Hey friends! 🍱💬
Let's be honest—how many of us order takeout at least once a week?
🙋♀️ I know I do. It's convenient, fast, and honestly comforting after a long day. But one night, as I cleaned up a mountain of plastic containers, forks, and those little soy sauce packets, I had this thought: "Wait… where does all this go?"
So today, let's talk about the takeout packaging problem—and what we can actually do about it. 👇
Every time we order delivery, we're not just getting a meal—we're also getting layers of packaging:
• Plastic containers with lids
• Styrofoam boxes
• Paper bags inside plastic bags
• Napkins, forks, sauce packets… even rubber bands sometimes!
Now multiply that by the millions of orders happening daily. That's a whole lot of trash 😬
Most of this stuff isn't recyclable (especially when it's greasy or food-stained), and even if it ends up in the recycling bin, many places don't actually recycle these materials properly. So where does it all go? Yep—landfills or the ocean 🌊
A while back, I ordered noodles, soup, and a drink. That one meal came with:
• 3 plastic containers
• A plastic bag
• A drink cup with a straw
• 2 sets of cutlery I didn't even use
• 4 napkins
That's at least 7 single-use items... for one dinner 😳
After that, I started noticing just how much waste I was creating in one night. And it made me feel a bit... off. I wasn't just feeding myself—I was quietly adding to a much bigger problem.
Here are a few things I've tried—and maybe they'll work for you too:
• 💬 Leave a note: "No cutlery or napkins, please." (Most of us eat at home anyway!)
• 🍴 Use your own dishes: I always transfer food from the plastic container to my own bowl—feels nicer, too!
• 📦 Support eco-friendly spots: Some places now use compostable or paper-based packaging.
• 🛍️ Reuse what you can: I save containers for leftovers or organizing small stuff.
• 🍽️ Order less frequently: Save takeout for weekends or treat days.
I'm not saying we need to give up all takeout (believe me, I couldn't 😅), but even small changes can help reduce the waste we make.
What's the worst takeout packaging situation you've seen? Do you have any tricks to cut down on the waste?
Drop your tips below or just say hey 👋 I'd love to know if this is something you think about too!
Let's eat well and live better—without tossing the planet in the trash 💚