A new solution for disposable containers in today’s throwaway culture
Nearly 1 trillion pieces of disposable foodware are used annually in the U.S., most of which end up in landfills, incinerators, or as litter. But a visit to ReDish, an industrial dishwashing facility in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, reveals a practical and scalable solution. ReDish partners with businesses and institutions that typically rely on single-use items, offering a full-service system for reusable plates, cups, utensils, and trays. Founded to fill a critical gap in reuse infrastructure, ReDish has expanded to Boston, NYC, and Philadelphia. Their process—collecting used foodware, industrially washing and sanitizing it, and returning it clean—demonstrates how circular systems can replace throwaway culture. The company also tracks environmental impact through tools like a yearly impact calculator, showing how a 500-person organization could divert over 50,000 pounds of waste annually. Watching this system in action makes the idea of a world without disposable foodware feel not only possible, but within reach. Learn more about this idea.
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