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To want to write to my MP about Chinese plastic tubs

137 replies

mismomary · 27/09/2025 08:28

Yesterday I was going to cook a chicken casserole. All the ingredients were purchased, some already laid out on the kitchen counter. I was looking forward to it. I knew it was going to take about an hour to make. But somehow I couldn't get my arse in gear. It's an exeat weekend and I just flopped on the sofa watching a film with DC and lit the fire. Chicken casserole didn't happen and suddenly everyone is starving. So out come the ancient Chinese menus. I've even written "don't do it" on one. But we did it.

And it arrives in trillions of those plastic tubs. I already a cupboard dedicated to them, three columns - large, small, lids. I don't need any more and they are non recyclable. Aren't they? Aren't they the single use plastic that is supposed to be banned? I don't understand. Why can't we do the glamorous cardboard boxes like America. Why?????

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 27/09/2025 09:36

So you are happy to use them and have a cupboard full, but you want them banned? That doesn't make sense.

YouCantParkThere · 27/09/2025 09:36

BettyTurpinPies · 27/09/2025 09:30

Why did you order a takeaway then?

⬆️ these are the joyless casserole people.

BettyTurpinPies · 27/09/2025 09:36

@SprayWhiteDung, But it doesn't need to involve single-use plastics or fuel for delivering it.

mismomary · 27/09/2025 09:33

ClaredeBear · 27/09/2025 09:18

It’s pretty annoying. I don’t have takeaway but I remember years ago we had one from a place we eat in at regularly and we were very surprised to see the plastic boxes - and the sheer number! I tried to reuse them as best as I could but it would be difficult for anyone who orders regularly. As others have said, alternatives won’t be much better so it’s best to stay away from takeaways altogether. I think chip shops still use paper or cardboard boxes though.

Yes you're right, chip shops still the best use of paper and cardboard. But sadly not a popular choice in my house. Would be for me though.

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/09/2025 09:32

I think you should be more worried about single use plastics ... I re-use my Chinese containers over and over.

SprayWhiteDung · 27/09/2025 09:32

BettyTurpinPies · 27/09/2025 09:30

Why did you order a takeaway then?

Home batch-cooked food is amazing... but it still isn't a takeaway.

mismomary · 27/09/2025 09:31

louderthan · 27/09/2025 09:12

The real question OP is what did you order from the Chinese and was it delicious?

Well it was thank you for asking. there was duck, sweet and sour chicken, prawn fried rice, beef with green peppers, plain noodles, Singapore noodles and indecent amounts of OK spare ribs. Enough to not need it again for a few months!

OP posts:
BettyTurpinPies · 27/09/2025 09:30

mismomary · 27/09/2025 08:38

My freezer is full of meals in plastic tubs. My fridge has a leftovers section with food in plastic tubs. So yes I suppose they aren't single use are they.

Why did you order a takeaway then?

SprayWhiteDung · 27/09/2025 09:29

What do you expect them to do? Takeaways are always necessarily going to create proportionately more waste than cooking/preparing food for yourself would - even the extra journey that you/the delivery person make(s) just to get one meal from their shop to your house.

Next time, wear a big fisherman-style jumper and hold out the bottom to make a kind of tray that they can slop all of the food straight into, instead of using any new container - and be veeeeery careful on your journey home - the environment thanks you Grin

Roastiesarethebestbit · 27/09/2025 09:29

My takeaway of choice uses cardboard tubs with plastic lids!! Very annoying as obviously the cardboard can’t be reused so I just have to immediately chuck the kids into the recycling. I always reused the plastic tubs until they broke! So useful for putting leftovers in the freezer. I’ve actually had to buy some tubs from Amazon!!

gingercat02 · 27/09/2025 09:26

I use them time and time again for fridge and freezer storage. Once they get discoloured or cracked they go in the recycling. Why would they not be recyclable?

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 27/09/2025 09:25

We occasionally get a takeaway - one of the reasons (apart from the food) is we have run out of tubs. They get used for all sorts of things and eventually need to be replaced.

Ughtrxingtogetbetter · 27/09/2025 09:25

Those cardboard boxes are lined with plastic. Same as many takeaway coffee cups with an outside that looks like recycled paper - essentially a hot drink in a plastic bag.

klim · 27/09/2025 09:23

soupyspoon · 27/09/2025 09:19

Surely you just put them in with the bottles?

They are not bottles so the council doesn't recycle them. They say their machinery doesn't work with non bottle shaped plastic things. Putting stuff that they are not able to recycle in the recycling bin risks the whole batch being chucked away.

mismomary · 27/09/2025 09:23

ClutchingPearlz · 27/09/2025 08:54

More than 65,000 people dead but you want to write to your MP about plastic tubs. Good to know you've got your priorities in order anyway.

Oh dear. Taking me far too seriously.

OP posts:
Baital · 27/09/2025 09:22

YouCantParkThere · 27/09/2025 08:49

my God the joyless freezer casserole people.

Joyless?!

I love batch cooking at the weekend. I potter round the kitchen listening to a podcast. And end up with several delicious meals to cool.and put in the freezer.

Then when I leave for work i have a choice of lovely food to put out to defrost and eat when I get home.

If you are freezing joyless food I think you need to find better recipes. Not all food freezes well.

hididdlyho · 27/09/2025 09:21

Wash and reuse them. You could cook and freeze a batch of casserole (reusing the Chinese tubs) then the next time you cba cooking you'll have them on standby and won't need to order takeaway.

WithIcePlease · 27/09/2025 09:21

Those boxes are great.
I've had to order some from Amazon as well don't get many take aways
600ml is the perfect size for a curry etc for 2
They are stackable too
Yes not too much money so that I get fed up with them disappearing with DC

soupyspoon · 27/09/2025 09:20

I dont know why the metal containers arent used anymore, easier to recycle

soupyspoon · 27/09/2025 09:19

klim · 27/09/2025 09:17

I know things have moved on since you posted, but I actually have no idea where I would recycle them round here. The only plastic our council takes is bottles, and I think they'd be too hard for the supermarket's soft plastic recycling.

Surely you just put them in with the bottles?

ClaredeBear · 27/09/2025 09:18

It’s pretty annoying. I don’t have takeaway but I remember years ago we had one from a place we eat in at regularly and we were very surprised to see the plastic boxes - and the sheer number! I tried to reuse them as best as I could but it would be difficult for anyone who orders regularly. As others have said, alternatives won’t be much better so it’s best to stay away from takeaways altogether. I think chip shops still use paper or cardboard boxes though.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 27/09/2025 09:18

mismomary · 27/09/2025 08:39

Ok I'm stepping off my soap box and putting the stationery away.

I didn't realise they were recyclable.

Also point taken about the cardboard tubs in the US.

Aw - I love it when an OP changes her mind humility and humour.

klim · 27/09/2025 09:17

I know things have moved on since you posted, but I actually have no idea where I would recycle them round here. The only plastic our council takes is bottles, and I think they'd be too hard for the supermarket's soft plastic recycling.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 27/09/2025 09:16

Gallivant · 27/09/2025 08:34

They are recyclable. But they're also reusable, and handy for storing all kinds of things.

Yes and yes. Win, win

louderthan · 27/09/2025 09:12

The real question OP is what did you order from the Chinese and was it delicious?

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