Biodegradable Food Containers – DAIWA SHIRYO TRADING

Environmental-friendly or Go green has played an important role for livelihood, both advertising and the campaign that are promoted through the various media. So, there has been an awakening in terms of public awareness. As a result, many restaurants begin to use environmental-friendly food packaging or containers. It becomes easily degradable after use, or some types can be recycled. There are various examples which can be used instead of a foam box.

1. Bagasse

The origin of the bagasse containers was invented and actually used 7 years ago by the pilot countries such as UK, Australia, USA and Japan. Bagasse containers are also molded to be used in various types such as plates, bowls, disposable cups including the food trays used in the cafeteria as well.

Besides “Bagasse containers” is environmentally friendly. The manufacturing process of Bagasse containers is simple and easy and is a very good example of recycling because it uses of bagasse residue from the sugar production industry. No chlorine is used for bleaching, but it uses natural UV light instead. So, you can be sure for safety.

“Bagasse containers” is considered very environmental-friendly because it takes only 45 days to decompose.

It is found that “bagasse containers” are not very popular for the user due to the higher price than the foam box about two times. However, it can be believed that in the near future there will be broadened in the business sector for replacing the use of foam boxes.

2. Wood pulp or molded pulp

This type of containers is made from wood pulp or molded pulp, which is mostly white and brown because it does not have any additives. It can be used to contain the food and beverages such as instant food and can be used for microwaveable food that can be put into the microwave oven It is formed from the paper pulp to have the desired shape and is made from 2 types of materials: molded from virgin pulp and used waste paper.

3. Betel Palm

Betel Palm has a lightweight feature. It is not easily broken and damaged and also can be safely used to warm the food in a microwave oven. It can contain the liquids without leakage. It also can be degraded according to natural processes.

4. Banana leaf sheath

The banana leaf sheath, which is easy to be found in the tropical countries, is known as a waste material. It can be processed into various food container such as plates, bowls, and cups by being exposed to the sun. After that, it should be rolled to make it smoother before molding into food containers, not only conserving the environment, but also creating jobs for the community.

5. Plastic mix wheat straw

Container from plastic mixed with wheat straw was invented by Chinese researchers who want to find natural raw material in order to reduce the amount of plastic used in the production of various products. until it is found that wheat straw is the most suitable for use. The method is to use wheat straw to be pressed into pellets. Then mixed with only 5% plastic pellets, and then be molded. To make the cups from rice straw, they are strong and durable as other plastic cups. It takes only 3 years to decompose by landfill, which is faster than plastic (10 years approximately).

In Thailand, Food containers made from bagasse, wood pulp or mold pulp are widely for single-use in several years. On the other hand, Betel Palm and Banana leaf sheath are not popular in Thailand. Actually, it is likely to be widely used in Thailand from early 2020, but due to the COVID19 pandemic, this business has stalled. For the container from plastic mixed with wheat straw, it is attractive for reusable. Many public companies limited use it as a tool for CSR such as give the reusable food containers to their customers or distribute to the school in the rural areas. Moreover, these reusable food containers are for sale on the shelves in department stores, hypermarkets, and supermarkets as well.

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