The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – conducted by Ramboll, the independent Danish consultants to the European Commission, and certified by TUV – used current primary data from the packaging and food-service industries to compare the environmental performance over a year of typical disposable and reusable food and drink containers used in a quick-service restaurant for in-store consumption.
The findings highlight that the main issue with reusables is the energy and water they consume during washing and drying to ensure they are hygienic and safe for reuse by customers. As a matter of fact, the report reveals that reusable tableware generated 177% more CO2-e emissions than the paper-based single-use system, consumed 267% more freshwater and produced 132% more fine particles matter.
“This means that single-use is better for the climate and does not aggravate the problems of water stress, now a growing issue in many European countries” affirmed Mr. Antonio D’Amato, President of EPPA.
For more information, read the full press release by EPPA.