One of our garbage month initiatives is to reduce the amount of staff food packaging that goes directly into the garbage after purchasing meals on the go. On September 18, 2008, o×vert members set up a table in the lobby of our 5th floor Vancouver Office and offered fellow co-workers a re-usable tupperware container to use to pick up their lunch instead of using the Styrofoam, paper, and plastic packaging typically provided by vendors.

In our initial research of restaurants/food vendors willing to dish out food in customer-provided containers, a Fresh deli employee stated that: “We don’t give a discount to those who bring their own containers but I always try to fill the container to the top and give them extra food at no additional cost.”

We had roughly ten people accept our offer and found that Rice and Spice, Padre Taco, Fresh, Salad Loop, and Opa accepted them. No vendors refused to use the tupperware containers. Those employees who didn’t take a reusable container began to think twice about the waste that goes into packaging their meals. Everything from the bag, extra napkins, condiments and plastic cutlery to the actual paper, styrofoam, or tinfoil packaging goes into the garbage. And all of this can be avoided in one easy step.

We asked the employees to place their tupperware containers (which we marked with an “O”) in the dishwasher for future use.

While we applaud that some people recycle the paper bag their lunch comes in, we’d be happier if the energy that went into producing that bag and then recycling it was avoided being wasted all together.

Remember that Styrofoam is the worst type of to-go packaging, as it never breaks down, EVER! While it can be recycled, there are only two facilities in the greater Vancouver area that can process it. The Bentall building where the Omicron office is located doesn’t currently accept styrofoam.

Here are two facilities that accept Styrofoam for recycling:

Packaging Depot - Accepts foam packaging chips only (free of charge) 
Call for closest location: (604) 325-9966

Mansonville Plastics - Clean Styrofoam blocks and packaging
19402 56th Avenue, Langley: (604) 534-8626 - Call ahead