Online Winnipeg Food Business Survey

Winnipeg Business Foodware Survey

Online Survey
We want to hear from you about your business's practices with single-use and reusable foodware and what support your business needs to reduce waste.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes.

Your responses are anonymous: we will not link your business name, address or personal information to your answers in the results.

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To achieve the goal of zero plastic waste by 2030, the Canadian government has banned some single-use plastics as part of the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SUPPR). As more Canadians seek opportunities to further reduce single-use plastic waste, we want to identify what support businesses and customers need to be successful.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and The University of Toronto Trash Team are conducting research to identify the challenges and opportunities Winnipeg food businesses face when it comes to single-use (disposable) products and reusable products (e.g. reusable mugs).
- By answering the survey, you indicate that you have read the information provided and agree to participate.
- Your participation is voluntary and you can withdraw it without giving a reason by contacting Desiree Langenfeld (dlangenfeld@iisd-ela.org).
- The results from this research will be shared with policy-makers and other stakeholders with recommendations on programs to help businesses reduce waste.
- If you have any questions about the research and your participation in this study, you can contact Desiree Langenfeld (dlangenfeld@iisd-ela.org).
- You can find more information about the project at www.uofttrashteam.ca/singleusefoodware.

Here are some examples of foodware types :

Single-use foodware:

disposable coffee cups & plastic cold drink cups
disposable take-out food containers (plastic, lined paper, styrofoam, etc)
disposable plastic cutlery, chopsticks

Reusable foodware:

cups, dishes, cutlery that customers use in your restaurant that can be washed an reused
‘Bring Your Own’ refillable cup or food container
reusable take-out containers that customers can borrow/rent and return.

Business Name*
Your business name is for our internal use only and will not be shared in the research results
Business Address*
Your business address is for our internal use only and will not be shared in the research results
Your Name*
Your contact name is for our internal use only and will not be shared in the research results
Your Role*
Business Type*
1. How familiar are you with the issue of plastic pollution in the environment and/or a growing accumulation of plastic waste?

Very AwareAwareSomewhat AwareNot Familiar
2. How often do you consider the environment when making business decisions?

AlwaysMost of the timeSometimesRarelyNever
2. How much do you consider the environment when making business decisions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 is Not at all, 10 is It is a top priority
3. The Canadian government has banned some single-use plastics since 2023. This includes plastic bags, cutlery, stir sticks, straws and some containers (styrofoam and black plastic). How has this impacted your business?
4.a. Do you have a dine-in option?

NoYes
4.b. How many seats do you have for dine-in?
5. To help us estimate your business size, and amount of foodware that you use, we would like to know what is your average number of customers per day?
Estimate the number of customers (not $).
6. What percentage of your average daily customers order for take-out (on average)?
7.a.What kind of foodware do you offer for dine-in?

I don't have dine-inReusable foodwareSingle-use (disposable)Mix of reusable and single-use (please expand)
7.b. If you offer single-use or a mix, would you consider switching to reusable foodware for dine-in?

YesNoNot ApplicableOther/comments
7.c. If you offer reusable foodware for dine-in, do you promote this option with signage or communication to customers?

YesNoNot ApplicableOther/comments
8. What is the most common food/meal and drink that customers order (i.e., what is a typical order)?
9. What are the most common single-use foodware items used in a typical takeout and dine-in order? Be as specific as you can (e.g. a burger place gives out 1 plastic cup with 1 plastic lid, 1 paper straw, 1 foil wrapper, 2 paper napkins, 1 paper bag, 4 packets of condiments in plastic packaging)
10.a. Do you allow customers to bring their own reusable foodware?

NoYes
10.b. If you answered yes for the last question, what types of reusables do you allow customers to bring?

CupContainerBagsOther
10.c. What % of customers currently bring their own container or cup?
10.d. Do you encourage your customers to bring their own foodware for dine-in or take-out? (with signage or communication with customers, etc.)

NoYesOther
11.a. Some restaurants and coffee shops in other cities (e.g. Banff) offer a reusable cup or food container that you can borrow when you order takeout (Deposit-Return system). Do you offer reusable cups or containers that customers can borrow or rent for take-out?

NoYes
11.b. If you answered yes for the last question, what types of reusable foodware for take-out do you offer (Deposit-Return system)?

CupContainerOther
11.c. What % of customers currently use the Deposit-Return system?
12. Have you taken any of the following steps to reduce the amount of single-use foodware you give out? Check all that apply.

Ask customer first before giving out accessories (cutlery, condiments, etc)Ask customer first before giving out other single-use itemAllow customer to bring their own reusable itemOffer a discount / incentive for customers that bring their own reusable itemCharge a fee for single-useDo not offer some items (e.g. straw)Changed foodware to a recyclable optionChanged foodware to a compostable/biodegradable optionOffer reusable take-out optionsProvide reusable dishes for dine-inWe have not taken any steps to reduce single-use foodwareOther
13. Taking into account the various options for reducing single-use foodware (reusable dine-in, returnable takeout, BYO), Where does your business fall on the readiness to change scale?

1

2

3

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5

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10

1 is Not thinking about reducing single-use, 10 is Taking steps to reduce single-use
14. What would help you to reduce single-use foodware and choose reusable items in your business? Check all that apply.

Public health guidelines on reusables More dishwashing capacityMore storage capacityResources to promote or educate customersTraining for staff on waste, safe handlingInformation on the environmental impact of foodware optionsList of suppliers for better optionsTips on how to reduce wasteFinancial assistance to procure reusable foodwareInformation on costs / savingsOption in ordering apps for customers to say no cutlery etc.Other
15. Would you be interested in participating in a pilot program to reduce single-use foodware (BYO, reusable, and/or returnable foodware)?

Yes - very interestedMaybe - somewhat interestedNo - not interestedNot Sure
Is there anything else you want to share about your past experience, or future plans to reduce waste?
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Winnipeg Business Foodware Survey