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In my county, syrofoam isn't allowed in the recycle bin as it isn't recyclable. I would take something with the guise of being more environmentally friendly. But it's common in my area for people to be very earth friendly here. The places I go don't even use syrofoam. They use plastic round containers with lids. Or plastic hinged boxes etc.
ETA: Only for leftovers that the restaurants would give you boxes or box for you.
I suppose if you feel ultra-passionately about it, you could make a point to only frequent restaurants that you have double checked with and who provide biodegradable/environmentally friendly to-go containers.
Funny "Doggie Bag" story....we lived in Japan and had gone out for a nice dinner. I ate about 1/2 of my prime rib, so asked for a "doggie bag" to take the rest home for later.
They kind, Japanese waitress said "Oh, Doggie Bag, HI, HI, HI!"
She disappears with my plate and comes back with a bag (about the size of a grocery bag) that was FILL of nice bones and discarded meat for our "dog" (and we didn't HAVE a dog).....
Needless to say, we ditched it in the garbage when we got home, God only KNOWS how much food came from others plates. LOL
Sometimes things get lost in the translation/culture differences I suppose.
Mid-scale restaurants offering options to promote eco-friendly design.
You can get that icky styrofoam leaky takeout container.
Or, for $1, you can BUY a reusable, opaque (so no one has to see the stains inside it) plastic container with the restaurant's name imprinted on the cover. And every time you bring it in and use it to take home your leftovers, you get 50 cents taken off the bill. That would be in addition to any discounts or coupons or senior-saver-day deals you get when you visit.
If you think through the implications this would mean that someone who takes part of their meal home would be paying 50 cents less than someone who eats the entire meal at the restaurant and doesn't take anything home. That doesn't make much sense. Unless the restaurant starts charging extra for take home containers in the first place, then waives some/all of the charge for reusable containers.
By the way, this thread is the first time in about 20 years I've heard the term "doggie bag"!
Funny "Doggie Bag" story....we lived in Japan and had gone out for a nice dinner. I ate about 1/2 of my prime rib, so asked for a "doggie bag" to take the rest home for later.
They kind, Japanese waitress said "Oh, Doggie Bag, HI, HI, HI!"
She disappears with my plate and comes back with a bag (about the size of a grocery bag) that was FILL of nice bones and discarded meat for our "dog" (and we didn't HAVE a dog).....
Needless to say, we ditched it in the garbage when we got home, God only KNOWS how much food came from others plates. LOL
Sometimes things get lost in the translation/culture differences I suppose.
My grandpa had a picture of himself holding up a take out bag from his weekly favorite high end steakhouse. It was a foil lined white bag with the picture of a dog begging. The words, treats for the pup! The steakhouse had been criticized for not doing leftovers but relented and offered this bag for people to take home their leftovers for their dogs. His thought was that the steaks are only good for so long and not meant for reheating/leftovers etc. He also didn't allow well done at his restaurant either. (And it is still open and very successful but not sure if they have the same policies now)
I haven't thought of that bag in YEARS till you reminded me of it with your story. LOL
Wife and I were talking as she rinsed multiple styrofoam 'to-go' containers for recycling. She said "I am going to start bringing my own "tupperware" when we go out to eat (which is a couple times a week, typically).
Then we started talking about it that it could become a great trend for folks that care about stuff like this.
What do you all think? I know it would be a pain and may feel wierd at first, but it could ctahc on. especailly if establishments got involved (discount for your own container). I work from home and always consider leftovers when I order since I typically will eat them for lunch during the week.
Just a thought...
Mike
I've been doing this for years. It's not a big deal at all. Just keep some clean containers in the car and they're easy to grab. It's a fairly easy habit to get into - similar to learning to grab the reusable bags out of your trunk for the grocery store.
Funny "Doggie Bag" story....we lived in Japan and had gone out for a nice dinner. I ate about 1/2 of my prime rib, so asked for a "doggie bag" to take the rest home for later.
They kind, Japanese waitress said "Oh, Doggie Bag, HI, HI, HI!"
She disappears with my plate and comes back with a bag (about the size of a grocery bag) that was FILL of nice bones and discarded meat for our "dog" (and we didn't HAVE a dog).....
Needless to say, we ditched it in the garbage when we got home, God only KNOWS how much food came from others plates. LOL
Sometimes things get lost in the translation/culture differences I suppose.
I'll share my favorite doggie bag story. Normally my sister & family would take home the left over steak for their dog. However, when they visited my father he would eat the left over steak.
So, when my young nephew couldn't finish his steak, on a trip to visit grandpa, he politely asked the waitress to put the steak in a "Grandpa bag".
Everyone was laughing hysterically, but my nephew could not figure out what was so funny.
I expected this response. If they had one plate for one price and another with half the quantity of food for 1/2 the price who would complain? As for the methods and management of restaurants, they have many excuses for many things up their sleeves. Who am I to argue?
I'm not a restaurant manager, so i don't know the details. I do know that profits margins aren't that great, so for all we know, it could make a difference. Even if they made the half portion 60 to 70% of the original price to entice those for the original, if to many people get the small plate, that may not do it.
I suppose it's be like someone getting bumped down to PT from FT. They need the extra income.
A woman I know takes ziplock bags to the pizza buffet. She holds it under the table and crams about six slices in there to take home.
Ugh! That is plain, outright nasty! Theft too.
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As for the methods and management of restaurants, they have many excuses for many things up their sleeves. 
Who am I to argue? 
