A Simple Eco-Friendly Habit: Skip the Extras on Takeout Orders
Takeout and delivery meals are convenient, delicious, and often a lifesaver on busy days. But along with your meal often comes a handful of extras—plastic utensils, condiment packets, napkins, and sometimes even an extra plastic bag or two. Many of these items go unused and end up straight in the trash.
One simple habit can make a meaningful difference: requesting that restaurants leave out the extras you don’t need.
Why It Matters
Individually wrapped utensils, condiment packets, and extra packaging are typically designed for single use. Once opened—or even if they’re unused—they often can’t be recycled and usually end up in landfills.
If you order takeout regularly, those small items can add up quickly. A fork here, a packet of ketchup there, and a few napkins each time can create a surprising amount of waste over the course of a year.
By skipping these extras when you don’t need them, you help reduce single-use waste and lower the demand for disposable items.
Use the “Special Instructions” Section
Many online ordering platforms and delivery apps include a special instructions field. This is the perfect place to make a simple request such as:
- “No plastic utensils needed.”
- “No napkins or condiment packets, please.”
- “Trying to reduce waste—please skip extras.”
Restaurants are often happy to honor these requests. It can even save them time and materials when preparing your order.
Making this request regularly can also encourage restaurants to be more mindful about automatically including disposable items.
Bring It Up When Picking Up Your Order
If you’re picking up your food in person, you can easily ask the staff to leave out anything you don’t need.
For example, you might say:
- “No utensils or napkins needed, thanks.”
- “I don’t need condiments today.”
- “You can skip the plastic bag—I’ll carry it.”
Most restaurants appreciate the clarification, especially because it helps them avoid wasting supplies.
Opt Out of the Plastic Bag
Another small but impactful choice is skipping the plastic bag when possible. If your order is easy to carry or you’re only grabbing one or two containers, you might not need the bag at all.
You can also bring your own reusable bag if you’re picking up multiple items. This small habit reduces plastic waste and helps cut down on unnecessary packaging.
Small Choices Add Up
Choosing to skip utensils, condiments, napkins, and extra packaging may seem like a tiny action, but these small decisions add up over time. If more people requested fewer disposable items, restaurants could significantly reduce the number of single-use products they distribute each day.
The next time you place a takeout or delivery order, take a moment to think about what you actually need. A quick note in the special instructions—or a simple request at pickup—can help reduce waste while still letting you enjoy the convenience of takeout.
Sometimes the easiest eco-friendly habits are also the most practical. And skipping the extras is one simple way to make your next meal a little greener.