Ever wish you could ditch single-use plastics when ordering takeout? In Truckee, you can! Truckee restaurants are cutting down on landfill waste by offering a sustainable alternative, replacing single-use cardboard, plastic, or styrofoam to-go boxes with a reusable Green Box.
So what is a Green Box and how does it work? We break it down into three easy steps:
Step 1 - Ask your lodging if they provide a reusable Green Box for guest use.
Your Truckee lodging may provide Green Boxes for guest use during your stay. Don’t forget to ask!
If your lodging does provide Green Boxes for guest use, take them with you to the participating locations below, and when you place your order, ask for takeout or leftovers in the “reusable Green Box”. You’ll give your server the clean Green Box from your lodging in exchange for a new box filled with your to-go food.
As of December 2023, Green Boxes are available at nine locations in Truckee:
- MakiAli - Sushi & Japanese Pub
- Red Truck
- Stella
- Siam Cuisine
- RMU Truckee
- Sierra Bakehouse
- Tahoe Food Hub
- Old Town Tap
- Best Pies
If your lodging does not provide Green Boxes for guest use, ask to purchase one when you visit a participating location. There is a $5 initial cost to purchase a container but after that, it’s free to exchange.
Step 2 - Rinse your Green Box when finished with your meal.
When you’re done with your meal, give the container a good rinse and return it to where it was stored at your lodging (if applicable). If you purchased a Green Box for personal use, store it somewhere easily accessible for next time, like with your reusable shopping totes and reusable utensil set!
Step 3 - Bring the Green Box back to trade for a clean one with your next order at any participating location.
Now that you have a Green Box, bring it to one of the locations above and they’ll exchange it for a clean one when you’re ready for another takeout meal. And that’s it!
The best part of this Keep Truckee Green program is that it’s so easy to take part in. Each restaurant washes and sanitizes the containers they receive so all you have to do is remember to bring your Green Box with you - although, we admit, that’s not always as easy as it sounds!
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More Ways to Reduce Waste in Truckee
Everyone can help reduce single-use waste by using a Green Box in Truckee, both visitors and residents! If you’re vacationing at a Truckee hotel or mountain home, remember to ask your hosts if Green Boxes are available to use during your stay.
Looking for more sustainable travel tips or ways to support Truckee’s environment and local community? Check out the Sustainable Truckee Pre-Arrival Guide for easy actions you can take that make a difference. This guide includes an entire section on how you can Reduce Waste!
