ReThink Disposable: Ballast Coffee

San Francisco café owner Paolo Araneta deployed a new reusable jar system for Ballast’s daily grab-and-go treats and eliminated single-use disposable containers. Jar deposits are refunded upon return of the jar, or can be applied to the next purchase. After two months of implementation, staff reported a return rate of 75% and didn’t need to restock their jar supply. By offering returnable jars and replacing single-use utensils with stainless steel ones, Ballast Coffee eliminates the use of 12,369 pieces of single-use food packaging, reduces their trash generation by 245 pounds, and after an initial investment of $254 for reusable foodware, earns an ongoing net cost savings of nearly $1,263 annually.