Eco-To-Go: Reducing Take-out Waste
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.25.07
Don't you hate it when you order takeout and besides all the containers, there are stacks of servietttes and half a dozen knives and forks that you don't need? (and no need for comments that TreeHuggers shouldn't do takeout because of the packaging, we know) The Eco-Agents in New York City did. This group's main preoccupation is saving the Amazon Rainforest, but are also "involved in personal and group discussions about creating responsible environmental consciousness towards nature in particular when it comes to plastic and paper waste." They have started a campaign called eco-to-go, where customers inform the takeout joint that they want nothing but the food in its containers, no napkins or forks or other waste.
We have noticed that certain takeout chains get this already, asking if customers need condiments or cutlery. Congratulations to Eco-Agents for trying to make this more common.
We suggest that they might go the next step of suggesting that people bring in their own containers to avoid wasting cardboard or polystyrene, (like they do at Bring Your Own.Org) but it is a start. ::Eco-Agents via l-e-mental thanks, Harry
Hey I do this! There is one place i like to pick up food from and they are terrible, they give you the food container, wrap up the condiment a small brown paper bag, give you chopsticks which i never use, napkins, there menu which i already have, and put in another brown bag.
So I've taken to telling them i don't need any of that stuff. Just the food. At other places I try and tell people i don't need the plastic bag, but you have to act quick. It's kinda of tough though, people look at you like your crazy and sometimes almost as if their insulted.
i'm in love with the thai restaurant down the street from me, but not in love with their styrofoam packaging, so i asked them if i could bring containers with me when i placed my order. i'd eaten there enough times that we were on fairly friendly terms, and it was no inconvenience to them, so they said sure. i carry everything out in my own bag and put the containers away for my next order. it actually saves them a little (teensy, eensy) bit of money, since they don't have to use up any of their own supplies (i tell them not to include extra sauces, etc., because i have most of those things at home). i know an arrangement like this wouldn't work for everyone or every kind of food (i can see pizza being difficult), but if you frequent a restaurant where something like this might be feasible, it would be worth asking. i can't imagine any place flat-out refusing.
A lot of places would probably refuse to use your packages, fearing it broke some health code.
Disposable styrofoam containers/cups are actually better for the environment than paper/cardboard if you look at cradle to grave energy use. Particularly if they're made from a biodegradable foam.
Who says you have to discard the napkins, sauce packets, and plastic utensils? Use the napkins instead of paper towels around the house. Eat the condiments over time. And keep the utensils for large gatherings or take them to work, where co-workers are often scavenging for utensils to eat their lunches.
One huge peeve: when I tell cashiers that I don't want a bag, but they've already started getting one...and so they THROW IT AWAY!
Sarah, if that has been a continual problem for you, maybe you should just keep the bag. After all, you can probably re-use it elsewhere. There is a fine line between being ecologically sound and just being stubborn. Just accept the bag, and spare the landfill.