ReThink Disposable in California

ReThink Disposable, a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, prevents trash before it starts by working with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers to minimize single use disposable packaging in food service to conserve resources, prevent waste and ocean litter pollution.

 

Blog Posts

Related Case Studies

Owner of La Enmarada showing off the new reusable cups and utensils

La Enramada Restaurant y Taqueria

La Enramada Restaurant y Taqueria is a community favorite in San Jose, California for Brazilian caldo de pollo and authentic enchiladas Michoacanas. With the help of our Zero Waste Specialists to convert away from single-use items, La Enramada is eliminating over 360,000 items from the waste stream every year and saving $15,427 annually!
Owner of Korean Palace showing off new stainless steel plates and bowls

Thai Chili Express

Thai Chili Express is a long-time favorite in San Jose, California where locals enjoy traditional Thai cuisine as well as a variety of vegetarian options. With the help of our Zero Waste Specialists to convert away from single-use items, Thai Chili is eliminating 614.8 pounds from the waste stream every year and saving over $1,300 annually!
Posing with new reusable items inside the restaurant

Korean Palace

Korean Palace is a family-friendly restaurant and banquet hall in San Jose, California. They enjoy hosting events and welcome community to enjoy their delicious Korean cuisine. With the help of our Zero Waste Specialists, Korean Palace is eliminating 240.1 pounds of waste annually and saving $444 per year that can be reinvested in other areas of the business.

Learn More

Trash can full of disposable coffee cups

Starbucks and Our Plastic Pollution Problem

The globe is covered in plastic waste. The "to-go" coffee culture is a big part of this problem. Take Starbucks, for example. Starbucks uses more than 8,000 paper cups a minute, which adds up to more than four billion a year.
Read More

Publications

Fruitvale Community Restaurants: ReThink Disposable Case Study

Five local Fruitvale restaurants 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.

How Alameda County Is ReThinking Disposables [Video]

Working with funding from StopWaste and Ocean Foundation and in collaboration with Gurdwara Temple, Julie’s Coffee & Tea, and Freight & Salvage, ReThink Disposable is excited to share this video highlighting the work happening in the Bay Area to reduce plastic waste. Each of these businesses are realizing significant reduction in single use disposable foodware and a savings to their bottom line!

Reusable Foodware Purchasing Guide

This guide provides examples of reusable foodware substitutes for disposable products that contribute to the waste generated by a typical food service business.
Search Clean Water