Cups, containers, boxes and paper bags from foodservice outlets are a source of valuable materials.
Communities have a variety of opportunities to recycle and compost this packaging. Many MRFs and communities are successfully recovering some or all of these materials today, yet they are often perceived as a difficult to recover. Extensive research has been conducted over the past six years to identify opportunities, and this toolkit of resources has been compiled to help. Find out how your residents can help California reach its 75% recycling goal.
RESOURCES
Case Studies
Palo Alto • Torrance • Redding
California Recycling Outreach Webinar
Takeout paper and plastic cups, containers, boxes and paper bags can be recovered in California, if recyclers, composters and end markets are all on board and with dynamic resident outreach to ensure quality materials. Watch the webinar to learn more.
Current Acceptance of Foodservice Packaging for Recycling in California
To understand the extent of acceptance and recycling of foodservice packaging in California, FPI commissioned two studies. Taken together, they highlight an opportunity to increase recovery by aligning residential program guidance with MRF acceptance. Click here to learn more.
Foodservice Packaging Composting in California
To better understand the current role of compostable foodservice packaging in food waste diversion in California, the Foodservice Packaging Institute funded two studies in 2017 with a focus on residential collection and processing of these materials. Read more here.
Community Partner Program
The goal of FPI’s Community Partnership program is to add a suite of foodservice packaging to curbside recycling and/or composting programs in vetted communities. Success in partner communities can provide model programs and lay the foundation for greater acceptance in curbside programs nationwide. Click here to learn more.
Resident Messaging Survey
A residential messaging survey was conducted to gauge the effect of images, language and special instructions in communicating with the greatest clarity about recycling foodservice packaging. View the survey results here.
Resident Education Kit
Click here to access our Resident Education Kit, which features a customizable flyer, an image gallery of clean and empty foodservice packaging items, and best practices for referring to recyclables.
Recycling Education Webinar
Find out best practices for your recycling outreach materials from representatives of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, The Recycling Partnership, and Keep America Beautiful in this webinar.
Food Residue
Two recent studies have shown that foodservice packaging is no more contaminated with food than other commonly recycled food-contact items like bottles, jars or cans. Read more about the studies, or watch the webinar on this topic.