Wedding d茅cor, sports gear, and compost were the focus of winning projects in this year鈥檚 NextCycle Washington innovation awards program. At the 2026 Pitch Showcase on May 4 at Tulalip Resort Casino, 15 teams pitched their projects with opportunities to attract investors, win monetary awards, and generate broader visibility. More than 100 people attended.
The Pitch Showcase is the culminating event of the NextCycle Washington accelerator program, a six-month initiative supporting entrepreneurs and startups developing solutions in recycling, reuse, repair, and composting. The event celebrated circular economy innovation across Washington, and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller gave the keynote address.
For the second year the Pitch Showcase was hosted by the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) and Washington Organic Recycling Council (WORC) as a kickoff to their annual conference.
The NextCycle Washington innovation awards recognized the top projects in two categories: Material Solutions and Technology Solutions. Each category also named a People鈥檚 Choice winner, based on votes by event attendees.
- Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA) earned the top honor in the Material Solutions category for developing on-site composting infrastructure at CWU鈥檚 Wildcat Farm. The effort diverts organic from landfill disposal while producing compost for food production and campus landscaping. It also serves as a living laboratory for students.
- God鈥檚 Country Compost (Oroville, WA) earned the People鈥檚 Choice award in the Material Solutions category. The composting service transforms agricultural, commercial, and food system residuals into high-quality compost. The compost supports soil health and rural circular economies throughout Okanogan County, east of the Cascades.
- Next Rep (Poulsbo, WA) took home the top prize in the Technology Solutions category. The community sports marketplace enables people to donate, sell, and buy gently used sports gear while supporting local grassroots teams. From its Western Washington location, Next Rep keeps equipment in play longer and makes sports more accessible.
- Something Borrowed Exchange (Seattle, WA) was selected by attendees for the People鈥檚 Choice award in the Technology Solutions category. The community-based platform reduces wedding waste by empowering members to share, borrow, and gift d茅cor and supplies at no cost. Celebrations are more affordable and sustainable in this circular economy model.
Do you know an organization that鈥檚 recycling in innovative ways? Applications for the NextCycle Washington Cohort 5 will open in late summer/early fall 2026.