Green Your Take Out

If you get take out often then you know how much trash comes along with the average take out meal – paper or plastic bags, wrapped plastic silverware, straws, paper cups, plastic or Styrofoam containers, and more. One take out meal for a family of four can literally fill the trash can with greasy, messy non-disposables.

Still some of us do want take out, so here’s how to green it up…

Take your own bag. If you call ahead tell the restaurant that you’re bringing a reusable bag for your food. Or simply carry a cardboard box lid with you and have them place food containers in that. Both a bag and box lid can be reused many times over.

Take your own containers. Some restaurants won’t fill your reusable containers due to health regs or policy, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. To-Go Ware makes many creative options for hot and cold food storage that would work well for take out, such as their To-Go Ware 3 Tier Stainless Steel Food Carrier (shown above).

Skip the drink. Why get a paper cup, plastic lid, and straw if you’re headed home? Drink from a real glass at home.

Skip the utensils and paper napkins. Since you’re going home, plastic disposable silverware and paper napkins are unnecessary. Use real silverware and cloth napkins at home.

Skip the extras. Little packets of sauces, salt, pepper, and butter add up in the long run to a whole lot of trash. If you’ve got condiments at home, use them.

Talk to your fave take out place about going more green with their take out packaging. The Green Restaurant Association has a handy green suggestion card you can give to your take out place.

How do you keep your take out green?