Recycle Takeaway Food Waste
Did you know that you can recycle takeaway food waste? This puts less pressure on commercial waste collections and the need for extra business waste disposal. Microorganisms in food waste break it down into methane, a greenhouse gas that causes global warming. Under controlled conditions, this gas can be used for energy production. By doing so, you can help to curb global warming and reduce the impact of commercial waste on our environment. We generate approximately three million tonnes of this waste in the UK. The aim is to reduce this amount to zero. It is a simple yet effective way to reduce the environmental impact of our food system.
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VIDEO
Takeaway Food Waste: Take Leftovers Home!
A strong negative correlation exists between intentions to take away leftovers from takeaway food and overordering behaviour. This negative correlation was related to the perceived convenience of handling leftovers, as well as the hassle of disposing of the leftover box and the associated hassles of storing leftovers. However, one could argue that the negative correlation is not strong enough to invalidate the idea that leftovers from takeaways are not worth eating.
Here are some tips for asking a restaurant if you can take leftover food home :
Ask politely: When you’re ready to leave the restaurant and you still have some food on your plate, politely ask your server if it would be possible to take the leftovers home.
Use the right terminology : Some restaurants have policies around allowing customers to take leftover food home, so it’s important to use the right terminology. Instead of saying “doggy bag” or “doggy box,” which some people may find unappealing, ask for a “takeaway container” or “takeaway box” instead.
Explain why you want to take the food home: If the restaurant is hesitant to let you take the food home, explain that you don’t want the food to go to waste and you plan to eat it later.
Be prepared to pack the food yourself : Some restaurants may not have takeaway containers readily available, so be prepared to ask for one and pack the food yourself.
Respect the restaurant’s policies: If the restaurant has a policy against letting customers take leftover food home, respect their decision and don’t push the issue.
Remember, most restaurants are happy accommodating their customers and preventing food waste, so don’t be afraid to ask. Taking leftovers home can help reduce food waste and enjoy your meal again later.
Recycling codes
1
2
3
4
5
7
PETE
HDPE
V
LDPE
PP
Polyethylene Terephthalate.
High Density Polyethylene
Polyvinyl Chloride
Low-density Polyethylene
Polypropylene
All other plastics
Takeaway Food Waste: Recyclability of Takeaway Waste
Many takeaway food containers are recyclable, but certain materials can’t. For instance, plastic ketchup packets are a perfect example of a contaminant. They contain multiple layers of plastic and foil, making them impossible to separate. Likewise, the cutlery in takeaway containers is generally made from polystyrene, which makes them less recyclable. To reduce your commercial waste, look for reusable plastic made from paper, cardboard, or metal. If you want to avoid the problem, use paper bags for your takeaway meals.
Fast food is a significant contributor to waste in the UK. According to a 2020 report by the Zero Waste Scotland, fast food packaging accounts for around 29% of all litter in Scotland. Although there is no specific data available for the whole of the UK, the proportion of waste generated by fast food is likely similar.
Fast food packaging typically includes single-use items such as plastic cups, straws, and food containers, often not recyclable or compostable. This means that they can end up in landfill sites or as litter in the environment, where they can take hundreds of years to break down and cause harm to wildlife and ecosystems.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the impact of fast food waste on the environment, and many fast food chains have introduced initiatives to reduce waste, such as switching to more sustainable packaging materials or encouraging customers to bring their own reusable containers.
However, there is still much work to be done to address the issue of fast food waste in the UK. Individuals can also reduce waste by choosing to eat at restaurants that use more sustainable packaging or by bringing their own reusable containers when ordering takeaway food.
Takeaway Food Waste – Learn more about UK business waste statistics here
Other useful links from our Commercial Waste Centre
Why Should Your Business Go Paperless?
Choosing a Garage Waste Management Service
Developing an EMS for Hazardous Waste
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