We would like Revolution Foods to stop using plastic trays for their meals. Revolution Foods is a company that serves school lunches and other meals across the US. They package their meals in CPET plastic, which is recyclable. However, these trays have an impact on the environment because recycling rates are low, so they aren’t getting recycled very much. Also, these plastics can possibly leach carcinogen into liquids when at a very high temperature, which could cause cancer. The plastic they use can only be used one time as it can have bacterial buildup when used multiple times. We are petitioning Revolution Foods to stop using these plastic trays. They could possibly use paper containers, like some restaurants are currently doing for takeout, or transport their food in larger containers and serve it on reusable dishware.  

Although they use #1 plastic which are 100% recyclable, the recycling rate of this type of plastic was 29.1% in 2018, and as of 2020, only 32% of the US recycles. These plastic trays aren’t getting recycled very much even though they are technically 100% recyclable.

While plastic containers are durable and convenient they can become hazardous when food is heated inside them. According to EPA.gov, when CPET plastic is heated up chemicals can leach out at high heat. These chemicals that leach from the plastic containers could possibly cause cancer. This company reheats their food in the oven and the microwave, but we do not know what temperature. Although most CPET does not contain BPA, it can still be a dangerous material to serve food in when warmed up at a high temperature.     

Revolution foods should stop using plastic containers because they aren’t getting recycled enough and can possibly lead to chemicals leaching into food at a high temperature, possibly causing certain illnesses. This company needs to switch to reusable or paper containers for the kids and the planet.

Sources:

https://lifewithoutplastic.com/store/.WMmDLxLytAY​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3327051/#:~:text=The%20manufacture%2C%20use%20and%20disposal,carcinogen%20vinyl%20chloride%20(VC).​

https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/plastics-material-specific-data#:~:text=While%20overall%20the%20amount%20of,plastic%20containers%20is%20more%20significant​

https://www.revolutionfoods.com/search/ ​

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/even-bpa-free-plastics-may-be-harmful-to-your-health ​

https://sportsclinictampico.com/interior/how-to-choose-safe-non-toxic-plastic-containers/