Plastic Utensils in Restaurants

Wouldn't it be great if the take out places in town asked you if you need utensils before putting it in the bag? I end up with a bunch of plastic that I just throw in the garbage because I have real utensils at home. 

I'm not trying to make more work for the good people in town but I think it would save the restaurants money and would save some of the plastic from the garbage can. 

Also, all the soy sauce and stuff from Bill and Harrys. I never use any of it. Wouldn't it make sense for them to ask if you needed it, rather than just throwing a bunch in the bag. That can't be good business sense, right?

I just tell them up front, no utensils and only what condiments I want.  Never had a problem.  Also, don't throw the plastic utensils in the garbage -- they should go in recycling.

Donate to your local school -- Teachers often forget to pack a fork, etc with their lunches, and the cafeteria "sporks" in the elementary schools don't work so well. 

mumstheword said:

I just tell them up front, no utensils and only what condiments I want.  Never had a problem.  Also, don't throw the plastic utensils in the garbage -- they should go in recycling.

Also, if you actually have use for them, they go through the dishwasher.  I use/reuse plastic utensils (albeit, usually the heavy-duty type) a lot before throwing them away.

We only get take out from one restaurant, and they always ask is we want forks or condiments. I say no, hubby says yes.  I don't know why he does.  

Actually, we get take out from two, but pizza places don't usually give your forks and soy sauce.

I definitely wash them. And recycle them. I just think that most people don't need them. We just get them and throw them out. So if we could lessen the demand for them, maybe we could lessen the supply. And have less plastic in the world. 

I'm thinking baby steps about cutting down the amount of garbage in our community. 

I have a huge collection of take out chopsticks.  Any suggestions besides recycling?

EBennett said:

I have a huge collection of take out chopsticks.  Any suggestions besides recycling?

These are great for crafts. Maybe an art teacher or a school could use them.

Fire place starter?

If you use chopsticks then for future meals buy a nice reusable set and turn down the offer of disposable ones.  

The problem is that we have many lovely sets from Japan and despite my requests the chopsticks still end up in the bag.  I would never criticize the handsome man who picks up that takeout and doesn't notice the unwanted chopsticks.  

I'm setting up a betting pool for how soon as thread gets started to complain that local restaurants aren't including utensils and sauces in takeout orders unless you specifically ask.

I say six weeks.

I use them, pack them in lunches, keep extra napkins in the car, take them to kids' sporting events. I have a drawers in my pantry specifically for this stuff.

I'm sorry, but twice I read the above last sentence as "I have drawers and my panties specifically for this stuff."

Carry on.

EBennett said:

I have a huge collection of take out chopsticks.  Any suggestions besides recycling?

I've used them in the garden, as stakes for newly planted veggies/flowers.

ctrzaska said:

I'm sorry, but twice I read the above last sentence as "I have drawers and my panties specifically for this stuff."

Carry on.

Haha! That too. 

Found the solution.

https://www.facebook.com/thebetterindia/?fref=ts&hc_location=ufi

Perfect! Human beings. The ultimate trash compactor and composter.

ridski said:

Found the solution.

https://www.facebook.com/thebetterindia/?fref=ts&hc_location=ufi