In partnership with the University of Maine, we’re supporting a reusable foodware pilot in three coastal communities that identified waste reduction as a goal in their municipal climate action plans.

 

At participating coffee shops and cafes in South Portland, Portland, Bath, and Bar Harbor, consumers can receive their coffee and food items in reusable to-go containers, free of charge. Like a library system, consumers check out to-go containers, use them, then return them for reuse. 

 

Researching the initiative, The University of Maine will uncover valuable data on the economic, environmental, community, and health benefits of reuse. As of June 2026, the initiative has already diverted over 1,000 single-use containers.