Fill Stomachs, Not Landfills

Americans toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times, and K.B. Lee is trying to do something about it. He has founded TakeOutWithOut (TOWO) to convince restaurants to encourage and accommodate people who bring their own containers.

TOWO has its own 3Rs, as explained by Ellen Moorhouse in the Toronto-based newspaper The Star:

Refuse (Do you really need all of those straws, plastic cutlery and napkins?); Retake (Bring your own containers, cups and bags.); and Reconsider (Take a look at your eating habits, and maybe, like Lee, make some changes.)

TOWO is inviting restaurants to encourage people to bring their own containers (many resist, worried about health and safety) and urging patrons to cut back. It is perhaps a good first step, although I would rather see deposits on everything and producer responsibility.

Retake and Reconsider: Two more to add to our seven R’s. One might also try the 25 Take-Out Foods You Can Make at Home For Cheaper. More at TakeOutWithOut.

Read more: Conscious Consumer, Do Good, Food, Green, takeoutwithout

By Llyod Alter, TreeHugger

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Beng Kiat L.

2:16AM PDT on Jun 29, 2010

Thanks

send a green star

Jann J.

4:02PM PDT on May 25, 2010

Since being back on this site, I have been really awakening to taking better care of our Mother,Gaia, and recycling again. Wonderful article, and yes, CLICK TO DONATE!!!!!!! Another is the rainforest site, free donations for sople clicks,too!!

Elena D.

3:32PM PDT on May 25, 2010

Thank you!

Lady R.

3:57AM PDT on May 25, 2010

I agree with this article 100%

Sue H.

10:02AM PDT on May 17, 2010

I know that I will be making extra
efforts to reduce and re-use! Thanks.

NO EMAILS P.

12:47AM PDT on May 14, 2010

thankyou

Angelica P.

8:14PM PDT on May 10, 2010

Wow! That's an awesome idea! I love it!

Linda L.

3:07PM PDT on Mar 31, 2010

Great ideas!!

Judy A.

3:34PM PDT on Mar 21, 2010

My other half is usually the one who picks up the take-out food, so he and I will most certainly be having a chat about refusing the extra napkins and plastic ware. Thanks!

Maira S.

4:34AM PST on Mar 12, 2010

Merci!