Serve It Safe Reusable Takeout Program
As more food service businesses start to reopen, we are thrilled to launch Serve it Safe – a new environmental initiative with UPSTREAM and Dishcraft designed to reduce waste in our communities. The pilot is kicking off during Earth Week and will run for four weeks from Tuesday, April 20 – Monday, May 17.
Tootsie’s at the Stanford Barn is the first restaurant to pilot Serve it Safe, a reusable foodware program, and we can’t wait to make this a success so we can show other restaurants and diners the way to a zero waste future!
We’ve also put together resources to help you get the word out. Below we’ve provided details about our 4-week pilot along with ways you can spread awareness to your email lists and social media following.
Join us in defining what’s possible for the planet by supporting our initiative, and lead the way to accelerating reuse!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Serve It Safe?
Serve It Safe is a community reuse program to help local restaurants reduce waste and increase safety by replacing single-use foodware with clean, sanitized, reusable takeout containers. A partnership of Dishcraft and UPSTREAM, Serve It Safe was created to allow local restaurants to thrive during the COVID pandemic without impacting their sustainability missions.
Tootsie’s at the Stanford Barn is the first restaurant to pilot Serve It Safe. The pilot will run from April 20 - May 17, 2021.
How does Serve It Safe work?
Tootsie’s packages your meal in reusable containers from Dishcraft.
After use, you simply close the container(s) and place them in a Dishcraft collection bin.
Each day, Dishcraft drops off clean containers to the restaurant and collects the used ones.
After collection, the containers are brought back to Dishcraft’s automated dishwashing hub where they are washed, commercially sanitized and inspected before they’re sent back out to Tootsie’s.
What is the cost to participate?
The Serve it Safe pilot program has no charge for diners and is very affordable for restaurants. The return policy is simple and free of rules and restrictions; diners return the container to a collection bin located at any participating restaurant. There is no app, deposit, or tracking mechanism and no fee for loss or breakage.
Where do I return my Serve It Safe container?
When you finish your meal, just look for one of the Dishcraft collection bins located around the Tootsie’s patio. Simply close your container and drop it inside.
If you are taking your meal to go, please return your container on your next visit to Tootsie’s.
How are these containers cleaned and sanitized?
Only Dishcraft combines multiple layers and levels of cleaning, testing and inspection technologies and protocols for a level of safety and sanitization that exceeds all traditional dishwashing operations. Each container is washed and sanitized using eco-friendly chemicals, for a level of clean that exceeds levels determined by public health codes. Dishcraft personnel wear full PPE to ensure that a safe environment is maintained at all times during handling.
Why are the Serve It Safe containers a good reusable option?
The Serve It Safe reusable containers are made from durable, BPA-Free Polypropylene, which is microwavable, dishwasher-safe and recyclable. Polypropylene consumes the least amount of energy during production and produces the lowest carbon dioxide emissions when compared to single-use plastics. Dishcraft containers last for hundreds of uses and the white and clear material offers maximum recyclability.
How can I help spread awareness about this?
We’re so happy you asked! We’ve provided a couple ways to spread the word about Serve it Safe to your communities through email and social media.
