One of the eco-friendly habits we promote at EcoAction Arlington is bringing your own reusable containers for take out and leftovers. What about ordering delivery – you can’t always control how your order is packaged and often it’s in single-use plastic or styrofoam. Kevin and Harrison Kay, co-founders of TO Go Green are taking action to mitigate this problem.
To Go Green, a DC-based startup on a mission to reduce single-use waste from takeout and delivery, has officially launched its reusable container service in Northern Virginia in partnership with CHĪKO, an award-winning Asian fusion restaurant. The service is now live at CHĪKO’s two Virginia locations in Shirlington (Arlington, VA) and Cascades (Sterling, VA).
Through this partnership, CHĪKO customers can receive their meals in reusable, returnable containers—at no extra cost. Here is how the service works:
- Visit To Go Green’s website, order pickup or delivery from CHĪKO, and receive your meal in reusable containers.
- Enjoy your meal, then return the containers within 3 weeks by dropping them off at any To Go Green restaurant partner or by requesting an at‐home pickup.
- Upon return, containers are professionally cleaned and reused for the next order, just like on-site
dishware.
“Our goal is to make takeout sleek and sustainable—both environmentally and economically,” said Kevin and Harrison Kay, “Through our partnership with CHĪKO, a pioneer in foodservice sustainability, we’re bringing an elevated experience to Northern Virginia—offering customers zero-waste takeout with the same convenience of disposable packaging.”
To Go Green’s system aims to reduce the nearly 1 trillion pieces of disposable foodware and packaging used by US foodservice businesses each year, which cost restaurants $24 billion annually and add $6 billion in waste management expenses for businesses, taxpayers, and local governments.
This launch is part of To Go Green’s broader effort to scale reusable takeout containers across the DMV region and beyond—helping reduce single-use waste, improve guest experiences, and lower costs for restaurants. More details on the environmental impact and benefits of the service can be found on To Go Green’s website, including estimated reductions in waste, energy, water, and emissions.
New customers of To Go Green can use code GOGREEN for 10% off their first delivery order. To learn more or place an order, visit www.togogreen.eco.
Joint Comments on Environmental Legislative Priorities