Fast Food, Faster Waste: The Delivery App Problem

Picture this: You’re hungry, it’s raining outside, and the thought of cooking sounds like torture. You open a food delivery app, tap a few buttons, and within 30 minutes, your meal arrives - steaming hot, neatly packed, and utterly drowning in layers of paper and plastic.

The rise of food delivery has changed how we eat. It’s fast, easy, and accessible aka CONVENIENT. But here’s the problem: it’s also an environmental disaster.

A Plastic Explosion

In Metro Manila alone, food delivery orders skyrocketed by over 150% during the pandemic, contributing to approximately ₱55 billion in revenue of the country. While businesses thrived and customers enjoyed instant meals, the unseen consequence was an explosion of single-use plastic waste. According to PARMS, the Philippines already generates 2.7 million tons of plastic waste per year (as of 2015), and a staggering 20% of that leaks into the ocean.

And guess what? Less than 10% of plastics in the country are ever recycled. The rest? They clog drainage systems, pollute rivers, and suffocate marine life. A 2021 audit revealed that plastic takeout containers are now one of the top five most commonly found plastic wastes on Philippine shorelines.

Convenience Over Sustainability?

The food delivery boom should have been an opportunity for businesses to innovate with sustainable packaging. Instead, most companies doubled down on cheap, disposable plastics to cut costs and maximize profits. Eco-friendly options exist—biodegradable containers, compostable cutlery, edible packaging—but they are rarely used because they’re “too expensive.”

Here’s the irony: Customers are often given an option to decline plastic utensils, but many restaurants still include them by default. In my case, I always request for no cutlery but more than 50% of the time, the restaurants still send them. Why? Because the industry runs on an outdated assumption that customers prefer convenience over sustainability.

Local Initiatives and Innovations of Plastic Use in the Philippines

Luckily, over the last few years, some Filipino entrepreneurs are addressing this issue head-on. Ako Packaging offers 100% compostable cassava bags that biodegrade in 105 days, providing an alternative to traditional plastic packaging. These cassava-based solutions are safe, eco-friendly, and dissolve in hot water, posing no harm to wildlife if ingested.

Community-driven efforts are also making an impact. Environmental advocate Zed Avecilla, serving as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Director of PARMS, has led initiatives like the beach cleanup at Baseco Beach, Subic Bay, and LPPCHEA, mobilizing students, private companies, and local communities to combat plastic pollution.

Policy and Government Actions and EPR

Local government units (LGUs) are implementing measures to reduce plastic waste. Marikina City, for instance, has been recognized for its effective solid waste management programs, serving as a model for other cities in Metro Manila. Marikina enforces strict waste segregation and has established MRFs in various barangays to handle recyclable materials, including plastic food containers. The city’s initiatives have led to cleaner waterways and reduced plastic pollution. 

Pasig City has implemented a "No Plastic Day" policy, banning the use of plastic bags and encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives. While primarily targeting plastic bags, this initiative has raised awareness about plastic usage, leading many establishments to adopt reusable or biodegradable containers.

Similarly, Parañaque City has organized livelihood programs for women, turning waste into valuable products like woven bags from discarded junk food wrappers, aluminum tabs, and water lilies. 

So, Who’s to Blame?

Is it the consumers? The restaurants? The apps? Everyone is complicit, but the system is broken. Food delivery platforms encourage massive plastic use yet rarely offer sustainable alternatives. And customers—well, we’ve gotten too comfortable with convenience.

What’s the Solution?

• Opt out of plastic cutlery (Especially if you are eating at home or in the office. )

• Support restaurants using eco-friendly packaging (Like Econest!)

• Push for regulations that hold businesses accountable for their plastic waste

• Use refillable food containers (Some cities are piloting reusable takeout programs!)

Convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of our planet. The next time you order in, ask yourself: Is this meal worth the waste?