Ontario based company P & C Compostech is determined to end the use of styrofoam containers and replace them with an eco-friendly material.
Only one plant in Canada had the ability to recycle styrofoam, or polystyrene (its technical name) and it closed in December because the cost to keep it open was too high and the facility was losing money. Styrofoam is made from a toxic, non-renewable, non-biodegradable material. The new material proposed is produced in China and is everything that styrofoam isn't (in a good way!). Made from bamboo and sugar cane, the material is biodegradable, waterproof, non-toxic and safe for the environment. Even better, you can compost it in your backyard in about a month and if it makes its way into the garbage, it will biodegrade within three months.
Clarke Bitter, president of P & C Compostech, is hoping to open a manufacturing plant in Canada, as the material is currently only produced in China and expensive (and bad for the earth!) to transport to Canada. Currently the Compostech containers are not accepted by blue box recycling programs in Canada, however Ontario officials are studying the alternative material.
Keep your fingers crossed that more such alternatives are on the way. I'm constantly suprised when eating out and taking hom leftovers, at the number of restaurants that still use styrofoam containers, but what other alternatives are there? Some places try boxes, but nothing is worse than arriving home and discovering your food saturated you doggie bag (box?) and leaked all over your good jeans. I admit I'm guilty of occasionally using styrofoam containers, occasionally even heating food in them (I'm hanging my head in shame as I write). An earth-friendly alternative that also isn't detrimental to my health would be a welcome - and long overdue - change.
