There’s a global plastic crisis – it’s polluting oceans, overloading landfill, and it’s expected that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans, than fish.

It’s alarming and stressful.

And we’re terrible culprits in the UAE.

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We drink from water bottles, rarely recycle, order many takeaways, and aren’t the most responsible group when it comes to plastic consumption.

Thankfully, some are taking steps to cut back on plastic usage, and promote recycling.

Many outlets have outlawed plastic straws in their venues – either banishing them all together, or offering alternatives (like pasta straws at one outlet).

But some places still have a way to go

Like Pinkberry.

One hot afternoon this week, my colleague was ordering a fro-yo, and I decided to join in the fun and get a Pinkberry.

It was via the online ordering service, Talabat. I just wanted yoghurt with strawberries, but the ordering system wouldn’t proceed without adding a full allocated six toppings per serving.

So I thought, ah well, I’ll get blueberries and mangos and eat them off the top.

Six toppings later (just for me – another six for my colleague), we placed the order.

And 40-50 minutes later, this turns up

(This is one portion)

SEVEN containers for one yogurt – SEVEN

Each topping came in a separate container – a huge excess for one serving. Particularly as it’s in plastic.

It’s such a sickening excessive use of plastic, I was mortified.

I understand food regulations can dictate packaging sometimes

I also understand that I shouldn’t be ordering delivered froyo all the time (I’m not – this was the first time).

But I’m imploring Pinkberry, and fellow businesses: be better.

Whether delivery rules are that each topping needs to be packaged individually, then don’t use plastic – at least opt for wax-lined cardboard containers or some variety, and put all the toppings in one.

The business of not destroying the planet is one we all need to invest in, and for starters, I’m boycotting any business using excessive packaging.

Read: 23 Places To Recycle In Dubai That Every Resident Needs To Know About