. >> reporter: this was colin webster's first job when he turned 18 ten years ago. he now chairs the board. >> there's a stigma against people that work in the industry. i tell people no, i own a business and i make money and some of my friends went to college. >> reporter: it's not a new business model, but it is getting a lot more attention after the pandemic wiped out many small businesses. a bill to create a co-op hub and help center in the governor's office passed unanimously and became law in california this year. >> it creates stability in your community. the businesses are owned and operated by the people living in them. >> reporter: kirk says co-ops can be a good option for the tens of thousands of business owners who want to retire. >> takes care of the business owner, pays them. takes care of the employees, gives them a wealth building opportunity and takes care of the community because the community get to keep their gem of business, whatever that is. >> reporter: one customer called it a better experience. >> this model works. it works from a customer s

. >> reporter: this was colin webster's first job. he now chairs the board. >> i tell people ness d i makemore money than some of my friends >> reporter: after the pandemic wiped out several small businesses, a bill to create a co-op hub passed unanimously and became law in california this year. >> it creates stability in the community. the businesses are owned and operated by the people living there. >> reporter: co-ops can also be a good option for the tens of thousands of business owners who want to retire. >> it takes care of the business owner, pays them, takes care of employees and gives them a wealth-building opportunity, and it takes care of the community. >> reporter: one customer called it a better experience. >> this model works from a customer service level in terms of employee retention. >> reporter: but it wouldn't work for anyone unless the end product is good. in these long lines at dinner time, it means that consumers and workers are erarl st a l at they want. number of woer-own slice of new york pizza is the only one

. >> reporter: this was colin webster's first job when he turned 18 ten years ago.e now chairs the board. >> there's a stigma against people that work in the service industry. i tell people no, i own a business. >> reporter: it's not a new business model, but it's getting a lot more attention after the pandemic wiped out many small businesses. a bill to create a co-op hub and help center in the governor's office passed unanimously and became law in california this year. >> it creates stability in your community. the businesses are owned and operated by the people living in there. >> reporter: kirk says coops can be a good option for the tens of thousands of business owners who want to retire. >> takes care of the business owner, pays them, takes care of the employees, gives them a wealth building opportunity, and takes care of the community because the community gets to keep their gem of business, whatever that is. >> reporter: one customer called it a better experience. >> this model works. it works from a customer templ retenon >> reporter: ul rk for anyone unless

. >> reporter: this was colin webster's first job when he turned 18 10 years ago.airs the board. >> i tell people, i own a business and i make more money than some of my friends that went to college. >> reporter: it's not a new business model but it's getting attention after the pandemic wiped out many small businesses. >> it creates stability in your community. the businesses are owned and operated by the people living there. >> reporter: kirk says co-ops can be a good option for the tens of thousands of business owners that want to retire. >> takes care of the business owner. takes care of the employees, gives them a we'llth earning opportunity and takes care of the community because they get to keep the gem of business. >> reporter: one customer called it a better experience. >> this model it works from a customer service level, in terms of employee retention. >> reporter: it wouldn't work for anyone unless the end product is good. >> the proof is in the pizza. >> reporter: these long lines at dinnertime means consumers and the workers are both getting what they

. >> reporter: this was colin webster's first job when he turned 18 ten years ago.re's a stigma against people that work in the service industry. like when i tell people i'm like no, i own a business and i make more money than some of my friends who went to college. >> reporter: it's not a new business model but it is getting a lot more attention after the pandemic wiped out many small businesses. a bill to create a co-op hub and help center in the governor's office passed unanimously and became law in california this year. one customer called it a better experience. >> this model works. it works from a customer service level, in terms of employee retention. >> one, two, three. >> reporter: but it wouldn't work for anyone unless the end product is good. >> the proof is in the pizza. >> reporter: and these long lines at dinner-time means consumers and the workers are both getting what they want. len ramirez, cbs news, san jose. >>> as more and more communities move to recycle plastic, cardboard and cans, some environmentally conscious companies are taking it a step f