Title: [GreenYes] Re: Polystyrene Lunch Trays
Here's a study EPA's Wastewise sent me from the Itsaca Medical Center
in Grand Rapids, MN ( published in a document by the MN office of
Waste Mgmt.) was on changing from single use plates to reusable
plates. Here is what they found, on an annual basis using 72
reusable plates vs 64 cases of disposable plates.
cu yd = cubic yards
cu in = cubic inches
Single Use Plates Reusable Plates cost reduction
Waste Volume 2,252,800 cu in/yr 510 cu in/yr
2,252,290 cu in or 39.8 cu. yd
(99.9% reduction)
Waste weight 1280 lb/yr 8.4 lb/yr 1,272 lb/yr (99 % wgt
reduc)
Cost $2,304/yr $146 ( incl washing costs) $2,158 (94% cost
red)
Number used 32,000/yr 72 in 3 years 31,976/yr
Payback period - it was calculated that the payback period for buying
the reusable plates would be 39 days. After that time the Medical
Center will save $2,209 per year for the remainder of the life of the
reusables.
Also, Look on the JTRNet archives at
http://www.epa.gov/jtr/jtrnet/lnchtray.htm and
http://www.epa.gov/jtr/jtrnet/foodserv.htm
http://www.epa.gov/jtr/jtrnet/foodpoly.htm
On Nov 2, 8:38 pm, "Amy Hemmert" <a...@no.address> wrote:
> I just received the following inquiry from a teacher. Any ideas?
>
> "Do you have any information to help my students research the effects/waste
> of styrofoam lunch trays? Thanks!"
>
> Thanks!
>
> Amy Hemmert
>
> Obentec, Inc.
>
> www.wastefreelunches.org
>
> www.laptoplunches.com
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