We admit it. On occasion, we go through the fast food drive-thru. We also order in and get take-away from time to time. And, when we do, we are always reminded of just how wasteful these companies all are and why we don’t ever do something about it.

The other night we ordered from a vegan restaurant and they might have been the most wasteful restaurant we’ve ever experienced. Our order was packaged like a giant Faberge egg roll made from trash. Inside two plastic bags was a paper bag excessively stapled shut with yet another menu. Inside that, two aluminum foil-lined Styrofoam containers were taped closed. Inside each of those, two plastic containers of eco-friendlier, health conscience food. But wait, there’s more. Don’t forget the plastic silverware, chopsticks, soy sauce, chili sauce, and napkins for two we didn’t ask for all wrapped in cling film. We nearly lost our appetite.

The good news is that it got us problem solving again. Short of requesting the restaurant ease up on the excessive packaging or boycotting them, someone needs to create a business out of non-toxic bags and containers that can be re-used at fast food restaurants and for delivery. Anyone? Anyone? After all, people are slowly checking into plastic bag rehab and buying reusable canvas ones to take to the grocery store. Styrofoam is being banned in San Francisco. It’s only a matter of time before the restaurant industry is pressured into creating alternatives. You could lead the way.
From the money restaurant owners would save on supplies, customers could get discounts for bringing their own designer bags and containers or returning the ones they received from their last order.

We’ve been toying with making small cards that people can hand to cashiers and delivery personnel to hand to management. Each humorous card would point out what is wrong with this common business practice and encourage alternatives. Unfortunately, it means using paper to do so.

Any other bright ideas on how to solve this problem?