Food delivery services are a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste. Single-use plastics have long-term environmental effects, including large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution. Luckily, we can provide you with ways you can help reduce takeout food waste.
Order Without Utensils and Condiments
You may need the disposables on a picnic, but they’re not necessary when you’re eating from your kitchen. So, the next time you order food from home, ask the restaurant to skip the single-use food ware, including straws, plastic utensils, and napkins. Packages like plastic cutlery, containers, straws, and drinking cups make up massive loads of plastic around the country. The restaurant should also have better trash management practices to help solve the challenge.
Request for Less Packaging
If you’re ordering for more than one person, customize this request to fit everyone’s needs to avoid having the restaurant bring more than you need. If you get more than you need, ask the restaurant not to pack more next time so you can use what you have. This sentiment goes for condiments as well. Most people don’t think much of the extra condiments that come with their order, some of which they never use. Instead of just placing your order, go the extra mile to request specific condiments only if you need to.
Re-use and Recycle Takeout Food Containers
Check your local recycling provider’s website to find out if you can recycle some plastic from your takeout, as recycling rules vary from county to county. The sturdy paper bags restaurants use to pack your takeout boxes can be returned to the restaurant as long as they’re not greasy or dirty. Unlike polystyrene foam containers, the popular traditional plastic packaging is easily recyclable, and you can keep them to store leftovers, sandwiches, and vegetables.
Order Amounts You Can Finish in One or Two Sittings
Packaging is a harmful component of wasting food products, but takeout food waste at its core is most perpetuated by significant amounts of extra food. Whenever you make a takeout order, make sure you order an amount you can finish. Most people have a habit of ordering food, tossing the leftovers in the fridge, forgetting about it, then throwing their now-expired leftovers away. Not only are you wasting the resources that were used to make this food, but also contributing to hazardous greenhouse gasses. Keeping consistent fridge-cleaning habits will help you prioritize food that is still good to eat so that you do not end up wasting food that was readily available.
According to Conserve Energy Future, trash management may include up to 20 different industries, and everyone must take a position to ensure proper categorization, gathering, and disposal. We can all help save the environment by practicing proper garbage management. For all of your curbside pickup and temporary dumpster needs, give Arrowaste a call today! We are committed to serving West Michigan neighborhoods with resources that can help reduce takeout food waste.
