Save the Earth Slowly, Tip #1: Tupperware

March 28, 2006 1 Comment

Yes, Tupperware.

Or, better yet, something even more sturdy.

How

When you plan to eat out, especially in Chicago where the portions are huge, have them put the leftovers in your special container and take it home.

Why

You are saving a container that took energy to produce, will take energy to throw ‘away’ (though think about it… is there is really an ‘away’?), and will likely sit in a landfill longer than you or your great-great-great-(you get the idea) grandchildren are alive. What a stupid legacy to leave, right?

A good set of containers that may be used and reused for leftovers or take-out, then brought home and later used in a microwave or popped in the oven for reheating will help reduce a lot of waste. Glass containers are very good, as some plastics are harmful when microwaved.

At some restaurants, they may insist our brilliant Tip #1 is against health codes. This is often because serving utensils cannot be used on potentially unwashed containers (yours is clean, of course!), but if one is careful, the utensil will not touch your container. Try it. Serve yourself some soup at home without letting the ladle touch the bowl. If you can do it, a highly trained waiter can do the same, and no health codes will be violated.

Look cool

The waitstaff may look at you funny, but by the third or fourth time they see you coming, they’ll think you’re kinda cool, and maybe they’ll even try it themselves secretly the next time they go out. By now, our local restaurants are pretty unfazed with this ‘odd’ behavior.

Works great for pizza, sushi, noodles, etc. If you’re worried about spills, get fancy… use a spillproof bag or a lunchbox like you did when you were a kid!

But wait… there’s more

Try it for take-out, too. Do you really need someone else’s container inside a bag with their advertisements on it to walk three blocks back home?

While you’re at it… use your own napkins or chopsticks at home. You’ve got more than enough sitting in a drawer already, anyway.

Look for more ‘Save the Earth Tips’ in the series in the near future. Though we might rename it or move it the next time, we’ll be here for ya!

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