RELATED: Idea would explore new cafe concept
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A POPULAR Bendigo eatery has backed an idea that would allow customers to take their own bowl or container to a cafe for a takeaway lunch.
Crooked Kitchen owner Tara Stojic said her cafe has served some customers food to their own containers since opening two years ago.
Ms Stojic serves about 2000 people each week and estimates about 15 out of 100 people bring their own plate or bowl when buying a takeaway lunch.
“We have had it from day one. I like when people bring in own stuff because it's easier,” she said.
“There are people who bring in own plates or reuse the plastic containers we gave them because they hate wasting them. Some hate plastic and prefer cardboard. There a few different things people are after.”
Ms Stojic has yet to be forced to turn down a customer’s own plate for being too dirty.
“That would be an issue because some people don't understand the concept of cleaning things properly,” she said.
“If someone bought in a dirty container I would definitely say no to serving food on it. If they get sick, they assume it’s the food but it could be bacteria in the container.”
In a poll conducted by the Bendigo Advertiser, 74.4 percent of people said they would you take your own bowl to a cafe. That left 20 per cent saying they wouldn’t and 5.6 per cent unsure if they would.
A separate poll asked said 64.3 per cent of businesses would consider a policy of customers providing their own plates. With 28.6 per cent disagreeing and 7.1 per cent unsure.
Threlfall Packaging general manager Joe Raco said while the idea had merit in reducing wastage, a lot of local businesses are already environmentally savvy with food packaging.
“A lot of Bendigo businesses are taking big, active, positive steps in what they are using as packaging,” he said.
“The broader community needs to understand there are a lot of biodegradable and compostable options that businesses can (and do) use to reduce pressure on landfills.”
“But it is each business to their own. If there are ones that want to do it, it’s up to them.”