Panera

Address: 1100 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Website: https://www-beta.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html

Area: Downtown Bellevue, Chain

In-Store Service Ware: 4 (ALL reusables BUT disposables meant for takeout offered to all customers (customers able to obtain them without asking))

Takeout Service Ware: 1 (Non-compostable, Non-recyclable, AND/OR Styrofoam)

Disposal Options & Accessibility: 5 (Grouped as station, labelled, color-coded, recycling, compost)

Overall Score: 3.33

Panera is a national café chain that serves breakfast, lunch, and a variety of baked goods! Their environmental efforts in-store are really great, but their takeout service ware needs work, especially with their high takeout patronage. Here’s the breakdown:

In-Store Service Ware (Score: 4)

• Reusables: plates, bowls, cups, utensils

• Disposables: some disposables must be asked for while others are offered to all customers (depending on which service ware, food ordered, and Panera location)

Take-Out Service Ware (Score: 1)

• Boxes (non-compostable)

• Plastic cups/lids/straws and utensils (non-compostable)

Disposal Options & Accessibility (Score: 5)

• Recycling, Compost, Garbage, Reusables (labelled, color-coded, one station)

Top 3 Next Steps

1. Invest in compostable service ware for takeout

2. Add store-specific images to aid bin labels

3. Improve procedure for when/how disposable service ware is distributed (not all stores are consistent in how they distribute takeout foodware)