About the Initiative

The Circular Business Academy (CBA) is a pilot initiative of the Sustainable Business Partnership (SBP) designed to help businesses reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and implement practical sustainability strategies. Through education, technical assistance and peer learning, participating businesses will gain the tools and support needed to identify measurable waste diversion opportunities and advance circular economy practices. 

The Circular Business Academy is available exclusively to businesses enrolled in the Sustainable Business Partnership – a completely free program available to businesses within the Cities of Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan. Participation in the CBA is voluntary and designed to provide practical, hands-on guidance that businesses can apply immediately. 

Pilot Cohort

The inaugural pilot cohort will launch on September 21, 2026, and will serve businesses throughout the Tri-Cities. 

To ensure meaningful collaboration and individualized support, participation in the 2026 pilot cohort will be limited to six businesses. 

The academy will run for approximately three months and provide participating businesses with access to workshops, technical assistance, digital waste auditing tools and implementation resources. 

What Participants Will Learn 

Businesses participating in the Circular Business Academy will receive guidance and support related to:

  • Waste reduction strategies
  • Recycling program improvements
  • Composting opportunities
  • Reuse and circular systems
  • Material management practices
  • Operational efficiency improvements
  • Waste diversion measurement and tracking
  • Sustainability planning and implementation

The academy focuses on practical actions businesses can take to reduce waste, improve resource management and create measurable environmental and operational benefits.

Waste Diversion Implementation Grants 

Businesses that successfully complete the Circular Business Academy pilot cohort will be eligible to apply for a Waste Diversion Implementation Grant up to $2,000. 

Grant funding may support projects such as: 

  • Composting infrastructure
  • Recycling program enhancements
  • Reuse systems
  • Waste reduction equipment
  • Employee education materials
  • Operational improvements that support circular economy outcomes

The grant program is intended to help businesses implement sustainability projects identified during their participation in the academy. 

Supporting Regional Sustainability Goals 

The Circular Business Academy supports waste diversion and reduction goals identified in the South Metro Waste Diversion Plan by helping businesses adopt measurable and trackable circular economy practices. 

By reducing waste, improving resource management and increasing diversion rates, participating businesses will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient regional economy. 

Funding Support 

The Circular Business Academy pilot is made possible through funding provided by the Waste Management For Tomorrow Grant. 

Grant funding supports educational programming, participant materials, waste diversion tools, technical assistance and implementation resources that help businesses achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes. 

Eligibility 

To participate in the Circular Business Academy, businesses must: 

  • Be located within Englewood, Littleton or Sheridan
  • Be enrolled in the Sustainable Business Partnership
  • Commit to participating throughout the three-month academy
  • Be willing to explore and implement waste diversion and sustainability improvements

Additional application and cohort selection details will be announced prior to program launch. 

Submit an Interest Form Here

Program Components 

Launch Workshop September 21, 2026
Technical Assistance
Digital Waste Auditing
Midpoint Review Workshop
Graduation & Celebration December 17, 2026
Rego Digital Waste Analytics Platform