are committed to positively impacting the environment and promoting equitable access to waste reduction initiatives. This work is done in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Trash Academy and ReThink Disposable/ Clean Water Action.