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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Food / Green Reusable Containers Hit PDX Food Carts

Posted by Alex Zielinski on Tue, Aug 2, 2011 at 10:44 AM

While Portland food carts' tasty grub is great, one factor mars our carts' bright facades: Bins of to-go food containers. Altogether, downtown food carts hand out 60,000 disposable containers a month. As of mid-July, local businessGO Box has been trying to change that.

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Started by local businesswoman Laura Weiss, the GO Box is a hard plastic container that can be initially purchased for $8.50 at any of the eight participating carts. The cart gets $1.50 per box sold, the diner eats from the box then returns it to any of the eight carts a nearby drop site, receiving a token to be used for a new box whenever they want.

Of course, you don't have to pay $8.50 to eat off reusable lunch dishes—many downtown cartivores already bring their own reusable plateware from their offices.

At the SW 5th and Stark cart pod, I asked around to see if it's catching on. A few cart owners met me with puzzled expressions, but I finally stumbled upon an enthusiastic user.

Jennifer Kaplan of Oregon Coast Fish Co. said she's had at least five GO Box users over the past couple weeks. "I bring it up with every customer unless they bring their own dish," said Kaplan. "Being such an ecofriendly area, I'm sure it'll grow in popularity."

Around the corner, Give Pizza a Chance owner Scott Davison liked the idea but griped that his over-size slices don't fit in the nifty containers. "The idea completely makes sense to me, but my pizzas just won't fit!" says Davison, who dishes out slices on paper plates.

GO Box is getting a slow start with downtown carts, but it's clearly drawing attention elsewhere. Next weekend's Pickathon is nixing disposable food containers and hosting GO Box (along with some other reusable brands) containers instead. Go, GO Box, Go!

 

Comments (12) RSS

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1
What the fuck is a cartivore? Someone who eats carts? Stupid word; please consult with your inhouse style-guide to see that you shouldn't use it.

Ugh.

Also, carts can get in serious trouble with Multnomah County Health for allowing customers to use their own containers: http://www.foodcartsportland.com/2010/01/2…

However, the huge and I mean FUCKING HUGE problem with the Go Boxes is the general lack of drop-off points for the containers after they've been used. Last time I checked, there were only two places you could return them (and both of those had limited hours). You can't take the containers back to the cart you got your food from. I like the idea of not using a whole shit-ton of paper products; but the current logistical situation makes Go Boxes completely impractical right now.
Posted by Graham on August 2, 2011 at 11:02 AM · Report
2
I was hoping that someone would blog about this. It's a great idea. Although, I'm not completely sold on the system. I'd most likely lose that token in less than an hours time and then be out $8.50. Maybe something that could be stored in a wallet might be better? Like a "Go Box Membership Card"?
Posted by noah.dunham on August 2, 2011 at 11:05 AM · Report
3
What about this "styrofoam" wonder I keep hearing so much about? Maybe that could help!
Posted by tk. on August 2, 2011 at 12:50 PM · Report
4
I like it. Much better experience in general.
Posted by Britney Spears on August 2, 2011 at 12:57 PM · Report
5
@Graham +1

"Many downtown [people] already bring their own reusable plateware from their offices."

Exactly. Wouldn't it make more sense for each patron to buy one/two/three of these reusable boxes and then take it and wash it at home, and then use it again? Bring your own utensils, too.
Posted by Sūṕër Ḉḩüñdŷ on August 2, 2011 at 1:09 PM · Report
6
@SC: The problem is still that the FDA and Multnomah County Health strongly, strongly frown upon patrons providing their own containers. Carts could receive fines or be shut down for allowing this practice to continue. The Go Boxes work in theory because it's not the patron's providing the container, but instead a licensed provider.
Posted by Graham on August 2, 2011 at 1:18 PM · Report
7
People should totally bring their own containers and silverware. Plus a recipe, ingredients, and a portable stove.
Posted by Blabby on August 2, 2011 at 1:44 PM · Report
8
We used to bring our own containers, but the cart owners started getting anxious. We're stocking up on a bunch of tokens for the office -- I suspect there will be some challenges since we constantly lose our bathroom keys.

That being said, we eat at Built to Grill a LOT, so this should work well for us.
Posted by catbot on August 2, 2011 at 1:52 PM · Report
9
There are plenty of restaurants with plates and stuff. Chairs even. This idea won't last till the end of the year.
Posted by Demondog on August 2, 2011 at 1:57 PM · Report
10
@Blabby I know! I bring a weber, I mean why wait for their grill? BTW researchers have discovered you can eat a sandwich or hamburger with merely a piece of paper around it or even a low grade cardboard container. Amazing ,what will they think of next?
Posted by The Showstopper on August 2, 2011 at 2:56 PM · Report
11
@Graham- common problem for early adopters. Gotta work out the kinks. Once they scale up and have lots of drop off locations, I think this idea could really work!
Posted by kiki on August 2, 2011 at 9:15 PM · Report
12
A few key corrections for your readers. Customers who want to reduce their to-go food waste subscribe to GO Box for a one-time fee of $8.50. When they're done with their meal, they return the container to a nearby drop site (www.goboxpdx.com/drop-sites/) where they receive a credit-card-like token that fits easily in a wallet. They give that token to a vendor the next time they want their meal in a clean container. They do NOT return the containers to the vendors!

GO Box picks up the used containers, washes them in a commercial dishwasher, and returns them clean to the vendors. All in line with the Health Dept rules -- and all pickup and delivery is done by bicycle!
Posted by GO Box on August 2, 2011 at 10:29 PM · Report

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