Client Success Story
American Cleaning Institute: Small Actions Making a Lasting Impact
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) partnered with Fill it Forward to turn everyday moments at the ACI Annual Meeting & Industry Convention into visible, shared impact. Rooted in American Cleaning Institute’s broader commitment to progress—outlined in its 2024 Sustainability Report—this collaboration brought sustainability to life in a way attendees could see, feel, and participate in firsthand. It’s a powerful example of how small, intentional actions can add up to meaningful change.
Moving Beyond Awareness to Action
At the heart of the initiative was a focus on reuse and reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles. Recognizing the environmental footprint of large-scale events, ACI aimed to move beyond awareness and create an experience that actively encouraged better choices, helping to set a new sustainability standard at industry gatherings.
Making Sustainability Accessible
American Cleaning Institute seamlessly integrated Fill it Forward into the convention experience through a simple, engaging program. Upon registration, each attendee received a Fill it Forward Sticker to place on their reusable water bottle, making participation easy from the start. Using the Fill it Forward app, attendees tracked every reuse, saw their individual contributions, and watched the collective impact grow in real time.
Every Reuse Gives Back
To extend the impact, each scan unlocked a donation to DigDeep, an organization bringing clean, hot, and cold running water to American homes. Over the past three years, ACI members have unlocked nearly $20,000 to DigDeep through their partnership with Fill it Forward.
“What really resonated with our attendees was knowing their simple actions were supporting something bigger. Partnering with Fill it Forward allowed us to tie everyday reuse to a charitable give-back, and supporting DigDeep made that impact tangible and meaningful for our community. It gave purpose to every reuse and helped our attendees feel connected to a cause.”
Catie Anderson,
Manager of Meetings at the American Cleaning Institute
Sparking Engagement Through Friendly Competition
Participation was further encouraged through gamification using the Challenges feature in the Reuse365 Member Portal. This interactive feature sparked friendly competition and a sense of community, motivating attendees to scan their Fill it Forward Sticker throughout the event. Additionally, ACI displayed a real-time Impact Board highlighting single-use items diverted, environmental impact, and progress toward shared goals—making the results impossible to miss.
A Model for Sustainable Events
By fully embedding Fill it Forward into the convention experience, American Cleaning Institute reinforced its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. The initiative not only reduced on-site waste but also empowered industry leaders to participate in solutions that extend far beyond the event itself.
In 2025, ACI was honored as a Changemaker in the Social Impact Innovator category, an award for organizations that discover new ways to make a positive impact and substantial contributions to social causes, both locally and globally.
See how we support our event partners or connect with us to learn more.
