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Koreana Rittenhouse Square
Koreana, a restaurant known for its traditional Korean cuisine in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, was already using many reusable foodware options for dine-in customers. Through their partnership with ReThink Disposable, Koreana identified further opportunities to reduce their reliance on single-use disposable items. These changes have not only been popular among customers but have also yielded substantial economic benefits, saving an estimated $3,109 annually and preventing 90,669 pieces of single-use disposable foodware from entering landfills, equivalent to 758 pounds per year.
The transition to stainless steel chopsticks, although initially challenging for some customers, has been met with enthusiasm as diners mastered the skill, and the use of ceramic bowls for dishes like cup-bap has enhanced the meal’s popularity. In fact, the ceramic bowls have garnered such praise that customers have inquired about purchasing them for their own homes, highlighting Koreana’s role in promoting sustainability while satisfying local appetites.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Single-use plastic lined paper bowls
- Single-use wooden chopsticks
- Single-use plastic lined paper coffee cups
Recommendations Implemented:
- Ceramic bowls
- Stainless steel chopsticks
- Ceramic mugs
Before & After
Business Information:
37 S 19th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
United States
Document
The Bottom Line
Small changes in foodware dramatically changed the presentation of Koreana’s most popular meals. Customers are learning to use stainless steel chopsticks and after a 3.8 month pay-back period cost benefits are being seen with no payroll increases.
$3,109
annual net cost savings
90,669
disposable items reduced per year
758 lbs
annual waste reduction
Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging
ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.
Jean's Cafe
Jean’s Cafe, located in Center City Philadelphia, is setting a new standard by coupling sustainability and the fast-paced take-away culture so beloved in our east coast delis. Known for its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere, the high-traffic cafe rings up over 500 transactions daily. By transitioning from 100% disposable foodware for dine-in to using exclusively reusable wares, Jean’s Cafe is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also realizing significant financial savings. Annually, they anticipate saving $2,063 even after factoring in water costs and labor for washing dishes. Their switch is projected to eliminate 326,898 pieces of single use disposable foodware, equating to 5,183 pounds of waste diverted from landfills, annually. Customers have responded positively to these changes, appreciating both the environmental initiative and the enhanced dining experience at Jean’s Cafe.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Single-use paper plates
- Single-use foam plates
- Single-use plastic cold cups with lids
- Single-use plastic lined paper coffee cups with plastic lids
- Single-use foam bowls with plastic lids
- Single-use plastic forks
- Single-use plastic knifes
- Single-use plastic spoons
- Single-use plastic sauce cups with lids
Recommendations Implemented:
- Ceramic plates
- Durable plastic baskets
- Durable plastic cups
- Ceramic mugs
- Ceramic bowls
- Stainless steel forks
- Stainless steel knives
- Stainless steel spoons
- Stainless steel sauce cups
Before & After
Document
PA ReThinkDisposableCaseStudy_JeansCafe.1.pdf
(486.92 KB)
Business Information:
1334 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
United States
The Bottom Line
Jean’s Cafe switched 100% of their disposable foodware to reusable for their dine-in guests, with a 1 month average pay-back period. They did not need to hire new staff, instead offered 2.5 more hours daily for current employees. The annual cost savings accounts for increase in labor and water costs of $12,000.
$2,063
annual net cost savings
326,898
disposable items reduced per year
5,183 lbs
annual waste reduction
Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging
ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.
Field Canvass Internship | Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
Calling all change-makers and aspiring advocates! Clean Water Action is now accepting applications for its summer 2024 internship program. Gain hands-on experience in the realms of politics, communications, and advocacy, while working alongside our dedicated professional outreach team. As an intern, you'll actively engage the public, igniting their passion for critical national and state campaigns to protect clean water, combat climate change, expose the impacts of oil and gas production, and discover safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
Interfaith Neighbors Meals on Wheels Monmouth County | Video
As a result of working with ReThink Disposable, Interfaith Neighbors has eliminated distributing fruit cups, as well as individually wrapped desserts, and is now providing clients with fresh fruit. This practice also reduces the number of paper bags used for delivery. The changes are a healthier alternative for both the client and environment and saves essential funds that can be used to better serve their client.
Business Profile:
Founded in 1988, Interfaith Neighbors has been assisting the most vulnerable in Monmouth County, New Jersey in securing life’s critical necessities, while working to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and their communities. Interfaith Neighbors provides multiple services, including daily meals through their Meals on Wheels programs.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
Prior to working with ReThink Disposable, the organization has been providing a fruit cup in small single-use containers and monthly spent thousands of dollars ordering products.
Recommendations Implemented:
Interfaith Neighbors replaced their daily 4-ounce fruit cocktail containers and plastic-wrapped individual desserts for fresh fruit. Staff are pleased with providing healthier food to their clients and clients have expressed their delight at getting fresh fruit.
There was a $0 upfront cost for these new zero-waste practices.
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
810 4th Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
United States
The Bottom Line
$72,000
Total annual cost savings
986,960
Disposable items reduced each year
8,702 lbs
Annual waste reduction
My eyes were made wide open. We replaced a plastic fruit cup, mainly sugar, with a fresh piece of fruit. We took sugary desserts out of our meals as well. Many are diabetic so this is a cost savings as well as a much more nutritious alternative.
Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging
ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.
Interfaith Neighbors Senior Center Program
As a result of working with ReThink Disposable, Interfaith Neighbors is now serving their clients with more dignity, as they provide a hot meal at all six Senior Centers on reusable foodware. They have eliminated the distribution of plastic single-use disposable fruit cups and individually wrapped desserts. Currently, they provide clients with fresh fruit. This is a healthier alternative for both the client and environment. Through their partnership with ReThink Disposable, Interfaith Neighbors is saving valuable funds that can be used to better serve their clients.
Business Profile:
Founded in 1988, Interfaith Neighbors in Monmouth County, New Jersey has been securing life’s critical necessities for the most vulnerable while improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and their communities. Interfaith Neighbors provides multiple services, including daily dine-in meals through their six senior nutrition programs.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
Prior to working with ReThink Disposable, the organization had been serving clients on exclusively single-use disposable foodware. They also had been providing fruit cocktail in disposable individual portion cups. They were spending thousands of dollars each month, ordering these items that eventually went into the waste stream.
Recommendations Implemented:
Single-use plastic fruit cups with foil lids were replaced with fresh fruit. Bowls and plates were replaced with reusable alternatives, paper cups were replaced with glass mugs and reusable cups, and single-use plastic cutlery was replaced with steel cutlery. The initial investment on new foodware was $2,910, and Interfaith Neighbors eliminated 100% of their single-use disposable foodware.
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
810 4th Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
United States
The Bottom Line
$37,113
Total annual net cost savings
326,000
Disposable items reduced each year
5,155 lbs
Annual waste reduction
Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging
ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.