Top 5 worst packaging offenders

As our lives have become more convenient, the amount of packaging we encounter on a daily basis has increased dramatically. Some are definitely more planet-friendly than others: recyclable versus destined-for-the-landfill and reusable plastics versus tree-rich cardboard. But each impacts the planet just as we all do with our daily lives. Have a look at our top 10 worst packaging offenders and inform yourself before your next takeout meal or trip to the store.

Plastic Takeout
I don’t know about you, but I always feel a little bit guilty each time I get takeout. It’s easy enough to choose a food and spend the cash, but convenient eating takes its toll on the environment. Several fast food outlets use plastic containers, at times separating each item to keep hot from cold. Unfortunately, these plastic containers cannot always be recycled due to the type of plastic used (#1 is the most commonly recycled). Also keep in mind that some plastics contain chemicals that can seep into your food. It’s a good idea to use your own reusable containers whenever possible.

Polystyrene Takeout
If you’re favourite takeout spots don’t use plastic, they likely use polystyrene foam (known to many as Styrofoam). While some cities across the country do recycle polystyrene foam, such as Toronto, many still do not, meaning that much of this will end up in landfills. Because of its chemical components (it starts with crude oil), the polystyrene will also not biodegrade making it particularly hazardous to the environment. It can also leech toxic chemicals into your food, such as benzene (a known human carcinogen) and styrene.

Microwave Popcorn
Trust me when I say that I enjoy a yummy bag of microwave popcorn as much as the next person, but it is sadly a huge packaging offender. Not only is there an outer cardboard box, but there’s also individually-wrapped bags, and then the paper used for the popcorn bags themselves. While the outer box can be easily recycled, the other components will likely end up in the trash. You should also be aware that some popcorn bags are reportedly coated with Teflon which can break down into a chemical that has been linked to cancer and birth defects in animals. Why not pop your own organic popcorn on the stove?

Pizza Boxes
Pizza is one of the most convenient and easy foods to eat – you just dial a pizza place, wait a short while and answer the door to accept your delicious pizza. However, there’s a much darker side to this tale: pizza boxes, if soiled, cannot be recycled. Although they are made from paper and many often include some post-consumer recycled fibres, the food residue from the pizza itself actually degrades the box and contaminates surrounding recycled materials. If your pizza box has a sheet of cardboard under the pizza that absorbs the grease, throw this into the organic food bin and recycle the intact cardboard of the box itself.

Pop Cases
Most of us probably don’t give a second thought to picking up a pack of pop at the grocery store but if you think about it in a bit more depth, pop cases are actually a huge waste of packaging. Sure, they’re easy to carry, but I can think of at least one other option that would be much greener. Why not sell canned pop in a reusable case complete with carry handle? I’ve seen these in use at the Beer Store here in Ontario and they work quite well. The strong cardboard structure doesn’t need to be ripped open as the cans simply slide into place and can be easily removed.