About BYO
How You Can Help
Participating Stores
Goals
Business Sign Up

BYO Container/UWS Reduces Waste is a project of It’s Easy Being Green which was introduced in May 2023.  We are asking neighborhood coffee and tea shops and restaurants to display our BYO Container sticker in their storefront window, to let customers and passers-by know that they will accept their travel mug and/or food container to fill. We hope to include prepared food stores in the future when the NYS health codes are updated. We think this is a win/win that saves the shop money while reducing waste and excessive single use packaging.

BYO Container/UWS Reduces Waste is part of an exciting grassroots movement taking place in several cities across the country, including Ithaca NY, Washington DC, Silicon Valley CA, and others, under the umbrella of  US Reduces.org. 

    Goals:

    • Reduce single use disposable ware and plastic packaging that pollutes our planet  at every stage of its life cycle, from production through end use.

    • Reduce trash (and trash related costs for stores and taxpayers) in the community.

    • Support local businesses.

    • Strengthen the community by encouraging neighbors and local businesses to work      together.

    • Make BYO a habit and cultural norm.

      How you can help:

      • Adopt the habit of bringing your own reusable (water bottle, mug, food container for leftovers) when you go out for a beverage or a meal. (Check out collapsible container ideas in our May newsletter.)

      • Patronize our community partners (i.e. participating shops who are listed below.) Look for our sticker in the window.

      • Help us identify more stores who might participate. Email ideas to: itseasybeinggreen@gmail.com. Or…

      • Join us in spreading the word! Email us and we’ll supply fliers and stickers. The more participants, the better for all!

                               

      Participating Stores:

      • Broadway Pizza (owner Cesar) 2709 Broadway, near 104th (They serve coffee.)

      • Omonia Cafe (co-owner Baahar) 301 W 108th St @ Broadway

      • Zelma’s Cafe (co-owner Samantha) 2661 Broadway near 101st

      • Silver Moon Bakery (owner Judith) 2740 Broadway @ 105th

      • Samad’s Gourmet (owner Sam) 2867 Broadway near 111th

      • Blue Marble (owner Jennifer) 2578 Broadway @ 97th

      • Peaky Barista (owner Dragan) 2680 Broadway near 102nd

      • Peaky Barista (head barista Nikki) 667 Columbus Ave @ 93rd

      • Super Nice Coffee & Bakery (owner Dan Cohen) 196 W. 108th near Amsterdam

      For Businesses Interested in Joining

       

      Why your business should participate:

       

       

      ·   You will save money  by lowering your packaging costs and waste removal fees.

       

      ·   You’ll be listed on our IEBG* website and promoted in our newsletter and on social media

       

      ·    It’s safe by scientific consensus, under proper hygiene protocols  even during the                         pandemic.

       

      ·   It’s permitted,  per NYC regulations, to fill customer containers with beverages, as well as       leftover food from their meal.

       

      ·   Customers like it!  Many prefer businesses with sustainable practices. This takes the                  guesswork and awkwardness out of where they can bring and use their own mugs and               containers.

       

      ·   Be part of the solution that addresses out of control plastic pollution! Plastic harms                   human health and the environment at every stage of its lifecycle, from production                     through its end use. It disproportionately harms the poorest communities, and                             contributes to climate change. We all have a role to play in reversing this trend.

       

       

      How to Participate:

       

      ·   Display your ‘BYO’ sticker in your window to notify and remind customers.

       

      ·   Train employees on how to handle customer containers.

       

      ·   That’s it!  Start saving money and attracting environmentally conscious customers.  They         tend to be  a passionate and loyal bunch!

       

      Email us at BYO.itseasybeinggreen@gmail.com to join this free program, or to learn more.

      *UWS Reduces Waste is a project of ItsEasyBeingGreen.org, and an affiliate of usreduces.org.