Green Dining District participates in Plastic Free July

greenUP!, an environmental education non-profit, is holding a Green Dining District event emphasizing Plastic Free July, according to a news release.

Plastic Free July is a global movement that gathers millions of people to help reduce the use of harmful single-use plastics in everyday life.

While the Green Dining District banner flies above Carson Street from July 17 to 23, Green Dining restaurant members will sell reusable takeout containers through greenUP’s Green Box To-Go program at a 75% discount. You can get your one-time-payment membership at Squeeze In, Juan’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, Great Basin Brewing Co., So Juicy, Scoups Ice Cream & Soup Bar, or Pink Elephant.

Green Box To-Go is a reusable takeout container program that reduces single-use waste from entering the landfill and our public spaces. The program started in Spring 2022. To get a Green Box To-Go membership, customers can pay a one-time membership fee of $5 at any of the participating restaurants and use the reusable boxes indefinitely.

Examples of single-use plastics that can be replaced with reusable alternatives include Styrofoam takeout containers, grocery bags, water bottles, straws, and eating utensils.

How does Green Box To-Go work? When you place a takeout order, request your order to be placed in a Green Box in the special instructions window or request it in-person. Restaurant staff will take care of the rest. Once you’re done with your meal, return the box at a participating restaurant’s drop-off box, and pick up your token to redeem for your next Green Box To-Go order. Returning your box keeps the reusable boxes in the supply chain, reduces single-use waste from entering the landfill and our communities, and earns you discounts at restaurants.

Stop by at one of the participating restaurants July 17-23 for the special discount offer to receive your membership for a one-time fee of $5 and dine sustainably indefinitely. Regular membership is $20/box or $40/four boxes.