Reusable Foodware PolicyA Plastic and Climate Solution that Helps Businesses Save MoneyMiriam Gordon, Story of Stuff ProjectNovember 14, 2023Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee Disposable foodware -part of a “throwaway economy”15% of wood22% of aluminum40% of plastic50% of glass
67%of Bay Area street litter bound for local and coastal waterways is disposable food & beverage packaging* 75%of top 10 littered items collected in Coastal Cleanup are food and beverage packaging*2011 SF Bay regional study -Clean Water Fund We have to work upstreamto redesign the systems generating all the waste in the first place.
Reuse is a Climate SolutionDisposable paper, plastic, and bioplastic cups result in3-10 x higherCO2 emissions than reusable ceramic, stainless steel and glass cups over a lifetime of 500 uses.
If reusable cups are used 500 times
●$3,000-$22,000in annual net cost savings●Average of 110,000 disposable packaging items eliminated every year●Average of 1,300pounds of waste reduced each year●See an overall 60% reductionof packaging items* Restaurants that switch to reuse reduce waste and save money *Data from ReThink Disposable, Clean Water Fund
Restaurant Sector# of RestaurantsSector %
Restaurant AverageAnnual Cost Savings
Restaurant SectorAnnual Cost Savings
Total Annual Waste Reduction(# of Items Eliminated)
Total Annual Waste Reduction(lbs.)Café/Bakery/Snack8812%$4,319$380,02811,630,168140,580Fast Casual10014%$4,687$468,65025,577,150193,050Fast Food17123%$4701$803,89524,730,705611,241Full Service37051%n/an/an/an/aAll Restaurants729100%$4,603$1,652,57361,938,023944,871 Reuse for On-site Dining -Waste and Cost Impact in Oakland Accessories on Request -Waste and Cost Impact
Restaurant Sector# of RestaurantsSector %
Restaurant AverageAnnual Cost Savings
Restaurant SectorAnnual Cost SavingsWaste Reduction (# of items)Café/Bakery/Snack8812%$7,487$658,81228,234,800Fast Casual10014%$626$62,60812,688,920Fast Food17123%$6,143$1,050,516112,237,500Full Service37051%$949$350,98224,775,200All Restaurants729100%$2,912$2,122,9178177,936,420 Accessories Upon RequestONLYDine-In Reusables PolicyONLYPoliciesCOMBINED Restaurant SectorRestaurantCost SavingsRestaurant SectorCost SavingsRestaurantCost SavingsRestaurant SectorCost SavingsRestaurantCost SavingsRestaurant SectorCost SavingsCafé/Bakery/Snack$7,487$658,812$4,319$380,028$11,805$1,038,840Fast Casual$626$62,608$4,687$468,650$5,313$531,258Fast Food$6,143$1,050,516$4,701$803,895$10,845$1,854,410Full Service$949$350,982n/an/a$949$350,982All Restaurants$2,912$2,122,917$4,603$1,652,573$7,515$3,775,490 Combined Policies -cost savings
27 California cities & counties: Arcata, Berkeley, Culver City, Cupertino, Daly City, Fairfax, Goleta, Half Moon Bay, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Sausalito, San Rafael, Tiburon, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Pacifica, Palm Springs, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Watsonville, Santa Cruz City and County, TruckeeOutside California cities:Quezon City, PhilippinesBainbridge and Bellingham, WA, Edmonton and Banff, Canada Countries:Chile, France, Taiwan, the Netherlands Reuse for Onsite Dining LawsSimilar Policies Enacted since Berkeley 2019