Tip #71 BYO Food Containers

BYO or bring your own containers to the deli, takeaway or restaurant is a new movement of how to reduce plastic waste. Are you in?

Did you know that packaging accounts for over 40% of plastic usage worldwide and due to its relatively short useful life, it makes up almost 50% of global plastic waste?

When ordering takeaway food, you can bring your own containers and ask the restaurant to use them instead of the plastic ones. The same applies when you go to the restaurant and you have some leftover food that you want to take with you. Instead of doggie bags, you could use your own container, too. In some case, restaurants still need to get used to this idea. Some of them might not agree at first, but if you explain it to them, they might agree. There is a movement, that actually promotes BYO containers in restaurants.

It might take just a bit of planning and think ahead, but it's just a habit (like any other).

For example, when you know you are going to a restaurant that serves big portions that you are never able to finish, then bring your food container with you.