As a follow up to my last post – Slowing down that fast food excess – the video from The Environmentals inspired me to create my own restaurant/fast food carry all to help reduce my waste when eating out. With 52 million meals being served each day by McDonald’s alone, there is a lot of trash going out the door. So here’s what I put together with items I already had in the house:

2 adult size forks/1 spoon and knife – all from a picnic basket set
2 kids size forks and spoons -extras from a past birthday party
4 cloth cocktail napkins – gift from a friend
2 stainless steel straws – a worthwhile purchase for use at and away from home
1 large size Reusable Fresh Snack Pack – I purchased this item some time ago to reduce my baggie usage. It’s PVC free and non-toxic. Easily folds up like an envelope with a Velcro closure and will fit nicely in my bag

If for some reason, you don’t have any plastic ware handy, hang onto the set of plastic utensils the next time you are eating in or taking out.

Don’t have cloth cocktail size napkins, just use a regular size or even cut leftover fabric down to size. A handkerchief will also work well or even a bandana.

Instead of the fresh pack, take some shelf liner and cut down to a small place mat size. Wrap up all your goods and keep tied with a ribbon or rubberband. And of course whatever you do, don’t forget the reusable water bottle for drinks.

Yes, it sounds extreme to whip out my own personal place setting at Wendy’s or wherever and I wonder if others might actually consider it a little elitist or germophobic instead of earth-friendly. Either way, labels I can definitely live with. How about you?

Give it a try - come back and post a comment to share your experiences and reactions.

Jeanne Blaisdell also publishes TheGreenSamaritan, her personal blog encouraging kindness to the environment through refined, renewed and resourceful living. Find her here on Twitter and Facebook.