Switch from Disposables to Reuse—Without Disrupting Your Operations

Businesses from Fort Collins, across Boulder County, and down to Colorado Springs—including cafés and restaurants, offices and event venues—are finding practical ways to switch to reuse while maintaining efficient operations and controlling costs.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand existing reuse efforts, this page connects you with vendors, guides, and resources that can help restaurants, offices, and institutions transition to reusable serviceware and other waste-reducing practices. You’ll find:

• Vendors that provide reusable container systems
• Tools to help restaurants switch to reusable food serviceware
• Guidance for implementing reuse programs
• Tools to simplify day-to-day operations

Reusable Serviceware for Restaurants and Cafés

Restaurants, cafeterias, cafés, and catering businesses can significantly reduce single-use packaging by switching to reusable serviceware for dine-in customers. 

Reusable dishware systems are one of the most sustainable and cost-effective ways to reduce waste from food service operations. When customers eat with reusable cups, plates, and utensils, businesses can reduce purchasing costs and prevent large amounts of disposable packaging from entering the waste stream.

Does reusable serviceware save money?

While costs vary depending on your setup, businesses find that reusable dishware reduces expenses over time by replacing continuous purchases of disposable items with durable products used again and again. Reusable dishware pays for itself over time. Estimates show that businesses can save $3,000–$20,000 annually by switching from disposable serviceware to durable dishware systems.

Guides to Help You Transition to Reuse

These resources can help restaurants and food service businesses evaluate and implement reusable serviceware systems:

• Eco-Cycle’s Guide to Sustainable Serviceware (available in English and Spanish): A comprehensive guide for restaurants considering reusable dishware. Includes implementation steps, cost comparisons, and alternatives to polystyrene food containers.

• Planet Bluegrass’s Reusable Dish Handbook: A case study and implementation example showing how reusable dish systems can work at events and venues.

• Eco-Cycle’s 2024 PPRA Guide for Retailers and Food Establishments: Provides step-by-step guides, resources, and sample materials for businesses to implement Colorado’s plastic bag ban and polystyrene ban.

Reusable Container System Vendors and Service Providers

For businesses that want to outsource reusable cup or container systems, several third-party providers offer collection, cleaning, and redistribution services. These vendors make it easier for restaurants and events to offer reusable containers without managing washing or logistics themselves.

Examples of reusable container system vendors include:

• r.World Reuse – Provides reusable serviceware systems including cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and to-go containers. Services include washing, collection, and redistribution for events and venues including Red Rocks, Cervantes, AEG music venues, the Breckenridge Vipers, and more.

• OZZI – Reusable container systems and smart return technology designed for campuses, military bases, institutions, restaurants, and other businesses.

• Retrocycle – A “Borrow and Reuse” system for takeaway food and beverage containers that allows customers to return containers to participating locations.

• Muuse – A digital reusable container system designed for cafés and restaurants. Customers can borrow containers through a mobile app and return them at participating locations. Muuse is working with Petaluma, California, and Banff, Canada, on community-wide returnable cup systems.

• CupZero – Reusable cup systems designed for events, festivals, and businesses.

Simple Ways to Reduce Single-Use Waste

You don’t need to do a complete overhaul of your systems in order to get started. Small changes toward reuse can make a meaningful difference.

Examples include:

• Allowing or incentivizing customers to bring their own clean containers for refills
• Encouraging customers to bring reusable bags
• Offering dine-in customers reusable cups and dishware
• Creating signage to explain reuse options to customers
• Using reused cardboard boxes for take-out orders when appropriate

Some Colorado communities also offer programs that support reuse systems, such as Bring Your Own Cup initiatives or reusable takeout container programs.

Additional Waste Reduction Resources for Businesses

Several organizations provide tools and guidance to help businesses reduce waste and improve sustainability practices.

• Boulder County Business Guide to Reducing Food Waste – Resource for Boulder County businesses to prevent wasting food, including source reduction, feeding people, feeding animals, and feeding the soil through composting – En español

• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Introduction & Guidelines – Online index to calculate costs and benefits of choosing products and materials that reduce environmental impact. 

• Paper Calculator – Quantify the environmental impacts of your paper use and compare different types of paper that have varying amounts of recycled content.

• Sustainable Purchasing Policy template for businesses – PACE template policy that businesses can adapt when implementing sustainable purchasing practices and working toward their Zero Waste Certificate.