'Tis the season for dinner parties! Last night, we had friends over for a mini-potluck. We took care of the main dish and appetizers, but friends brought sides, drinks, and dessert. With all that food, we had plenty left over--and everyone wanted another chance at something. Since we're phasing out plastic to-go containers at home, we didn't have enough to go around. So we were forced to use an even better option.
In the pantry, we'd been keeping a tall stack of compostable plates from a summer party. These turned out to be the perfect to-go choice; we loaded the plates with casserole and cheesecake, then topped each one with a sheet of foil, encouraging our friends to toss the plate in the compost heap and wash and reuse (then recycle) the foil.
Everyone was very receptive to the idea, and had we thought ahead, we could've sent them each home with a doggie bag, too; reusable grocery bags from our local grocers are only 99 cents, and would've made great party favors.
Another nice option, though it would take some foresight, would be these Bio-Plus Earth Recycled take-out boxes made from 100% recycled paper (35% post-consumer) and are 100% recyclable.
Don't forget Mason jars, too; if you're sending home soup, this would be a great option.
In any case, forgo those holiday-themed plasticware sets that are popping up on store shelves, and come up with a greener way to pack up the leftovers. And don't forget to share your ideas with us!
Originally published 2008-12-10 - CB
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
The Bio Plus take out containers are great. You can find them at Restaurant Supply stores like Cash and Carry for really cheap. I am planning to make peppermint bark and put them in these containers.
Also over the year I go to yard sales and find different glass containers with lids (like pyrex). They usually range from $0.10 to $1.00 so I don't worry if I send them home with my friends. If I get it back, its great but if not, I feel great that it has another home.
Also yard sales are a good way to stock up on large dishes and pots with lids so when you bring food to a party you don't have to worry about getting it back.
view Luxeport's profile
We go on vacation for Thanksgiving and always have lots of leftovers, more than we want to take back on the 6 hour drive home. But family/friends are always hesitant to take your tupperware, even if you've assured them you're okay with passing it on. So...I brought all the butter/yogurt/cottage cheese/ricotta cheese/lunch meat/etc. containers collected throughout the year. We used them to place leftovers in the fridge and labeled them with a sharpie and also sent guests home with food.
view StatGirl's profile
I keep a stack of white ceramic gratin dishes, that I bought at the Cordon Bleu / BIA Chef's Warehouse (SF Bay Area in zip code 94080) for 50 cents each - and - some that I bought by the case ended up being closer to 25 cents each, I put the food in one or more of those - wrap it with freezer paper and twine - and let people take that home. They can return the gratin dish to me, for the next round, or keep the dish for their own use. Most people like the concept and return them for the next round of leftovers.
view Rucy's profile
This year we told our Thanksgiving guests to bring their own Pyrex dishes to load up with leftovers to take home.
view scootergirl's profile
we sent guests home with leftovers in the casserole and pie dishes that they brought their contributions in. a little tin foil between items to separate the sweet and the meat, etc. perfect! and no one forgot to take home their dish!
view anatomist's profile
butcher paper?
view enviromodernist's profile