The Afterlife of Disposable Take-Out Packaging: What Happens Next?

Take a closer look at the recycling, composting, and landfilling processes of different packaging materials after disposal.

Tossed & Turned

In a world where convenience reigns supreme, disposable food and beverage packaging is a staple in our daily lives. Whether you're sipping on an iced latte or grabbing a salad on the go, it's easy to overlook what happens to that packaging once you've finished. But the life cycle of these items is anything but simple, and understanding it is crucial to minimizing our environmental impact. Let’s take a deep dive into the interesting—and sometimes complex—journey of various types of commonly used disposable packaging after they’re tossed.

PET Clear Plastic Cups

Material Composition: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a widely used plastic, known for its durability and clarity, often used in cold beverage cups and soda bottles.

Collection and Sorting: When a PET cup is discarded, its journey typically begins at a recycling facility. The PET cups are cleaned and shredded into small flakes. These flakes are then washed to remove any remaining contaminants such as labels and adhesives. The clean PET flakes can then be melted down and reformed into new products, such as new bottles, and textiles, or even back into food-grade packaging. However, the recycling process is not infinite—PET can typically be recycled only a few times before it becomes too degraded for further recycling.

End of Life:The efficiency of recycling depends on local facilities and consumer behavior. PET that is not recycled often ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to break down. In a landfill, PET is not exposed to the elements that would facilitate degradation, so it essentially remains intact.

Paper Bowls with PLA Lining vs. Traditional Plastic Lining

Paper Bowls with PLA Lining

Material Composition: PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources like cornstarch. When a paper bowl with PLA lining is disposed of, it ideally should be sent to an industrial composting facility.

Composting Process:
At an industrial composting facility, the bowl is placed in a high-temperature composting system that provides the right conditions for the PLA lining to break down. PLA requires specific conditions, typically found only in industrial composting environments, where temperatures exceed 140°F. The PLA lining, along with the paper, decomposes over several weeks, eventually turning into compost that can be used to enrich soil. According to studies, compostable plastic packaging, including PLA-lined bowls, can break down between 67% and 80% under real-world conditions.

End of Life:If not composted and instead sent to a landfill, PLA can take years to break down due to the lack of appropriate composting conditions. PLA is also not recyclable with traditional plastics, so it often ends up as waste if not composted correctly.

Paper Bowls with Traditional Plastic Lining

Material Composition: These bowls are lined with polyethylene (PE), a type of conventional plastic. When discarded, these bowls are usually not recyclable because the paper and plastic are bonded together, making it difficult to separate them in most standard recycling facilities.

End of Life:
These bowls typically end up in landfills, where the paper may decompose over a few months, but the plastic lining can take decades or longer to break down. This type of bowl is less environmentally friendly compared to PLA-lined bowls, as it contributes to long-term plastic pollution.

Bagasse Bowls and Lids

Collection and Sorting:
Bagasse is a byproduct of sugarcane processing and is used to make compostable bowls and lids. After use, these items are often collected for composting.

Composting Process:
At an industrial composting facility, bagasse products break down relatively quickly due to their fibrous nature. In a well-maintained composting environment, bagasse bowls and lids can decompose fully within 30 to 90 days. The compost produced from these materials is nutrient-rich and can be used to enhance soil fertility.

End of Life:
If bagasse items end up in a landfill, they will still break down faster than conventional plastics but much slower than in a composting facility due to the lack of oxygen and lower temperatures. However, the process still results in lower environmental impact compared to non-compostable materials.

Wooden Cutlery

Collection and Sorting:
Wooden cutlery, made from natural materials like birch or bamboo, is another popular compostable option. After disposal, these items are best suited for composting.

Composting Process:
In an industrial composting facility, wooden cutlery breaks down similarly to other organic matter. The process involves microbial activity that decomposes the wood into compost over several weeks to a few months. The result is a nutrient-rich compost that can be used to improve soil health. While wooden cutlery composts well in an industrial facility, it also decomposes even when put in a home composting bin.

End of Life:
Even if wooden cutlery ends up in a landfill, it will eventually break down, albeit more slowly than in a composting facility. However, as with bagasse, the environmental impact is significantly lower compared to plastic alternatives.

you can make a difference

The life cycle of disposable food and beverage packaging varies greatly depending on the material used and the disposal method. As consumers, we have a responsibility to make informed choices about the products we use and how we dispose of them. By understanding the life cycles of these packaging materials and ensuring they’re disposed of correctly, we can help minimize their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. So next time you toss that cup, bowl, or fork, remember that where it ends up matters, and composting and recycling where possible can drastically reduce the negative effects of disposable packaging on our planet.

How to Dispose of Each Item Correctly

Understanding the life cycle of these packaging materials is just the beginning. Proper disposal is the key to ensuring they end up in the right place:

PET Clear Plastic Cups: Recycle these in your curbside recycling bin, making sure they’re clean and free of any food residue.

Paper Bowls with PLA Lining: Discard these in a compost bin, or compost these at an industrial composting facility. Check local guidelines, as not all composting programs accept PLA-lined products.

Paper Bowls with Traditional Plastic Lining: Recycle these in your curbside recycling bin, making sure they’re clean and free of any food residue.

Bagasse Bowls and Lids: Discard these in a compost bin, or compost these at an industrial facility. Some areas may accept them in curbside composting programs, so check your local guidelines.

Wooden Cutlery: Compost these in either an industrial facility or a backyard compost bin. If composting isn't an option, they can be thrown in the trash, where they'll still break down more quickly than plastic.