Ideal Bite

I absolutely think it's a great idea to bring containers with you when you go out to eat. I've been in talks with like-minded locals about this, and we think restaurants should start giving an incentive for customers to do this. It could be as nominal as, say, 5 cents off every container used instead of theirs - like grocery stores do for every bag you bring and use. Just a thought ... I've started to do this, and I want to get those collapsible ones to keep in my purse. Just had to share my 2 cents. :) Angie

One step further...when ordering take out, why not ask/tell them you're bringing your own containers? It will take a few more minutes waiting time to fill the order but cuts out the polystyrene. And, again, as a customer incentive, knock off a few cents per container. But then, there's more clean up at home.

I really like the container idea but I am skeptical about restaurants getting on board... mostly for food safety law reasons. What if you didn't clean your container and it contaminates your food from the restaurant and then you sue them even though they weren't the source of the contamination? I'm not saying I agree with this (I hate that we have such a culture of law suits), but it might be a counterargument as to why a BYO container program might not be successful (even though I would want it to be!). Does anyone know of any current laws like this?

YES, join a CSA and buy a Chinese bamboo steamer and a wok. No problem in SF, right? Fill the racks with veggies and steam away. Of course, put water in the wok. 5 to 15 minutes later you have a meal. A great way to heat leftovers and keep them out of the micro. Cover the veggies with tamari, cheese sauce, whatever. Steam some eggs in a oiled cup. Way easier at a very low cost. All the more money for new water sandals.

"In bed." El oh el. I've never really given the though of bringing my own container to the place. I mean, it makes perfect sense, considering that I usually repack it in a smaller container anyway. Hmmm...I'll have to try to remember that next time. This is one of those tips where your friends will either wonder with you're doing and stare or think that it's a genius idea and consider it themselves next time. Either way, I'm betting eyebrows will be raised. Sounds fun!

If you want to encourage people who don't habitually cook to give it a try, a more helpful thing to post under "Wanna Try?" would be a link to a site with some good recipes, such as:
Recipezaar (http://www.recipezaar.com/), a searchable database with hundreds of thousands of recipes that enables you to look for recipes with specific ingredients--or rule out ingredients that you can't eat.
Epicurious (http://www.epicurious.com/), which includes ratings and reviews for each recipe.
All Recipes (http://allrecipes.com/), which offers features such as "Shopping list" and "Customize this recipe."
Recipe Source (http://www.recipesource.com/), which organizes its recipes by type of cuisine and type of dish, so you can browse for a particular type of food you're interested in.

For those who don't really like (or aren't great at) cooking, Banquet Homestyle Bakes are really simple "in a box" meals. I just recently tried their Asian Style Fried Rice which was pretty good. Took me five minutes to combine all the ingredients, then toss it in the oven for half an hour - you don't even have to check on it throughout cooking. Comes in easy to recycle cardboard box and a can. Add Kikoman soy sauce from a glass jar and you're all set. Also, 1 box comfortably fed me and two roommates (we eat a bit more than a normal serving sizes), so if you ditch the roomies, you have leftovers!

As a BBQ restaurant operator I pay a significant premium to offer recycled waxed cardboard boxes (Enviro-boxes) for customers, and provid drinks in their original aluminum or glass containers. I also provide a credit of 25 cents per meal for folks who eat-in and use washable silverware and plates. Finally I have prominent recycling containers for environmental consciousness. Next time you ask for take out ask if it comes in an Enviro-box, if not tell them you will take your business elsewhere until they get on-board.

Has Ideal Bite (or anyone else) ever investigated why so few, if any, waste haulers and recyclers prohibit the recycling of Styrofoam? Anywhere I have lived and recycled, the municipality's or recycler's guidelines always prohibit inclusion of plastic tagged #6. Why is this? If more recyclers recycled Styrofoam that "only 1% recycled" rate would surely increase.