Every year, literally thousands of tons of waste are produced by packaging alone. Present estimates show that packaging makes up the largest share of municipal waste.

While many of us have become savvy and plastic-free consumers by bringing our canvas bags to the grocery store and choosing to purchase items without excess packaging, take-out food continues to be one of the greatest offenders this area.

Ordering take-out food often means plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, plastic cutlery, paper napkins, and those small packets of ketchup, soy sauce, and hot sauce.

While we forgive ourselves and indulge in this package-filled activity because most of these products can be recycled, the truth is that Recycle is the third R, and what we really need to be doing is thinking about how we can reduce this excess packaging. Further and more importantly, many of the plastics used for take-out are toxic when heated and can be harmful to our health.

There are several ways that we can avoid excess packaging while grabbing food on the run. Firstly, if you are planning to take your food home to eat, firmly request that no plastic cutlery, paper napkins, or small condiment packages be added to your order.

Secondly, be sure to take the food to go in a canvas bag. Another solution that may not be convenient, and you certainly have to plan in advance for, is to bring your own receptacles to place food in. This eliminates the waste of Styrofoam and aluminium packaging that can’t be recycled anyway.

Now, you may be met with curious faces, or some resistance due to health and safety codes, but most places are quite accommodating to these requests.

However, if you are ordering in, this task might be a little more difficult.

While you can still request no plastic cutlery, paper napkins, or small condiment packages be added to your order, you can also choose to order from an establishment that uses recycled or recyclable packaging, or better yet the new biodegradable corn-based packaging, or encourage the restaurants you frequent to think about adopting such practices.