Catherine Segada is a graduate research assistant and Bath community liaison with the
NOAA/Sea Grant Marine Debris Challenge Project and a master’s student in anthropology and environmental policy at the University of Maine.

Disposable food packaging imposes a significant cost burden on Bath food service providers, according to a survey conducted by University of Maine researchers this summer. Our research team surveyed 12 Bath restaurants and found that they reported using, on average, 5,798 disposables per month and spending over $736 per month on disposable food packaging.

Also, survey participants reported spending, on average, 101 labor hours per month to manage packaging, including ordering, inventorying, assembling and storing disposable packaging units. Bath restaurants also spent an average of $245 per month on waste management services.

Interview data and informal conversations with business owners and managers indicate that costs associated with disposable units, including waste management fees and federal tariffs, hurt restaurant profits. However, small businesses can save an average of $3,000 to $22,000 annually by transitioning some disposables to reusables, as demonstrated by 166 case studies from ReThink Disposable.

Choosing reusable packaging can save businesses time and money by: 1) eliminating
costs associated with the purchase, inventory, stocking and storing of single-use packaging, 2) reducing waste management/disposal costs, 3) helping to increase customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty, and 4) buffering businesses from the effects of supply chain disruption.

While canvassing for survey responses, our research team also noticed that, due to a
municipal requirement, most Bath food service providers use biodegradable or compostable containers, otherwise known as “green” packaging. Informal interview data indicate that businesses are frustrated with the high prices of these “green” containers, which require restaurants to incur ongoing costs.

In contrast, transitioning to reusable packaging requires an initial investment, after which businesses typically realize cost savings within just a few months. Researchers estimate that shifting to reusables could save U.S. businesses about $5 billion annually, demonstrating that the upfront effort can yield substantial long-term benefits.

Reusable items can also reduce municipal costs and directly address local waste issues. One way this cost-saving works is by reducing pressure on municipal solid waste responsibility.

Over the last decade, there has been significant growth in takeout and fast-casual dining services that use disposable packaging, resulting in increased hauling and disposal fees for municipalities. In the U.S., disposable packaging accounts for roughly 36% of municipal waste streams, of which nearly 78% comes from products used in the food and food service industries.

For instance, if the Bath Landfill reached capacity, taxpayers would face additional expenses because their waste would be transported to alternative landfills. Adopting more reusable packaging would divert unnecessary waste, allowing Bath residents to preserve the landfill for as long as possible.

We know that reuse works. Communities across the U.S. and the globe have already successfully implemented reusable food packaging systems, showing that collective effort can lead to meaningful change. Our research team partnered with the city of Bath, local stakeholders and businesses to explore the potential for reusable take-out packaging to reduce waste and save communities and businesses money on the purchase and disposal of single-use packaging.

Stay tuned for updates from the city about participating restaurants and ways you can contribute to reuse efforts. Reducing disposable packaging not only cuts costs but also demonstrates a shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier Bath.