Sometimes, we can’t always finish our food when we’re out to eat. Instead of wasting the food or bringing it home in disposable containers…. I’m challenging you to bring home leftovers in reusable containers.
We talked about ending food waste on day 14, but now we’re going to breakup with to-go containers too.
It’s day nineteen of the zero waste challenge! The beginning of the challenge focused on simple swaps like bringing your own water bottle and bags to the grocery store.
Now, we’re in the second phase of the challenge. These changes are lifestyle changes like learning to make your own snacks, decluttering your life the zero waste way, and conserving natural resources.
Most of the topics will start getting slightly more advanced for the rest of the challenge before we move into activism and ways to get your community involved, but today we’re talking about meal prep.
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the problem:
Styrofoam cannot be easily recycled, it’s toxic, and because it’s so light weight it’s easy for it to get carried away into nature. Plus, it’s super important to avoid!
the solution:
This week, whenever you go out to eat, I challenge you to bring your own container with you. This way you can bring home your leftovers without the Styrofoam clam shell.
Bringing your own container may inspire someone else to think about the waste they’re making or inspire the restaurant to consider more eco-friendly options! Never know, right?
At the least, it’s definitely a great conversation starter about all things zero waste.
The two things I like to bring with me are either a metal tiffin or a mason jar.
The mason jar is great because it’s leak proof. Because the base is glass, it’s convenient for reheating in a microwave.
However, with a mason jar you don’t really have any separation. Hopefully you only have one item, because you wouldn’t really want to mix your salad and your pasta in the same jar.
Metal tiffins typically have at least one or two levels, or at least something to separate and divide food with. This comes in handy when you’re out with someone or have two different foods leftover: You can get something to go on both levels without having to mix them together.
If you’re more of a takeout person, then I recommend watching this video. Getting takeout zero waste is so easy. I promise it is. I filmed the whole exchange so that way you can see it for yourself.
To get zero waste takeout, all you need to do is pull up your phone, see what restaurants are near you, call them up and ask them if you can bring your own containers. If the answer is yes, just make sure your containers are clean.
You can use mason jars for soup or rice, multi-tiered metal tiffins for keeping numerous foods separate. You can also take glassware with you to hold wraps, sandwiches and bulkier items.
Just take your container, ask them to fill it up, snap on the lids, and that’s it. So, if you love takeout, you don’t have to give it up to be zero waste.
That’s my challenge for you: Bring your leftovers home in your own container.
take the challenge!
Over the next 12 days, your challenge is to bring home leftovers in your own containers.
If you’re dining out at a restaurant, it’s important to take home whatever you can’t finish, but you’ll want to avoid the dreaded Styrofoam clam shells.
You can do this by going to the restaurant prepared: Take a mason jar or a metal tiffin with you for any food you may have leftover at the end of the night.
If you enjoy zero waste takeout, call up the place first and ask if you can bring your own containers. If they say yes, head on over and have them fill up your food in mason jars or metal tiffins before taking it home to eat.
Will you be taking the challenge?
want more?
Just starting out? Have 1,000 burning questions!? Get access to my private Facebook group, where I’ll be hosting weekly lives throughout the challenge and I answer all of your most pressing questions.
I’m the head content creator over at pelacase.com and have partnered with them to create an email version of the challenge. I will be sending out weekly recap letters with Pela if you’d prefer to have this challenge in larger chunks and delivered straight to your inbox.
PLUS! I’ll be sending out a brand new e-book at the end of the challenge called the Game On Handbook. Which is all about individual ways to fight climate change. You don’t want to miss it.
miss a day?
