Jean's Cafe

Jean’s Cafe, located in Center City Philadelphia, is setting a new standard by coupling sustainability and the fast-paced take-away culture so beloved in our east coast delis. Known for its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere, the high-traffic cafe rings up over 500 transactions daily. By transitioning from 100% disposable foodware for dine-in to using exclusively reusable wares, Jean’s Cafe is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also realizing significant financial savings. Annually, they anticipate saving $2,063 even after factoring in water costs and labor for washing dishes. Their switch is projected to eliminate 326,898 pieces of single use disposable foodware, equating to 5,183 pounds of waste diverted from landfills, annually. Customers have responded positively to these changes, appreciating both the environmental initiative and the enhanced dining experience at Jean’s Cafe.

Packaging practices prior to ReThink Disposable:

Single-use paper plates
Single-use foam plates
Single-use plastic cold cups with lids
Single-use plastic lined paper coffee cups with plastic lids
Single-use foam bowls with plastic lids
Single-use plastic forks
Single-use plastic knifes
Single-use plastic spoons
Single-use plastic sauce cups with lids

Recommendations Implemented:

Ceramic plates
Durable plastic baskets
Durable plastic cups
Ceramic mugs
Ceramic bowls
Stainless steel forks
Stainless steel knives
Stainless steel spoons
Stainless steel sauce cups

Before & After

PA ReThinkDisposableCaseStudy_JeansCafe.1.pdf (486.92 KB)

Business Information:

1334 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
United States

The Bottom Line

Jean’s Cafe switched 100% of their disposable foodware to reusable for their dine-in guests, with a 1 month average pay-back period. They did not need to hire new staff, instead offered 2.5 more hours daily for current employees. The annual cost savings accounts for increase in labor and water costs of $12,000.

$2,063

annual net cost savings

326,898

disposable items reduced per year

5,183 lbs

annual waste reduction

ReThink Disposable - Stop waste before it starts

Reducing Single-Use Food Packaging

ReThink Disposable works with local governments, businesses and institutions, and consumers of single use food packaging to inspire a cultural shift away from single-use "throwaway" lifestyle.

Learn More

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