We know that part of why we go out to eat is so that we can relax without working as hard to feed the family or enjoy time with some friends. Still, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact of these occasions and still have a good time.

• Use your own coffee mug when frequenting coffee shops; bring your own mug to work instead of using disposable cups. Many coffee shops will even give you a 'good customer' discount for bringing in your mug!

• If you usually take food home, grab some of your Tupperware and take it with you. You'd be surprised how much packaging you'll save from being wasted in just a month without asking for those disposable "doggie bags."

• If you're going out to eat at a place where people traditionally use chopsticks, why not bring your own? Ask your server to save the unused pair or another customer before you order (if you leave them on the table through the meal, they'll probably just throw them away after you leave for health reasons). Just keep a pair or two in your glovebox; they're small, save space, and they'll also save trees.

• If you HAVE to order to-go, either for the kids or because you're too tired, try to order from locations that have environmentally friendly packaging; ask favorite restaurants to look into these alternatives if you frequent them regularly. Also,

• Ask them not to include disposable serviceware, napkins, chopsticks, or condiment packets if you have them at home. You just have to find a place for those random napkins and ketchups anyway, don't you?

• Ask them not to put it in a plastic bag on the phone ahead of time, and bring a canvas one instead to carry it out.

For more information on this, you might check out bringyourown.org. This is a site created by Anna Cummins, and provides a lot of additional, useful resources.