2018, 2019, 2020
Providence, RI
ReThink DisposableTM, a program of Clean Water Fund, prevents waste before it starts by working with local governments, businesses, institutions, and consumers to minimize single-use disposable packaging in food service to conserve resources, and prevent waste, and marine debris. Built off the successful initiative in California, this project implements Clean Water Fund’s ReThink Disposable program in Rhode Island by engaging food service businesses to reduce the amount of single-use food ware they generate. Besides cigarette butts, the largest source of marine debris comes from food and beverage packaging. Instead of focusing on cleaning up these items once they have become marine debris, ReThink Disposable eliminates the problem through source reduction strategies.
CWF is a national 501(c)(3) research and education organization, founded in 1974, which promotes the public interest in the protection of natural resources, with a special emphasis on water issues. CWF’s locally staffed Rhode Island program pursues initiatives that improve public health and the environment through actions to improve water quality. This includes working for remediation of contaminated waters, preventing pollution at the source, changing practices and policies that contribute to pollution, and improving the accountability of government agencies tasked with protecting water quality.