Reusable Food and Beverage Ware in Food Service is a Win-Win for Cost Savings and the Environment
ReThink Disposable is a technical assistance program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund. The objective is to prevent excess waste before it starts. The program works with local governments, businesses, and consumers to minimize single-use food and beverage disposable packaging. In doing so, restaurants and other food business operators cut costs and improve the dining experience for patrons. This benefits the environment by conserving resources, preventing waste, and reducing ocean litter pollution. Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund partnered and trained The Bay Foundation (TBF) to bring ReThink Disposable to Los Angeles for program implementation in 2019 and 2021.
Why Is Reducing Single-Use Disposable Items Critical?
- Every year an estimated 8 million tons of plastic are discharged into the world’s oceans
- 10 metric tons of this plastic comes from the Los Angeles area—every day
- 80% of ocean litter comes from land-based sources
- 67% of litter in commercial streets is comprised of single-use disposable food and beverage packaging
In 2019, ReThink Disposable Certified Los Angeles businesses included: The Conservatory, Gus’ Tacos Mexican Grill, Palette Food and Juice, and Scoops Chinatown. In one year, these four ReThink Disposable Certified businesses together eliminated the use of 247,570 disposable items weighing 2,637 pounds. This resulted in a total savings of $8,017.92.
Watch the videos below to hear testimonials from Gus’ Tacos Mexican Grill and Palette Food and Juice.
Project Highlights
ReThink Disposable Partnership Continues
TBF received funding from Patagonia to continue this impactful partnership with Clean Water Action (CWA) and Clean Water Fund (CWF). In follow up to a successful pilot with six Northern California yacht clubs in 2019, CWA and CWF partnered with the California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program and The Bay Foundation to implement ReThink Disposable at three yacht clubs in Los Angeles County in 2021. In all, the three clubs’ efforts annually eliminate:
- 58,799 single-use disposables items
- 845 pounds of trash prevented from entering landfills
- $2,726.30 in total net savings
The Conservatory Reduces Disposable Items by 65%
As a result of implementing ReThink Disposable’s recommendations, The Conservatory is preventing the use of 205,008 disposable items and 2,118 pounds of waste annually, while earning an ongoing net cost savings each year of $6,898.82 from the avoided foodware purchases.
“I think everybody wants to do the right thing but some of us need more encouragement than others. It’s nice to have someone to be accountable to. This program has kept us accountable, which is great. I have wanted to make these changes for a while now and some of the changes I haven’t even thought of before, so I am glad to have signed up for this program.”
– AJ Barish, Owner, The Conservatory
Palette Food and Juice Reduces Disposable Items by 35%
Palette Food and Juice prevented the use of 23,376 disposable items and 291 pounds of waste annually from entering the waste stream. Palette also earned an ongoing annual net cost savings of $668.12 from the avoided disposable foodware purchases.
“ReThink Disposable has helped our culture here at Palette immensely! Our employees, our regulars and our owners are super excited about the changes we have made! Cutting down on disposable waste and resources has become a wonderful part of Palette’s mission and business model. Thank you, ReThink Disposable!”
– Molly Keith and Melissa Nester, Co-Founders, Palette Food and Juice
ReThink Disposable Partnership Continues
TBF received funding from Patagonia to continue this impactful partnership with Clean Water Action (CWA) and Clean Water Fund (CWF). In follow up to a successful pilot with six Northern California yacht clubs in 2019, CWA and CWF partnered with the California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program and The Bay Foundation to implement ReThink Disposable at three yacht clubs in Los Angeles County in 2021. In all, the three clubs’ efforts annually eliminate:
- 58,799 single-use disposables items
- 845 pounds of trash prevented from entering landfills
- $2,726.30 in total net savings
The Conservatory Reduces Disposable Items by 65%
As a result of implementing ReThink Disposable’s recommendations, The Conservatory is preventing the use of 205,008 disposable items and 2,118 pounds of waste annually, while earning an ongoing net cost savings each year of $6,898.82 from the avoided foodware purchases.
“I think everybody wants to do the right thing but some of us need more encouragement than others. It’s nice to have someone to be accountable to. This program has kept us accountable, which is great. I have wanted to make these changes for a while now and some of the changes I haven’t even thought of before, so I am glad to have signed up for this program.”
– AJ Barish, Owner, The Conservatory
