Super Eco

Photo credit: dsirninja, Flickr

Long live takeout containers. Literally.

Most leftover packages will outlive us all, by hundreds of years easy. So, if you’re eating out tonight, consider your takeout footprint. Or, BYO—bring your own to-go container. Your leftovers never tasted so green.

Here’s the takeout tally, from greenest to downright dangerous:

1. BYO - Use your imagination … and your own kitchenware. Stash your uneaten eats in just about any container from home, the more eco-friendly (preferably BPA-free), the better: glass condiment jars; ceramic mugs; hummus tubs; Pyrex lid-lock bowls; Kleen Kanteens; etc.   

2. Recycled paper containers - You probably won’t see many of these energy- and tree-saving to-go boxes outside of a sprinkling of earthy eateries like Urth Café, Native Foods, Whole Foods Café and other eco-bistros. Look for the 100% recycled stamp.

3. Aluminum foil - Once cleaned, you can reuse aluminum foil or recycle it (find out where at Earth911.org). The shiny flavor saver may oxidize in landfills without emissions, but producing it is resource-exhaustive and harsh on the environment.

4. Natural bio-containers - Bio food vessels are “cooked” from corn, soy and other renewable plant fibers. They’re a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastic containers. The drawbacks: they require fickle conditions to biodegrade; suck up tons of energy and resources to produce; and, when mixed with recyclable plastics, generate a snarl of sorting issues.

5. Cardboard boxes - Suprisingly, these are a no-go. Once food-soiled, cardboard, wax coated or not, can’t be recycled nor reused. At best, you could compost it if it’s free of bleach and/or chlorine. Here’s how.

6. Plastic containers - These make up the second most environmentally-thrashing option. Why? They’re made from ever-vanishing petroleum. Avoid carrying your leftovers in chemicals that carry a huge helping of "leftover" health and pollution risks.

7. Styrofoam - Seriously? Do restaurants still use this stuff? In terms of toxic takeout tubs, Styrofoam is Earth Enemy Number One. Avoid it whenever possible, though the white, unrecyclable gunk may be unavoidable in the future; it never, ever goes away. Join your local city in banning it. 

So, there you have it, your quick, to-go serving of restaurant takeout containers. Now, what will it be tonight? For here or to go?