A Forfar chip shop’s approach to using sustainable packaging has been hailed by a local councillor as part of a drive to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly products.
The natural history series the Blue Planet presented by Sir David Attenborugh recently threw the issue of plastic pollution into sharp focus, and has prompted campaigns to end the use of straws, drink stirrers and other single use plastics.
Friends of the Earth Scotland has also highlighted the findings by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation that there will be more plastics than fish in the sea by 2050 at the current rate of disposal, with associated concerns that the long-term impacts of pollution on habitats, harm to birds and other wildlife, and the food chain, are not yet fully understood.
Stewart Atkinson, the proprietor of the town’s North Street Chippie, and two other chip shops in Angus has always used cardboard boxes when serving food, and moved away from using polystyrene tubs for sauces some time ago.
Mr Atkinson said: “We have never used polystyrene or plastic for fish suppers, as I think cardboard is by far the better option.
“The thing with polystyrene is it never goes away and when you see it stacked up in a shop, it really brings it home just how much of it is used.
“Using environmentally friendly packaging is not as expensive as people think, and I would encourage other operators to make the switch.”
Forfar and District SNP Councillor Lynne Devine said: “It’s great that we have such a good example for other takeaways in the county.
“It is a hugely successful business and shows that you can be environmentally aware and successful at the same time.
“I would urge other businesses to look at using alternative packaging for their products, and also to consider giving wooden forks with takeaway meals instead of plastic ones.
“I also hope that the growing use of environmentally friendly packaging will make customers more aware of the need to dispose of wrapping materials appropriately.
“Too often, food containers and wrappers end up thrown out of car windows, and end up becoming a threat to wildlife and a blight on neighbourhoods – ideally, we’ll see less plastic and less litter”
Ms Devine also revealed that over the next few weeks, she and her SNP council colleagues will be speaking with takeaway owners across Angus, and handing in a letter encouraging them to use up their existing stocks of polystyrene containers, and to order more sustainable packaging in the future.
