Hey earth muffins! While it is great to cook for yourself every night, there is no way to avoid eating out. Whether you are grabbing brunch with friends or stopping for dinner on a road trip, there are plenty of opportunities to eat at restaurants. Plus, eating out is fun and delicious! Just like there are ways to minimize waste when getting fast food, there are also specific things you can do to be eco-friendly when eating out. Keep reading for the best tips!
1. Always choose a local restaurant!
To keep your money in your community, it is always better to choose a local restaurant over a chain. Small business is always a great place to spend your money; make your choice even more eco-friendly by selecting a farm-to-table spot!
2. Ask for no straw
One of the simplest things to do at a restaurant is to ask for no straw when you order your drink. If the straws are placed at your table (and not put in the drink), just hand them back to your waiter so that they can be used by someone else instead. Such an easy way to save the turtles!
3. Order only what you can eat
Portion sizes are absolutely outrageous these days. Be smart about what you pick on the menu – it is much better to only order what you can eat instead of having a bunch of leftovers. I personally have a small stomach, so I like to order smaller meals or appetizers instead of dinner entrees.
4. Avoid single-use packages
Even though you are at a restaurant, single-use items seem to pop up everywhere still: sugar packets, creamers, jam containers, etc. It can be helpful to find restaurants without these single-use packets and choose to eat there instead. But if you find yourself in an establishment with them, just do your best to avoid using any of these wasteful plastic containers.
5. Opt for places with real silverware and napkins!
It is often surprising to find that a lot of restaurants still use disposable napkins and/or plastic utensils. Avoid these places if you can – go to local restaurants that have reusable napkins and real silverware/cutlery. This is obviously a much better choice for the planet!
6. Bring your own to-go container
While this might sound a little strange to some people, there is no shame in bringing some sort of container with you to take your leftovers home. Most restaurants still use Styrofoam to-go boxes which is not great for Mother Earth. Just carry in your container in a tote bag or purse and no one will even bat an eye as you take your tasty leftovers home!
Overall, eating out at a restaurant doesn’t mean you have to give up your sustainability values. There are plenty of ways to reduce your waste when eating out with family and friends. Whether it is just asking for no straw or picking places with real utensils and napkins, any of these small choices makes a difference. How do you stay eco-friendly when eating out? Comment below and let me know the easiest ways to make sustainable choices at your favorite restaurants!
Love,
Jenna ♥
I never thought to bring a to-go container to a restaurant. That is so smart, since I normally don’t finish the whole meal at one time. Thank you for this tip!