Choose to reuse: Making the switch to reusable serviceware

Oregon’s new BYO Law: A win-win for businesses and customers

Thanks to a new Oregon law, customers can now bring their own containers to participating restaurants, food carts, grocery stores and other retail food establishments when purchasing food, grabbing to-go orders or packing up leftovers. 

Encouraging customers to bring their own containers, also known as BYO, saves your business money, reduces waste, and makes sustainability-minded customers happy.

Using reusable serviceware means less waste: In just one year, 41% of Portland’s Nossa Familia Coffee customers brought their own cups or dined in, keeping 52,364 single-use cups out of landfills.

Encourage customers to BYO

Let customers know you accept reusable containers by posting a BYO sign in a place where customers will see it

How to accept customer containers (and stay health code compliant)

Our easy-to-follow guides will help you safely accept customers’ reusable containers while following public health codes.

1. Read the rules

2. Create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

1. Download a template SOP
2. Fill out the SOP
3. Keep a copy of the SOP on-site

3. Train staff

• Walk through the SOP together
• Post a "How-to" sign for staff

Find more details at:

• Oregon Health Authority fact sheet for restaurants.
• Oregon Department of Agriculture fact sheet for retail and grocery stores.

Serve your customers with reusables

Switching to reusable dishware, cups, and cutlery is easier than you think, and can help your business:

Save money: A coffee shop that switched to reusable mugs, cups, plates, and cutlery saw a savings of over $6,800 per year. Restaurants and grocery stores that make the switch to reusables can reduce their purchasing and garbage costs, saving money every month. 

Reduce waste: Reusable cups, plates, and cutlery can be washed and sanitized thousands of times. That means thousands fewer single-use items in the trash.

Keep customers happy: In a recent survey, 82% of customers liked the idea of reusable cups. Switching to reusable serviceware can enhance your image, demonstrate your commitment to being environmentally friendly, and offer a better customer experience. 

Check out the Choose to Reuse Fact Sheet for tips and tools:

Ready to Choose to Reuse?

Switching to reusables can help your business stand out, save money, and build customer loyalty. 

It’s easier than you think, and we’re here to help.