To want to write to my MP about Chinese plastic tubs

We need something similar to the old Corona fizzy pop system. 10p/20p extra cost on each container, which you get refunded off your next takeaway when you take them back clean.

Then if you want a few for home use - for freezer casserole, assorted nails or batteries or whatever - they've only cost you a small amount; but that would stop people from accumulating hundreds of un-needed ones that just fester in the cupboard.

Most councils recycle them and the cardboard boxes aren't recyclable because theyre lined with plastic.

Only way theyd improve is if they used aluminium trays

Yes, they definitely need to standardise container sizes and the lids that go with them, so that different-sized ones are very obviously different without having lots that differ in size and fit by the tiniest fraction.

I am with the OP on the glamour of those foldy cardboard boxes you see in American films. I fell in love with them when Cliff Barnes used to order them for his regular dates with JR's cast offs...

I think they'd be fine with it ( perhaps a little puzzled at first ) as long as they are roughly the same size as the ones they use so they dont accidentally overfill/ give you to much , after all it saves them money too.

In theory we should be able to take any container to the takeaway and buy the food by weight.
That way you would also get exactly the amount of food you want no left overs ( 😯 😢 😡) wasted
A bit like the old Weigh 'n' Save's

@SprayWhiteDung , You can't compare a takeaway to a lay or concert without coming across as a philistine.

I suppose it would add quite a bit of time to their super-efficient operation.

Having to identify which containers belong to which customer, and then which of them they want you to use for this dish and which for that one; then they give you one that's too small for the portion to fit into, or they give you a massively oversized one and complain that you've ripped them off as it's only a third full!

Not to mention if they haven't washed them out properly and they end up getting sick from THEIR food residue and blaming YOU for it!

It's a lot more complicated than a coffee cup that's only ever had coffee in it - and you hand them one cup which they immediately fill with one new drink for you.

OP you can post them on a recycling app like Olio or similar if you have too many and someone will take them off you. Or just offer them to your neighbours. People always find a use for them. They are reusable, but they don't last forever - once mine have gone through the dishwasher a few times they crack so I put them in the recycling.

And yes we only get takeaways once every couple of months and end up with a cupboard full every time!

@applesblowinginthewind

🤣🤣

We both posted the same gripe at the same time. 😂

I reuse them for other non food things. For example sorting lego out so all small pieces of one sort are kept together in a box, or storing kids jigsaw puzzle pieces separately, so for example when you get four puzzles in a big box, you can have one puzzle in each box, then stick all for plastic tubs inside the big box.

What annoys me is that boxes from different takeaways are slightly different sizes, so whilst they might look the same, the lids from one won't fit the box from another.

Are the kids a sacrifice because you can't reuse the containers?

My only gripe with the plastic containers is that they come in ever so slightly different shapes and sizes. So even though you think you have matching lids and containers, the lid doesn't fit by half a millimeter so you're sorting through piles of identical looking lids to get a proper fit.

I'm just impressed with your storage, so neat and organised.
We don't have takeaways anymore so I had to buy some containers because I use them to separate lego bags when building my masterpieces and dh uses them in his shed for screws and whatever else he hoards in there.

Oh doesn't your council take any plastic or foil at all ?

Of course they’re recyclable! I’ve been reusing mine for years for storing food leftovers cos they stack nicely in the fridge.

With care you can reheat food in them as it’s non transferable plastic

Given their see thru, they’re invaluable for storing DIY bits and pieces, nails, screws, brackets , in the shed.

In the same way that many people find a takeaway quite different from food they've cooked themselves!

I love a great curry, but my own can never compare with those from my local Indian takeaway.

This is a great idea , I guess it's similar to taking your own cup to the coffee shop. It's a shame more takeaways don't do it.

I'm really glad you started this thread, OP. I didn't realise they were recyclable either, and now I do!

Recyclabl, reusable and donatable - our local food bank takes them. But YANBU to write to your MP if you’re moved to.

You can recycle lots nowadays but I had no idea you could recycle kids !
How does it work ?
Do you need a flesh coloured bin ?

🤣🤣

An excellent outcome, enjoy your takeaway with the knowledge that you can recycle the tubs.

Onto the next important issue, what are the things bottom right in that photo please? I need to know!

@SprayWhiteDung , because a live play or concert is quite different to watching TV.

Just make the chicken casserole

True. But the containers eventually wear out or fall and break, so how do you replenish your stock for the freezer food?!

You could also say the same about most pleasurable things in life, though: e.g. why make a wasteful journey out to a concert or a play when you already have a TV at home?!