ZeroToGo Reusable Takeout – Restaurant Information

ZeroToGo ™ is a pilot program for reusable takeout intended to significantly reduce the use of single-use plastic containers. 

Nearly 1 trillion disposable food service products are used each year in the United States, resulting in 7.5 million tons of waste. ZeroToGo promotes a culture of reuse over a culture of throwaway, single-use.

 

Restaurant FAQ

Lexington restaurants currently participating in the program include:

 

Please see diagram and description below for ZeroToGo program details.

The program is free for one year: 

  • LexZeroWaste will loan participating restaurants the containers free of charge.
  • LexZeroWaste will also cover all container tracking fees up to $100/month (~330 borrows per month) for one year.

The restaurant will need to provide:

  • adequate storage for reusable containers
  • bin for customers to return containers
  • dishwashing and sanitizing for containers
  • place to post signage with QR code for container checkout on order pickup or delivery.

If you  have questions, would like to learn more or sign your restaurant up for ZeroToGo, please contact us by email: zerotogo “at” lexzerowaste.org

Program Details

  • Customer signs up for the pilot program with LexZeroWaste
  • Customer receives link to the phone app for tracking containers.
  • Customer places takeout order by phone or in person during agreed hours*.
  • Restaurant provides order for pickup or delivery and customer checks out containers by scanning a QR code with the app.
  • Customer cleans, scans and returns containers to bin at restaurant
  • Restaurant cleans and sanitizes containers**and places them back into service.

* Restaurants may designate certain hours for ZeroToGo ordering and pickup.
** Commercial and/or external dishwashing options may be available – please contact LexZeroWaste.

The ZeroToGo pilot program is funded by a generous grant from the Community Endowment of Lexington, an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest; sponsorship by Enterprise Bank; and donations from LexZeroWaste members.