I usually don’t allow my kids to use vending machines or candy machines.  25¢ for a piece of gum?  Let’s do the math.  For 89¢ I can get a 10 pack of these same gum balls, which is still a lot in my mind.  Anyway… I used a vending machine yesterday.  I paid $1.50 for a bottle of Fuze at the library.  I was going to be there for 4 hours, so it was probably a good plan.  The new blueberry-raspberry is awesome.  :)

I’ve been thinking about waste and convenience lately in the food realm.  We want faster and more convenient because our lifestyles demand it.  The one thing that bothers me about my fast food consumption is the waste that goes along with it.  Have you noticed the amount of trash generated by one meal?

Jimmy John’s ‘individually wrapped’ pickle, paper secured in place with a wrap-around sticker.  Notice the Starbucks coffee sleeve on the table.  I was away from home, which is the only time I do fast coffee, and I tried to hold the cup without the paper sleeve.  Not  good plan.  Whataburger has the best grilled chicken fast food sandwich, however they have the most waste.  Giant styrofoam cups, lots of paper and cardboard packaging all nicely placed into a very large plastic bag.  I also love Sonic’s happy hour, half priced route 44 diet limeade… in an oversized styrofoam cup, with a large plastic straw wrapped in paper.

Subway has a good plan with their kids meals.  They put them in reusable lunch bags.  These are great if you remember to bring it next time you get a meal or if you use them for the kids lunch box.

How could we incorporate green bags into the fast food world?

It would take the support of the major companies, but it could be done.  There are no laws in place aimed at encouraging retailers or restaurants recycle, reduce or reuse anything.

How can we modify our lives to be less wasteful this way?

I’m realizing that I eat way too much fast food, and at restaurants in general.  I’m scared to look at how much money I spend per month doing just that.  I could make time to cook more.  What do I cut out of my busy schedule?  What would a FF place do if I brought my own bags and cups?  Hmmm, I feel a challenge moment coming on here.

Here’s a few things I’m doing to save.  Not 100% of the time, but most of the time.  Do you do any of these?

• Go inside, less fuel waste with the car idling.
• Ask for no bag, or for everything to go in one bag.
• My kids give back the toys in the kids meals if they don’t like them.
• I make the kids split an adult meal because we are not there for toys.
• Don’t order more than you will eat.

Now here’s a list of things I need to do:

• Don’t use a straw unless necessary.
• Try to eat at sit down restaurants when possible.
• Bring my own ‘doggie box’ when I know there will be leftovers.
• Support fast food places that recycle.
• Support fast food places that are environmentally conscious.

Do you have more ideas?  Do share!