Reusable Food and Beverage Ware in Food Service is a Win-Win for Cost Savings and the Environment
Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year globally and less than 9% is recycled. By 2050 plastic is expected to outweigh all fish in the oceans. Much of this marine debris results from disposable plastic products, specifically single-use disposable food and beverage packaging, that have a short life span and are quickly thrown “away.” Plastic pollution implications are vast and harmful spanning its extraction through disposal. The most effective measure that reverses this and ultimately prevents ocean-bound plastic is to reduce it at the source and to stop using single-use disposable plastics.
In 2018, The Bay Foundation (TBF) partnered with ReThink Disposable, a technical assistance program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, to prevent excess waste before it starts. In doing so, restaurants and other food operators cut costs and improve patrons’ dining experience. View the resources below for the results of TBF’s implementation of Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable in Los Angeles in 2018 and 2021.
In 2023, the City of Los Angeles launched its Reusable Foodware Microgrant Program to help advance single-use plastic reduction and assist food service establishments with their transition to reusable foodware and foodware accessories. TBF is proud to have supported the program with implementation and technical assistance alongside Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable and APTIM. 120 restaurants participated in reducing single-use disposables at the source and championing reuse for dine-in. Check out the video below to learn more! Are you a City of LA food service establishment interested in receiving free technical assistance, training, purchasing, delivery, and set up of reusable foodware and foodware accessories? While LASAN’s microgrant application cycle is currently closed, you can fill out the City of Los Angeles LA Sanitation & Environments’ interest form.
TBF is also a proud member of Reusable LA, a coalition of partners working to resolve LA’s plastic pollution issue by championing a reusable culture and empowering other cities to do the same.
Check out the resources below to learn more and get involved!
Project Highlights
ReThink Disposable at SoCal Yacht Clubs
In follow up to a successful pilot with six Northern California yacht clubs in 2019, The Bay Foundation partnered with Clean Water Action, Clean Water Fund, California State Parks, and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program in 2021 to implement ReThink Disposable at three yacht clubs in Los Angeles County. In all, the three clubs’ efforts annually eliminate:
- 58,799 single-use disposable 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 in 2018 via The Bay Foundation in partnership with Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, 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
Hold the Plastic, Please! Support Restaurants in Reducing Waste
Several new laws have been passed locally to reduce excess plastic and waste. As these laws come into effect, Reusable LA is working to support restaurants in the transition and clarify any confusion. If you love eating out, join us in supporting restaurants by sharing these info cards to relay tools to reduce waste and comply with legislation.
ReThink Disposable at SoCal Yacht Clubs
In follow up to a successful pilot with six Northern California yacht clubs in 2019, The Bay Foundation partnered with Clean Water Action, Clean Water Fund, California State Parks, and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program in 2021 to implement ReThink Disposable at three yacht clubs in Los Angeles County. In all, the three clubs’ efforts annually eliminate:
- 58,799 single-use disposable 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 in 2018 via The Bay Foundation in partnership with Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, 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
