Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) has partnered with Clean Water Action in recruiting 100 Alameda restaurants to join a campaign designed to reduce the amount of waste being produced at area restaurants. 

The ReThink Disposable Campaign’s restaurants have committed to replacing disposable packaging and utensils with reusable items such as sauce cups, plates and cutlery for on-site dining. They also pledge to reduce waste in “to-go” orders by reducing the amount of packaging used. These efforts support the implementation of Alameda’s sustainable foodware ordinance which took effect Jan. 1. The ordinance requires that straws be offered only on request and all disposable foodware be fiber-based compostable or recyclable aluminum.

ReThink Disposable student ambassadors have been working to raise awareness in the community about the impact of disposable foodware and single-use plastics. They have conducted litter audits on Park Street to profile the types and brands of litter. In the process, the students collected the litter and created artwork, which is now on display at Tucker’s Super-Creamed Ice Cream, 1349 Park St., through mid-February.

To reduce use of single-use products:

• Bring a mug to the coffee shop
• Bring a bag to the grocery store
• Use a reusable straw or drink without one.

CASA is a community-wide coalition formed to raise awareness, mobilize community action and facilitate implementation of programs to achieve the goal of Alameda’s Local Action Plan for Climate Protection. The plan’s goal is to reduce Alameda’s carbon emissions to 25 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020, while increasing community sustainability and well-being.