Those foam and plastic containers that have become synonymous with plate lunches and bentos over the past few decades may become a thing of the past on Oahu under a Honolulu City Council bill that would require food containers to be compostable.
Councilman Stanley Chang, Bill 40’s lead sponsor, says the measure aims to protect both the public and the environment.
Current law allows restaurants and other food vendors to use foam, or polystyrene, containers as long as they do not contain chlorofluorocarbons.
Those containers, however, still contain the carcinogen styrene, which does not break down completely and leaves foam bits that are a threat to endangered species that may try to consume them, Chang said.
The bill, introduced Wednesday, would require plates, cups, bowls, trays and containers — either hinged or lidded — to be compostable. "Compostable" is defined as a product that contains materials that "will break down into usable compost in a safe and timely manner without leaving any toxic residue." Paper products would be OK.
Food vendors gave mixed views.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue co-founder Eddie Flores Jr. views the proposal as an unnecessary intrusion that will create extra burdens on mom and pop eateries trying to squeeze out a living.
L&L has about 195 franchises globally, 40-45 of them on Oahu, Flores said. L&Ls in San Francisco and other municipalities already must abide by compostable-only container laws.
Flores said the compostable containers cost about 40 cents, versus 13 cents for a standard foam container.
"The biggest problem is when we put gravy, it goes right through" if left to sit for a while, Flores said of some of the containers.
But Ari Patz, regional manager for compostable products company World Centric, said he’s never had any complaints about leaks from retailers who purchase his product.
World Centric’s compostable containers cost 15-30 cents each, depending on size. Patz said that’s more than a foam product, but is a cost that is "negligible" when considering it adds approximately $25 annually to the yearly budget of the average consumer who spends about $609 each year on takeout food.
"What we have found is consumers are happy to pay for it," he said.
Noel Pietsch Shaw, the local franchisee of the Wahoo’s Fish Tacos chain, said she and her sister made the decision to use World Centric’s compostable food containers in 2008, about two years after they opened their Ward Avenue restaurant.
Since then, the restaurant has incorporated compostable utensils (also sold by World Centric) and biodegradable plastic bags, Shaw said.
The company charges 25 cents for orders requiring the items, but not on those needing only paper such as tacos, sandwiches and burritos, she said. The restaurant has received "a handful" of complaints in that time while most people have been receptive, she said.
Customers are told they have options, including dining at the restaurant or ordering items that don’t require the more expensive packaging, she said.
Paul Yokota, president of Zippy’s, said the casual dining and fast-food chain converted about 21⁄2 years ago from foam to "Type 5" plastic containers that are microwavable and recyclable. Those containers wouldn’t be allowed if the new bill becomes law, he said.
Compostable products are not resilient, particularly with heat and liquids, Yokota said.
The company recognizes, however, that the technology continues to change, and it won’t take a position on the bill until it can study it further, he said.
The Council is considering another bill that would include bags labeled "biodegradable" in a plastic bag ban scheduled to begin July 1, 2015. The measure was a response to environmental groups that say biodegradable plastics do not break down completely and continue to be a danger to sea animals.
Some business interests want compostable bags allowed. That bill has been deferred by Chang’s Public Works and Sustainability Committee.
