Communes ban plastic food trays

School canteens will switch to 'fully compostable' plant-fibre food trays

Published Modified

Plastic food trays in school canteens will soon be consigned to history in six communes in the Haut Médoc.

The communes of Blanquefort, Bruges, Pian-Médoc, Taillan-Médoc, Ludon-Médoc and Parempuyre have decided to replace food trays with 100% plant-fibre trays by June 2018.

The new trays are made at a paper factory in Saillat (Haute-Vienne), and are completely compostable. They will replace the current trays that some experts have argued can leach endochrine disruptors into pre-cooked food as it is being reheated.

Authorities in Bordeaux will watch the scheme with interest. Mayor Alain Juppé has already stated his intent to remove plastic dishes from school canteens.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France