46 replies to this topic

[Jessi]

mariaandrea, on 27 January 2012 - 11:08 PM, said:

have big signs on them with pictures showing exactly what you can put in them, but the yard waste bin doesn't.

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But, I went to the website and printed out a flyer they have for customers showing what you can recycle and I've kept it posted on the refrigerator for years so we would remember.

That's a great idea. Have you considered maybe posting one of those flyers on the yard waste bin outside? It's great that you guys can remember, but if a bunch of other people don't even know you can recycle them that way, then it'd be a nice gesture to help spread the word.

Or at least hang one up in the apartment building lobby even since putting it on the yard waste bin, it could end up waste or destroyed rather quickly?

[brihooter]

That's a great idea.  I think hanging one up in the apartment lobby would be a good idea!   I have never thought about that.  You could also post one on the mail boxes!

[13tyates]

I have never thought very much about recycling the containers and such that you get from fast food containers. One problem I have where I am is that I live in a small city and they do no recycling at all. This is a shame if you ask me because I have so much that I could put into the recycling idea. Maybe I can go to a city eventually that will do more with recycling.

[brihooter]

I have been saving my cups from when we have eaten out this past weekend.  The plastic ones that some fast food gives.  I am going to start doing this everytime we go out.

[Sandra Piddock]

My husband uses takeaway trays for seed containers, and if the takeaway comes in lidded plastic containers, I wash them and use them for freezer and fridge storage. If they're small containers - such as those that come with single servings of sauces - my husband uses them as containers for screws and other small DIY items. It only gets thrown out if it's really yucky and I can't easily clean it.

[Hysssss-teria]

mariaandrea, on 29 January 2012 - 01:52 PM, said:

You know, if anyone has a yard and a compost pile, shredding soiled food containers and adding them to the compost pile seems like a viable option. Newspaper and other papers can be added to compost, so why not carboard? I don't have a yard or a compost pile any more (not for years) so I don't really know how well it would work, but it's a thought...

Really good point, Maria. Paper has long been a common component of a healthy compost heap. And if you’re cultivating worms in it, paper is a MUST !!!

I’ll have to look into our development’s policy on yard waste. The residents have little to none, because the Navy does all the yard chores and maintenance. They might just tell us to continue to add paper and cardboard pizza boxes to the paper recycling bins.

The Chinese takeout joints in our area use the NICEST flat, sturdy, reusable plastic containers with tight-fitting lids -- I just LOVE these things! Husband and I rarely go there, but my mother does at least once or twice monthly.

The flimsy clear plastic clamshell containers actually have a little “reuse” value, too. I used to use them to make small seed-starting flats. When I was through with them, into the recycling bin with them.

[SpiroFlo]

I know it has been a while since the grassroots McToxics campaign changed things, but if you can get McDonald's to shift, the rest of fast food usually follows. It'd be interesting to see McDonald's make an area to recycle those containers.

[Hysssss-teria]

SpiroFlo, on 02 March 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

I know it has been a while since the grassroots McToxics campaign changed things, but if you can get McDonald's to shift, the rest of fast food usually follows. It'd be interesting to see McDonald's make an area to recycle those containers.

Yes, that would be very interesting … Hmmmm, I wonder where they keep the suggestion box?

I would consider frequenting their establishments more if they would take that kind of positive initiative -- and I believe that plenty of green-minded folks would do the same.

As you suggest, many other companies would jump on the bandwagon to try to compete with McD’s. Sure, it would cost them some $$$ to create such a program, but the increase in business as a result would benefit them greatly.

[SpiroFlo]

Wait for the right scandal and a green marketing strategy is more easily adopted (sadly).

[rbaker_59]

mariaandrea, on 29 January 2012 - 01:52 PM, said:

You know, if anyone has a yard and a compost pile, shredding soiled food containers and adding them to the compost pile seems like a viable option. Newspaper and other papers can be added to compost, so why not carboard? I don't have a yard or a compost pile any more (not for years) so I don't really know how well it would work, but it's a thought...

I agree with adding the cardboard to the compost pile idea.  I have learned alot about some recycling from recylebank.com.  It is a really neat site.  One of the things is that cotton qtips can also be composted.  This site is really worth checking out.

[4leafclover]

I honestly don't recycley fastfood utensils and containers because I am 101% sure that those fastfood companies does the recycling! :D They definitely recycle those that aren't damage, they just make sure they clean and disinfect it. If they don't recycle it then they create a new one from the old one, same materials and all. So I am somewhat relieved that there are no wastes produced, what I am concerned is how clean those utensils can be.

[btatro]

Yup, I recycle the tops of pizza boxes and anything else I get that does not have to go in the garbage. Every little bit helps.

[hunysukle]

I don't eat fresh food very often, so I have never considered recycling fast food containers. I have no idea where to recycle fast food containers. I would like to start recycling all my containers, regardless of food food or not.

[katdolores]

Yes we recycle anything that can still be used, especially box containers for cakes, plastic containers and plastic bottles. We don't pud food or our water in them, instead, we use them as containers for spices, sachets, and other small items in the garage or in the kitchen.

[kat74]

I think that is a good idea for those people who are forever more eating from the fast food joints. Myself am not a fun of such foods, I prefer home cooked foods, may be once a month we go out to eat dinner but not fast foods. Have seen the effect and I decided no such foods for me and my family. I do reuse any reusable container especially coffee or tea one in my house all the time.

[Usty]

If the fires i buy form McDonarlds werens't so greasy, i might think about recycling the container for them. I always had th enotion that junk food  ruined the boxes and packaging they came in.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

hunysukle, on 03 April 2012 - 01:09 PM, said:

I don't eat fresh food very often, so I have never considered recycling fast food containers. I have no idea where to recycle fast food containers. I would like to start recycling all my containers, regardless of food food or not.

"I don't eat fresh food very often"

You must know of different fast food places than I do, because "fresh" is not on the menu.

[Green Olive]

There is a local Chinese restaurant that has awesome plastic take out containers. I wash them and use the containers just like tupperware. I also save various fast food containers for when I paint. I can mix paint on them and either wash it or put it in my recyling box. I keep the cups, too, but sometimes the cups are not fit to use to drink from. I can start seeds in the bad cups.

[milano]

We usually re-use plastic cups especially when we are travelling but for the containers, i don't know how you can recycle them because they are greasy and wasting water and soap on them would be more impractical.

[dconklin]

I almost never eat out and especially not at fast food places.  On rare occasion we will go out for pizza, but we eat it in the restaurant so there is nothing to recycle.  If I eat in McDonalds, which is maybe twice a year, we usually eat in the restaurant.  

Eating out in any place is a special treat for all of us so we just eat in the place to make it an eating out experience.