The issue following yesterday’s article – Top UK chefs call for ban on polystyrene packaging – where a group of influential chefs and food experts wrote to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, urging him to implement a London-wide ban on polystyrene packaging, citing environmental and health concerns, grows. Today we received a reply from Martin Kersh, Executive Director of The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) – FPA Rejects Calls for Ban on Polystyrene Packaging – and a pretty robust reply it is too. Today we have now received a second reply from Jon Proctor CEO of Green Tourism, it is published below as received.
“We wholeheartedly back the leading chefs in the UK and their efforts to remove polystyrene packaging from their supply chains,” said Jon Proctor CEO of Green Tourism.
“With genuine commitment, from both suppliers and chefs, it is possible for polystyrene packaging to be replaced with more sustainable options. As far back as the 1990s we were involved in trials in Shetland involving farmed salmon being delivered in returnable boxes with box washing equipment.
Jon continues, “We have been working with the QHotel’s Oxford Belfry, a Green Tourism GOLD award holder, and their efforts to recycle over 90% of their waste. One of the last areas has been polystyrene and they have worked with fish suppliers to deliver fish in returnable plastic and cardboard boxes that has been a great success.
“Fish suppliers can make a difference by switching from polystyrene to plastic and even waxed cardboard (with bubble wrap style linings) which can be returned and be used for at least 40 deliveries, in some cases suppliers can even use recycled plastic trays. As the Oxford Belfry have proved, it is eminently possible to switch from polystyrene and still keep the fish fresh.”
“It’s disappointing it’s taken so long to make this a reality but fantastic to see it now coming to the forefront with the much needed support from the top chefs in the country to demand this of their supply chain. We are also really pleased to see Green Tourism businesses leading the campaign.” Jon concludes.
The UK generates 2.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste per annum (source WRAP 2014) and a significant volume of this comes from polystyrene packaging. It can be recycled in some specialist facilities but its lightness and high volume to weight ratio makes this a real challenge.
If you would like to have your say in the debate please contact Denis Sheehan.
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