What appears to be evidence of significantly higher costs for biodegradable food containers is likely to impact on the widely popular take-away and street vending food culture with indications pointing to a likely knock-on rise in food prices.

While there is already a bewildering array of ‘biodegradables’ to choose from, Stabroek Business has already identified a particular type already in use at some eating houses and has been able to determine that prices, in some instances, are as much as 50 per cent higher for the biodegradable ones. Currently, three-compartment Styrofoam food boxes are available on the market at $3,500 per bale of 200 with the container being retailed at $17.50 each. The one-compartment Styrofoam container is being sold at $2,500 per bale of 200 and retailed at $12 each while the burger-size container is available at $2,400 per bale of 200 and $12 each. By comparison, the respective prices of the biodegradable containers currently in limited use are $8,000 and $40; $5,500 and $27.50 and $5,000.00 and $25. Price rise predictions for take-aways once the new receptacles kick-in range between $100 and $200.

Beyond that, evidence is emerging that the eventual transition from the much-maligned Styrofoam food and beverage containers to biodegradable replacements will probably not be as uneventful as the Government of Guyana might hope. While the authorities here are hoping to turn the lights out on the containers which, over the years, have been a boon for food vendors but one of the country’s worst environmental nightmares, challenges persist.

The present government, by announcing late last year that it was forbidding the use of styrofoam containers from January 1 this year, was hoping to outdo its predecessor which despite at least two promises to do so since 2012, departed office leaving the containers in service.