In a Gallup poll from 2016, it was found that 61% of Americans eat out at least once a week. Dining out generates a lot of pollutants from uneaten food, to-go materials, emissions from transportation and more factors which means your take-out can cost a lot to the environment. So, how can you reduce your carbon footprint from take-out? Here are a few tips to take with you the next time you go out to eat.
Be a conscious eater
Are your eyes bigger than your stomach? Well, let’s start with being honest about what you can eat and how much you will actually consume. Asking the staff about their portion sizes allows you to decide what is reasonable for your appetite and reduce the amount of food that could eventually end up in the trash.
With that said, eat less meat! Meat production emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from factories (CAFOs), animal feed, and from the animals themselves.
Bring your own container(s)
If you’re a daily coffee drinker, use a reusable coffee cup. Many coffee shops will offer a discount for bringing a reusable cup since they’re saving money from not using their disposable (non-recyclable) coffee cups.
While you’re at it, keep a water bottle on you. This helps you choose a healthier, cheaper, and more sustainable drink option. Why buy bottled water or a soda when you can get your daily water intake for FREE? Most restaurants have water on a soda fountain, in a self-service pitcher or on-tap where you can fill up your bottle as you wait for your order.
Also, for those who dine-in, skip out on the to-go containers. If you have leftovers, bringing your own bento box will reduce the waste you take home and you’ll have a meal that’s ready to take anywhere.
Refuse plastics
If you’re dining in or getting take-out, refuse the plastics: straws, cutlery and bags.
Many restaurants offer straws automatically which can be extremely wasteful. When you place your order, tell them “no straw please!” While preventing waste, you are also enhancing the awareness of the restaurant which can sway them from automatically giving out straws to other customers. If you need a straw for any particular reason, build your sustainability tool kit by purchasing on-the-go reusable straws.
Another thing restaurants tend to give out is cutlery. Plastic cutlery is not recyclable (even if it’s made from a recyclable plastic). Just like plastic straws, it is a single-use plastic and will end up in the landfill or as litter that can end up in our waterways. If you’re taking your food home, then you more than likely don’t need to-go cutlery. However, if you’re going somewhere else, consider purchasing a set of reusable cutlery to take with you.
Speaking of waterways, bring your own bag. As you may know, plastic bags are a common litter bug that ends up in our ocean where it does harm to sea animals and could eventually end up in the fish/seafood that we eat. If you have a large order that requires a bag, bring a reusable bag. It will help reduce your plastic waste and is usually sturdier than that plastic or paper bag that’s given out.
Recycle
RECYCLE…it’s that simple! Whatever materials you receive from restaurants, recycle all that can go in your bin. Plastic cups, plastic containers, plastic portion cups, and paper bags (without stains) are common recyclable to-go materials. Just make sure they are “loose, clean and dry” before recycling it!
Also, if you have access to composting services, recycle your organic materials.
Support Green Dining Alliance restaurants
All of the aforementioned tips are common talking points with GDA members. Reducing waste both in the front and back of house reduces the carbon footprint of businesses and their customers. Patronizing Green Dining Alliance restaurants means you are reducing your carbon footprint by eating local and/or sustainably harvested food, not using toxic to-go materials like Styrofoam, supporting the local economy and supporting a business with an environmental conscience.
As consumer behavior and trends evolve, the restaurant industry will change accordingly. Be an influencer for the industry by using these tips to help reduce the environmental impact from your take-out.
