Styrofoam Take Out Containers May Soon be Replaced by Biodegradable Ones.

When going green, every little step is worth a lot, as Costa Rica knows. In the country’s latest effort, new biodegradable containers, made from African palm, will Travel to Costa Rica from the Asian country of Malaysia, and will hopefully replace many of their harmful styrofoam and plastic counterparts. In a country of 3-part casados and plentiful take out, this could have a long lasting impact on the ever-growing landfills.

The new products, which are produced by Ecological Packaging in Malaysia, are completely biodegradable, disappearing naturally after only 90 days. Even better, as they decompose, the containers break down into their base elements, producing water, carbon and humus, or the top layer of the Earth’s soil. The earth-friendly product will be distributed throughout Costa Rica by Musa Green, beginning next month, August 2008.

The packaging is not only biodegradable, but non-toxic, meaning that it can be used to wrap fruits, vegetables, and other edible consumables. In addition, all containers have the FDA’s (USA Food and Drug Administration) seal of approval, and may be used to freeze or heat up food (microwaves included), unlike certain plastic products. They are also durable, lasting months in your home, since they only begin the 90-day decomposition process when they come in contact with water and light.

The process for producing these new containers and packaging is a trade secret, but essentially, the fiber is extracted from the African palm and its fruits. Next, the fiber is treated and converted into a pulp, which is then molded and subjected to high temperatures which “bake” it, solidifying its shape. “The material has no special additives or artificial colors: it’s 100% natural,” Mario Wong Pastor, spokesman for Musa Green, said.

The new products are approximately 20 percent more expensive than a regular plastic or styrofoam container. “We don’t look at it as making the products more expensive, but rather as an environmental service that will help keep landfills and the ocean clear of these materials,” Musa Green spokesman, Andrés Saborío, said.

Small changes, like importing biodegradable containers, providing biodegradable bags at grocery stores, and creating energy from wind, sun, and marine algae have garnered Costa Rica the title of fifth greenest country in the world. According to a recent Newsweek study, the small Central American nation is quick on the heels of just four wealthy European nations: Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Finland, in ranking order. Only one other Latin American country, Colombia, rounds out the Top 10, with the region’s third-place Ecuador making the top 25. The United States places 39.

Countries were ranked by the Environmental Performance Index, or EPI. The index takes into account data from 25 different categories, such as carbon emissions, water quality, and a nation’s hospitability to humans, plants, and animals. “This eco-tourism hot spot has made protecting biodiversity ad wildlife habitat a top priority,” lauded Newsweek.

Costa Rica is far from environmentally perfect, but its efforts are clearly reflected in national attitudes, politics, and consumer products. The latest import by Musa Green is an important one, and will help the country to maintain its eco-friendly reputation and help reduce national waste, all in one fell swoop.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on July 11th, 2008