After I had been contracted to go to Thailand to work with the Phuket Hotels Association to help their 65 hotels reduce their single-use plastics, I realized that I needed to make major changes in my life to reduce my own single-use plastics. One of the first things I started to notice was the amount of plastic I was taking home with me after eating out at a restaurant. Every time I didn’t finish a meal, I would get a take away container. Every time I went to a coffee shop, I would get a take away cup and lid (or cup, lid, and straw if it was an iced drink). Every time I was eating from a food truck, I would get all of the above and also a plastic fork, knife, spoon in a plastic bag. I could see in my trash bin under my sink the impact this was having and the amount of waste that I was responsible for entering the landfill every week. This meant I had to change.
I walked into my favorite organic food market, Mom’s Organic Market, near Washington DC, and there was a back to school sale on cloth lunch bags. The only one left was covered in animated monsters. I bought it and started my search to fill it with: a to-go mug, take away container, bamboo fork/knife/spoon set, silicone straw, cloth napkin, and a collapsible grocery bag. As I used my items I found important things to consider. The stainless steal take away container needed to be double-paned so that I didn’t burn my hand when I was handed my hot food. My fork, knife, spoon needed to be bamboo so that I could bring them on an airplane. My cloth napkin was used mostly to wrap my used fork in it to keep the rest of my bag tidy– and also to wipe up any coffee/tea drips that come out of my to-go mug. And I used the grocery bag the most on my way home from work when I made a quick stop for a couple of groceries. My ‘Monster Bag’ as I affectionately call it is by far the most useful to-go thing I carry.
It’s also my FAVORITE gift to give someone for the holidays. Or if I’m saying thank you for letting me stay over at your beautiful house while traveling… here’s a to-go container and a set of bamboo cutlery to bring with you everywhere you go.
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