What PlasticFreeRestaurants.org does

Plastic Free America (formerly PlasticFreeRestaurants.org) is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit founded in 2020 and headquartered in Glendale, California. The organization provides financial subsidies to restaurants, K-12 schools, non-profit kitchens, and event planners to transition from single-use petroleum-based plastic foodware to reusable alternatives, primarily stainless steel. Eligible entities apply with three months of single-use plastic invoices and a completed survey; schools and non-profits serving children receive a 100% subsidy with no price cap on approved items, while restaurants receive 100% subsidy on reusable items without virgin plastic and 25% (up to $1/item) on items containing virgin plastic. Products must pass GreenScreen Certified or equivalent third-party lab testing for heavy metals, and schools are routed through a preferred vendor network (Ahimsa, We ReUse, LibertyWare, Greens Steel, HaWare).

The underlying operating model is a charitable subsidy intermediary, not a technology platform — there is no proprietary software, no API, and no automation layer; subsidy applications are collected via Google Forms and the public website runs on Squarespace. Recipients execute purchases directly with third-party vendors (or any vendor of their choosing for restaurants) and the organization reimburses the approved subsidy amount. Distribution is layered: direct subsidy applications, partner referrals from Rethink Disposable, Center for Environmental Health, Upstream Solutions, and 1% for the Planet, plus integrations with zero-waste delivery services (Dispatch Goods, Sharebite, Deliver Zero) and commercial dishwashing providers (DishJoy) for restaurants pursuing plastic-free takeout.

Revenue is generated entirely from tax-deductible individual donations (one-time and tiered recurring monthly tiers from Bronze Straw $10 to Platinum Platter $135+), foundation grants (Catesby Foundation, Daniel Deutsch Fund at Oregon Community Foundation), and PayPal Giving Fund. The organization is 100% volunteer-driven, pays zero salaries, and has held overhead expenses (insurance, website, payment processing fees) below 5% of revenue since founding. As of April–May 2026, subsidized entities span 18 states with cumulative impact of 18,034,991 single-use plastic items eliminated (167,000+ pounds of plastic) across 104 schools, 91 restaurants, and 17 other facilities.

Name

PlasticFreeRestaurants.org

Legal name

Plastic Free America

Website

https://plasticfreerestaurants.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Plastic Free America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that subsidizes restaurants, schools, and non-profit kitchens to replace single-use plastic foodware with reusables, funded by donations and grants and operated entirely by volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Nonprofit / Charitable Sustainability Subsidies

akta.pro primary industry

Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ)

Keywords

• Reusable foodware subsidies
• Plastic pollution nonprofit
• Restaurant sustainability grants
• School cafeteria reusables
• Charitable environmental funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the elimination of single-use plastic from restaurants and schools. Donation tiers include $28 (5,000 plastic utensils prevented), $63 (5,000 plastic cups prevented), $135 (converts a small restaurant to reusables), and $3,700 (converts a public school to reusables).
2. Grants: Funding from foundations and organizations including Catesby Foundation, Daniel Deutsch Fund at Oregon Community Foundation, and environmental partnerships.
3. Recurring Monthly Donations: Monthly recurring donor program with tiers: Platinum Platter ($135+/month), Golden Cup ($63+/month), Silver Spoon ($28+/month), Bronze Straw ($10+/month).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Plastic Free America operates a charitable subsidy program that funds up to 100% of the cost of approved reusable foodware (stainless steel utensils, trays, cups, plates, bowls, and containers) for K-12 schools, restaurants, cafes, and non-profit food service operations transitioning away from single-use petroleum-based plastics. Schools receive a 100% subsidy with no price cap, while restaurants and non-profits receive 100% subsidy for items without virgin plastic and 25% subsidy (up to $1.00/item cap) for items containing virgin plastic. Eligible entities apply with three months of single-use plastic invoices, complete a survey, and select approved items, with subsidized products required to pass GreenScreen Certified or third-party lab testing for heavy metals.

Product overview

PlasticFreeRestaurants.org (now operating as Plastic Free America) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization that does not offer a traditional product or software service. Instead, it provides financial subsidies to restaurants, schools, and other kitchens to help them transition from single-use petroleum-based plastic items to reusable foodware. The organization maintains a directory of plastic-free restaurants on their website and offers resources for consumers, volunteers, and event planners seeking to reduce plastic usage. Key offerings include a Subsidy Program (providing up to 100% funding for reusable items), a directory of plastic-free restaurants, and various educational resources about plastic reduction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reusable Foodware Subsidy Program Charitable subsidy program that funds up to 100% of approved reusable foodware costs (stainless steel utensils, trays, cups, plates, bowls, and containers) for K-12 schools, restaurants, and non-profit food service operations. Schools receive 100% subsidy with no price cap; restaurants and non-profits receive 100% subsidy for items without virgin plastic and 25% subsidy (capped at $1.00/item) for items containing virgin plastic. Eligible entities apply with three months of single-use plastic invoices, complete a survey, and select approved items passing GreenScreen Certified or third-party lab testing for heavy metals.
• Plastic-Free Restaurant Directory Public online directory of restaurants and food service establishments that have transitioned away from single-use plastic, allowing consumers to find and patronize participating restaurants.
• Preferred Vendor Network Curated network of pre-approved reusable foodware vendors for schools, including Ahimsa, We ReUse, LibertyWare, Greens Steel, and HaWare, ensuring that subsidized products meet GreenScreen Certified or equivalent third-party lab testing standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,034,991 single-use plastic items eliminated (167,000+ pounds of plastic)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ReThink DisposablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner organization that has been converting dine-in restaurants to reusables for over a decade. PFA partnered with them to build on their work and released joint case studies. ReThink Disposable publishes data-driven studies showing restaurants save money by switching to reusables.
• Center for Environmental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on switching public schools from single-use plastic to reusables. CEH developed the GreenScreen Certified standard for reusable food ware. PFA uses CEH's GreenScreen Certified products as the gold standard for school subsidies and co-released case studies.
• Upstream SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero-waste solutions organization. PFA links to Upstream's Reuse for Onsite Dining Library and resources for switching to reuse in foodservice operations.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental partnership network; PFA is an official environmental partner receiving donations through the 1% for the Planet marketplace.
• Dispatch GoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZero-waste restaurant delivery service operating in San Francisco and Alameda, CA. Partnered as waste-free delivery option for restaurants seeking plastic-free takeout/delivery solutions.
• SharebiteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZero-waste delivery service for group/corporate ordering in many US cities. Listed as waste-free delivery option for restaurants.
• Deliver ZerominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZero-waste delivery service operating in New York City. Listed as waste-free delivery option.
• Break Free From PlasticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnti-plastic advocacy organization. Listed as a supporter at the $2,500+ Pacemaker level. Melissa Aguayo, US Member Engagement Officer at Break Free From Plastic, also serves on PFA's Associate Board.
• StopWaste of Alameda County CAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as supporter at $2,500+ Pacemaker level. Waste reduction organization serving Alameda County.
• World CentricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as supporter at $2,500+ Pacemaker level. Sustainable products company.
• Surfrider FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean conservation organization with Ocean Friendly Restaurants program. Referenced for US Plastics Policy Map and reusable foodware purchasing guide collaboration with Rethink Disposable.
• DishJoyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDishwashing service operating in Los Angeles, Orange County CA, and San Francisco Bay Area. Recommended for restaurants switching to reusables that need commercial dishwashing support.
• Crayon CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit connecting restaurants with schools for art supplies donation. Required partnership for any subsidy recipient that provides crayons to kids.
• GreenScreen CertifiedcoreTechnology or IntegrationStandard developed by Center for Environmental Health for safer reusable products. Gold standard for PFA school subsidies; products must pass GreenScreen Certified testing or equivalent third-party lab testing for heavy metals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: A major US nonprofit focused on ocean health, including the Trash Free Seas program addressing ocean plastic. Broader scope than PFA but adjacent mission addressing single-use plastic pollution at consumer and policy levels.
• Plastic Free July Foundation: An internationally recognized nonprofit that runs the global Plastic Free July challenge. Comparable cause-driven nonprofit focused on single-use plastic reduction; broader consumer-behavior focus vs. PFA's institutional subsidy model.
• Surfrider Foundation: A large ocean-conservation nonprofit with the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program that reduces single-use plastic in food service. Broader scope (ocean health) than PFA but overlaps on the restaurant/plastic reduction mission and serves as a PFA referral partner.

Emerging players

• Plastic Bank: A social enterprise that exchanges collected ocean-bound plastic for income in coastal communities. Adjacent mission on plastic pollution but operates as a for-profit/impact business rather than a 501(c)(3); comparable as a non-state actor addressing plastic waste at scale.

Direct peers

• Plastic Pollution Coalition: A 501(c)(3) advocacy coalition of organizations and individuals working to eliminate plastic pollution. Most directly comparable as a nonprofit focused on single-use plastic reduction with a similar advocacy-and-policy approach, though PFA differentiates via its subsidy mechanism.
• Break Free From Plastic: A global movement of 2,700+ organizations working to end plastic pollution. PFA supporter (Pacemaker level) with overlapping US member engagement; comparable cause-driven advocacy and policy-focused mission on single-use plastic.
• Center for Environmental Health: A 501(c)(3) that develops safer-chemical standards (GreenScreen Certified) and runs campaigns on toxic exposures including PFAS in foodware. Direct peer and core PFA partner — developed the GreenScreen Certified standard used for PFA's school subsidies.
• 5 Gyres Institute: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit leading global research and education on plastic pollution, particularly microplastics. Comparable mission focus on eliminating single-use plastic and similar donor-supported nonprofit structure, though more research-oriented vs. PFA's direct-subsidy model.
• Upstream Solutions: A nonprofit focused on reuse systems and policies for food service. Directly comparable mission to shift restaurants/schools from disposables to reusables; PFA links to Upstream's Reuse for Onsite Dining Library as a resource.
• ReThink Disposable (Clean Water Fund): A program of Clean Water Fund that has been converting dine-in restaurants to reusables for over a decade. Closest operational peer — same restaurant-to-reusable conversion model with documented cost-savings case studies; PFA explicitly built on and partners with this program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCVZyQ0Lbo4jrt0bTx3xmLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/plasticfreerestaurants
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plasticfreerestaurants
• Instagraminstagram.com/plasticfreerestaurants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PlasticFreeRestaurants.org