Bring Your Own Container (BYOC) programs are becoming an increasingly common way to address the waste of single-use plastic and paper products, specifically in restaurants.
Zero Waste Ithaca received a neighborhood mini-grant from Sustainable Finger Lakes to start a BYOC sticker program. Through the program, restaurants will be able to put a sticker on their storefront showing that their customers can bring their own containers.
“The idea is to reduce the waste of single-use containers and promote reuse and refill,” said Yayoi Koizumi, founder, and coordinator of Zero Waste Ithaca.
Zero Waste Ithaca got the idea for their BYOC program from Canada Reduces, according to Koizumi. Presently, over 30 businesses in Roneyvalles alone, a neighborhood in Toronto, Canada accept reusables, thanks to Canada Reduces.
Further, the BYOC sticker program helps spread awareness about the waste crisis, said Koizumi.
Global plastic production averages 300 million metric tons of waste each year. This is two hundred times the amount of plastic produced in 1950, a staggering increase. In addition, over half of all plastics ever produced have ended up as waste.
The improper disposal of plastic waste poses a serious issue because some plastic products can take 500 years to decompose. To avoid the further use of plastics and issues with disposal, implementing easier ways for people to use reusable items is essential
Addressing waste in restaurants is one step in moving towards less wasteful habits and making reusables commonplace.
Zero Waste Ithaca is currently working on a website for its BYOC sticker program.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and germ transmission are also of increased concern. The policies of Toronto, Canada, and Ottawa Public Health allow for BYOC and reusable.
A statement signed by hundreds of health experts states that reusable systems are safe to use as long as basic hygiene protocol is being followed.
According to Koizumi, an upcoming step in the BYOC program is meeting with the health department to get official approval of reusables in Tompkins County. Getting this approval is necessary to help address misinformation about germs and reusables, ultimately, making restaurants and individuals comfortable in participating in BYOC.
“When customers go into the store they look at the sticker and they can say ‘Okay, I can go into the store without having to fight or give a spiel about why I want my container refilled,” said Koizumi.
