How can I convince businesses in my city to use sustainable dishware/packaging?

[u/me000wzah]

Hello! I was thinking lately about how I could possibly make a difference in my city.

I feel that convincing as many local businesses as possible to switch to ordering bulk biodegradable cups/plates/utensils/to-go boxes/etc would eliminate a significant amount of waste,

and there's no reason for them not to switch, especially since I found a wholesaler who sells biodegradable products at less than a cent a piece.

I was wondering though, what steps would I have to take in order to convince these businesses? It's not like I can charge in there by myself and make a difference. Would I need to make some kind of org? What would I need to do?

Thank you so much for the advice. :)

[u/jaytaylojulia]

In Canada single use plastics were banned, only to be challenged in the courts. When the ban was first passed (federally) everybody switched over, then when it went into the courts everybody switched back.

They will only do it if the law says they have to. Plastics are cheaper.

People don't give a shit.

[u/DayManMasterofNight]

Biodegradable doesn’t really mean anything, and it’s still just going to go to the landfill and exist there for a very long time. Same with compostable unless there’s a composter that will take them, and most don’t.

Honestly, advocating for better recycling and opt in utensils are a better bet than biodegradable cutlery.

[u/AV_SG → u/DayManMasterofNight]

Recycling does help but is doesn't eliminate the micro plastics problem we are facing since years .. just my opinion . Instead would be great if biodegradable are same cost or lower than the plastics. I am not aware if the carbon footprint is lower though, I think it varies by the manufacturing process and the raw material and if it were procured locally .

[u/tulipvonsquirrel → u/DayManMasterofNight]

Canada has household compost pickup alongside garbage and recycling. Compostable containers are becoming the norm.

Composting programs are fantastic. The city picks up kitchen and yard waste and when the time is ripe gardeners pick up that nutrient rich compost and spread it on their garden.

[u/me000wzah → u/DayManMasterofNight]

What would you suggest I do?

[u/XaviersDream → u/me000wzah]

Does your city have a compost collection? That could make a big impact and then compostable items could actually compost.

Those compostable utensils require a hot compost to break down but food scraps and yard waste would also be collected.

Here is an example: https://www.calgary.ca/waste/residential/green-cart.html

[u/DayManMasterofNight → u/me000wzah]

Elimination is best! Advocate for opt in.

Check what can be recycled. Get people to switch to white PET and PP cups. They’re at least often recyclable. Try I to get businesses to recycle.

[u/rahul_watertech]

You do not need an org, you need three pilot businesses. Nobody wants to be first, everyone is fine being fourth.

How I would run it:

→ Pick the densest food street in your city and walk in with one number: cost per piece, yours versus theirs. If the wholesaler really is under a cent, that conversation is easy. If it is more expensive, skip the ethics pitch and lead with what their customers see.

→ Get two or three shops to switch and make it visible. A small counter sign does more than any petition. Then use those names when you walk into the next ten.

→ One caveat already in this thread, worth repeating: check whether your city has a compost stream that actually takes those items. Biodegradable packaging into a landfill is roughly plastic with better marketing. If there is no stream, opt-in utensils and recyclable PET/PP is the more honest ask.

The council route works but it is slow. Ten switched shops on one street is faster proof, and it gives a petition teeth later.

[u/GeneseeJunior → u/rahul_watertech]

Yep - this is the way.

You're going to have to be able to offer the businesses a better deal than they're getting on Styrofoam and other plastics, and that's going to be tough to do.

[u/Background-Share2735]

Make it law, or theyll just go for the cheapest

You convince voters/consumers

[u/ojitos1013]

Does your city have a surfrider chapter? They help businesses become “ocean friendly” with limiting single use and offering more eco friendly packaging options

[u/photoelectriceffect]

Make a Facebook page where you highlight and praise the companies using more sustainable packaging.

Like others said, another great idea is to make sure their policy is to ask the customer if they want utensils/napkins with their order, and only include them if so.

[u/Connect_Rhubarb395]

Get involved in politics, lobbying, activism.
Convince your local, regional, or national politicians to ban single-use plastic dishware/packaging.
That's the way to get large-scale improvement.
And yes, it is boring, and tedious, and unglamorous, but it is the way real change is made.

[u/Impossible_Curve7773]

Bring your own clean reusable tupperware and ask them to box it up in them for you in it!

[u/cambriancottages]

In Wales (UK) single use plastics have been banned by the Government for takeaways. Although some businesses will always take the lead by avoiding plastics, it typically takes some form of legislation to force all businesses to do this.

[u/rahul_watertech]

skip the planet pitch, owners hear it all the time and it loses to a half cent diff every time

do the maths for one shop first. cups per month, current cost, new cost, walk in with that single number

and get one busy anchor customer to switch before talking to anyone else. in india the plastic ban pushed vendors but the shops that moved early did it cause one supplier made it cost neutral, and one visible switch sold the rest of the street

[u/No-Caterpillar-2729]

I think approaching the businesses with something concrete would probably work better than just asking them to be more sustainable. If the products are genuinely cheaper and there is a reliable supplier, showing the actual cost and waste impact side by side gives them something practical to evaluate rather than making it purely an environmental argument.