Majority of Winnipeggers willing to swap single use for reusables. Restaurants ready for change but need more guidance and support - new survey
74% of Winnipeg restaurant-goers want their local eateries to do more about waste, according to a new survey conducted by IISD Experimental Lakes Area.
74% of Winnipeg restaurant-goers want their local eateries to do more about waste. For 82% of Winnipeggers that means a willingness to dine-in on reusable foodware and for over half that also means a willingness to use returnable containers when they grab take out.
This is all accordingly to a new report released today from the Winnipeg-headquartered IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) and the University of Toronto Trash Team.
They surveyed 50 customers and 26 food service businesses across Winnipeg, including cafes and full-service restaurants. The results revealed a clear appetite for change and strong support for more reusable foodware across our city’s vibrant dining scene.
"The message from consumers is clear—Winnipeggers are ready to make the switch from disposable foodware to reusable alternatives, but they need convenience and clear communication."
"81% of businesses rated their readiness to reduce single-use items as a 5 or higher on a 10-point scale. And that’s incredible to see. Now they need guidance on public health guidelines and financial support to transition away from cheap but harmful plastics."
The new report concludes that Winnipeg would benefit from following the lead of other cities such as Toronto and Banff by implementing a city-wide reusable foodware program.
“IISD Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario is the only place in the world where scientists can research on and manipulate real freshwater lakes,” said Pauline Gerrard, Executive Director, IISD Experimental Lakes Area. “The world’s freshwater laboratory is conducting research on real lakes, as we speak, to determine the harm that plastics are doing to our lakes.
This is why we have helped spearhead this survey—to put the results of our research into practice by reducing the number of single-use plastics that enter the production chain.”
In that vein, IISD-ELA and partners are planning to launch phase two of this project this summer, featuring a pilot program with local Winnipeg cafes and restaurants to implement a reusable foodware system for takeout in partnership with sustainable foodware pioneers Muuse.
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For more information, or to coordinate an interview, please contact:
Sumeep Bath
Editorial and Communications Manager, IISD Experimental Lakes Area,
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.
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Around 74% of Winnipeg restaurant-goers want their local eateries to do more about waste. This is all according to a new survey conducted by IISD Experimental Lakes Area.