Embedded Files
Starting Oct. 1, nine restaurants in Cleveland Heights will take a bold step toward reducing single-use plastic waste with the launch of the “Skip the Stuff” pilot program. Led by CHGT, this three-month initiative invites participating restaurants to provide food-ware accessories—such as straws, utensils, napkins, and condiment packets—only upon customer request.
The pilot supports the city’s Climate Forward Action & Resilience Plan, adopted by CH City Council in April 2025. Specifically, Strategy 3.2.3 calls on restaurants to minimize single-use plastics through “upon request” policies. The goal: Reduce landfill waste, curb petrochemical pollution, and foster a healthier, more resilient community.
Every year, billions of unused accessories are automatically included in takeout and delivery orders across the U.S., only to be discarded unused. U.S. restaurants and food-service businesses use nearly 841 billion pieces of disposable food ware and packaging annually—79% tied to takeout and delivery.
The restaurants participating in this pilot program are: Aladdin’s, Dewey’s, Foodhisattva, Luna Bakery, Mister Brisket, Phoenix Coffee, Stone Oven, Zhug, and Zoma. Each will adjust dine-in and take-out practices to make accessories opt-in, supported by training materials, signage, and digital assets provided by CHGT.
Nick Kalafatis owner of Stone Oven
For complete details please read this article in the Heights Observer.
How can you help to advance this initiative?
How can you help to advance this initiative?
Visit the participating restaurants and provide feedback through a short survey that can be accessed by scanning the QR code posted in each restaurant. The data collected will help inform future citywide policy and serve as a model for other communities.
Sign our petition. This is the best way for you to let our elected officials know that you support an upon request policy in our restaurants.
Ask friends and family in NEO to sign the petition They do not need to be Cleveland Heights residents.
Collect signatures. You can print the petition here and email us when you are ready for us to pick it up.
Help us Reduce Single-Use-Waste Plastic Pollution
Help us Reduce Single-Use-Waste Plastic Pollution
Sign our Petition
Sign our Petition
Scan this Code
Scan this Code
Encourage Restaurants to Adopt an "Upon Request" Policy for Plastic Utensils.
Read the petition here.
Sign here: Petition to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste in Heights Restaurants.
Download this form and help us collect signatures. When you are done please email us at greenteam@chgreenteam.org and we will collect them.
Our Work
Our Work
Advocacy
Advocacy
By aligning citizen action with public policy, we can improve and secure the environmental quality of our community
Stewardship
Stewardship
By bringing people together we can identify socially equitable and economically viable solutions to our environmental challenges
Education
Education
Education - By sharing ideas, innovations, and a vision for a healthy and prosperous city for all, residents of Cleveland Heights will act responsibly towards the environment
Page updated
Report abuse