Event Network, a leading operator of retail stores for experiential attractions in the US, has announced a new collaboration with Ridwell, a company that helps households divert hard-to-recycle items from landfill.
This partnership names Event Network as the exclusive cultural attraction retail vendor for Ridwell Express kits, and will bring the innovative recycling solution to 41 zoo, aquarium, and museum shops across 21 US states.
Making recycling easier
Ridwell was founded by Ryan Metzger and his son, Owen, in Seattle to promote the responsible recycling of batteries, plastics, and other items not typically accepted by curbside schemes. Originally called ‘Owen’s List’, what began as a local initiative quickly grew into a movement.
Now, Ridwell collaborates with over 250 recycling and reuse organisations to ensure that household materials find second lives, instead of being sent to landfill.
Ridwell’s doorstep pickup service and the Ridwell Express mail-back scheme connect households with recycling partners such as Trex, HydroBlox, and local organisations, and help more than 150,000 families recycle plastic film, food packaging, pill bottles, and other materials.
Julie Ricci, Event Network’s VP of purchasing, says: “Event Network shares Ridwell’s vision of making it easier for families to make a positive impact on the planet.
“By offering Ridwell Express kits in our stores, we’re empowering guests to take conservation action home with them, extending the mission of the zoos, aquariums, and museums we serve.”
This retail launch marks a first-of-its-kind retail presence for Ridwell, and makes Ridwell Express available to guests at 41 Event Network-operated locations, including Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Oregon Zoo, Moody Gardens, American Museum of Natural History, and California Academy of Sciences.
Kevin Shawver, Ridwell’s vice president of new initiatives, says: “Ridwell was born from a simple belief: doing good for the planet shouldn’t be hard. By partnering with Event Network, we’re connecting with people in places where conservation matters—zoos, aquariums, and museums—and giving them an easy way to take action.”
By partnering with Ridwell, Event Network underlines its longstanding dedication to sustainable retailing. The company’s recent projects include transitioning plush toys to completely recycled materials, replacing plastic eyes with embroidered details, and developing eco-friendly product lines that reflect the conservation values of partner institutions.
This summer, Event Network announced that it is now working with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, one of the leading public gardens in the US. This partnership provides an opportunity to promote the attraction’s horticultural excellence and dedication to education, conservation, and community enrichment.
