Reusables win in CA
More and more food service operators throughout California are switching to reusables for dine-in and take-out. They're finding that customers love them, they’re better for the planet, and they’re better for business. This page contains all the information you need to learn why Reusables Win in California, as well as helpful resources you can use to make the switch!
For California restaurants and food service operators
Once you've had a chance to learn more, contact us so we can connect you with resources in your area that can help you make the transition to reusable foodware.
For nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, and professional associations
Want to support California food service operators and encourage them to switch to reusables? Use our marketing toolkit to educate your followers about the many benefits of reusable foodware. It includes eight suggested posts for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. We encourage you to share these resources widely!
Resources
Reuse Business and Service Directory
As more and more customers demand reusables, new businesses are meeting the needs of restaurants and food service operators of all stripes. Some offer low-cost reusable items, some cater to special events, while others offer full service, daily cleaning, pick-up and drop-off, so restaurants can focus on top notch food and customer service instead.
Find a reuse business in your area to get started today!
Reusables Catalog
Not only is reusable foodware much cheaper and far better for the planet than disposables, but it looks great and showcases food in a way that throw-away can’t match. Today, there are countless options for restaurants and food service businesses that match any budget and aesthetic. Check out this curated roundup of reusable options to find dishes, cups, utensils, and other items that save money, reduce waste, and look great.
Technical Assistance
Free assistance may be available in your area to help your business navigate making the switch to reusables.
ReThink Disposable (Bay Area and Los Angeles area only): ReThink’s cost-free assistance helps restaurants transition to more reusables with expert guidance to navigate the process which, for many, can be daunting. They even have money to assist qualified businesses purchase reusable foodware. Get in touch today.
Other CA cities: Contact us and we'll help you find a local organization in your area to assist you in switching to reusables, including navigating local ordinances and making sure you get the most out of any available incentives and rebates.
Why do reusables win?
Cost Savings
The data from hundreds of case studies shows that making the switch from single-use to reuse for on-site dining always ends up saving money – 100% of the time – even when you take into account the set-up and ongoing costs. Using sanitized reusable foodware for orders instead of disposables can save a restaurant on average $3,000 – $22,000 annually, while increasing operational efficiency. We also know that reusables become cheaper than disposable items after a handful of uses:
12 oz glass cup: cheaper than disposables after just 4 uses
12 oz ceramic mug: cheaper than disposables after just 12 uses
9 in ceramic plate: cheaper than disposables after just 18 uses
Utensil set: cheaper than disposables after just 16 uses
Check out some compelling ReThink Disposable case studies on the cost savings for reusables below.
Customer Satisfaction
When the pandemic began and take-out and delivery orders skyrocketed, everyone really started to take note of the enormous amount of waste generated from packaging in food orders. In today’s climate-conscious world, zero waste matters to consumers. When restaurants take it upon themselves to do better, people take notice, and they keep coming back. What’s more, a meal is simply more enjoyable when it’s served on real, rather than disposable, foodware.
Environmental Impact
Single-use foodware consumes valuable resources and generates global pollution both upstream where the materials were extracted to manufacturing, transit, and then finally downstream, where too much waste goes to landfill or litter is disposed of on our streets. And, many foodware items are not really composted or recycled as they are marketed to be. Reusable foodware is the solution and beats fiber and plastic single-use alternatives in every environmental measure. For example:
Replacing disposable cups with reusables can save 16 pounds of solid waste and 281 gallons of water per day
Transitioning to reusables could reduce trash on our city streets by 67%
In just 15 washes, reusable containers beat out disposables for environmental impacts*
Learn more about the ways reusables win out over disposables, environmentally and by every other measure, by viewing Upstream's comprehensive Reuse Wins Report.
*Source: ReThink Disposable
… And reusables are 100% COVID-safe!
The Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, California’s state and local public health departments, along with scientists across the globe agree: there is zero risk of transmission of COVID-19 from surface-to-surface contact.
Case Studies
View these real-world cases of Bay Area restaurants that completed ReThink Disposable’s program, resulting in thousands of dollars in savings and thousands of pounds of waste reductions.
Help Spread the Word!
Reusables Win in CA Marketing Toolkit
What’s next? Let your followers know about the safety, cost-efficiency, and ease of reusable foodware with the ready-made social media materials.
These are freely available for CA environmental organizations, government entities, sustainable businesses, food services, or anyone who is interested in encouraging local food service operators to switch to reusables.
Thank you!
The Reusables Win in CA campaign was generously funded by the Ocean Protection Council.
