Recipes For Future #4 – Eliminating Takeout Waste & Reusable Takeout Containers
- Updated on Oct 17, 2019
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Hello Food Rebels,
Today I wanted to speak about take-outs before I move on to our three vegan recipes for Fridays.
A few weeks ago I went for a Kumpir – it’s a massive baked potato with lots of different toppings. It’s popular here in Berlin and thousands upon thousands must be sold every day.
Instead of looking at the dish, let’s take a look at the waste we created by ordering it:
– 1 paper bag
– 2 plastic spoons
– 2 plastic containers
– aluminum foil
– paper tissues
What is going on, por favor?? I felt really bad creating so much waste just by ordering two potatoes.
I decided to ask our readers some questions. They were:
1. Do you also feel bad about creating that amount of waste with a simple takeaway?
2. Do you try to avoid it somehow when ordering takeaways?
I’m determined to not throw such a massive amount of wrapping waste into the bin again.
So, I thought about buying some sort of lightweight containers and cutlery. Which led me to question three:
3. Do you have any recommendations for lightweight containers for that purpose?
It turns out that our readers had A LOT to say on the matter – with some incredibly good ideas cropping up.
Reusable Takeout Cutlery
Elena always carries this lightweight and stylish bamboo cutlery set with her (fork, spoon, straw, brush & cloth storage bag). Click here to check it out. Cheers, Elena, this is excellent! (Here is her husband’s metal version too)
Yessenia opted for a more practical spork! It’s a spoon and fork in one + has a bottle opener on the other end. Pretty useful. Check it out here
Reusable Takeout Containers
Reusable takeout containers could be the next big thing. Margaret got this plastic and leak-free lunch container. She says ‘I’ve been very pleased with them. They are easy to clean and I know that if I need to, they can be recycled or broken down.”
Check out the box here (it’s a bit expensive, but looks really good!)
She also had her eyes on these collapsible silicon containers, but not tried them yet. Interesting though, because they’re better to store away. Check them out here
Reusable Takeout Cups
Elle pointed me to a brand called keepcup. They seem to be durable and of high quality. Have a look here. Many other readers also mentioned they use travel cups, but without particular product recommendations.
Reusable Takeout Bags, Napkins
Mary says she uses “reusable mesh bags for veggies and fruits, as well as shopping bags that roll up very small.” She also pointed me to the new silicon ziptop reusable takeout containers (she didn’t get them yet, though they look like an excellent plastic bag replacement (check them out here).
Next, these super lightweight and stashable grocery bags are great to have on you (thanks again Elena) Have a look here.
Cloth napkins! Many of you just have the good old cloth napkin with you. Reminds me of my granddad, I love it!
Where to store all this?
That is the problem indeed. Many of you just store the containers and cutlery in the car boot. Done. Not so easy for me, since I’m out with my bike, mostly. Those silicon containers got me interested though!
Choose your takeaway places better
Onto some strategic ideas. Eddie and M. think I should avoid takeaways and cook at home. While I love homecooking, I do like the occasional takeaway too and don’t want to give it up if possible.
So, this brings me to Kranthi’s comment:
“I’m lucky to be in Madrid where the better restaurants send food in cardboard cartons, some have wooden cutlery for a few cents more”
Not a bad idea! Will look for more takeaway friendly places!
Re-Use Take-Away Containers
Kathy says “some of this could be reused. The foil could be used to grill veggies. You can wash plastic utensils for a few uses, or better yet tell them you don’t need them. I always reuse paper bags.”
Yes, absolutely! Didn’t think about it.
Heather washes any plastic cutlery that comes her way & reuses it for lunches several times over.
Same with the plastic containers.
Good points, yes!
It seems there is a lot we can do to help eliminate, or at least to cut down on waste from our takeouts (or takeaways).
Wow, that was a long one. Now, finally onto the recipes for this Friday:
Breakfast For Future
Lunch For Future
Dinner For Future
What difference can one individual make? A lot! Do your part, spread the word and we’ll get there! It might take a while, but every small step is still a step. We’ve got this!
By the way – to stay up to date with Recipes for Future just sign up for the email newsletter below and you’ll be first in line for all the latest news!
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