To want to write to my MP about Chinese plastic tubs

[mismomary]

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?????

I am hugely joyful about my freezer casseroles (curries, bolognaise, chilli, cottage pies...).
Today me is always very grateful for past me thinking ahead so I don't have to start from scratch every day.

My Dad saves them from his weekly Chinese takeaway with my brother and SIL then wraps them with a bow and gives them to me as a running joke for Christmas and birthday presents.

I was once really chuffed to be able to help myself to his stash of tubs because my old tupperware ones had finally cracked.

Dad finds this hilarious.

Americans even use single use stuff at HOME, because they can’t be arsed to wash up. It’s absolutely appalling and yes, makes you wonder what the point is of us being diligent with recycling 😢

if only you had had an indian meal you would have had cardboard with a foil topping

I get loads more use from them - use them for batch cooking/ freezing.

I would never look to America and then feel guilty about my own recycling habits!! That country is awash with single use plastic!

https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/plastic-pots-tubs-trays

They are recyclable as long as you rinse them out first.

🤣

Takeaway regret…I know that feeling!!

What a strange attitude.

I just chuck them in the recycling, didnt realise there was a problem

They breed in the cupboards if you dont get rid of them

Absolutely, I have some right little treats in the freezer, so easy to take for lunches at work, I take them frozen and then they're defrosted by the time lunch comes.

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

Yes and yes. Win, win

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.

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

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.

Surely you just put them in with the bottles?

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

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

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.

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.

Oh dear. Taking me far too seriously.

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.

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.