How C&S Waste Solutions Expanded Foodservice Packaging Recycling in California

Communities across the country are working to improve recycling systems while reducing confusion for residents. In Mendocino and Lake Counties, California, a collaboration between the Foodservice Packaging Institute and C&S Waste Solutions shows how thoughtful program design and clear communication can deliver measurable results.

Through its Community Partnership program, FPI works with vetted communities to expand the recovery of foodservice packaging — things like paper cups, takeout containers and pizza boxes — in curbside recycling and composting programs. The goal is to create scalable, real-world models that can be replicated across the country.

The partnership with C&S Waste Solutions demonstrates how that approach can succeed.

C&S Waste Solutions, part of Waste Connections, provides recycling services to more than 76,500 households and businesses across Mendocino and Lake Counties. The collaboration builds on earlier success within the Waste Connections network, where coordinated education efforts helped introduce paper cup recycling in other markets.

That experience reinforced a key insight — expanding what’s accepted in recycling programs only works when residents understand how to participate correctly. With that foundation, C&S Waste Solutions was well-positioned to expand foodservice packaging recovery in California.

The timing was also critical. With new legislation increasing the focus on packaging recovery, this initiative provided an opportunity to demonstrate that paper cups and other foodservice packaging can be successfully recovered, even in complex regulatory environments.

In California, one of the biggest recycling challenges is confusion. With widespread organics programs and multiple disposal streams, residents often aren’t sure where foodservice packaging belongs.

To address this, FPI and C&S Waste Solutions made communication a top priority. With support from an FPI communications grant, the team launched a bilingual educational campaign in Fall 2024 to introduce newly accepted materials, including hot and cold beverage cups, and reinforce recycling best practices.

Messaging focused on clear, actionable guidance, such as empty cups before recycling and place lids and straws in the trash. The campaign also highlighted other accepted items, including paper bags, molded fiber containers, paper takeout containers and aluminum foil trays.

To ensure the messaging resonated, the campaign used a mix of outreach tactics designed to reach residents in their daily lives. These included digital and print advertising, social media, billboards, theater ads, a customized recycling video, and recycling magnets for at-home reminders.

Local relevance made a difference, too. Residents responded positively to messaging tailored to their community, noting how uncommon locally specific outreach can be. C&S Waste Solutions also worked with the Ukiah City Council and local leaders to reinforce consistent messaging across trusted community voices.

The results highlight the value of FPI’s Community Partnership program. By combining stakeholder engagement, data collection and strong communications support, the program helps communities expand recovery in ways that are both operationally effective and easy for residents to follow.

Equally important, FPI’s vetting process ensures participating communities have the infrastructure and end markets needed to support long-term success.

In Mendocino and Lake Counties, that approach is working. C&S Waste Solutions and its partners continue to reinforce proper recycling behaviors while demonstrating that expanding acceptance of foodservice packaging can be done without disrupting existing systems.

The success in Ukiah offers more than a local win — it provides a model.

By showing that paper cups and other foodservice packaging items can be recovered effectively in a rural and complex environment, this partnership is helping pave the way for broader adoption nationwide.

To learn more about FPI’s partnership with C&S Waste Solutions, explore the full case study.