Clean Water Fund

Data centers are popping up across the country as the dependency on cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence increases. These centers require millions of gallons of water and huge amounts of electricity each year to cool the facility and run efficiently. Minnesotans shouldn’t be left on the hook for multi-billion-dollar companies seeking tax breaks to run facilities that not only monopolize but also poison our water.

Five local Fruitvale restaurants teamed up to reduce single-use disposable waste by over 187,600 individual pieces and over 3,240 pounds — annually. After an average payback period of 2.74 months, this group of restaurants will collectively be saving over $10,000 every year by purchasing fewer disposables, dramatically reducing plastic pollution in their operations, and providing real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community.

Working with funding from StopWaste and Ocean Foundation and in collaboration with Gurdwara Temple, Julie’s Coffee & Tea, and Freight & Salvage, ReThink Disposable is excited to share this video highlighting the work happening in the Bay Area to reduce plastic waste. Each of these businesses are realizing significant reduction in single use disposable foodware and a savings to their bottom line!

This guide provides examples of reusable foodware substitutes for disposable products that contribute to the waste generated by a typical food service business.

Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund emphasize the need to fully replace all lead service lines, service line inventories, and lowering the Action Level for lead in water sampling.