ReThink Disposable in California

ReThink Disposable, a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, prevents trash 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.

 

ReThink Disposable business partner poses with new reusable dishware in front of display case of Chinese pastry

Join the ReThink Disposable Movement in California!

ReThink Disposable helps food service providers from restaurants to cafeterias to soup kitchens and music venues shift away from single-use foodware to resuable sustainable alternatives. Save money and save the planet - contact us to learn more!
California Program Update July 2023 - ReThink Disposable

ReThink Disposable | California Program Update, July 2023

Welcome to Clean Water Action California’s July program update! Read all about how we’re working towards California’s environmental health and safety. Thank you for your support of this work and for being part of the solution!

Related Case Studies

Utensil Station at Ballast Coffee after reusable item switch

Ballast Coffee

"Reusables [are] the only way small businesses like Ballast should move forward. We all need to do our part in contributing to a sustainable future. Small things add up fast. If we all do our part, what a difference we all can make."
Kids with paper plates before switching to reusable options, San Carlos Youth Center

San Carlos Youth Center (Video)

"Working with ReThink Disposable was such a great experience! With their help, our Youth Center staff were not only educated but provided the resources to eliminate single-use disposable foodware and significantly reduce our daily waste. Thanks to ReThink Disposable we will be getting our after school participants into the habit of doing all we can to reduce our impact on the planet."
Shish Grill Owner Nancy Annan

Shish Grill (Video)

"First of all, your dishes are going to look a lot better, more presentable and more on the upscale side. And you’re going to save a lot of money. No one hates to do that. You work hard for your money, so saving will go a long way. Third of all, I mean, you’re going green, help the environment as well."

Blog Posts

Publications

Through the Eyes of the Food Service Operator: A survey of Alameda County food businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Clean Water Fund surveyed Alameda County, CA restaurants that had previously adopted reusable options through the ReThink Disposable source reduction process. Core values around sustainability remain strong, however there is a clear need to educate both food operators and the public that reusables are just as safe as disposables .

ReThink Disposable: Unpackaging Alameda

With a grant from the California Ocean Protection Council, ReThink Disposable partnered with the City of Alameda to create a model for “unpackaging a city.”

ReThink Disposable Case Study | Manila Eatery

Manila Eatery is successfully implementing these ReThink Disposable cost saving practices: Switched from single-use plastic plates to reusable plates, and replaced two different sizes of single-use plastic bowls with reusable bowls.
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