Americans love the convenience of take out meals, and food establishments rely on them for revenue. It would seem like a win for all, except that it generates a great deal of single-use plastic waste. With the damage single-use plastics have wreaked on our environment and the growing concern about the effects of single-use plastics on human health, we should question the use of plastic takeout containers overall, recyclable or not.
Avoid plastic takeout containers if possible.
Decide whether getting takeout in plastic containers, and especially non-recyclable containers, is worth the risk to health and the environment. It is clear that recycling is not the answer to our plastics problem. Each time a piece of plastic is recycled, the quality goes down and virgin plastic must be mixed in. This means it can only be recycled 2-3 times before it is no longer useful and is trashed. Non-recyclable plastic must be thrown into the trash and ultimately incinerated and/or landfilled, which is bad for the environment and for the health of those who must live near those facilities.
Choose reusable or compostable first, then recyclable.
The best option for takeout containers are reusable. Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grille, Judith’s Kitchen, Little Luke’s, and Johnny’s Luncheonette (soon) in Newton offer takeout in reusable containers. Another good option is to use compostable products and be sure to compost them. Clover Labs uses all compostable containers. Other restaurants use recyclable materials. Tango Mango uses recyclable aluminum foil to wrap their burritos. Chilacates uses aluminum trays for their dishes. Encourage your favorite restaurants to make their takeout system more sustainable, and praise them for doing the right thing.
Know which takeout containers can and cannot be recycled.
When plastic is hard to avoid, know what is recyclable and not recyclable. Here is the list of commonly used take out items, their recyclability in Newton, and alternatives.
Aluminum foil and trays – recyclable. Foil lined paper is not recyclable.
Black Plastic – not recyclable. Usually used for holding hot saucy dishes, black plastic take out containers are not recyclable because scanners at recycling facilities cannot detect dark colors. In addition, it is coming to light that black plastic takeout containers can be hazardous to our health. A 2018 study that investigated black plastics shows that about 40% of these products contained heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead. These metals, as well as phthalates and flame retardants, are known carcinogens that can also cause serious developmental and reproductive damage, even at low levels. Alternatives: reusable containers, aluminum containers, compostable plastic lined paper containers, light colored plastic containers.
Condiment containers and lids – not recyclable. Items that are smaller than 2 inches (on two dimensions) will not be properly sorted at the recycling facility and should not be placed in the recycling cart. Alternatives: request that unnecessary items not be placed into the takeout.
Light and clear plastic containers – recyclable. Rinse out before placing in the recycling cart.
Paper pizza boxes – recyclable. Empty of all food before placing in the recycling cart.
Plastic bags – recyclable. Though banned in Newton, take clean dry bags from neighboring towns to local grocery stores like Whole Foods and Shaws/Star Market for recycling. Look for collection boxes near store entrances. Do not place plastic wrap into the recycling carts.
Plastic lined paper containers – not recyclable. Paper soup cups, coffee cups, brown paper takeout boxes are examples of products that look eco-friendly, but are actually lined with plastic to prevent liquids from seeping through the paper. It is difficult to separate the plastic film from the paper, making it unprofitable for recyclers to accept these. Alternatives: reusable containers, aluminum containers, compostable plastic lined paper containers.
Plastic lined coffee cups – not recyclable. See paper lined paper containers. Alternatives: reusable travel cups, compostable PLA plastic lined paper cups.
Clear plastic cups and lids – recyclable. Remove all liquid and solids, remove straw, place lid securely on the cup and place in the recycling cart. Colored plastic cups and rigid plastic cups should go in the trash bin.
Plastic straws – not recyclable. These are too small for the sorting machines at recycling facilities and should not be placed in the recycling art. Alternatives: request that unnecessary items not be placed into the takeout, reusable metal straws, paper based straws, straws made of straw or bamboo.
Plastic utensils – not recyclable. These are too small for the sorting machines at recycling facilities and should not be placed in the recycling art. Alternatives: request that unnecessary items not be placed into the takeout, BYO utensils, compostable utensils.
Plastic stirrers and splash sticks – not recyclable. These are too small for the sorting machines at recycling facilities and should not be placed in the recycling art. Alternatives: request that unnecessary items not be placed into the takeout, reusable metal straws, paper based straws, straws made of straw or bamboo.
Plastic wrap – recyclable. Clean dry plastic film can be recycled at local grocery stores like Whole Foods and Shaws/Star Market. Look for collection boxes near store entrances. Do not place plastic wrap into the recycling carts.
For more information on what items can be placed in the green recycling cart, see City of Newton’s Recycle Right tool.
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