A current survey seems to search out that almost all (80%) of shoppers aren’t aware of ‘perpetually chemical substances’ and the time period PFAS.
The survey was carried out by Sapio Analysis, on behalf of Celebration Packaging.
The ‘perpetually chemical substances’ known as PFAS (per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a bunch of artificial chemical substances utilized in all kinds of frequent functions, from quick meals packaging and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and stain repellant chemical substances for clothes and carpets.
PFAS don’t exist in nature and don’t naturally degrade, which suggests they will find yourself contaminating groundwater for a really very long time after their launch into the setting.
Analysis is ongoing to evaluate the danger to people from a build-up of PFAS within the human physique. There are issues that in very badly polluted areas a considerable amount of PFAS might accumulate within the blood and trigger cancers and infertility*.
Issues round PFAS have been within the public area for fairly a while. Denmark banned PFAS almost two years in the past and in america, 12 states have additionally introduced bans. As well as, and following a six-month session interval, the European Chemical compounds Company (ECHA) is growing a plan to scale back PFAS emissions into the setting and make merchandise and processes safer for folks.
“Our survey has discovered that the overwhelming majority of shoppers (80%) aren’t aware of perpetually chemical substances and the time period PFAS,” says Celebration Packaging Managing Director Nick Burton. “Nevertheless, when knowledgeable about PFAS, some 96% of respondents said that they had been involved concerning the potential risks perpetually chemical substances pose.
The significance of certifications
He mentioned his personal agency “has all the time invested in accreditations and certifications which we take very significantly”.
“We grew to become conscious of the PFAS challenge a while in the past and started to search for viable non-PFAS packaging in early 2022. Since then, we’ve been working exhausting to make sure that we are able to ship PFA-free packaging options for the takeaway, supply and QSR sectors – and we’re delighted to verify that each one our white bagasse clamshells, dinnerware and chip trays are actually TÜV residence compostable and that they’re licensed PFAS-free.
“To make sure that the bagasse fibre clamshells, chip trays and dinnerware are free from these perpetually chemical substances, we organized for SGS, an internationally famend testing, inspection and certification firm, to check them. The SGS take a look at report exhibits that no PFAS and related chemical substances equivalent to PFCA’s / PFOS’s / PFOA’s / PFHxS’s had been detected.
“Moreover, the survey additionally discovered that 96% of shoppers indicated that it was vital that their packaging was licensed PFA-free. As solely 31% weren’t ready to pay additional for such packaging, there may be each motive for meals service retailers to make use of licensed packaging from respected suppliers.”
“We imagine these PFAS-free white bagasse merchandise to be the perfect different to foodservice packaging constructed from expanded polystyrene,” mentioned Burton. “They’re the proper substitute for expanded polystyrene plates, trays and clamshells now that the SUP (single-use plastic) laws has come into impact.
“Bagasse is a superb materials as a result of it’s pure and renewable, utilizing waste fibres from agriculture that might in any other case be discarded. The manufacture of bagasse fibre packaging additionally has a decrease carbon footprint than its oil-based comparable merchandise**, however to make bagasse water and grease resistant, PFAS had been historically added. Our intensive 12 month in-market trials present that that is not mandatory.”
“This new PFAS-free white bagasse fibre packaging appears to be like precisely the identical because the outdated vary and can be utilized in a microwave to reheat meals and we’re positive that operators and shoppers will now be delighted to know that it’s PFAS-free.
“As publicity across the PFAS challenge builds, so will issues from shoppers, so foodservice operators ought to examine if the packaging they’re utilizing is PFAS-free.
“As a consultative enterprise, we suggest that they speak to us if they’ve any issues concerning the environmental influence of the packaging they use. We’ve been offering sustainable packaging options for a few years and within the face of bans and taxes, we may help clients transfer away from single-use plastics and cut back their carbon footprint.”
*www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html
** Journal of Sustainable Power & Setting 11 (2020) 61-69
