Much of the food packaging used today is comprised of unrecyclable plastics such as foamed polystyrene. These types of plastic make up a disproportionately large component of marine debris. Indeed, numerous studies have found that plastics from urban runoff make up the majority of marine debris and that foamed polystyrene is the second-most common type of debris deposited on California beaches. Economical alternatives to these problem materials exist that can be recycled and/or composted. In addition to paperboard—which biodegrades and is made from a renewable resource—several large companies have invested heavily in bioplastics such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) which is derived from the starch in corn and is biodegradable. Another large component of environmentally-friendly food packaging is Bagasse, a fiber product produced from sugarcane waste. In order any of these alternative products to legally considered compostable they must meet ASTM6400 standards and/or have BPI certification.

The following sites offer non-petroleum plastic food service products:

• Biodegradablestore.com
• Biodegradable Food Services
• Biosphere Industries
• Fabri-Kal
• Brenmar
• California Recycles Store
• EarthShell
• Eco Cup
• Greenhome.com
• Huhtamaki
• Nature Works
• WorldCentric.org

Additional Resources:

• California Integrated Waste Management Board Report on Bioplastics
• "Bioplastics in Food Packaging"—Report by San Jose State University
• City of Oakland Distributors List of Green Food Packaging
• CIWMB site on packaging alternatives