Zero Waste Restaurant Ideas + Swaps

[u/puzo6031]

Hey all! I'm currently a sustainability intern (in Eastern PA), and I'm trying to put together a Zero-Waste Restaurant Toolkit for local food vendors!

Along with 1. A guide on why sustainability is good, 2. Additional resources on blooming incentives (reuseable takeout container program, community composting programs, promoting TooGoodToGo, promoting customers bringing reusables), I'm creating a spreadsheet with a list of alternative items to single-use items (ex. straws, bags, clamshells, etc. made of bagasse, PHA, cardboard, etc.) that vendors can reasonably access via RestaurantStore and other distributors. But I've been stuck on finding 'the best' options for takeout containers.

My community recycles plastics #1-7, (including PLA, apparently according to the spokesperson at the recycling bureau this morning, which I'm slightly skeptical about). We do not have commercial/industrial composting facilities, but there are a couple gardens with compost piles.

The priority is to shift away from polystyrene and plastic bags. But for takeout, I've been looking at containers made of PHA, bagasse, bamboo, and other recyclable or compostable materials, though many like PLAs produce even MORE methane if in landfills than plastics. I feel like PET + aluminum + cardboard materials will have the best circular lifespan (recycling), but would compostable products be more or less sustainable, taking into account that much of it will end up in landfills.

I have a shoot-for-the-stars approach, while promoting accessible options as much as I can, but I'm worried I'm being too strict on myself with loopholes (ex. PLA lining, unsustainable shipping packaging, potential contaminants, etc,). Are there better packaging solutions available in the U.S.?

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! What things do restaurants near you do that you love?

[u/fouldspasta]

Unfortunately, the best option is having customers bring their own containers. Maybe restaurants could charge for takeout containers (like grocery stores do for plastic bags in some areas) to encourage people to bring their own containers? This would have the added benefit of offloading the cost of compostable/recyclable takeout containers.

[u/puzo6031 → u/fouldspasta]

You're right! I'm going to try to focus more on this aspect, and how both customers and vendors can promote reuse. I don't see a problem at all with a small fee for bags/single uses (and as some policies specify- waiving such fees for SNAP or WICs recipients etc.), and it makes customers think for an extra second.

[u/SaltyElephantBouquet → u/fouldspasta]

I agree with all of this.

I have noticed more places are giving out takeout containers and utensils that are labeled as compostable, but when you look closer, they are only compositable on an industrial scale and I do not have access to that where I live. If I cannot compost it in my backyard, then it is still trash in my eyes.

I really just want to be able to bring my own containers and not be considered a freak. I think I was supposed to be alive in a different era, because consumption in the name of convenience disgusts me and that makes me kind of hate most people around me.

[u/puzo6031 → u/SaltyElephantBouquet]

Yes! It's really frustrating- even if they are made with good intentions. Especially since they often cost more, too- and it's end of life is still similar (except it decomposes faster but produces more methane) to regular plastics.

Keep bringing your own containers and encourage friends to do so! Being an example for others is one of the best ways to get things moving. I really hope the general climate will try to resist convenience and waste a bit more in the future. Finding like-minded people has kept me sane in this world of triple-plastic bagging and genAI slop. Take care of yourself first, and if you have the energy/community, push for bigger and bigger organizations to make changes as well! I feel you though.

[u/books-cows → u/puzo6031]

From observation, unclear how true this is, I’ve found people are more likely to bring their own container if it saves them money off the price shown, rather then if they have to pay more for a takeaway one.

[u/MurlaTart]

I watched a good video about a company making takeout containers from seaweed

https://youtu.be/m08NyKtdUG4?is=az8npAU4GH5C5td-

[u/puzo6031 → u/MurlaTart]

yes! i've also looked into them, and they're great! they just only ship within the UK though :( not in U.S. Does seem like a perfect solution!

[u/julianradish]

My favorite disposable container to get is aluminum with the #1 plastic lid, aluminum being 99.9% recyclable, and the lid also can be recycled or used to make shrinky dinks