A racing event was turned into an environmental protection showcase. During the ADAC Masters Weekend held from August 24-26 at Lausitzring race track, Polster Catering from Germany used only cardboard trays and paper plates that are compostable. They are coated with BASF’s biodegradable plastic ecovio FS Paper.
The disposable tableware was manufactured by another Germany-baesd Hosti company. They do not soak through because of the thin plastic layer and can be processed along with organic waste, according to BASF. The soil yielded is subsequently used again at the Lausitzring motorsports event in order to upgrade the soil that has been stressed by the open-cast mining in the past.
BASF says this closed loop system is unique in Europe and Lausitzring is the first large-scale event to introduce such a system. This project is part of the “Green Lausitzring”, within the scope of which the management company EuroSpeedway Verwaltungs GmbH, in its capacity as the operator of the Lausitz race track, is supporting and testing environmentally friendly technologies.
To ensure visitors returning the used compostable tableware, the organizers charged one euro deposit per item. Used tableware was then collected together with food residues and transported o Hörlitz composting plant. There was a special area reserved for this composting waste so the degradation behavior can be monitored and controlled.
The Department of Waste Management and Material Flow of the University of Rostock in Germany is also conducting study there on the degradation behavior of large quantities of trays and plates that have been coated with ecovio FS Paper. ecovio FS Paper is a material is made of the now partially bio-based ecoflex FS and polylactic acid (PLA), which is obtained from corn starch, notes BASF.
The thin plastic layer on the disposable tableware consists of more than 50% renewable raw materials, and the finished article consists of more than 90% organic raw materials. It meets the statutory stipulations of European standard EN 13432 for the biodegradability and compostability of packaging.
BASF adds that it is hoping to promote this closed loop system to other large-scale events in stadiums, trade fairs, hospitals, leisure & sports centers, etc.
SOURCE : http://www.adsalecprj.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-126476/Article.aspx
