Project Grant 00A00798

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE TO CONDUCT THEIR 'RESTAURANTS BUILDING BACK BETTER WITH LESS PACKAGING AND PLASTIC WASTE' PROJECT. ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANTS, INCLUDING SMALL RESTAURANTS IN LOW-INCOME AREAS, REDUCE SINGLE-USE FOOD WARE AND PLASTIC PACKAGING WASTE.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE 5 EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS, AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN THAT ENROLLS 5-10 RESTAURANTS, 5-10 SOURCE REDUCTION PLANS FOR PARTICIPANTS, A RESOURCE TOOLKIT, AND CASE STUDIES TRANSLATED INTO COMMUNITY-APPROPRIATE LANGUAGES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE A 40% REDUCTION IN SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMS FOR PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS, EQUALING 9,000 TO 18,000 POUNDS OF AVOIDED PLASTIC AND $10,000 TO $25,000 IN COST SAVINGS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS, WHO IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE COSTS, AS WELL AS RESIDENTS AND WILDLIFE IN TARGET COMMUNITIES, WHO BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCED BURDEN OF PLASTIC POLLUTION.