Ditch the Disposables: Transitioning from Single-Use to Reusable Foodware

Takeout and to-go meals are more popular than ever, but their convenience comes at a cost. Waste from disposable and single-use food service items, such as containers, utensils, and condiment packages, continues to grow and most frequently ends up at landfills, incinerators, or waterways. Furthermore, food-serving businesses and organizations have been hit hard by rising prices and supply chain delays, disproportionately impacting small businesses that do not have the purchasing power of restaurant groups and corporate chains to keep up with demand.

DOEE’s Ditch the Disposables program, part of Zero Waste DC, aims to reduce the use of disposable foodware throughout the District by supporting transitions to reusable foodware at restaurants and food-serving entities. This can include establishing dishwashing capacity and implementing the use of reusable containers, either in-house or through a third-party entity.

A new grant program will be available in spring 2022 to help food-serving businesses and organizations transition to reusable foodware. Please check this page for program updates and application information. For more information or to be notified when the application is available, please call (202) 934-3306 or email [email protected].