By Micah McLain and Marcia Schroeder

The increased use of takeout and delivery has been a critical lifeline for many restaurants during
the past year (and counting) of the pandemic. These are two of the many services likely to
remain long after restrictions are eased and safer indoor dining returns. While takeout and
delivery services have plenty of benefits, many restaurants send food in plastic containers that
are not environmentally friendly.

We have all been there—you work late and think “I’ll just order food online”. Thirty minutes later
your food arrives with a staggering amount of waste—plastic cutlery wrapped in film, straws,
sachets of condiments, napkins, Styrofoam, and plastic bags. The rise of food delivery apps has
brought a cornucopia of food to our doorsteps, and with it—mountains of trash.

Remember the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle

1. Refuse: When you order, let the restaurant know which items you do not need, such as plastic bags, plasticware, and condiments. Many apps and online platforms provide an option to decline unnecessary takeout/delivery items; be sure to look for opt-out options.
2. Reduce the use of harmful, wasteful, and non-recyclable products.
3. Reuse any material or product whenever possible. Many plastic to-go containers are designed to be washed and reused over and over.
4. Repurpose: Common products can serve more than one purpose.
5. Recycle: A more environmentally friendly waste disposal method compared to landfilling. Recycling comes in many forms: from your blue curbside bin to GreenWorks’ Hard to Recycle events. For more information on Recycling Right visit the City of Asheville’s Waste Wizard.

Why reuse? First, not all delivery packaging is recyclable. Despite recycling more than half of the 82 million tons of containers and packaging products generated in 2018, Americans still sent more than 30 million tons of waste to the landfill. 1

Durham’s GreenToGo is one of several organizations fighting to-go waste by creating localized reuse systems. These systems collect, wash, and distribute durable, sanitized food packaging to reuse hundreds of times. The exact pricing models vary between a small fee for the restaurant and a regular subscription fee for customers who receive access to the services. Durham’s GreenToGo has offered reusable to-go containers through a subscription model since 2017.

Societal knowledge of and enthusiasm for circular systems are growing across a wide range of industries in countries around the world. A circular system seeks to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. Reusable containers have a lower environmental impact than single-use and recyclable packaging when used many times. By keeping reusables circulating in the system, Durham’s GreenToGo and many other companies (GO Box, DeliverZero, Vessel, and OZZI) are changing the world from disposable to reusable, one meal at a time.

​Marcia is an outdoor enthusiast and passionate environmentalist.  She is grateful to be involved with Asheville GreenWorks and a member of the Plastic Reduction Task Force.

Thank you for participating in Mind Your Plastic May! We hope that the information shared here will inspire you to reduce plastic in your life where you can. Please consider following us on social media to stay up to date with waste reduction content like this, and more about GreenWorks' programming.

By Ghia Ulrey

Choosing the perfect gift can be a challenging task. Making sure the gift is environmentally-conscious and plastic-free may seem even more challenging. In this post, we hope to inspire you to give thoughtful, fantastic gifts while decreasing your overall environmental impact.

Read below to explore the many ways to give a gift!

1. Give the gift of experience: Most people have a hobby they enjoy, whether it’s going to concerts, making art, or playing sports. This year, instead of buying them another paintbrush or basketball, look for tickets to an event or a class to learn a new skill. Make it something you can do together because they are more likely to remember the experience you’ve facilitated than an item that you bought. 
   
   
2. Make it edible: The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Prepare a favorite dish or treat and bring it over in a reusable container to avoid plastic packaging. If you’re not the best cook, purchase a gift card to their favorite restaurant, bar, coffee shop, etc. Try to avoid the plastic card with an email gift card or a paper one if the shop provides. You could also pick up something tasty from a local shop. Ask in advance if they would be willing to put it into your own container so you can be prepared. If not, ask for it on their dine-in dishes and transfer it to your own container.
   
   During the time of COVID-19, most businesses are not accepting reusables. Don’t let this stop you from supporting your local businesses! Reducing our plastic waste is important, but in the scheme of things supporting our local community makes a big impact, too. 
   
   
3. Be intentional and purchase quality: Ever received a gift you didn’t want? What happened to it? Instead of getting someone a gift that is going to end up in a thrift store or the landfill, talk to your friend or family member about what they really need or want. When you find the perfect gift but realize it is made from plastic, search the internet for the same gift made with better quality materials (i.e. glass, stainless steel, wood). If you’re buying clothes, opt for natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk. Polyester, acrylic, nylon, and more are synthetic fibers that shed microplastics when washed. 
   
   
4. Alternative wrapping: Most wrapping paper can’t be recycled due to dyes, lamination, or other additives. Check with your local recycling organization before throwing it in your bin. In Buncombe County, Curbie does not accept wrapping paper.
   
   Instead, you could try these low-waste alternatives: brown paper, newspaper, and fabric. If these are too plain, decorate them yourself with paints or stamps! Swap your scotch tape for paper tape or avoid tape completely by using the furoshiki method, a Japanese wrapping technique that uses only fabric to elegantly wrap a gift. Skip bows and ribbons for a sprig of their favorite herb or a flower. The receiver will hopefully take a bit longer to cherish your thoughtfulness before getting to what is inside. 

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Ghia Ulrey lives a low waste life with her rescue pup, Yama. She cares about plastic reduction because she really wants to go to the beach and not have to collect trash. With her TRUE Advisor certification, she hopes she can help businesses start zero waste programs. ​

By Mary Moody

A Himalayan salt deodorant bar/stone is usually sold as a round or egg-shaped chunk of pure Himalayan salt. It is as easy to use as crystal deodorant (alum stone), while avoiding any concerns about aluminum salts.  You simply get the bar wet and then rub it onto your skin. Avoid painful scratches by rubbing the wet bar on your hands first, then rubbing your wet hands on the more delicate skin of your armpits.  You are left with a layer of salt on your skin that prevents odor-causing bacteria from forming. When I first heard about using salt as deodorant, I did not believe there was any chance it could be effective. But in my experience, it holds up to sweaty workouts and lasts all day. It works better for me than any other natural deodorant I have tried.  Note that this is not an antiperspirant; you will still sweat, the salt stone just eliminates the odor.

Some additional advantages of salt deodorant:

• Inexpensive — one bar lasts 1-2 years
• Convenient — no concoction to mix yourself
• Great for travel
• No suspicious ingredients, just pure salt 
  • it’s anti-inflammatory and may even help with eczema, acne, or psoriasis
• 100% zero waste: available package-free at Asheville Salt Cave (or search “Himalayan salt deodorant” on Etsy or Amazon)
• It’s beautiful!

Whatever reason you choose for switching to Himalayan salt deodorant, you are likely to pleasantly surprised. In the spirit of Mind Your Plastic May, why not give this all-natural alternative a try?
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Leslie lives in Asheville with her husband, David, and son, Lee. She is always looking for ways to approach zero waste, especially with respect to plastic. She is a member of the Plastic Reduction Task Force.