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Clean Water Action's Annual Celebration: The Fun is in the Fight!
We invite you to join us for an evening of community and joy at Clean Water Action's Annual Celebration: The Fun is in the Fight!, Thursday, June 12th.
Conmunities Over Corporations - Michigan Capitol Day 2025
Across the country and here in Michigan, the attacks are escalating—on our freedoms, our schools, our paychecks, our healthcare, and our very democracy. While billionaires and lobbyists write the rules, working people are left to pick up the pieces. On Wednesday, April 23, we're sending a message: we're fighting back.
Bedford Public Schools, Bedford, MA
Bedford Public Schools, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, serve approximately 2,500 students across four schools: Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary (PK–2), Lt. Job Lane Elementary (3–5), John Glenn Middle School (6–8), and Bedford High School (9–12). Approximately 1,400 lunches are served daily across the district.
Thanks to a generous donation from PlasticFreeRestaurants.org, the schools’ polystyrene (foam) lunch trays were traded for Ahimsa stainless steel reusable trays in December 2024. This was the final phase of a district-wide cafeteria waste reduction program; since 2023, the district has implemented a food share table, and separating recycling, food scraps, and liquids from true trash.
Read The Full Case Study Here (PDF)
ReThink Disposable is a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund conducted in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies. Generous support is provided by a changing list of public and private funders. To learn more about the program, its partners, and funders, visit: www.rethinkdisposable.org.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
Single-use expanded polystyrene 5-compartment tray
Recommendations Implemented:
Durable stainless-steel 5-compartment tray
Before & After
Document
MA-Bedford-ReThink-Case-Study.pdf
(981.12 KB)
Business Information:
97 McMahon Rd
Bedford, MA 01730
United States
The Bottom Line
$11,777.40
annual net cost savings
261,720
disposable items reduced per year
5,796 lbs.
annual waste reduction
In the Lane school, we have gone from 18 bags of trash a lunch day down to 6. The reusable trays have vastly reduced the amount of garbage thrown out and have actually streamlined the whole lunchtime custodial operation.
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.
Powderface, Oakland
Located in Fruitvale Village, Powderface serves the best beignets west of New Orleans, serving both traditional and vegan beignets for those that want to have the taste of the south without the guilt. Powderface also serves coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and crepes for a full dining experience. Powderface made a 35% switch of their total disposable foodware purchases to go 100% reusable for their dine-in guests. Powderface will not only divert over 77,000 single pieces of harmful disposable plastics every year but will also enjoy a $3,000 annual savings.
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 — dramatically reducing plastic pollution in their operations, and providing real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community. Read the full Fruitvale Community Restaurants Case Study here.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- White Hot Drink Dome Lid
- Flat Straw Slot Lid
- Paper coffee cup 12 oz./16 oz./20 oz.
- Clear plastic cold cup 16 oz./20 oz.
- Bio #1 Kraft Takeout Container
- Hot Paper Cup 8 oz.
- Eco Kraft Sandwich Bag
- Disposable Wooden Stir Sticks 7.5''
Recommendations Implemented:
- Dine-in reduction with reusable cups
- Ceramic coffee cups
- Stainless steel cold cups
- Reusable serving baskets
- Dine-in reduction with reusable plates, serving baskets, and trays
- Reduction for dine-in by request
Document
CS_Fruitvale_09.26.24.pdf
(4.41 MB)
Business Information:
3411 E 12th St
#134
Oakland, CA 94601
United States
The Bottom Line
$3,011
net annual savings
77,289
disposable items reduced per year
1,553 lbs
annual waste reduction
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!
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.
Parra’s, Oakland
Parra’s is a traditional Mexican restaurant in the heart of the Fruitvale. Their menu is authentic, and their specialty is their delicious tlayudas oaxaqueñas which the owner, Carlos, encourages everyone to try. The atmosphere is friendly, and everyone is welcome to stop in for a bite or take mole poblano home for the family.
Parra’s was already using reusable foodware for their dine-in guests but were still relying on plastic straws and sauce cups. Replacing them with stainless steel reusable foodware will positively impact the community diverting over 41,000 pieces of harmful disposable plastics annually.
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 — dramatically reducing plastic pollution in their operations, and providing real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community. Read the full Fruitvale Community Restaurants Case Study here.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Plastic sauce cups
- Plastic straws
Recommendations Implemented:
- Stainless steel sauce cups
- Stainless steel straws
Before & After
Document
CS_Fruitvale_09.26.24.pdf
(4.41 MB)
Business Information:
3284 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94601
United States
The Bottom Line
$694
net annual savings
41,063
disposable items reduced per year
143 lbs
annual waste reduction
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.
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.
