New prospects
Through its long experience acquired in the injection moulding sector, Piberplast S.p.a. of Voghera has created a full range of disposable crockery (round and square plates, shaped trays, cups, bowls and cutlery) in polypropylene, which combine high technical-functional performance with elegant, accurate design. This range of crockery - glossy-white finished with rounded edges - is virtually indestructible, highly rigid, and ergonomic, ensuring that users can eat their meals in a comfortable, practical way. Moreover, these articles are particularly suitable for eating hot foods (over 120°C), as they can also be used in water-based heating units, on heated trolleys with thermostat settings of 130°C, and in microwave ovens. Consequently, this product line makes it possible to combine the hygienic safety of a disposable meal set (just think of the risk of transmitting illnesses in the large canteens of hospitals, schools and factories), with a high quality profile of the materials offered to the user, all this with an eye on maximum flexibility and low costs.
Environmental impact
Although the success in the 80s and 90s of disposable crockery in plastic was mainly based on factors of hygiene and economic convenience (limited investment in equipment and space; less labour; no maintenance; maximum flexibility in providing a service under all conditions and the ability to meet peak demand), we should also analyse the ecological aspects that can influence - for better or worse - this type of service. This is in the light of the increased attention being devoted to environmental aspects, since translated into the relevant EU Directives. The first aspect concerns the availability and use of our planet's most precious resource: water.
Waste water, containing organic residues and detergents, is delivered into the sewage system, thus increasing the load on public purification plants (where available). The second regards the post-consumption destination of crockery. In the 90s, the matter was often handled with policy aims differing from the protection of the environment, on a local or regional level, and involved a plethora of laws, taxes, prohibitions that differed from Municipality to Municipality (in Italy) or from Land to Land (in Germany).
The management of packing (and of disposable crockery) was subsequently regulated on a European (and thus Italian) level, based on the principle of "he who pollutes shall pay" and the underlying concept aimed at preserving non-renewable resources, encouraging re-use and recycling of materials, and limiting the spread of traditional landfills. In practical terms, anyone offering a product or a service, must - either individually or collectively - provide suitable means for reducing the environmental impact of the duly set up activity. It was not until late '98 that CONAI (Consorzio Nazionale Imballaggi or National Packing Consortium) and COREPLA (Consorzio Recupero Plastica or Plastic Recovery Consortium) came into operation. They were organised by the world of production and trade, and were given the task of managing post-consumption waste produced by the use of packing and disposable crockery, with the aim of reaching the limits set by the EU. The plans of these Consortia focussed on strengthening differentiated waste collection of packing for liquids by placing large bell-shaped waste bins in towns and cities. It was not considered particularly useful to extend collection to other purposes, as the ratio of collection costs to quantities thus obtained was judged to be inadequate.
