Food Services
Environmental Attributes to Look For
- Biodegradable
- Energy efficient
- Recyclable
- Recycled-content
- Reusable
- Water efficient
Procurement Guidance
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) - Paper and Paper Products
Recycled-content recommendations for procurement of paper food serviceware.
Case Studies
EPP Program list of Food Service Case Studies
Web Resources
EPA Web Sites
ENERGY STARĀ® Qualified Products
Information about commercial food service products that meet ENERGY STAR energy efficiency guidelines.
EPP Database
Other Government
Department of Agriculture's BioPreferred Program
Biodegradable containers are currently listed on the Department of Agriculture's Designation List under the BioPreferred program. More information about the designation and listed products are available on the BioPreferred Web site.
Non-Government
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
BPI is a multi-stakeholder association which promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). The BPI Logo Program is designed to certify and identify plastic products that will biodegrade and compost satisfactorily in actively managed compost facilities. The BPI Web site also includes a list of approved products.
Food Service Technology Center (FSTC)
The FSTC has developed over thirty standard test methods for evaluating commercial kitchen appliance performance, and provides expertise in commercial kitchen ventilation and building energy efficiency, including lighting, glazing and HVAC.
Green Seal: Choose Green Report on Rigid Quick Serve Food Packaging (PDF) (6 pp, 721K, About PDF)
Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that sets environmental standards and awards a Green Seal of Approval to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products. Green Seal's Choose Green Report on Rigid Quick Serve Food Packaging (June 1999) offers a list of recommended food packaging brands, their manufacturers, and contacts.