Guest Post by Kat Sarmiento for Global Warming is Real
We
can even see this in the food industry with regenerative agriculture, vertical
farming, and biogas. Many changes are being created in the ag industry because
the climate crisis directly impacts food production. In fact, one of its worst effects is on our
access to food. Higher temperatures mean crop failure, which, in due course,
disrupts supply chains the world over.
However,
it doesn’t end there. Food still needs to be packaged; unfortunately, many
businesses still use Styrofoam as their material of choice.
If
businesses want to promise sustainability to their customers and attain net-zero emissions, they have to start at what might initially seem insignificant.
Read on to learn more about the problem of using Styrofoam and the viable
alternatives businesses can use for food packaging.
The Problem with Styrofoam
Some
of the most popular types of plastic are polystyrene and Styrofoam. Given their
low cost, they have become the standard lightweight solution across several
industries. As a result, you’ll encounter it a lot in food packaging, as
padding for fragile deliveries or as basic insulation. It being so commonplace
in our world is exactly what’s wrong.
Styrofoam
might keep your food warm or cold for longer, but it’s not an eco-friendly or
sustainable solution. Although it may decompose at high temperatures, it still
pollutes our planet with excessive amounts of microplastics, harming both humans and animals.
Furthermore,
only some forms of Styrofoam can be recycled, and doing so is quite expensive.
Most local recycling facilities lack the necessary equipment. Additionally,
businesses cannot use recycled Styrofoam in the food service industry again.
This negates the entire point of recycling in the first place!
Lastly,
Styrofoam is produced using synthetic chemicals and nonrenewable fossil fuels.
Both increase pollution.
In
short, Styrofoam might be cheap and convenient, but its production and our
constant use of it will only hurt the planet and every living thing on it. So,
for catering services, cafeterias, restaurants, and other businesses that need
to package their food, they either go the Styrofoam route or look for more
sustainable options.
5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives
PLA-Lined Paper
If
you’re looking for the most environmentally friendly choice, it’s PLA
(polylactic acid)-lined paper. PLA is a plant-based resin typically made from
cassava, corn, and sugarcane sugars. PLA can be used to make clear, compostable
containers and as an impermeable liner in paper cups and containers to prevent
them from getting soggy.
So,
if you’re looking for a container for your hot and cold drinks or containers
for all kinds of food, try PLA-lined paper!
Advantages
·
Soak-through resistant
·
Can tolerate
temperatures between 32 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit before distorting
·
Compostable at the end
of its life
·
Microwave and oven
safe
Disadvantages
·
Poor heat transfer,
causing the container’s exterior to become hot to the touch
·
Expensive
Mineral-Filled Polypropylene Containers
Mineral-filled
polypropylene, or MFPP, contains up to 40% natural mineral content. This
effectively reduces the amount of plastic needed to make each cup or
container.
Advantages
·
Great for both hot and
cold foods, as well as saucy foods, because it’s non-absorbent and
leak-resistant
·
More durable than
other materials due to its cut-resistant construction
·
Microwaveable
·
Stackable
·
Recyclable
·
Provides an added
level of safety for end-users
·
Least expensive
Styrofoam alternative options
Disadvantages
·
Typically not accepted
at recycling centers, so they need to be incinerated or disposed of in a
landfill
Reusable Polypropylene Containers
Reusable
polypropylene take-out containers are an excellent solution for universities,
cafeterias, retirement communities, and other organizations to cut back on
disposable expenditures and waste generation.
Advantages
·
Completely BPA-free
·
Microwave and
dishwasher-safe
·
Leak-proof,
break-resistant, and durable
·
Each can be used up to
1,000 times
·
Recyclable
Disadvantages
·
An investment, as its
initial cost is more costly than other eco-friendly options
Bagasse or Sugarcane Containers
Bagasse,
often known as sugarcane, is a renewable resource that is derived from
sugarcane plants that are left over after the sugar has been harvested. This
fibrous, pulpy material is used to make durable containers and requires much
less energy than plastic products.
Advantages
·
Grease and cut
resistant
·
Can withstand
temperatures between 0 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit before distortion
·
100% biodegradable
·
Refrigerator and
microwave safe
Disadvantages
·
Poor steam control,
which may result in soggy foods
·
More expensive than
alternate Styrofoam alternatives
PET Plastic Containers
PET
(polyethylene terephthalate) plastic is a popular and economical choice for
packaging foods and beverages since it is a robust, lightweight, clear plastic
that doesn’t react with food products and drinks.
Advantages
·
Freezer-safe, making
them an excellent option for transporting cold foods
·
Shatterproof and
highly transparent
·
Recyclable
·
BPA-free
·
Inexpensive
Disadvantages
·
Often extracted from
recycled petroleum-based plastics
·
Lower heat
resistance
·
Not
biodegradable
Switch To Eco, Skip the Styro!
Nobody
can deny how cheap Styrofoam is, especially for businesses that rely on food
packaging to transport their products to their customers. However, the fact
remains: Styrofoam is detrimental to the environment. When considering the
environmental impact, Styrofoam isn’t as cheap as it first appears
It
is better to reduce your dependence on these products today as more and more
consumers demand businesses to take action. Fortunately, there are now many
green and sustainable options available at different price ranges that can help
reduce your business’s carbon footprint and appeal to a more extensive customer
base