Amid increasing awareness about the impact of single-use packaging on the environment, in the last couple of years, some restaurant chains in the US have adopted various sustainability measures to slash their footprint. One of the most noticeable initiatives — the introduction of compostable fiber bowls in fast-casual restaurants.
It was found, however, that these “eco-friendly” alternatives actually contain PFAS, a toxic class of chemicals that do not biodegrade naturally in the environment and have also been linked to a number of health problems.
In a bid to fix the problem, restaurant chain Sweetgreen partnered with Footprint—a company that aims to eliminate single-use plastic packaging—to launch the new bowls, which it plans to roll out at its stores across the country this year.
Footprint’s production techniques involve using a giant blender to blend up fibers, which are later shaped into the mold of the bowl, treated with heat, pressure, and coated with a bio-based coating. For the fiber, it currently uses bagasse, and agricultural waste product, but later this year it will begin using post-consumer recycled paper.
Footprint’s aim is to replace as much conventional packaging as possible, and the company is already working with other large food companies on packaged food containers for grocery stores.
