We thought Styrofoam was Dead
Reviewed by Phillip
Sadly my experience with this establishment is an example of what has led us to this blog and given us the passion to identify the dilemma with takeout – balancing the convenience of to-go orders with the (in some cases) immense amount of unsustainable one-time use waste. Much of it will never degrade and will be on this earth far longer than anyone eating the food, let alone the minimal time the food actually spent in the to-go containers themselves. Details below:
General Information
- Restaurant: Thai House
- Chain, Franchise, or Single: Single (4 locations Charlotte area)
- Style: Thai
- Location: Cotswold – Charlotte, NC
- How many people: 2 adults, 2 children
- Takeout/Eat-In/Drive Thru: Takeout
- Delivery method: 3rd Party Delivery
- What was ordered: 3 main dishes, 3 apps
Food Packaging
- Food Packaging: 2 plastic to go containers with lids, 1 traditional ‘rice box’, 1 plastic ‘soup’ container with extra plastic bag, 3 Styrofoam clamshell boxes
- Utensils: 6 sets of utensils + napkin + salt/pepper packets individually wrapped in plastic
- Condiments: 3 plastic sauce containers with lids (2 oz.)
Bag/Storage Material
- Plastic, single use
Other
- n/a
Final Rating
Nothing provided by this restaurant was sustainable. The inclusion of Styrofoam, and the amount of plastic provided was appalling. It’s sad when the packaging waste of one meal fills up almost half a trash bag and I have to work to smash it down to make it fit in the container.
While there may be some argument to saving and reusing the 2 plastic to-go containers, the fact that they are not easily recycled and present real risks when used in the microwave or dishwasher – (I for one; do not trust the manufacturer’s cute little pictures telling me they are microwave and dishwasher safe – common sense tells me that when a petroleum product (plastic) is exposed to heat you should proceed with caution given the likely chance of petrol chemicals leaching into food) – negates any potential positives that using these materials presents.
Sadly until the establishment cleans up their practices we’ll be taking our business elsewhere.
Its important to note that this project is not intended to bash or penalize a restaurant for questionable practices and hurt their business. Rather this site is designed to allow socially conscious consumers to assist one-another in making more sustainable choices when it comes to their food. We believe food and the environment are interrelated from cradle to grave and as consumers/customers we reserve the right to choose with whom we do business based on factors beyond the two most common ones – taste/quality and cost.
Furthermore, restaurants that go beyond their peers by investing in more sustainable takeout practices do deserve to be recognized and acknowledged.
0/5
You may like: Lucky Duck Gastro Pub – Fort Mill, SC