Frequently Asked Questions

1. Store Reusables Properly

• You'll receive sealed bins of clean, sanitized dishware.
• Please open one bin at a time and keep opened bins inside with overhead protection.
• Store bins and serviceware in a clean, dry location. Avoid placing clean dishes on dirty surfaces or less than six inches from the ground.

2. Pick Out Serviceware by the Rim

• When selecting serviceware, pick them out by the rim to avoid touching the food-contact area. This helps minimize contamination risk.

3. Use Separate Collection Bins for dirty dishes

• Place separate collection bins for the dirty reusable dishware at the event. Clearly label the dirty dish bins.
• Instruct guests to place used dishware in the designated collection area(s). If clean dishware is dropped or contaminated, contact event staff to have them collected and removed to the dirty dishes collection station.
• DO NOT wash Bright and Green dishware yourself.

4. Inspect Serviceware Before Use

• Treat Bright and Green serviceware as you would single-use items.
• Store reusable Bright and Green serviceware in a clean, dry location away from dirty utensils, splash, dust, chemicals, airborne contaminants, or other sources of contamination. Avoid placing them on dirty surfaces or less than six inches above the ground.

5. Train Helpers on Proper Handling

• Ensure all helpers are trained on the proper handling and care of reusable serviceware.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that Bright and Green serviceware is handled safely and hygienically, minimizing the risk of contamination and providing guests with a positive experience. This guidance has been developed in collaboration with the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of reusable serviceware, please contact their office at (707) 445-6215 or at ENVHealth@co.humboldt.ca.us.

We provide clearly labeled bins and signage to make returning reusables easy. Event staff or volunteers can help remind guests

Cancellations & Refunds

• Full Refund: Cancel at least 7 days before your event.
• 50% Refund: Cancel within 7 days of the event.
• Rescheduling:
  • Free if done 3+ days before the event.
  • 20% fee if rescheduled within 3 days of the event.

• If you’re not satisfied, contact us within 24 hours for a resolution.
• Damaged or incorrect items? Let us know immediately, and we’ll exchange them at no cost.

• We pick up all dishware after your event (clean or dirty).
• We check trash bins for accidentally discarded dishware.
• Lost or Excessively Damaged Dishware:
  • $5 per missing to-go container
  • $2 per missing service ware piece
  • $0.25 per missing utensil
• Recycling: Broken dishware is sent back to the manufacturer for domestic recycling.

Your cooperation helps keep our service sustainable & waste-free!

To ensure there is no cross-contamination during the process of transporting, using, and returning dishes Bright and Green follows these steps: 

1. Separate Storage Bins: Use separate storage bins for clean and dirty dishes throughout the entire process. Clean dishes should never come into contact with dirty ones and are transported separately. 
2. Secure Transportation: During transportation from the Arcata Kitchen to the Plaza,  service ware will be securely sealed in the storage bins containing clean dishes to prevent any outside contaminants from entering.
3. Vendor Handling: Instruct vendors to handle clean dishes with care and to avoid placing them on dirty surfaces or too close to the ground. 
4. Separate Collection Bins: Provide separate collection bins for dirty dishes around the event venue. Ensure these bins are clearly labeled, monitored, and kept separate from clean dishes.
5. Organized Pickup: During pickup, even clean, unused dishware distributed to vendors will be washed and sanitized after the event, unless the bin has remained sealed with a tamper evident label. Any untampered bins with clean dishes will be collected and transported to The Kitchen Arcata before collecting dirty dishes. Then dirty dishes will be transported separately.
   1. If there is a small amount of both clean and dirty dishes, clean dish bins will go to the front seats of vehicles to prevent contact with dirty dishes in the back.
6. Hygienic Handling: Carly will handle the dirty dishes and storage bins with care. She will wash hands frequently and/or wear gloves to minimize the risk of contamination. Totally avoid touching clean dishes after handling dirty ones without proper hand hygiene.
7. Dishwashing Protocol: Once dirty dishes and bins are returned to the restaurant, follow a strict dishwashing protocol that includes washing, rinsing, sanitizing, air drying, and storing. Use separate sinks or compartments for each step to prevent cross-contamination.
8. Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of storage bins, transportation vehicles, and dishwashing areas to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. Address any issues promptly to maintain cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination.

By implementing these measures consistently, you can minimize the risk of cross-contamination and ensure that clean dishes remain sanitary throughout the entire process.This guidance has been developed in collaboration with the Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of reusable serviceware, please contact their office at (707) 445-6215 or at ENVHealth@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Proper dishwashing in a three-compartment sink ensures reusable dish ware is clean, sanitized, and safe to use. We follow these steps:

1. Preparation & Sorting

• Ensure the sink is clean and free of debris.
• Gather necessary supplies (detergent, sanitizing solution, thermometer, test strips).
• Sort dirty dishes by category (e.g., glasses, utensils, pots & pans).
• Wash unused but opened serviceware first.
• Pre-rinse or soak utensils and equipment if needed for effective cleaning.

2. Washing (First Compartment)

• Fill with hot water (120°F, but not below 100°F) and add detergent.
• Scrub dishes thoroughly, removing all food residues and grease.
• Use brushes or scouring pads as needed.

3. Rinsing (Second Compartment)

• Fill with clean, warm water (100°F minimum).
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent and grease, as sanitizer won’t work properly on dirty surfaces.

4. Sanitizing (Third Compartment)

• Fill with 100 ppm chlorine solution (2 oz chlorine per 3 gallons of water).
• Submerge dishes for at least 30 seconds to kill bacteria.
• Use test strips to confirm the correct sanitizer concentration.

5. Air Drying

• Place dishes on stainless steel drying racks to air dry completely.
• Do not towel dry—this can introduce contaminants.
• Ensure dishes are fully dry before stacking to prevent bacteria growth.

6. Monitoring & Compliance

• Regularly check water temperature in each sink compartment.
• Verify sanitizer concentration with test strips.

Follow all Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health regulations for reusable service ware.

This process ensures proper hygiene, food safety, and compliance with local health regulations. If you have any questions about safe reusable dishwashing practices, contact Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health at (707) 445-6215 or ENVHealth@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Bright and Green’s reusable plates, bowls, and cups are sourced from Preserve, a trusted leader in sustainable products with strict food safety and sustainability standards. Learn more at Preserve Purposeful Plastics.

Our dish ware is made from 100% domestically recycled #5 plastic, which is:

• Made from FDA-approved, food-safe materials, free of harmful chemicals like BPA and melamine. 
• Every plate, bowl, and cup has been recycled by diverted pre and post consumer plastic from USA landfill. Each item there after is recyclable at the end of its life, keeping materials in use and out of landfills.
• Lightweight, easy to transport, and shatter-resistant, making them ideal for large events where ceramic or glass would be impractical.

No, under normal use Bright and Green dish ware is not known to leach chemicals or microplastics. Bright and Green dish ware is made from one of the safest plastics for repeated use. #5 plastic is highly stable and does not leach harmful chemicals when used under normal conditions, unlike some lower-quality plastics.

Mostly, we encourage everyone to bring their own reusable service ware whenever possible. Our dish ware is made from FDA-approved, food-safe materials and is a safe, reliable choice for large scale reuse. We love to learn more so please don't hesitate to contact us with information we are not yet aware of. 

• Any plastic can degrade under prolonged exposure to extreme heat 
• Though rare, long-term use with highly acidic or oily foods (like tomato sauce or citrus) can cause wear over many years, increasing the potential for minimal chemical migration.

Our dish ware is designed for event-based use, meaning it is washed and reused in a way that minimizes any potential breakdown.

✅ Yes! Bright and Green’s dish ware is one of the safest reusable options available because it is:

• Made from food-safe, FDA-approved domestically recycled #5 plastic
• BPA-free, and melamine-free
• Re-recyclable, keeping it in a closed-loop system

If used properly, it is a safe, durable, and eco-friendly alternative to single-use disposables.

Choosing Bright and Green’s reusable dish ware helps protect the environment, reduce waste, and promote sustainability in the following ways:

🚯 Every reusable dish prevents a disposable one from ending up in a landfill. By eliminating single-use plastics and paper products, we reduce waste buildup and minimize the need for landfill expansion.

🌱 Single-use products require constant manufacturing, raw material extraction, and transportation. Reusables cut down on the demand for new plastic, paper, and energy-intensive production, reducing carbon emissions and conserving natural resources.

🌿 The extraction of raw materials for disposables—like logging for paper plates or petroleum for plastic utensils—destroys habitats and ecosystems. By using reusables, we help preserve forests, oceans, and wildlife.

🌊 Single-use plastics are a major contributor to ocean pollution and microplastic contamination. By switching to reusables, we keep plastic waste out of waterways, protecting marine life and reducing microplastic exposure.

💚 Using reusables at events creates a visible shift in behavior. It educates attendees, normalizes sustainable practices, and encourages communities to rethink their reliance on single-use disposables. Small changes at events lead to lasting environmental impact.

By choosing Bright and Green, you’re actively reducing waste, protecting ecosystems, and helping to create a culture of sustainability—one event at a time. 

Stay local and check out STS Rentals & More

https://sts.rentals/ 

Universal Balance Productions - Live Sound Lighting and Stage Rental Company

https://universalbalanceproductions.com/

Lastly Check out The Party Place in Eureka. Also has reusable dishes for higher end events. https://www.partyplaceeureka.com/

You are paying Bright and Green, a locally operated business. Your payment supports sustainable operations, local jobs, and the transition away from single-use waste. 💚

We take care of transportation costs, unforeseen costs, maintain website, marketing, social media, financials, communicate with customers, coordinates Bright & Green Community Representatives, organize meetings with team members, hires and manages schedule.

At Bright and Green we want to enjoy what we do, and we want to thrive doing it. Thats why each month we will re-evaluate our earnings to ensure that well trained and seasoned employees are getting a livable wage.