Q. How many types of plastic to make food containers?

A. Seven types of plastic are commonly used in our daily food contact products.

#1 – PET (or PETE) used for soda, water, and some beer and liquor bottles, boil-in-bags, containers for mouthwash, drugs, jelly, dressing oil, oven-safe food trays, and a variety of other one-time-use beverage containers.

#2 – HDPE (high-density polyethylene), is the opaque plastic used for milk jugs; juice bottles, bleach, detergent, household cleaner or shampoo bottles for trash and shopping bags, motor oil bottles, butter and yogurt tubs, and cereal box liners.

#3 – PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the least recyclable plastic, releasing dioxin in manufacture and as it ages. It is used in plumbing, shower curtains, wire jackets, siding, windows, dashboards, outdoor furniture, and jungle gyms. Discarded PVC waste contributes further pollution to the environment when it breaks down.

PVC contains BPA and phthalates, as well as DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate), which is linked to liver cancer. DEHA in cling wrap leaches into oily foods on contact.

#4 – LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is used for wrapping films, dry cleaning and bread bags, shopping bags and frozen food. Bags may be recycled into new bags or plastic lumber, but recycling uses more energy than producing virgin product.

#5 – PP (polypropylene) does not contain Bisphenol A, is used in majority food-contact containers, such as yogurt, bottle caps, drinking straws, medicine bottles, Tupperware, and new BPA-free baby bottles. PP can use with both cold and hot food. Microwave and repeat use safe. Many recycling centers accept #5 disposable food containers nowadays, such as Gimme 5 recycling program in chained supermarket.

Our Sterling King Deli line is made of polypropylene. Base and lid are recyclable.

#6 – PS (polystyrene/styrofoam) is made into compact disc jackets, eating utensils, take-out food containers, coffee cups, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, disposable plates, cups, meat trays, packing peanuts, and insulation. PS can only use with cold food. Heat increases leaching toxin into food. Consumers should refuse to use PS completely for take out containers.

#7 – Other. This category is the “catch-all” designation #7 (also for items having no number) and these are seldom collected. Recycling them is impossible and most contribute to landfills and become trash. These plastics should be avoided.

Q. Which plastic resin is food-grade?

A. Based on the standard of U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), plastics used in food packaging should have more purity than plastics used for non-food packaging. This is commonly called Food-Grade plastic. Some types of plastic packaging have even higher standards than food packaging, such as medicine or drug containers.

Food grade plastic can contain recycled plastic. FDA regulates recycled plastic in plastic food packaging. For more information and reference:

VISIT THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE

The plastic numbers mentioned above #1~7 represent seven categories of plastic used in nearly all plastic containers and product packaging worldwide.

Q. What is the common thickness of Aluminum foil sheets and pan and how do I use them?

A. Approximately 75% of aluminum foil is used for packaging of foods, cosmetics, and chemical products, and 25% used for industrial. For common household Aluminum foil sheets, the thickness ranges from 9 ~20 mic. Aluminum foil pie pan is about 12 ~25 mic.

Q. What is Bagasse?
A. Bagasse is the fiber residue after sugarcane stalks are extracted. It has been widely used in paper products and building materials. Due to its extra strength and compostable advantages, bagasse has been one of the most popular renewable materials to produce environment-friendly food containers.

When processed in a commercial composting facility, Bagasse biodegradable containers completely in approximately 30-90 days depending on the thickness of the product.

Bagasse biodegradable containers are microwavable, freezer-safe, and can hold temperature up to approximately 180 degrees Celsius.

Q. Where to buy Sterling King Products?

A. Please visit our exclusive reseller at www.FoodPackagingWarehouse.com. If you are interested in dealership or purchasing truckload products, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Or call us at toll free (888) 722-9976. We are here to serve you.

Q. Does reduce, reuse, and recycle matter?

A. Sustainability is a global issue. The more resources we consume, the less is left for future generations. All of our sustainable packaging is reusable and recyclable.

To help our clients to grow their business and to ease the burden of landfill, Sterling King Products focuses on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle actions. We commit to introduce responsible food packaging which can be either recycled or can be composted.

Q. Where recycled plastic ends up?

Accroding to EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), 2.1 million tons, or 6.8 percent of plastics generation in 2007 - recovery of some plastic containers has reached higher levels. PET soft drink bottles were recovered at a rate of 37 percent in 2007. Recovery of HDPE milk and water bottles was estimated at about 28 percent in 2007. These recycled plastic goes to:

57% fiber, 15% s Strapping, 16% Food/Beverage Containers, 5% None food containers, 3% Films, and 4% Ohers.

Every state regulates differently. It is every civillian's responsibility to see that your state not only stacks up, but surpasses other states in recycling trends. Start reuse and recycle, write to the legislation of your state, and buy products which can be recycled.