Substandard Food Containers not “BICO’s Vegware or EcoWare”

     Barbados, Tuesday, April9th, 2019 – All biodegradable food containers are not created equal, and something must be done to ensure that only approved quality environmental packaging is sold to the public.

Edwin Thirlwell, Executive Chairman of BICO Ltd, which introduced the Vegware brand to Barbados three years ago, said since the April 1st commencement of the ban on Styrofoam, the Company has been hearing reports about substandard quality biodegradable food containers being sold to consumers.

Thirlwell said as the local pioneer in the distribution of environmentally friendly food packaging materials, BICO stood by the quality of its products. He said both Vegware and the more recently introduced Ecoware, had been internationally tested and approved, and added that consumers who encountered poorly performing food containers should check the branding before assuming that they were BICO’s Vegware or Ecoware.

“Since 2016, BICO has distributed thousands upon thousands of Vegware containers and we have had no complaints or adverse reactions from our clients or their customers. Now since the floodgates seem to be open to opportunists jumping on the biodegradable bandwagon, we are hearing of complaints about food containers melting and falling apart. We stand by the quality of the products we distribute. Anyone who has any problems with our products can call to speak with our quality control manager,” Thirlwell said.

The Executive Chairman called on the Barbados Government, through the relevant Ministries working with the Barbados National Standards Institute, to move quickly to regulate the quality of biodegradable packaging being imported and offered for sale in the Country.

BICO Sales Director, Karen Williams-Thompson said the Vegware brand had an excellent track record in Barbados and was the industry standard in biodegradable food packaging. She said the BICO range of EcoPak products including both Vegware and Ecoware had both been tested internationally to exacting standards. Vegware being a premium product stands up to temperatures well in excess of 100 degrees C, while Ecoware was rated to remain viable up to 100 degrees C.

“In February this year, BICO hosted an “Eco-Pak Biodegradable Expo” at Cricket Legends, Fontabelle, where we showcased and tested a range of high-quality eco-ware to food industry representatives and the local Press, including the Government Information Service. We had an excellent response to this event, with some participants and members of the news media using our takeaway containers with a variety of foods, including gravy on starches and Bajan soup, and the feedback was excellent.”

Noting that BICO’s customers using Vegware had not reported any adverse impact to their service cost or quality, the Sales Director advised that customers should be sensitised on the correct use of compostable products and that placing containers of warm food into plastic bags would likely compromise the container. Further, Vegware holds the deepest set of compostable certification in the sector, and run trials at composting facilities.

Vegware is Certified Food Safe and holds certification from independent bodies including, OK Compost by Vincotte, and Compostable by The Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI). For many years Vegware has held ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 which demonstrates their commitment, and standards held, for environmental and quality management.

Williams-Thompson said having these ISO standards shows Vegware delivers quality-assured products to its clients through a strong, traceable supply chain.

Government’s ban on Styrofoam food containers which commenced on April 1st, was originally announced in January this year, by Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, at a press conference held jointly with the Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod. The ban affects single-use plastics and cutlery, including cups, knives, forks and spoons; stirrers; straws; plates; and egg trays (both plastic and Styrofoam); and particularly the once popular Styrofoam takeaway containers used by restaurants and food vendors.