Bring Your Own: June ’26 Tip of the Month

One of the simplest things you can do right now to reduce waste is also one of the most powerful: bring your own. Plastic bags are on their way out, with cities and states across the country banning or charging fees for them, and people everywhere are making the switch to reusables.

The BYO (Bring Your Own) movement, championed by US Reduces, takes that same spirit further by encouraging people to carry their own mugs, jars, and food containers to coffee shops, restaurants, and local events so that single use packaging never enters the picture in the first place.

The best trick for never forgetting? Keep a dedicated bag in your car or everyday tote stocked and ready to go. ChicoBag makes compact, durable reusable shopping bags that stuff into their own tiny pouch and clip onto anything. They are a B-Corp founded in Chico, California, though like most reusable bag brands their products are manufactured in China and Cambodia to fair labor standards. We also have the option of making our own out of old t-shirts. You can learn that here.  For food on the go, To-Go Ware offers stainless steel tiffin containers and bamboo utensil sets, also ethically manufactured overseas. Right now, there are no stainless steel food containers manufactured in the United States, a gap that reflects just how much work remains in building a truly local, sustainable supply chain. In the meantime, a wide-mouth Ball Mason jar, made in the USA, is one of the best BYO containers you can own. It seals tight, goes from fridge to table, and works beautifully as a travel cup, soup container, or snack jar. Every time someone walks into a business with their own bag and container, they are sending a message that reusable systems matter and planting a seed that grows into broader community change.

🍵 Want to learn more?

BYO is having a moment, and Philadelphia is right in the middle of it. Last month our team met with Councilwoman Jaime Gauthier’s legal aid Mary Jones and Philadelphia Department of Health Commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson to address the outdated 2017 FDA Food Code that currently only allows BYO for drinks. We are actively working with the Department of Health to adopt the most current FDA Food Code, which opens the door to BYO for takeout food as well, and the process is moving faster than expected. We have also been connecting with Zero Waste Ithaca to make sure the language we put forward leads to real, widespread change.

This matters beyond convenience. 80% of U.S. municipal solid waste incinerators are situated in communities where more than 25% of residents identify as a minority, live below the federal poverty line, or both. That waste gets burned, and the smoke does not stay local. Emissions of harmful particulate matter, mercury, and lead from incinerators lead to higher rates of asthma, respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease in the communities that bear the burden. Reducing what we throw away is not just an environmental choice. It is a racial justice issue. NRDCEnvironmental and Energy Study Institute

For consumers: You can already bring your own cup or thermos for beverages at most cafes, use your own containers at bulk bins and deli counters, and skip the disposable box for leftovers when dining out. Learn more at BYO 101 for Consumers.

For businesses: Accepting BYO saves money on packaging costs, attracts loyal customers, and puts you ahead of where policy is already heading. Learn more at BYO 101 for Businesses.

If you want to get involved in our Philly Unwrapped Policy Working group, please fill out our coalition form HERE be sure to check the  policy work option.