Takeout Container (Wax or Plastic-Lined Paperboard) Trash Paper takeout containers with a liner are not recyclable or compostable; they should be placed in the trash. How to spot a liner: look for a glossy or shiny liner/coating covering the outside and/or inside of the container. You can also rip the container to see if there is a laminate like material. Not compostable: This liner is made from either plastic, wax, or bioplastic, which are considered contaminants to the Athens’ compost operations. Not recyclable: The container is not recyclable with paper due to food residue contamination and low quality paper grade. Consider Reuse For leftovers, bring reusable containers with you or keep extras in your car. To avoid receiving a takeout container when picking up food, order for onsite dining, then transfer contents to a reusable container. Do Not Recycle Paperboard takeout containers are lined with wax or plastic to prevent them from leaking. The lining can’t be separated, so these containers can’t be recycled. Put them in the garbage. Ways to Reduce Bring Your Own To-Go Container When dining out, bring a reusable to-go container so that you can bring leftovers home sustainably. Split Meals Eating with a friend or family member? Share your meal so there’s no need to take leftovers home. Use It as a Plate Make your meal cleanup one step easier by transforming your takeout container into a plate. Learn how on Lifehacker.com. Reusable Packaging For Businesses Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether. Did You Know? Chinese Takeout Pail Inspired by Japanese Origami Commonly called a Chinese takeout box, this type of takeout container was invented in 1894 and originally called a “paper pail.” Inspired by Japanese origami, it is created from one piece of folded material, with a small wire handle attached to the top for carrying. Learn more about the paper pail’s history at Eater.com. "Forever Chemicals" in Paper Products For years, manufacturers have used chemicals called PFAS to coat paper wraps and boxes because it kept moisture from leaking through. Now that those chemicals are known to be toxic “forever chemicals” and transfer from the packaging into the food and then our bodies, certain companies are phasing them out of use. However, some companies still use them, and the alternatives haven’t been tested for safety. Read more from c&en.