Ditch Plastics at Mealtime
Eating out - it’s the best! We all love to eat well, support local businesses and make mealtime into a special occasion. It’s also a great opportunity to reduce plastic waste!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Very little plastic is easily recyclable. Instead, the vast majority is left behind in landfills or in the ocean. And instead of fully decomposing, many plastics degrade into toxic “microplastics” that travel through our waterways and atmosphere, accumulating in the bodies of clams, turtles, dolphins and even humans.
It seems odd that we eat with plastic forks that last us five minutes, but will pollute our oceans for hundreds of years. Luckily, it’s easy to eliminate single-use plastics from mealtime by switching to reusables! By reducing plastic waste, you’ll help reduce carbon emissions from plastic production and keep toxic garbage out of our waterways and other habitats.
1Choose reusables when you get takeout
Use reusable utensils. When you order takeout, tell the cashier that you don’t need any plastic utensils. If you are eating at home, use your own utensils, or if you are eating on the go, bring a set of reusable utensils with you! There are many great light weight, travel-ready options for reusable utensils. They make great gifts! Buy one for a friend and spread the trend of ditching plastic utensils.
Choose sustainable to-go containers. Next, notice what kind of packaging your favorite restaurants are using for your takeout - is it styrofoam or plastic containers, or compostable containers? If possible, choose the restaurant with the sustainable, compostable container or consider dining in instead of taking it to go. If it’s your favorite restaurant and you need to take it to go, talk with the manager and ask them to consider switching to compostable to-go containers.
Say no to plastic straws. Because of their shape and size plastic straws are uniquely harmful to marine life. And they’re a major source of plastic waste - 500 million plastic straws are used every day in the United States alone! Learn more in our Say No to Plastic Straws Action.
Go circular. Some restaurants are starting to explore offering takeout food and drinks in truly reusable containers, which you can bring back to the restaurant for them to refill. This is an example of what’s known as a “Circular Economy.” If any cafés or restaurants in your area are trying this out, support them! Find out more about the circular economy in our What is a Circular Economy Action.
2Pack your lunch in reusable containers
Bring food from home in reusable containers. It’s simple - when you’re packing up your lunch for school or the office, choose a reusable container instead of a sandwich bag. Reusable plastic or glass containers will reduce your plastic waste and save you money over the long term since you’ll only have to buy a few.