Use of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Materials of Leading Fastfood Chains
Chapter I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The term fast food industry refers to companies operating as national or international chains with a number of identically operating outlets. The fast food industry is specialized in food products such as hamburgers, pizzas, chicken, or sandwiches. The growth of the fast food industry has reached a staggering number. If there are so many millions or even billions of hamburgers, or chicken nuggets, or French fries sold each year, then imagine all the packaging that is thrown to waste.
The fast food companies have been under pressure for some time to reduce the amount of packaging they use in their food, and many have tried to rise to the challenge.
For environmental reasons; both fast food chains and food industry, would like to use biodegradable materials but these have to fulfill the requirements and the costs has to be in a reasonable range. The materials have to work effective in existing production lines.
Will they make or lose money by implementing a recycling program in their restaurants? It would seem that many are not interested because they aren't being pressured to change. Not enough people show they care to make the policy work at least, not at the present time.
The best solutions from both an environmental and a business perspective were in reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.
There is a clamor especially among environmentalists that its high time establishments should go green or start using biodegradable materials in their business. More common to these are fast food chains that use plastics and styrofoam to the detriment of the environment. Oftentimes do we experience floods in the Philippines particularly in low-lying areas like Manila and its suburbs where the main cause are the plastics that clog esteros and sewerage. Given the present situation, this has remain or has become or will become a problem later if these businesses are not aware of the harmful effects it may bring to the
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The term fast food industry refers to companies operating as national or international chains with a number of identically operating outlets. The fast food industry is specialized in food products such as hamburgers, pizzas, chicken, or sandwiches. The growth of the fast food industry has reached a staggering number. If there are so many millions or even billions of hamburgers, or chicken nuggets, or French fries sold each year, then imagine all the packaging that is thrown to waste.
The fast food companies have been under pressure for some time to reduce the amount of packaging they use in their food, and many have tried to rise to the challenge.
For environmental reasons; both fast food chains and food industry, would like to use biodegradable materials but these have to fulfill the requirements and the costs has to be in a reasonable range. The materials have to work effective in existing production lines.
Will they make or lose money by implementing a recycling program in their restaurants? It would seem that many are not interested because they aren't being pressured to change. Not enough people show they care to make the policy work at least, not at the present time.
The best solutions from both an environmental and a business perspective were in reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.
There is a clamor especially among environmentalists that its high time establishments should go green or start using biodegradable materials in their business. More common to these are fast food chains that use plastics and styrofoam to the detriment of the environment. Oftentimes do we experience floods in the Philippines particularly in low-lying areas like Manila and its suburbs where the main cause are the plastics that clog esteros and sewerage. Given the present situation, this has remain or has become or will become a problem later if these businesses are not aware of the harmful effects it may bring to the