How to Successfully Launch Your Fill it Forward Program
Your Fill it Forward products have been ordered—now it’s time to bring your reuse program to life.
This is where your program turns into real participation, measurable impact, and lasting habits.
Whether you already have a plan or are just getting started, we’re here to support you every step of the way. The most successful reuse programs are simple by design—they start with intention and grow through consistent engagement.
Below are four key stages to help you launch with confidence and build a program that lasts:
1. Plan: Build a Strong Foundation
2. Activate: Launch with Purpose
3. Engage: Maintain Momentum
4. Recognize Impact and Milestones
1. Plan: Build a Strong Foundation
Strong programs begin with clear goals and thoughtful planning. Taking the time to align early will set you up for long-term success.
Define your objectives: What impact do you want to create? This could include reducing waste, increasing engagement, unlocking donations, or advancing sustainability goals.
Plan your distribution: Consider the who, what, where, when, and how of getting your products into participants’ hands.
Connect your program to something bigger: Programs gain traction when aligned with broader initiatives like sustainability, wellness, or employee experience.
Member Tip: Explore the Program Activation Guide in Reuse365 for ready-to-use resources and talking points.
Enhanced Member Tip: Set up a personalized onboarding call with our customer success team to help guide your strategy and set clear goals.
2. Activate: Launch with Purpose
A strong launch builds early momentum and sets expectations for participation.
Educate your team: Ensure participants understand how Fill it Forward works—from the product to the app to your program goals.
Provide context during distribution: Go beyond the “how” and clearly communicate the “why.” Share what each scan represents and the impact it creates.
Create a shared experience: A guided “first scan” moment reduces friction and helps participants feel confident and connected from day one.
Member Tip: Share our How it Works Video to build understanding and excitement.
Enhanced Member Tip: Add an Impact Booster to take your program further with sponsored giving. Choose from our nine charitable partners or onboard a local charity to support your community. Learn more about Impact Boosters.
3. Engage: Maintain Momentum
After launch, the focus shifts from awareness to consistency. Ongoing engagement is what turns early participation into lasting habits.
Share impact regularly: Highlight the charities being supported and the outcomes being unlocked. Consistent updates help participants see the difference they’re making.
Keep it visible: Reinforce the program through reminders, milestone updates, and progress tracking.
Support participation: Answer questions, share reuse tips, and introduce light competition to keep energy high.
Member Tip: Use Fill it Forward posters, photography, and co-branded assets in Reuse365 to keep your program visible.
Enhanced Member Tip: If you have a TV in a central space or use an intranet, use the Impact Board. This tool can be accessed via the Groups tab in Reuse365 and will provide a live view of the impact from your program.
4. Celebrate: Recognize Impact and Milestones
Celebration reinforces purpose and encourages continued participation.
Share impact in real time: Highlight key metrics and milestones to showcase progress. When participants can clearly track progress, it reinforces positive habits and encourages continued engagement.
Recognize participation: Acknowledge individuals, teams, or departments contributing to your program’s success.
Celebrate along the way: Recognize completed Giving Projects, scan milestones, and leaderboard highlights.
Member Tip: Encourage individuals to check their personal impact on the Footprint page in the app.
Enhanced Member Tip: Download your Impact Snapshot from the Stats tab in Reuse365 to showcase and share your progress.
We’re Here to Help
With these four steps in place, you’re ready to launch a program that drives participation, builds lasting habits, and creates measurable impact.
If you need support at any stage, reach out to Jasmine, Client Success Specialist, at jasminei@fillitforward.com.