Got Takeout?

Mom is crazy psycho about takeout food containers. She feels really guilty ordering takeout because of the waste it creates. All those styrofoam, plastic, and cardboard containers get tossed in the garbage after the food is gone, but the containers never really go away, do they? When I found out about this campaign last week, I knew it would be right up Mom's alley.

The mission of takeout without is to reduce restaurant waste. Yeah! Why didn't Mom think of this? And why did it take so long for someone to think of this? I love their tag line - fill your stomach not the landfill. So catchy! The campaign may have just started, but it's being propelled forward by people who are looking to keep takeout waste out of landfills.

So what is the campaign all about? How can you reduce your takeout waste and still order takeout? According to the takeout without website, the campaign is based on three creeds:

ReFuse Unnecessary Stuff - this is where you can make the biggest impact. Think of all the napkins, straws, forks, etc. that you're given when you get takeout. Do you really need all that? Are you going to use 10 napkins to eat your Subway sandwich? I think not. Refuse the napkins. Are you going to eat that Chinese food at home? Probably. Refuse the forks and spoons. Are you going to eat that bean burrito from Taco Bell in your car? Of course! Refuse the bag the drive-thru person insists on putting the burrito in. You can avoid so much waste just by refusing it.

ReTake Your Own Reusables - duh! How obvious is this? Lots of people take their coffee mugs to Starbucks so why not take this a little further? I'm talking about bringing you own silverware, straws (glass of course), napkins (cloth), and reusable bags with you when you eat out at places that use disposable goods. It may sound like a pain to do, but if you start small and bring one thing at a time, before you know it, it will become second nature. Mom has a friend that brings her own leftover container to restaurants. She has been doing this for years and because of her, Mom now does this too (not that Mom ever brings leftovers home).

ReConsider Your Habits - for some people, this is harder to do then any of the above. Let's face it - preparing meals at home is healthier than eating takeout. You can control the ingredients and the portions, making and eating just what you need. You will also save money and feel better, physically and mentally. I know that a lot of people eat takeout because of convenience, so this creed may be a challenge. Change takes time, so take baby steps.

takeout without is just getting started but it's already making a difference. They are trying to get restaurants on board. They want people to feel comfortable and welcome bringing their own containers, cutlery, etc when eating out. This not only reduces waste but also saves the restaurants' money. They are even hoping restaurants will offer incentives to people for taking these actions. How cool is that?

By taking steps to reduce takeout waste, we become role models for doing the right thing. We not only keep waste out of landfills but we also send a message to restaurants that we care about the environment. Caring about the environment means we care about each other. We care about each other because we're all in this together. So join the campaign. Be part of the movement.