The plastic problem is real.  And, we’re getting real about finding new solutions to reduce our plastic consumption.

Today, we’re excited to share a radical, and not so radical (since California and Portland are making it a reality) idea.  

Can we eliminate our plastic waste from takeout?    

The answer is YES, thanks to brave people and innovative solutions like ARK Reusables, a new company replacing single-use plastic containers with well-designed, reusable ones specifically for takeout and to-go orders.  

This month, ARK Reusables launched a Kickstarter campaign to launch a plastic-free takeout movement, inviting consumers to support this shift and encourage restaurateurs to get on board with what is almost certainly coming.  Here’s a quick video to learn more. 

Check out this innovative restaurateur already using reusable containers for to-go orders! Go-Box in Portland, and now in SF, wants to help every restaurant offer reusable containers instead. UC Irvine has a reusable program on campus for to-go items. We love the quote in this article in response to recycling: “If you’ve heard the slogan ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle,’ there’s a reason ‘recycle’ comes last.” 

And greater momentum is coming: California recently passed a new law paving the way for consumers to bring their own reusable takeout containers for to-go foods and beverages, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce dependence on single-use plastics. Read more here.

You can back ARK Reusables and the movement to reduce our plastic use and consumption, starting at $22, helping this company reach their goal of raising $40,000 to bring the product and the business model to the U.S.

To answer a few of your pending questions:

How else can you help? Spread the word, especially to restaurants and your favorite delis where you get your takeout most often.

Doesn’t it seem weird to bring my own containers? It felt the same when we started bringing our own bags to the grocery store, water bottles and coffee cups.  The weirdness quickly becomes a trend because it’s the right thing to do.

Why don’t the restaurants or delis provide these containers and I can return them when I come back? That is the ultimate goal and just like coffee and groceries. Overtime, we hope that will be the situation.  It currently is in European countries. 

Aren’t food vendors going to refuse reusables customers own because of hygiene concerns? There are plenty of vendors who accept reusables and they deserve to be celebrated and supported with your business. But ARK is sympathetic to the vendors who might cite hygiene concerns as the reason they will refuse your reusables.  ARK has provided the hygiene guidelines restaurants can follow for customer-owned reusables here.