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Eco Lizard AZ is on a mission to help Tucsonans enjoy the many flavors of the city without leaving a mountain of waste behind.
The innovative crew is “taking the waste out of takeout” and tackling one of the food industry’s most pressing issues — disposable containers. Their intention? To empower Tucson’s restaurants and diners to join them in the zero-waste movement with a sustainable, affordable, and community-driven solution.
Eco Lizard co-founder Rocky Baier shared how she and her business partner, Stephen Menke, developed their innovative idea. “We are Tucson residents first, both with a passion for zero waste,” she said. “We met through the Sustainable Tucson Zero Waste Committee and created the Tucson Repair Cafe together to reduce waste from people throwing away their fixable but broken items.”
Their work with the Cafe revealed just how ready their community was to embrace small, meaningful steps to reduce waste. Inspired by Tucsonans’ strong connection to their environment and the shared desire for sustainable solutions, Baier and Menke realized there was even more they could do to address larger environmental challenges.
One issue loomed especially large: the amount of trash generated by single-use takeout containers, an unignorable, growing problem. Confident in their city’s creativity and commitment, they decided Tucson was the ideal place to launch a bold new initiative.
With that vision, Eco Lizard AZ was born.
The numbers are sobering: the U.S. produces a mind-numbing 9 million tons of waste every year from disposable food packaging alone. That equates to about one trillion pieces of single-use items, most of which end up congesting landfills, polluting ecosystems — above and below ground — and leaching provenly harmful chemicals into the environment.
Tucson is no exception, but the team at Eco Lizard recognizes an opportunity to make an impact through small, actionable changes, and they have faith that their beloved community can really get behind this program.
Rather than let the enormity of this problem scare us into inaction, Eco Lizard has launched a program that offers a simple, approachable solution via a reusable takeout container system.
“Eco Lizard was created to reduce the barriers to reuse by creating an easy solution and service for customers and restaurants,” said Baier. “So (participants) can just sign up through our program and we will handle the distribution of the containers back to the restaurant and wash them to make sure they’re safe.”
The team’s goal is to minimize waste caused by chemicals like PFAS and BPA, which are commonly found in standard carryout containers. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS and BPA don’t break down easily, instead lingering in soil, water, and even our bodies. Provenly linked to health concerns like hormonal disruptions and kidney damage, these substances underscore the need for safer alternatives.
Understanding the hazard of typical container options, the Eco Lizard team made the easy choice to invest in an alternative that’s made of high-density polypropylene — a decision that not only protects the planet but prioritizes the health of Tucson’s families and communities.
With no extra effort required from diners or restaurants beyond participation, Eco Lizard’s reusable container system makes sustainability an easy-to-integrate practice for everyone.
This innovative system is simpler than you might think.
“Our containers are washed up to FDA standards in an industrial dishwasher,” Baier added. “We also hold ourselves to a higher standard, checking every box when it is washed to make sure it still is high quality before going out. This means making sure there are no stains or cracks in the box.”
Beyond the environmental benefits, Eco Lizard’s program speaks to a larger movement in Tucson: the desire to live more intentionally while fostering small changes that make a big difference for the collective. Small steps — like opting for reusable, non-toxic containers — have a ripple effect.
“We wanted to start this here because we live here and want to see a change locally,” said Baier. “However, Tucson already has a commitment to our environment through things like the city’s Zero Waste Roadmap and the nature that is embedded into the city. It also has a unique culture of locality that separates it from larger cities like Phoenix. We hope this business will connect with others concerned about waste, and spread to everyone in town!”
Eco Lizard’s vision fits into Tucson’s tradition of creative, grassroots solutions.
Like Mission Garden’s initiatives created to preserve Tucson’s agricultural heritage, Eco Lizard aims to protect its natural environment through everyday choices — proving that big change starts with tangible, local actions.
Right now, Eco Lizard packaging is only available at Urban Fresh (73 E. Pennington St.), but the Eco Lizard team is working tirelessly to make the program accessible thanks to a grant from Groundswell Capital.
“Our goal is to get 10 restaurants (signed up) in our first year, and we envision growing this not only to more restaurants, but also events, institutions, food trucks, and meal services,” said Baier.
The pilot program is officially up and running, and Eco Lizard is inviting more local restaurants to get involved. Restaurant owners looking to reduce waste can join Eco Lizard’s growing network today with a quick and seamless onboarding process. Meanwhile, diners can download the Eco Lizard app to start enjoying zero-waste takeout with their next order — a small action that contributes to a considerable shift.
Together, we can redefine takeout in Tucson and set an example for sustainability-driven communities everywhere, one impactful choice at a time. Support the initiative today.
To learn more or get involved, visit ecolizardaz.com or email ecolizardaz@gmail.com.
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