Updated June 2026.
Takeaway is convenient, but it often comes with a pile of single-use packaging: plastic containers, lids, cutlery, sauce tubs, straws, bags and disposable cups.
Whether you're aiming for zero waste takeaway, low waste takeaway or simply want to reduce plastic one meal at a time, bringing your own reusable items is one of the simplest ways to reduce plastic waste.
If you're picking up a coffee on the way to work, grabbing sushi for lunch or ordering fish and chips for dinner, we've got the solution for you!
Quick answer
To buy takeaway without plastic, bring your own container or reusable coffee cup and ask politely before ordering. A reusable takeaway container, small sauce container, reusable cutlery, bread bag and cloth shopping bag will cover most takeaway situations, from coffee and sushi to burgers, bakery treats and fish and chips.
Did you know?
Australians eat around 4.5 million takeaway meals a day, and most are served in single-use packaging. Bringing your own container is a simple way to reduce the waste that comes with everyday takeaway.
Why takeaway packaging matters
Single-use takeaway packaging is designed to be used for only minutes but can persist in the environment for decades. Plastic containers, lids, cutlery and sauce tubs are often difficult to recycle because they're contaminated with food or made from mixed materials.
Bringing your own container won't solve plastic pollution on its own, but it's one practical way to reduce unnecessary waste every week.
Most common takeaway swaps
Start with the packaging you come across most often. These simple swaps cover many everyday takeaway orders.
| Instead of... | Bring instead |
|---|---|
| Disposable coffee cup | Reusable coffee cup |
| Plastic sushi tray | Leakproof stainless steel container |
| Plastic takeaway box | Larger 1.3L container |
| Plastic sauce tub | Small dip container |
| Plastic bakery bag | Bread bag or reusable food pouch |
| Disposable cutlery | Reusable cutlery or spork |
| Disposable bubble tea cup | Reusable boba cup |
How to ask for takeaway in your own container
Many cafés, takeaway shops, bakeries, delis and market stalls are happy to use clean reusable containers. The easiest approach is to ask before the food is prepared. Keep it friendly and simple.
What to say
At a café
“I've brought my own reusable cup if you're happy to use it.”
For takeaway food
“I've brought my own clean container. Would you mind putting my order in here instead, please?”
At the bakery
“Could you pop the loaf straight into my bread bag, please?”
At the deli or farmers market
“I've got my own container if that's okay for the olives, cheese or salad.”
For fish and chips or a larger takeaway meal
“I've brought my own container today if you're able to use it, please.
If you're ordering through a delivery app, include "No cutlery, no napkins and no sauce tubs please" in the order notes where available. It won't always be possible, but it's an easy way to reduce unnecessary waste.
✔ Tip
Ask before your order is prepared and have your container open and ready. It makes things easier for staff and gives them the best chance of using it.
What if they say no?
Some businesses have their own food safety or hygiene policies and may not be able to accept customer containers. If that happens, choose the lowest-waste option available and skip the extras you do not need.
✔ No plastic cutlery
✔ No straw
✔ No plastic bag
✔ No disposable napkins
✔ No sauce tubs
✔ Paper packaging instead of plastic, where available
✔ Tip
If a business cannot use your container, do not argue. Ask for the simplest packaging option and skip the extras you do not need.
Even if your container can't be used every time, choosing reusable cups, bags and cutlery and saying no to unnecessary extras can still make a meaningful difference over time.
How to buy coffee without disposable cups
Plastic-free coffee is one of the easiest takeaway habits to start with. Bring a reusable coffee cup for coffee, tea, chai, matcha, hot chocolate or iced coffee.
Reusable coffee cups
Keep one in your car, work bag or near your keys so it is ready for your next coffee run.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free coffee
✔ Tea
✔ Chai
✔ Matcha
✔ Hot chocolate
✔ Iced coffee
✔ Café drinks
✔ Tip
If you forget your reusable cup and are drinking your coffee straight away, either have your coffee at the cafe in a ceramic mug or ask for no lid to at least avoid the plastic lid.
Did you know?
Australians use an estimated 1.8 billion disposable coffee cups each year, and most cannot be recycled through standard kerbside recycling because of their plastic lining.
Best reusable container for sushi, noodles and everyday takeaway
For plastic-free sushi, plastic-free noodles, dumplings, rice paper rolls, fried rice, pasta, curry and salad, a 700ml leakproof container is one of the most useful everyday options.
Good To Go Leakproof Stainless Steel Container 700ml
Similar in size to many standard takeaway containers, with sturdy clips and a removable silicone seal.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free sushi
✔ Plastic-free dumplings
✔ Plastic-free noodles
✔ Rice paper rolls
✔ Fried rice
✔ Pasta
✔ Curry
✔ Salad
✔ Plastic-free wraps
✔ Burritos
Did you know?
One takeaway meal can include more than just the main container. Plastic cutlery, sauce tubs, lids, straws, napkins and bags can all come with a single order.
✔ Tip
Pack a small dip container inside your larger container so soy sauce, dressing or chilli oil is ready to go.
Best reusable container for burgers, fish and chips and larger meals
For plastic-free burgers, fish and chips, larger salads, family curries and generous takeaway meals, a bigger container gives you more room and helps avoid bulky disposable packaging.
Good To Go Leakproof Stainless Steel Container 1.3L
A larger leakproof option for bulkier takeaway meals, shared dishes and generous serves.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free burgers
✔ Fish and chips without plastic
✔ Chips
✔ Potato scallops
✔ Plastic-free wraps
✔ Burritos
✔ Larger salads
✔ Family curries
✔ Large noodle dishes
✔ Roast meals
✔ Tip
Ask for no plastic cutlery, no plastic bag and no sauce tubs when you order. Wrap hot stainless steel containers in a tea towel for the trip home.
Best reusable container for curries, noodles, rice dishes and salads
Round stainless steel containers are useful for plastic-free curries, plastic-free noodles, rice bowls, grain bowls, salads, deli items and bulk food shopping.
Good To Go Round Container 780ml
A round leakproof container for meals that suit a bowl shape, including curries, noodles, rice dishes and salads.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free curries
✔ Plastic-free noodles
✔ Rice dishes
✔ Fried rice
✔ Grain bowls
✔ Salads
✔ Deli food
✔ Bulk food shopping
Good To Go Round Container 480ml
A smaller round container for snacks, dips, olives, deli items and small takeaway portions.
Great for:
✔ Dips
✔ Olives
✔ Snacks
✔ Small salads
✔ Deli items
✔ Small serves
✔ Bulk food shopping
✔ Tip
If you are ordering something saucy, choose a leakproof container with sturdy clips and a removable silicone seal like our good to go.
How to buy bread and bakery treats without plastic
Plastic-free bakery visits are one of the easiest swaps to make. Bring a bread bag for loaves, rolls, baguettes and sourdough, or a reusable food pouch for smaller bakery treats.
Bread bags and reusable food pouches
Use a bread bag for loaves and rolls, and a reusable food pouch for smaller bakery treats.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free bread
✔ Sourdough
✔ Bread rolls
✔ Baguettes
✔ Croissants
✔ Muffins
✔ Banana bread
✔ Cookies
✔ Slices
✔ Sandwiches
✔ Plastic-free wraps
✔ Tip
Fold a bread bag inside your shopping bag so it is ready for unplanned bakery stops.
See our guide on how to store bread without plastic.
How to shop at farmers markets or deli counters without plastic
Reusable takeaway containers are not just for restaurants. They are also useful for plastic-free farmers markets, deli counters, bulk food stores and grocery counters.
Biome Stainless Steel Nesting Containers
A compact set to keep in the car or shopping bag for markets, delis, leftovers and bulk food shopping.
Great for buying:
✔ Olives
✔ Dips
✔ Cheese
✔ Fresh pasta
✔ Ready-made salads
✔ Berries
✔ Mushrooms
✔ Loose snacks
✔ Bulk nuts, seeds or dried fruit
✔ Bakery items
✔ Tip
Nest smaller containers inside larger ones so they take up very little room in your car or shopping bag.
How to buy bubble tea and cold drinks without plastic
Plastic-free bubble tea and iced drinks are easier with a reusable boba cup. It replaces the disposable cup, lid and straw, and has a wider straw for pearls, jellies and thicker drinks.
KeepCup Original Clear Plastic Cold Cup Boba
A reusable cup designed for bubble tea, smoothies, thickshakes, iced coffee and cold drinks.
Great for:
✔ Plastic-free bubble tea
✔ Smoothies
✔ Thickshakes
✔ Iced coffee
✔ Juice
✔ Cold drinks
Don't forget sauces, cutlery and the little extras
Small plastic extras are easy to forget, but they add up quickly. Before the food is packed, ask for no disposable cutlery, no straw, no napkins and no sauce tubs if you have brought your own.
Did you know? Some Australian states have already banned the little plastic soy sauce fish commonly supplied with takeaway sushi. Find out why and what businesses are using instead.
Small stainless steel dip container
Great for:
✔ Soy sauce
✔ Salad dressing
✔ Aioli
✔ Tomato sauce
✔ Sweet chilli
✔ Hummus
✔ Guacamole
✔ Dips
Helps avoid:
✔ Plastic sauce tubs
✔ Single-use dressing pots
✔ Loose sauces in takeaway bags
Reusable cutlery and sporks
Great for:
✔ Everyday takeaway
✔ Lunches
✔ Picnics
✔ Travel
✔ Work lunches
✔ School lunches
Helps avoid:
✔ Disposable forks
✔ Disposable spoons
✔ Disposable knives
✔ Disposable chopsticks
✔ Tip
Keep cutlery, a napkin and a small sauce container together so you are not caught out by the little extras.
Build a simple plastic-free takeaway kit
Keeping a few reusables together makes zero waste takeaway, low waste takeaway and waste-free lunches much easier. You can keep a kit in your car, work bag, pram basket, backpack or office drawer.
Before you head out the door
✔ Reusable coffee cup
✔ 700ml leakproof container
✔ 1.3L leakproof container for larger meals
✔ Small dip container
✔ Reusable cutlery or spork
✔ Bread bag
✔ Reusable food pouch
✔ Cloth napkin or tea towel
✔ Cotton shopping bag
Ready to make takeaway less wasteful?
Whether you grab a morning coffee, pick up sushi for lunch or enjoy fish and chips on a Friday night, keeping a few reusable essentials on hand makes avoiding disposable packaging easier.
Every reusable container replaces dozens or even hundreds of disposable ones over its lifetime. The more often you remember it, the bigger the impact.
Explore Biome's reusable takeaway containers, coffee cups, bread bags, cutlery and accessories to build your own plastic-free takeaway kit.
FAQs
Can I use glass containers for takeaway?
Yes. Glass containers are suitable for many takeaway meals, particularly if you're heading straight home. Stainless steel is often lighter and more durable for carrying around, making it a popular option for everyday takeaway and lunches.
Can cafés fill reusable coffee cups?
Many cafés will fill a clean reusable coffee cup. Some may have their own policy, so it is best to ask before ordering. If they cannot use your cup, you can still ask for no lid if you are drinking your coffee straight away.
Can takeaway shops use my own container?
Many takeaway shops, market stalls and delis are happy to use a clean reusable container, especially if you ask before the food is packed. Some businesses may not be able to accept customer containers because of their own food safety policy.
What size container is best for takeaway?
A 700ml container is a useful everyday size for sushi, dumplings, noodles, curries, salads, pasta and wraps. A 1.3L container is better for larger meals such as fish and chips, burgers with chips, family serves, large salads and bigger takeaway dishes.
How do I avoid plastic sauce tubs?
Bring a small reusable dip or dressing container for soy sauce, aioli, tomato sauce, sweet chilli, salad dressing, hummus or guacamole. You can also ask for sauce to be added directly to the meal where suitable.
What can I use at a bakery instead of a plastic bag?
A reusable bread bag is best for loaves, rolls and baguettes. A reusable food pouch works well for muffins, cookies, croissants, slices, sandwiches and smaller bakery treats.
How do I buy bubble tea without single-use plastic?
Bring a reusable boba cup with a wide straw and ask the store to make your drink in that instead of a disposable cup. This helps avoid the single-use cup, lid and straw.
Is stainless steel good for takeaway?
Stainless steel is durable, lightweight and practical for takeaway. Look for good quality stainless steel, sturdy clips and a reliable seal if you want to carry wet foods such as curries, noodles, sauces or salads.
What is the easiest plastic-free takeaway habit to start with?
Start with the takeaway item you buy most often. For many people, that is coffee. Keep a reusable cup near your keys, in your car or in your work bag so it becomes part of your routine.
Related reading
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