Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Why Businesses are Switching to Reusable Foodware and You Should Too!

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted restaurants and led to an increased reliance on single-use plastic items. Since then, local governments have begun to push the adoption of more reusable foodware alternatives to help our environment. By making the switch now, you’ll be ahead of the curve! Taking action early not only benefits the environment but gives you a competitive edge as regulations tighten and customer demand for eco-friendly options grows. We found that making the switch to reusable foodware not only saw great economic savings, leading to thousands saved each year, but also major environmental benefits, helping to protect the world we live in!

Benefits of the Switch

Reusables may cost more per item to purchase compared to disposable alternatives, but they are more durable and help businesses save money in the long run. Over time, replacing disposable foodware with reusable foodward can dramatically reduce the cost of doing business. Businesses not only save money long term with reusable foodware, but also save money on waste removal. Disposable goods often contribute to the volume of waste created, meaning that a switch to reusable foodware can lead to lower waste disposal costs. 

One example of a restaurant that made the switch with the help of Surfrider’s Ocean-Friendly-Foodware-Guide is Channel Islands Juice Co. They made the switch to reusable straws and prevented the use of paper straws, styrofoam, plastic bags, single-use utensils and plastic bottles. It is estimated that by making this change they will save around $900-$2,000 per year. Another case study done by ReThink, a national program aimed at environmentally sustainable restaurants highlights the economic benefits of the change. The Scarlet Wheel replaced onsite dining utensils with reusable silverware, offered napkins in a self-serve dispenser, and made straws available by request only, helping them save $3,768 annually along with 602 pounds of waste. Recently Mitch's Seafood has made the switch to become an Ocean Friendly restaurant and has seen massive benefits, saving thousands of dollars a year and receiving positive customer feedback. To learn more about their success you can visit Surfrider’s story on Ocean Friendly Restaurant Spotlight: Mitch’s Seafood. 

On top of the economic benefits that come with reusable foodware, the environmentally friendly switch can also help boost business. Customers have responded with positive feedback towards environmentally friendly changes, especially as awareness of environmental issues grows. According to an article by University of Michigan researchers, “In a 2000 market-research study, 82% of Starbucks customers surveyed stated they liked the idea of reusable cups, and when asked what they liked about them, 59% cited the environmental benefits” (Spranger). Additionally, Restaurants can also offer discounts for those that return with reusable takeout containers, encouraging more business. 

Our Environment 

Making the switch to sustainable foodware has many environmental benefits. Single-use plastics in restaurants lead to a deteriorating environment from plastic pollution and natural resource extraction to threats to marine life and greenhouse gas emissions. The production of single-use plastics relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019 alone, U.S. plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons. However, making the switch to reusable foodware can help reduce the amount of plastic waste and protect our environment. According to Greg Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability, “reducing the quantity of single-use plastics in the restaurant industry by implementing reusable takeout container systems has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on energy, water and cost.” 

How do we make the change?

With the help of Surfrider's Sustainable Foodware Guide, a guide providing the best environmentally friendly alternative foodware options, restaurants can make the switch to sustainable foodware. Not only does this guide provide the plastic alternatives but it also provides real life case studies of other restaurants who have made the switch and the benefits they saw. Restaurants that are interested in adopting more environmentally friendly alternatives and cutting down on the use of single-use plastic can look towards Surfrider’s Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants Program. This program provides a framework for sustainable foodware options and offers a network of restaurants working towards a goal of sustainable restaurant industry. After reaching the requirements for the program, restaurants may utilize Ocean Friendly Restaurant advertisements, logos, vendor discounts and get featured on the Sufrider national and chapter websites. To learn more, you can visit the Surfrider Foundations page on Ocean Friendly Restaurants!