Reduce litter: bring your own cup and plate to a fast food joint!

they don't let you do that here either. You have to use their products which gives the correct servings which also becomes a money issue for them.

I very seldom buy fast food, but it's not only fast food that contributes to our "pyramids" made of trash. What about the styrofoam trays that meat is packaged on at the grocery? Then it's covered with plastic wrap. And the boxes that hold bags of various things. I think over packaging is a big part of the problem, too. Good point, about not minding taking your contaminated money. I read not long ago that paper money is probably the filthiest thing we handle on a daily basis. I think debit and credit cards would be, too. But fast food places can't put their product on your plate or in your cup? I understand their point (sort of) but it's ridiculous. Our priorities are messed up.

My ex runs an employee cafeteria. For, I think, $10, he will sell you a ceramic bowl. You come in, buy your food, they put it in your bowl. When you're done, you leave the dirty one, and pick up a clean one for next time. so it's not really such a dumb idea, I'm just not sure it would work in a McDonald's type environment.

If people really want to be eco-friendly, they won't be buying the rubbish sold at fast food joints. Every bit of the fast food industry is polluting--not just the packaging. Besides, who really wants to contaminate their bodies with that garbage?

never ever thought about that one. i do have a few customers here, who always bring in their own coffee, or cup for soda and coffee here. Saves me as well, on cups and lids.

well your making me feel so much better since I don't go out to eat but 2 times a year but there are far worse things then handling dirty money how about the server that does not wash his hands after he or she has been to the restroom and then handles anything that you put food on do you still want to go out for dinner

As I was reading your post, before I finished it, my first thought was that we all need to quit eating fast food anyway. I am working so many hours lately that I had hubby go get something from a fast food place. Now their carton was cardboard, in a paper plate, but the condiments come in plastic. We did not get soda. We both found ourselves feeling ill later in the afternoon.

For starters, I am wondering why the host chose a junk food joint where the food has so much controversial issues where cross contamination is not the only issue. However, I am wondering if the system could be fine tuned a little here where these joints could provide a more permanent and reusable receptacle for the patrons. In this sense, these receptacles can be returned to the eateries for washing and reuse. As for takeaways, using Tupperware which can be reuse - all the eatery will need to do would be to give a discount for the new order, collect these returned reusable receptacles for cleaning and reuse.

I can understand in a sense WHY the refusal of the glass/plate. How do they know someone isnt planning to "make themselves sick" Its pretty easy for businesses and chains to be suspicious and protect themselves. I also understand the conecpt behind bringing ones own dishes. However one could just eat at a sit down restaurant that has real dishes instead.

Most of these fast food places are working to make their cups, plates, and etc. with material that breaks down fast. And when I am out and about it isn't any of this stuff I see it is plastic bags. So if he will use the same energy being sure groceries stores and department stores use brown bags or whatever then I think he will be doing more good.

I would think that fastfood places would want to help the environment by allowing people to bring in their own plates. I am sure that the staff can tell the difference between a clean plate and a dirty plate. I know that Starbucks allows you to bring in a cup and you get 10 percent off of your drink. I only know this because my friend loves Starbucks and goes everyday and she told me.

why is that this way,if someone does not bring it ,they will be thrown it is quite surprising and startling me ,then more people wont come at all to that place

Well here's the thing, our world is quickly changing because of waste and big fast food chains like Burger King maybe are still somewhat trying to figure out the idea. I can say that because in a BK store near us, before they used plastic cups but now they use paper cups for the drinks. To me they are doing something, but it's just that they do not want to be blamed for food poisoning just incase the customer's cup or plate is not clean. They do not want to be blamed for things like that so I think they are just trying to protect the name of the company.

And you probably just sneezed on your money.

Having worked in food service a long time ago, I get this. In fact, most of the time they won't even fill up a water bottle for you if you ask them to when you go through the drive thru, although they are somehow willing to hand you out a water cup and refill it 6 times until you've dumped it all into your water bottle. Same with ice, they won't put ice in your water bottle either, but they'll hand you out 6 cupfuls . If I have the time, I usually park and go inside because they don't fuss if you refill your water bottle yourself at the soda fountain - as long as you only put ice and water in it or pay for soda lol. I actually am not a green consumer nor an environmentalist so I personally do not have issues with fast food, plastic, paper, or the like. In fact, it rather bothers me that so many people want to infringe on my rights to use disposable products or have access to fast food when I want. I think it's perfectly fine for someone who does not want to use paper, plastic, or cardboard to make sure they personally do not add to the waste, but it's not okay to expect others to agree or go along with a plan to get rid of everything. I had an issue with that at a prior place I worked, and let me tell you, I stuck it to the person who was trying to force everyone to use reusable items - I just bought my OWN disposable cups, as did other people. People steal coffee mugs, silverware, and water bottles like you would not believe. It's not worth it to replace stolen dishes, it's cheaper to buy a sleeve of red solo cups.

there should be a way. i remember when everything didnt come in plastic. there is still things that come in paper/ cardbard also. they dont have to use plastic at all. i wonder what fast food organization will jump on that to get ahead of the rest? i bet one could.

Interesting post! Yet it seems that fast food chains are littering in more ways than one. They also litter our body and shorten our life. There`s no way a hamburger could be xalled a well balanced meal anywhere in the world. And it is very expensive considering what it is. They contaminate from our body to the planet. And we let them do that if we go to eat there.