RECYCLED AND BIOBASED DISPOSABLES

 

The goal of this section is to encourage foodservice facilities to move toward using products that don't require extracting virgin resources, especially petroleum-based resources. Instead, restaurants should use products that are made from bio-based materials, or materials that have been previously recycled and made into these new products.

 

Required: No polystyrene foam

 

 

 

 

Points

D1. NO DISPOSABLES               

Reusable napkins

6.5

Reusable hand towels in restrooms

6.5

 

 

Fast Casual and Fast Food restaurants only

Reusable utensils for dine-in customers

6.5

Reusable dishes for dine-in customers

6.5

Reusable glasses / mugs for dine-in customers

6.5

 

For Cafeterias that do not offer disposable food service items

Reusable utensils for dine-in customers

3

Reusable dishes for dine-in customers

3

Reusable glasses / mugs for dine-in customers

3

 

For Cafeterias that offer disposables for to-go items only

Reusable utensils for dine-in customers

2

Reusable dishes for dine-in customers

2

Reusable glasses / mugs for dine-in customers

2

 

 

D2. FOOD SERVICE DISPOSABLES     

The GRA will evaluate the following items:

-       Take-out containers

-       Cold cups

-       Hot cups

-       Plates

-       Bowls

-       Cutlery & straws

-       Plastic bags

-       Cup carriers

-       Trash liners

-       Pizza circles

-       Food trays

-       Pizza boxes

-       Cup sleeves

-       Paper bags

 

 

Points will be assigned based on one of the following three attributes (except for pizza boxes and paper bags.  See * below):

 

1. Biobased = 0.75 points

2. Pre-Consumer Recycled Paper:

10 – 49% = 0.5 points

50 – 100% = 1 point

3. Post Consumer Recycled Plastic:

10 – 49% = 1.5 points

50 – 100% = 2 points

4.  Post Consumer Recycled Paper = 3.5 points

 

* The following six items only apply to pizza boxes, cup sleeves, and paper bags:

 

Meet Bleaching Requirement = 0.5

Meet Total Recycled Content Requirement = 0.25

 

Contains 10-39% Post Consumer Waste = 0.5

Contains 40-69% Post Consumer Waste = 1

Contains 70-89% Post Consumer Waste = 2

Contains 90-100% Post Consumer Waste = 2.75

                                                                       

Points are awarded based on the percentage of items that meet each criteria.

 

For example, Restaurant A has two types of take-out containers - hinged containers and soup cups. If the hinged containers contain post consumer recycled paper (3.5 points) and the soup cups are biobased (0.75 points), Restaurant A will receive:  

(50% * 3.5) + (50% * 0.75) = 2.125 points

 

Points are only awarded for the highest standard met

 

 

 

D3. OTHER RECYCLED PAPER ITEMS

The GRA will evaluate the following items:

-       Napkins

-       Paper towels

-       Bath tissue

-       Facial tissue

-       Seat covers

-       Tray liners

-       Placemats

-       Office paper

-       Menu paper

-       Paper for marketing and educational materials (business cards, letterhead, envelopes, brochures, tent cards, post cards)

-       Guest checks & receipts

 

Points will be assigned as follows:

 

 

Meet Bleaching Requirement = 0.5

 

Meet Total Recycled Content Requirement = 0.25

 

 

 

Contains 10-39% Post Consumer Waste = 0.5

 

Contains 40-69% Post Consumer Waste = 1

 

Contains 70-89% Post Consumer Waste = 2

 

Contains 90-100% Post Consumer Waste = 2.75

 

Points are awarded based on the percentage of items that meet each criteria.

 

For example, if 100% of restaurantŐs napkins are processed chlorine free (0.5 points), 100% recycled (0.25 points), and contain 90% post consumer waste (2.75 points), the restaurant will receive: 

 

0.5 + 0.25 +2.75 = 3.5 points

 

But, if 50% of restaurantŐs napkins are processed chlorine free (0.5 points), 100% recycled (0.25 points), and 90% post consumer waste (2.75 points) and the rest are processed chlorine free (0.5 points), 100% recycled (0.25 points), and 30% post consumer waste (0.5 points), restaurantŐs point total would be:

 

[50% * (0.5+0.25+2.75)] + [50% * (0.5+0.25+0.5)] = 2.375 points

 

 

 

 

The table below provides information on the bleaching and total recycled content requirements.

 

Sanitary Paper

Napkins

Paper towels

Bath tissue

Facial tissue

Seat covers

PCF

100%

Other Paper 

Office paper

Menu paper

Paper for marketing & educational materials

PCF

100%

Receipt paper

ECF

60%

Guest checks

N/A

50%

Tray liner

N/A

100%

Pizza boxes

Cup sleeves

Paper bags

Unbleached

100%

 

Processed Chlorine Free = PCF

Elemental Chlorine Free = ECF