On the heels of Oakland passing one of the strongest reusable foodware and plastic litter reduction ordinances in the Bay Area, ReThink Disposable, working with The Unity Council and the owners of Oakland’s historic Huarache Azteca restaurant, was able to offer free technical assistance to five restaurants in the storied neighborhood of the Fruitvale to reduce the use of disposable service-ware that was used for dine-in customers. ReThink did not do any conversion of the restaurant’s to-go foodware, but did convert 100% of dine-in foodware to reusables. Restaurants received up to $500 in funding to purchase reusable, washable dine-in foodware to help offset the cost of making changes.
From the largest conversion at Powderface, where their customers now enjoy beignets on ceramic plates and hot cups of coffee in ceramic mugs, to the smallest conversion of straws and sauce cups at Parra’s, all five restaurants saw significant waste reduction and a healthy annual cost savings. Combined, these restaurants were able to dramatically reduce plastic pollution in their operations and provide real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community.
Five local Fruitvale restaurants — Emil’s Burger & Breakfast, Hogar Latino Panaderia Y Restaurant, La Torta Loca, Parra’s, and Powderface — teamed up to reduce single-use disposable waste by over 187,600 individual pieces and over 3,240 pounds — annually. After an average payback period of 2.74 months, this group of restaurants will collectively be saving over $10,000 every year by purchasing fewer disposables.
“Thank you so much. We love everything. We have already started using everything, and it is all so nice. So much better than what we were using!” — Ana, Cashier at Emil’s
“We are so grateful for these items! I am so glad we will be able to reduce the disposable plastic smoothie and juice cups, and coffee cup, lid, and sleeve purchases!” — Hugo Barajas Jimenez, Co-Owner at Hogar Latino Panaderia Y Restaurant
“You brought some goodness to our restaurant! I tried the stainless-steel straws, and I really enjoy my jamaica drink now!... I am excited that this will help us save money.” — Carlos Parra, Owner of Parra’s
“We can definitely use the help in transitioning back to reusables after COVID. We have been hit hard as a business during this time and want to thank ReThink Disposable for the help in complying with the new law!” — Lauren Montoya, Owner of Powderface
