London, a recent study by the Local Government Association found that up to 40 percent of the packaging in grocery stores is not easily recyclable, and that every ton of garbage that isn’t recycled costs £32 (about $46) in disposal costs for the council.
While no formal study on grocery packaging has been done in the U.S., the EPA says that packaging (mostly paper) makes up about 32 percent of household trash. This does not account for any paper that is being recycled or composted.
While cardboard is recyclable, think twice before trying to give greasy packaging a second life. Photo: Charnwood.gov.uk
The report raises several questions about the recyclability of products, including what packaging is not recyclable at all and what packaging is not “easily recyclable.” In the case of paper, while over 80 percent of American homes have access to curbside recycling that collects paper, that doesn’t mean all paper packaging will be accepted.
As far as what is “not recyclable” from your food packaging, here are a few examples:
- Individual candy wrappers or potato chip bags with a mylar lining
- Any plastic bags that used to package food
- Cardboard or paperboard with oil stains from food (e.g. pizza boxes)
One idea that has gained appeal in the U.S. is precycling, where a shopper thinks about the recyclability of packaging while at the store. You can use Earth911.com to find out if recycling options for specific packaging are available in your area.
[…] June 19, 2011 The home is an integral part of a sustainable lifestyle, but food is an important part too. Not only does it have lasting effects on our bodies, but it also has lasting effects on the environment. Ideally, our agriculture would work in tandem with mother nature. However, that’s difficult to achieve with mass production and transportation. The packaging and transportation of our foods contribute to our accumulating waste. A study has found that up to 40% of packaging in supermarkets is not easily recyclable and packaging contributes to about 32% of household trash. Foods don’t need packaging to be consumed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to eat it straight from its source? Farmer’s markets provide a great place to reconnect directly with the farmers and organic foods, and many farmers offer to drop off seasonal produce at your door for a monthly or yearly fee. But why stop there? Read part 2 to learn about how community gardens complement your sustainable home. statistics: http://www.greenecoservices.com/food-packaging-waste/ […]