I’m always looking for ways to help people switch from plastic items to more sustainable options, especially ones that don’t cost you an extra penny.
That’s why I’m suggesting that you ask for a ceramic mug or a reusable cup when you dine in at a fast food restaurant.
I don’t go to a lot of fast food restaurants these days. The place I go most often is Panera Bread (do people even say the “bread” part anymore?).
I think the staff at our local Panera have probably gotten to know my husband and I as a people that make several “vegan alterations” to the grain bowls (if they find it annoying, they don’t let on).
We’re also the ones that always ask for a ceramic mug when we dine in, and bring our own to go coffee cups when we’re in a hurry.
my reusable mug is from Starbucks!
From my observations at the local Panera, 50% of the people that go into the restaurant choose to dine in. The place is always packed, and few people (less than I’d expect) are there for to-go orders.
I love that there are always so many people there. Few are on their computers; it’s mostly friends, family, and co-workers enjoy each other’s company.
What I don’t love about all that dining in at Panera? All the throw away cups and straws.
If you dine in at Panera, your food comes on real, reusable plates, and with metal utensils. High-five to the chain for that.
It’s in their beverage service that they fall short of being eco-friendly. If you order a drink—hot or cold—at Panera, the staff will automatically give you a disposable cup for you to fill up at one of the drink stations.
Ordering a coffee? You will receive a paper cup, and there are plastic lids, cardboard cup holders, and wooden stirrers at the coffee station.
When you order any of their many cold drink options, you get a disposable plastic cup, with a plastic lid, and the option of plastic straws available at the drink station.
It’s okay to use your homework as a plate. We totally get it. pic.twitter.com/LaYvF03Mwz
— Panera Bread (@panerabread) September 17, 2018
SINGLE USE PLASTIC OVERLOAD
The last time I was in Panera, I went to wash my hands before we ate. I walked to the bathroom and looked around at the other 15 or so tables, all filled with folks dining in.
Practically every single person in the restaurant had a plastic cup, with a plastic lid and plastic straw. I had a real moment right then, freaking out about how many people were being “forced” into using such wasteful items.
I say “forced” because the truth is: Panera has a bunch of ceramic cups available for use!
Asking for a real cup at Panera—or anywhere, really—is so easy, yet I hardly ever see anyone do it.
The ceramic mugs at our Panera are literally right under the counter at the register; the cashier doesn’t even have to move their feet in order to reach them.
And the staff are always happy to give us a real mug when we ask. So I can’t help wondering why they don’t suggest them/offer them to customers to begin with.
Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Well at least they’re giving out paper cups for the coffee; those can be recycled.”
But I’ve looked around Panera, and there are no recycling bins for customers to use.
When it’s time to clean up after yourself and leave, there’s a place for your empty dishes, and a place for trash. All of those potentially recyclable paper cups and cardboard cup holders end up going in the trash, which ends up going to the local landfill.
This is true for most fast food restaurants and cafés. It’s rare to see a recycle bin in a restaurant where you clean up after yourself.
IT’S NOT JUST PANERA
I’m not singling out Panera because I think they’re the worst: I actually think they do a decent job in terms of using reusable items for dining in (I’ve also ordered takeout and delivery from them and they do use some recyclable food containers.)
If I had my way, more restaurants and cafes would follow Panera’s lead.
When I was in New York last month, I went with friends to a healthy “fast food” place. It’s the kind of place where you order an a-la-cart type meal at the counter, then dine in or take out.
I had forgotten to bring a reusable utensil option with me, so I asked the cashier if they had any metal utensils. She told me the only options were the plastic forks and knives.
Seeing how discouraged I was, one of my friends tried to reassure me that it was okay, because the utensils were biodegradable plastic.
She meant well, but I also knew that trendy biodegradable plastic (called bioplastic) doesn’t always break down completely or quickly, and emits harmful greenhouse gases when it does.
PRO TIP At this same restaurant, ALL of the drink options were in plastic bottles. Instead of buying one, I whipped out my reusable stainless steel water bottle and ask a guy behind the counter to fill it up from the tap. He did so happily.
THE TAKEAWAY
The takeaway here (pardon the pun), is that whether you’re at Panera or a restaurant or cafe that you’ve never been to, there are ways to avoid using single-use plastic items.
If you forgot your reusable water bottle, ask if they have a reusable cup for you to use (even a reusable hard plastic cup that can be thrown in the dishwasher is a great swap!).
If you didn’t bring a stainless steel utensil that day, ask the staff if they have a real metal fork you can use.
It’s simple actions like this that a) make a difference in the amount of single-use plastic you’re throwing away, and b) tell the people who run restaurants and cafes that you want them to make eco-friendly changes.
