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Arlington Public Schools
The Arlington Public Schools, located in Arlington, Massachusetts, enrolls 6,019 K-12 students. In 2022, a high-school student group, SIash the Trash, began advocating for reusable foodware in the high school. Due to logistical limitations in the high school, the food services identified Arlington’s smaller sixth-grade school as a feasible location for a pilot. In the fall of 2022, the sixth-grade Gibbs School became the first school in the district to transition from single-use plastic to reusable stainless-steel cutlery. Dallin Elementary School followed in 2024 due to the successful advocacy of 4th-grade Climate Club students. In the spring of 2026, with support from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant, Gibbs School became the first in the district to transition from compostable to stainless-steel Ahimsa trays. Peirce and Stratton Elementary Schools used the grant funds to transition to reusable cutlery. To further reduce single-use cafeteria items, these schools are in the process of switching from single-use condiment packets to bulk condiment dispensers. Each of the 4 schools enrolls between 325
and 500 students with dishwashing infrastructure already in place.
Business Profile:
Arlington Public Schools (Gibbs, Dallin, Peirce, Stratton) is located in Arlington, MA. They have on-site dining, no take-out, uses commercial dishwaters and has 3-4 kitchen staff per cafeteria with 1-2 waste monitors daily by staff and students.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Single-use BPI-certified 5-compartment compostable tray
- Single-use plastic fork
- Single-use plastic spoon
- Single-use plastic knife
- Single-use ketchup packets
Recommendations Implemented:
- Stainless-steel 5-compartment Ahimsa tray
- Stainless-steel fork
- Stainless-steel spoon
- Stainless-steel knife
- Bulk ketchup dispensers
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
Arlington, MA
United States
The Bottom Line
- $12,929 total annual net cost savings
- 315,436 disposable items reduced per year
- 3.6 tons (over 7,000 lbs) of annual waste reduction
- $2,500 savings at Gibbs Elementary in compost-hauling savings
- 7.4-month payback period on reusable foodware and bulk condiment purchases
$12,929
Total Annual Net Cost Savings
315,436
Disposable Items Reduced Per Year
3.6 tons (over 7,000 lbs)
Annual Waste Reduction
I was initially anxious to implement the change, but once again, the students have shown me that change is often harder for adults than the students! The transition has been very smooth, and we have received a great deal of positive feedback.
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.
World Gourmet - Fremont CA
In collaboration with the City of Fremont, ReThink Disposable assisted World Gourmet to replace disposables for dine-in customers. They serve up to 500 meals a day, and with their new stainless steel laser-engraved chopsticks and rests, they have eliminated a major source of single-use waste from dine-in customers. ReThink also switched out their double-walled paper coffee cups, which now affords customers an elevated dining experience.
With two simple changes, World Gourmet is eliminating 1,356 pounds (the weight of a Kodiak bear!) from the waste stream, and the business is saving $3,459 annually, which can be reinvested into other upgrades to the space. They were able to cut their overall disposable usage by 56% annually and completely eliminate use of disposable chopsticks for dine-in buffet service.
World Gourmet is great example of how small changes make a big impact.
Business Profile:
World Gourmet is a local Japanese Seafood & Sushi Buffet restaurant, featuring a delicious assortment of seafood entrees, fresh high-quality sushi, mouth watering dim Sum and soups, cold entries, a full salad bar, and delectable desserts.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Disposable chopsticks
- Double-walled paper hot cups
Recommendations Implemented:
- Stainless steel laser-engraved chopsticks with rests
- Unbreakable coffee mugs
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
6010 Stevenson Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
United States
The Bottom Line
65,179 pieces
of single-use foodware eliminated from the waste stream annually
1,356 pounds
of single-use disposable waste prevented
$3,458
in savings for the restaurant every year
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.
Voca Coffee - Fremont CA
In collaboration with the City of Fremont, ReThink Disposable assisted Voca Coffee in eliminating 87% of their dine-in disposable foodware. The company is eliminating 1,356 pounds (the weight of a blue wildebeest!) from the waste stream and saving $1,609 annually, which can be reinvested into other upgrades to the space.
By purchasing proof boxes with lids, our ReThink specialists also eliminated Voca’s need for food service film in the kitchen. These small changes in front of and behind the counter are eliminating 41,000 individual single-use items and 228 pounds of cling wrap from the waste stream annually.
Voca Coffee was able to cut their overall disposable usage by 87% annually — and completely eliminate the usage of food service film in the kitchen.
Business Profile:
Voca Coffee is a boutique coffee roaster and online coffee retailer. It offers a collection of premium coffee beans originating from the most renowned coffee-producing regions, like Sumatra, Java, Ethiopia, Kenya and Costa Rica. With specially-designed roasting profiles, roast-to-order and cupping processes, Voca assures that the coffee reaches you at the peak of freshness. Through hand-crafted coffee, Voca wishes to offer a space and a moment to listen to the inner calling, and follow.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Paper-wrapped straws
- Wood stirring sticks
- Wood paddle picks
- Disposable sweetener packets
- Food service film
Recommendations Implemented:
- Glass straws with cleaning brush
- Silicone stir sticks
- Metal cocktail skewers
- Glass sugar pourer
- Airtight proof boxes with lids
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
46560 Fremont Blvd
Suite 304
Fremont, CA 94538
United States
The Bottom Line
With the help of our ReThink Disposable Zero Waste Specialists, Voca Coffee is eliminating 1,356 pounds (the weight of a blue wildebeest!) from the waste stream, and the business is saving $1,609 annually, which can be reinvested into other upgrades to the space. They were able to cut their overall disposable usage by 87% annually, and completely eliminate the usage of food service film in the kitchen.
41,659
single-use items eliminated from the waste stream annually
228.92 pounds
of food service film eliminated from the waste stream annually by making one simple switch
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.
Falafel, Etc. - Fremont CA
Falafel, Etc. used to use reusable foodware, but, like many restaurants, they went all-disposable during the pandemic. Fremont’s incentive funding and ReThink’s technical assistance and support was just the assistance they needed to get back on track!
With the help of our ReThink Disposable Zero Waste Specialists, Falafel, Etc. is eliminating 4,129 pounds (the weight of a mid-size SUV!) from the waste stream, and the business is saving $11,779 annually, which can be reinvested into other upgrades to the space. They were able to cut their total disposable usage by 50% annually, and eliminate 100% of their single use disposables for dine in customers, elevating the dining experience.
Business Profile:
Falafel, Etc. has been serving the East Bay community for nearly 2 decades. Dedicated to delivering an authentic Palestinian/Israeli experience right from the Bay area, their falafel is world-class, Shawarma seasoning is imported from Israel, and Hummus is delectable.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Small & medium bowls
- Round & oval plates
- Black plastic utensils
- Paper coffee cups
- Coffee cup lids
- Plastic drink cups & water cups
- Paper-wrapped plastic straws
- Drink cup lids
- Soup cup lids
- Small & large sauce cups
- Sauce cup lids
Recommendations Implemented:
- Small & medium ceramic bowls
- Ceramic plates
- Stainless steel utensils
- Ceramic coffee mugs
- Stainless steel cups
- Stainless steel straws
- Stainless steel sauce cups
- Eliminated the need for lids on coffee cups, drink cups, soup bowls, and sauce cups
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
39200 Fremont Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
United States
The Bottom Line
With the help of our ReThink Disposable Zero Waste Specialists, Falafel, Etc. is cutting their total disposable usage by 50% annually, and eliminating 100% of their single use disposables for dine-in customers, elevating the dining experience.
100%
reduction in single-use disposable foodware for dine-in customers
158,468 pieces
of single-use foodware eliminated from the waste stream annually
$11,779
in savings for the restaurant every year
It feels like a positive step for the restaurant and the environment. We like the fact that it gives our guests a more quality feel and enhances their dining experience for the better, while reducing our carbon footprint and lowering our overhead. Can't beat that!
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.
University Taqueria, Berkeley CA
With the help of our ReThink Disposable Zero Waste Specialists, University Taqueria is eliminating 52,664 items from the waste stream every year, and the business is saving $1,224 annually, which can be reinvested into other upgrades to the space. They were able to cut their overall disposable usage by 55% annually and totally eliminate disposables from dine-in service!
Business Profile:
University Taqueria is a community favorite in Berkeley, California. Locals and university students alike enjoy the standard comfort foods: tacos, burritos, and incredible quesadilla plates that keep the neighborhood fed and satisfied! Their authentic flan dessert is something that you don’t want to pass up when you're enjoying a meal at this local eatery.
Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:
- Bioplastic drink cups
- Plastic sauce cups
- Plastic forks
- Plastic spoons
Recommendations Implemented:
- Reusable SAN plastic cups
- Stainless steel sauce cups
- Stainless steel forks
- Stainless steel spoons
Before & After
Document
Business Information:
2021 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
United States
The Bottom Line
52,664
disposable items reduced per year
55%
reduction in usage of disposable items
$1224
net annual savings
The program has been very helpful ... It helps us a lot, especially because we are saving money and there is less trash for us. You are making everything easier for us! ... We've [already] been buying fewer forks and spoons since we have the metal ones, and the water dispenser is perfect!
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.