My response to the "Other Views" letter published in August 3rd Janesville Gazette by Julie Backenkeller

In my 7/18/10 article, I refer to a local BBQ restaurant that served food in styrofoam containers, and did not offer recycling options. The good news is that Pit Stop BBQ has gone green! The bad news is that I didn't check with them before submitting that article. I can't give any excuses about being understaffed, however, since this article is a "for-fun" project for me (meaning I don't get paid), I take full responsibility for the gaffe and offer my sincere apologies.

Earlier this week, the President & CEO of SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, wrote a letter to the editor in response to my 7/18/10 article concerning the use of styrofoam containers for food. SPI is the plastics industry trade association, and represents the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States. "SPI's member companies represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.1 million workers and provides nearly $379 billion in annual shipments." - Barry Eisenburg, Director of Communications & Marketing for SPI.

The letter from William Carteaux states that our society would be stricken with food-borne illnesses and disease, if people listened to the irresponsible opinions expressed by yours truly. Wow, I'm not sure that I'm ready to be responsible for the downfall of society, simply because I suggested choosing an environmentally friendly option to styrofoam. The intended message of my article, was that there are greener alternatives to polystyrene, specifically, a food storage product which is made from sugar cane, is compostable and will biodegrade in as little as 45 days. It seems silly for me to bring home some leftovers, that will be eaten within 24 hours, yet the container that SPI feels is the only safe option for my food, will be around for many centuries. Interestingly, the Environmental Protection Agency agrees with me - or more than likely, I agree with them; that those that provide single-use food containers should avoid quick-serve packaging made from non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastics. Alternatively, the EPA suggests using packaging made from a renewable resource. See the article "Greening your Purchase of Food Service-ware" at http://www.p2pays.org/ref/13/12198.pdf Carteaux also quotes EPA figures on landfill composition, claiming that because plastics make up only 1% of the trash in landfills and paper 31% means plastics are no cause for alarm. However, he doesn't elaborate on the fact that plastics pose more of a toxic risk to the environment (post-use) than paper does, so this percentage-based argument on volume is irrelevant.

I especially liked Carteaux's argument that "reusable plates and cups also have significant impacts on the environment, as they require water and energy to clean, time and time again." And that "plastic foodservice packaging conserves these resources" and allows us "to save water, energy detergents and labor that are required to sanitize reusables." Am I missing something here? Is he suggesting that we should scrap the dishes in our cupboards in favor of throw-aways? Are my kids paying off SPI so they never have to do the dishes again? Energy is slowly becoming a renewable resource, while plastics in landfills threaten our ability to reuse our water resources in any amount required. Without water, we don't survive. The toxicity of inorganic plastics to the water supply far outweigh any advantages that plastics have over other options. Again, what about the toxicity vs. volume post-use argument regarding plastics? Fodder for a later date.

Meanwhile, on July 1st, 2010 the City of Seattle banned single-use food packaging. Restaurants in the city are now required to use recyclable or compostable packaging, and provide bins for customers to dispose of the material. The City hopes to save 6,000 tons of food packaging waste from being deposited into a landfill, and produce compost that can be sold for gardens and landscaping. According to The Daily Green, "this new legislation highlights the growing impact that packaging, which represents about 65% of household garbage and 33% of the refuse in an average landfill - is having on the environment." Even further, they have published their "packaging hall of shame", and offer green options for each of 6 "least green" types of packaging. Topping the list? Polystyrene foam. "Also known as Styrofoam, polystyrene foam is the worst of the packaging offenders. It's made of non-renewable petroleum and once manufactured, it's not biodegradable. As soon as polystyrene is contaminated by food (like crumbs or grease from your french fries) it is no longer recyclable, and very few recycling facilities accept it even when it's clean."

They go on to state that "Polystyrene is also hazardous to human health. It contains the neurotoxins styrene and benzene, which are widely accepted to be carcinogens. These toxins can leach into food that's acidic, warm, alcoholic or oily and into the environment after exposure to rain and other weather. Many cities, like Portland, San Francisco and Freeport, Maine, have banned polystyrene both because of the threats it poses to human and environmental health and because it can choke wildlife when swallowed." The next three items on the list, in order, are plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic tableware. Check out a list of polystyrene bans here - http://riseaboveplastics.blogspot.com/2010/03/current-polystyrene-ban-list.html

The most interesting part of the letter is the statement that "when used properly", polystyrene containers are a safe and smart choice." I don't recall receiving instructions on proper use of my styro-container the last time a restaurant packed up my manicotti. For more information on proper use, see page 2. http://www.wq.uiuc.edu/Pubs/Styrofoam.pdf

As long as the SPI is representing those that make money from the sale of polystyrene containers and the chemicals that go into them, their opinion will never truly be without bias. This goes along the same lines as BP managing their own guidelines to deal with an oil spill, or data on a new medication provided by a company that will profit from the findings. Carteaux's job depends on defending the use of plastics. My job is to protect the environment for my kids.

Julie Backenkeller

Rock Environmental Network, Inc.