Why do we need alternative food packaging? 

 

Much of our takeaway food and drink packaging is made using expanded polystyrene (EPS), which we more commonly refer to as polystyrene, or the trademark Styrofoam, as it is a strong and versatile material with particularly effective thermal properties to help keep our food and drink warmer for longer. Alternative, non-EPS based food or drink packaging, such as takeaway coffee cups, are often made from a mix of paper and plastic which is either impossible, or really hard, to recycle.

Whilst the above mentioned packaging options are useful for our takeaway needs, they have devastating implications on our natural environments. This is because they are difficult to recycle due to their mix of materials or contamination from food and drink, and do not naturally breakdown so will remain in our landfills and natural environment for over 500 year, and maybe forever.

At Fidra we are looking into alternative options to the current materials being used in takeaway food and drinks receptacles, focusing specifically on the town of North Berwick where we are based.  Read our blog to find out more. 

Working as a catalyst with local businesses, councils and associations, we hope to implement a suitable scheme that reduces, and indeed eradicates, these unsustainable materials being used in the town for take away items.
One option is to look at North Berwick becoming an exemplar in using compostable food packing. Compostable products are made from a wide variety of raw materials, such as corn-starch, which are often waste products themselves. If disposed of correctly – in a food waste stream or through industrial composting – these items will biodegrade and will not be contaminated by leftover food.  

Although there are significant logistical challenges to this option, if set up well and with commitment from local businesses, communities and tourists alike, we feel that this would be a suitable and viable option for North Berwick.  

The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require that from the end of 2016 all business and organisations that produce over 5kg of food waste a week in urban locations, must segregate this as a separate waste stream. In time, this will include any biodegradable waste being sent to landfill from 2020. Therefore, establishing an effective system in North Berwick as soon as possible is something we are excited to be a part of.

The Problems

The issues with expanded polystyrene (EPS) are evident throughout the life-cycle of the material.  EPS is made from petrochemicals, or fossil fuels, and styrene, a potential carcinogen [1], which can be released into the atmosphere and natural environment during the life of the product, resulting in environmental pollution and occupational health exposures. EPS is also a hazard if not stored properly due to its highly flammable nature.  

Once EPS is made into an item such as packaging or take-away cups and boxes, the styrene can leach out [2] and be ingested by the consumer and animals in the environment. Additionally, as polystyrene breaks into small pieces and can be easily distributed throughout the environment, it can be confused for food and eaten by wildlife.  

Unfortunately, due to the characteristics of EPS products, it is not easy to safely or responsibly dispose of. For example, the low weight of EPS makes it uneconomical to store and transport for recycling. Where recycling facilities are available, much of the material has been contaminated by food or drink waste making it unsuitable for recycling as EPS needs to be clean and grease-free. As a result, EPS ends up in landfill or incinerated. 

If lost from a waste stream, EPS will have an environmental impact as a component of terrestrial and marine litter.  Surveys by the UK Marine Conservation Society (MCSUK) have shown it to be a consistent component of coastal litter over the last decade [3].   Additional compounds added during production, as well as styrene, have the potential to enter the environment either by leaching from landfill or through degradation on land, in waterways and in the sea [4].  EPS and other plastics in the marine environment also absorb pollutants from seawater, which creates an additional hazard to the additives already present and their degraded products [5]. 

So what next?

To help North Berwick move forward and be able to embrace these changes, Fidra is looking to work with local businesses, associations and councils to consider how they could transition away from the use of non-recyclable or compostable materials in take away food packaging, and encourage the exploration of alternative options.

We plan to hold an event in early 2019 to present information on potential solutions, as well as details about the financial and logistic support that could be available. If you would like to be kept up to date with details of this event, please contact info@fidra.org.uk for more information.  

Case Studies

From New York to North Berwick [6] 

New York has become the next city to announce a ban on the use of single use EPS items. From January 2019, a law preventing the use of polystyrene products will come into effect, banning food service establishments, shops and manufacturers to possess, sell or use EPS products, such as food and product packaging.  

The Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Mark Chambers explained “This is a pivotal and long-overdue step to protect New York City from the unnecessary damage Styrofoam does to our streets, water, and people.”  

 

Seattle setting a trend [7] 

Since 2009, when Seattle’s ban on the use of EPS was introduced, the city has continued to lead by example on the battle against single use food packaging and items. A further ban on non-recyclable and non-compostable food packaging was brought into effect in 2010, and the recent introduction of a ban on all plastic straws and cutlery in July this year has demonstrated their continued commitment.   

The City of Seattle request that all food service businesses use either compostable or recyclable alternatives, provide suitable bins for staff and customers to dispose of these products in, and are signed up for their waste to be collected by a collection service provider.   

We have written a Discussion Paper on compostable alternatives to polystyrene food packaging.

Download our Discussion Paper

Want to get involved?

We are looking to work with local businesses, organisations and volunteers that want to see a change in North Berwick through transitioning to using an alternative to the polystyrene food and drink containers that are on offer from certain retailers.

Sign up below if you want to join us, or think that you might be doing something we’d like to hear more about:

Or email info@fidra.org.uk for more information.

[1] National Toxicology Program, Department of Health and Human Services: Report on Carcinogens, Fourteenth Edition. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/styrene.pdf

[2] Manalac et al(2010) Leaching behaviour of sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) from recycled Styrofoam. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 1(4), 368-370.

[3] Marine Conservation Society UK: http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/gbbc/2016/GBBC_2016_Report.pdf

[4] Rani et al (2014) Hexabromocyclododecane in polystyrene based consumer products: An evidence of unregulated use. Chemosphere, 110.

[5] Takada H, Mato Y, Endo S, Yamashita R, Zakaria M (2006). Pellet Watch: Global monitoring of persistentorganic pollutants using beached plastic resin pellets. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 52 (12), 1547-8.

[6] nyc.gov: https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/295-18/mayor-de-blasio-ban-single-use-styrofoam-products-new-york-city-will-be-effect

[7] Seattle.gov: http://www.seattle.gov/util/forbusinesses/solidwaste/foodyardbusinesses/commercial/foodpackagingrequirements/