The Truth Behind Take-Out Food By Quetazali Angulo

We’ve all done it before. Whether it be a good ol’ cheeseburger or fresh roll of sushi, many of us have ordered take-out food before. It’s quick, inexpensive, and convenient if your dining experience is on the go. What could possibly be bad about it? In 2018, food-waste (prominently that of restaurants) made up 24% of all waste in landfills. And not only that, the excessive packaging of most restaurants that offer people take-out food adds only more. Paper, another one of the most common objects in landfills, is unsurprisingly what this excessive packaging is made of. But at least it's biodegradable, right?... Plastic, on the other hand, is also often used in to-go packaging, and it is anything but biodegradable. Landfill leaks only cause plastic to further harm the environment, and eventually, make its way back to our plates. What can we do? 

Home-cooked meals can definitely ease the load. If possible, we as students could refrain from eating pre-packaged foods and other portable meals to take on the go. While yes, it is quicker and more convenient (to us, not to the planet), it comes at a cost in the long run. In addition to this, we can also avoid take-out food unless absolutely necessary. If there is the option to eat something homemade rather than get take-out, the more environmentally friendly choice would be to enjoy a homemade meal. While both of these habits seem insignificant, if every student at school was to follow them, perhaps we could influence the full district, and after influencing the district, these actions will only become more and more impactful. So, coyotes, let's take the first step, and look towards a greener future!