We ReUse

We ReUse, a woman- and veteran-owned business founded in 2021 with a location in Bloomfield, Michigan, makes stainless steel foodware as a healthier alternative to plastic for large institutions, such as schools and hospitals, promoting sustainability by replacing single-use foodware. Their U.S.-made products from recycled stainless steel have earned the prestigious Platinum GreenScreen® Certification from the Center for Environmental Health.

Since its founding, the business has built on its vision of replacing one-time-use containers with reusable solutions by pursuing grant opportunities and local partnerships.

In February 2025, We ReUse was among 30 recipients to receive Circular Economy Grants from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s NextCycle Michigan accelerator program. We ReUse received $200,000 to buy equipment to manufacture reusable stainless steel foodware products such as cups and trays to replace single-use paper and plastic products and set up pilot programs throughout Michigan to support organizations providing food service. In April 2025, We ReUse donated nearly 200 stainless steel sporks to GESU Catholic School in Detroit – a school making strides in sustainability efforts – to help reduce cafeteria waste.

Around the same time, We ReUse’s founder and COO John Fedyski was having difficulty finding suitable manufacturers in the U.S. to further expand the business’s product line. In talking over the challenge with the Sustainable Business Network Detroit (SBND), a nonprofit focused on creating sustainable solutions for Detroit businesses, the SBND introduced Fedyski to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Supply Chain Resiliency team.

Working with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), the Supply Chain Resiliency team identified several Michigan-based metal stamping companies for We ReUse. In the end, Transfer Tool Products out of Grand Haven was an ideal match; the company will now be making stainless steel cups for We ReUse, thanks to the connections made by the MEDC and MMTC. The company anticipates the 10oz cup will be ready by December 2025.

“Joe Tyler [of the MEDC] was a great communicator,” said Fedyski. “We had spent over a year looking for somebody all over the country to make the actual product. With his help, he gave us 10 leads in Michigan, and we chose Transfer Tool. Joe was there all along the way and instrumental in our success.”

“Transfer Tool Products, founded in 1985, has grown into a strong American competitor in deep drawn stampings. We are a proud Michigan company who call Grand Haven home,” said Myrl Draggoo, sales manager for Transfer Tools Products. “We are excited to produce food grade products that reduce plastic waste and carbon footprint. Transfer Tool Products is a leader in many manufacturing industries; we look forward to expanding our offerings into this market and continuing growth. Thank you We ReUse and MEDC.”

With the support of the MEDC, MMTC and other local partners, We ReUse will continue to reduce the carbon footprint while keeping its manufacturing and supply chain right here in Michigan.