Customers urged to take own containers to takeaways in new campaign

A Blackburn teenager is leading a campaign to reduce the use of single use plastics by asking people to take their own containers to takeaways.

Aliyah Bangi, 17, is urging young people to take in reusable food containers to  takeaways rather than accept their food in single use plastic polystyrene containers provided by some food outlets.

St. Wilfrid’s student Aliyah said: “Worldwide, 73 percent of beach litter is plastic bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers and polystyrene containers.

"It’s common for takeaways and small businesses to package their food in these cheap and efficient containers.

“Blackburn is bustling with small family favourite takeaways, that offer good and affordable food. This is what makes them so loved. But their polystyrene containers end up polluting beaches and landfills.

"They also make their way to our vast oceans which is particularly harmful to marine organisms. It’s estimated that plastic lasts from around 450 years to forever and are single use to their inability to be recycled.”

She took a trip to a popular takeaway across the street from her Sixth Form School, Freddy’s on Whalley Banks.

(Image: Nq/LT) Freddy's on Whalley Banks have been keen to help

Aliyah said: “At first the idea didn’t seem too nerve wracking but as I got to the until I became more nervous. I questioned how I would present my campaign to the manager and if he would just laugh at me.

“With my container in hand, I gave him my regular order and explained to him why I brought in my own tub. I asked if I could have some money off to which he gave me 50p off the food order.

"Though at first, I was nervous to present my campaign to him the result of walking back with my container of discounted food had me feeling empowered.

"When I got back to Sixth Form, I noticed my peers looking at my packed food, questioning why it was in a reusable container to whom I explained my campaign to. They were surprised and wanted to go to the same takeaway with their own reusable containers.

“The most rewarding part was that there was no cost or inconvenience to bringing my own container, yet it prevented one less piece of single use plastic of ending up in the landfill.”

(Image: Nq/One Voice) Aliyah at the Sultan Shawarma on King Street

Aliyah is now working as a lead with the West End Girls (WEGs) group at One Voice, to encourage them to take part in her campaign.

She added: “Climate change is a real issue, and it is our moral duty to look after the earth.

"Though the campaign involves the entice of discounted food, I realised how easy it is for me to do my own part in tackling the issue of plastic pollution as it took nothing of me to bring my own container. It’s the small impactful changes which make a great difference.”

She is hoping other takeaways will come on board. Sultan Shawarma on King Street have also agreed to reduce the bill by at least 50p if the customer brought in their own containers.

Aliya said: “I would urge all takeaways and other fast-food outlets to offer a reduction on their meals if customers bring in their own containers. Do your bit to reverse climate change."