This is fantastic!

I worked at a cafe that used the corn-based, biodegradeable togo containers. They found out it was GMO corn and switched to a plastic that can be recycled in our city system. The corn were the cheapest, but I know other materials are out there. They also started selling "Tiffens", which are the Indian take-out containers. Cool metal things that look like something they hand out to boy scouts. Discount given if you get your go-meal put in one.
They also hand out tubs from sour cream and butter for people to take stuff home, along with regular food boxes.
The owner did have to work with the health dept on using tiffins, since they weren't being washed at the cafe. I think they figured it was a risk assumed by the consumer.

The Aldi's grocery store in my town has it's own bag tax: you either bring a bag, use one of the many extra boxes they have or buy a bag at the check-out.
Maybe instead of calling it a bag tax, tell people they have to buy bags!
It's all in the spin :)