RETHINK DISPOSABLE

prevent waste before it starts

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ReThink Disposable Progress

Business Participants:

109

Total

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Disposable Packaging Reduction:

10.3 million

ANNUAL ITEMS

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Annual Waste Prevention:

121,162

pounds

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Annual Cost Savings:

$394,033

(after payback period)

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OUR MISSION:
STOP WASTE BEFORE IT STARTS

ReThink Disposable, a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, prevents waste before it starts by working with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers to minimize single use disposable packaging in food service to conserve resources, prevent waste and ocean litter pollution. Disposable food and beverage packaging makes up 67% of litter in commercial streets. If we don’t end the “throw-away” lifestyle now, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050! This is a huge problem.

Businesses

Organizations large and small are saving thousands of dollars each year, and winning over their customers in a whole new way by championing our movement. For businesses, ReThink Disposable is a "win-win!" Join us!

Governments

Governments are joining us to take the lead on the global plastic pollution problem. We partner with local and state governments to innovate new programs and policies to meet their waste and litter prevention goals, reducing pollution in local waterways and the ocean.

Community

We couldn't be successful without a movement of ReThink Disposable champions and leaders to bring about change in their communities. Here's how you can take ACTION now and be the change you want to see in the world!

ReThink Disposable Participating Business Spotlight

Kirk's Steakburgers

ReThink Disposable Restaurant Testimonial: Kirk's Steakburgers

Rick Junker, the owner, has replaced disposable plastic water and paper soda cups with reusable cups, replaced two sizes of paper trays with baskets, installed signage, and implemented the new practices into staff education and training. ReThink Disposable reimbursed Kirk’s Steakburgers $220.84 for the purchase of 312 food baskets and 72 cups. The results of Kirk’s Steakburgers ReThink Disposable certification are: $3,981 in annual ongoing savings; 2,477 pounds of annual trash prevented, and 83,036 disposable items reduced annually.

Sacred Wheel Cheese Shop

ReThink Disposable Restaurant Testimonial: The Sacred Wheel Cheese Shop

Jena, the co-owner of Sacred Wheel, had switched to compostable disposable packaging, because she thought this was the best thing to do for the environment. However, she found out that the compostable plastics Sacred Wheel was using to serve food and beverages couldn’t be composted in Oakland and were instead being sent to the landfill. Jena reconsidered and realized that real dishes were the best option for Sacred Wheel. Jena reconsidered and realized that real dishes were the best option for Sacred Wheel.

Big G Burger

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Big G's greatest opportunity to minimize disposable packaging was to stop providing disposable cutlery and condiment packets for every to-go order. By changing to a self-service model, they saved a lot of time and money and reduced waste without impacting customer satisfaction.

Participating Businesses

REUSABLE FOODWARE GUIDE

Make the switch from disposable to reusable food service ware! This Guide has tons of options to help you find a reusable product that fits your business's style and budget. Not only will you reduce significant cost and waste, but your customers will love it. Make the change and see how much better the pictures of your food will look on Yelp, Instagram, and Facebook!

CALCULATOR

A small change soon adds up. Want to know how the switch can impact your bottom line? Use our ReThink Disposable projection calculator to see how much you can save by swapping out disposable packaging for reusables.

THE PROBLEM

Single-use disposable items so commonplace in our take-out food and beverage culture consumes too many resources, creates a massive amount of waste and litter that pollute our waterways, Bays, and ocean. Rather than recycle products we've only used for a few minutes, we're encouraging everyone to prevent pollution by not using the disposable packaging in the first place. Preventing pollution is always preferable (and cheaper) to cleaning it up!

RESOURCES

From research and publications to community educational materials and handouts, we've created plenty of resources for you to download and support your participation in the movement, here.

What Can I Do RIGHT Now?

Find ReThink Disposable Participating Businesses In Your Local Community

The best way to champion our movement is by supporting ReThink Disposable businesses who eliminate and reduce disposable packaging. Driving consumer demand to support cleaner and greener businesses recognizes their hard work and helps push other businesses in the community to join the movement. Find out where to Instagram your next delicious meal, here.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities & Educational Events

Engage and take action on upcoming ReThink Disposable initiatives, events and workshops in your community.

Take Action

Want to get more involved? Email your city government and state legislator, join a local committee, take the source reduction pledge and support local policies that prevent waste, plastic pollution and ocean litter.

Educational Resources

Want a bag monster to come to your classroom or next community event? Need educational materials and handouts for your creek and beach cleanups? We're here to help with everything you could need to educate and engage the public on the impact of packaging on our environment and health and the solution, ReThink Disposable!