Please see below for some of the more commonly asked questions, if you need more information please call or email us.

General Questions

 

Technical Questions

  • Why are disposable products so popular in so many businesses?
    Disposable products refers to things that are designed for one-off use and can be discarded after use. Disposable food and drinks containers, cutlery and serviettes are basically the same things you would need at a seated restaurant, except the consumption is done remotely and there is no return of these items for washing and storing. With the busy lifestyles experienced by most it is unlikely the demand for disposables will ever decline. Hygiene and cleanliness is less of a worry as there are fewer concerns about collecting, washing or cleaning reusable items.
  • Are all disposables disposed in landfills or are they actually recycled?
    With our busy lifestyles, and our consumption of convenience food and drink, we must all take responsibility for disposing of used packaging correctly. We encourage people to check their local council recycling guidelines, as not all recyclable plastics are recycled in local centres (contamination and costs can be barriers). Everyone must take ownership of waste disposal and we promote the correct recycling of used packaging were possible. It is important that we divert as many recyclable plastics away from landfills as we can. View and download our useful recycling information guide.
  • What are the differences between recyclable, biodegradable and compostable packaging products?
    Recyclable means the packaging could be recycled if the material is clean and not contaminated with greases and oils, and the local council/waste management contractor has processes in place to actually recycle the material (cost-benefits come into this for materials and Councils).
    Just about all Emperor products could be recycled, however biodegradable and compostable packaging is designed to breakdown with nature (PLA plant-based plastics can also be recycled, but there are no recycling facilities in NZ as far as we know). Biodegradable means that the material will breakdown (degrade) faster by undertaking specific biological processes.
    How long the breakdown takes depends on the conditions in place (temperature, air, pressure) and the material. This is very difficult to ascertain. All paper-based products are biodegradable, but oil-based plastics take hundreds of years to degrade and the molecules never really go away (hence these plastics should be recycled and not classed as biodegradable).
  • What do I need to know about BPA & different plastics?
    General advice from official health sites found via Google searches state:
    Phthalates are a group of chemical “plasticisers” that are used in a huge variety of consumer products. Bottles and plastic containers made from polycarbonate (usually marked with a number 7 or the letters PC) are to be avoided. To reduce exposure to phthalates, avoid polyvinyl chloride containers (marked with a number 3 or PVC). These are not classed as food grade.
    Researchers believe most of the phthalates in our bodies come from contaminated food. But they don’t know exactly how and in what amounts.
    Phthalates in plastic packaging could leach into the food inside. Heating food in plastic seems to increase the amount that’s transferred to food. Migration also increases when plastic touches fatty, salty, or acidic foods.
    Emperor does not sell food containers or drinking cups made from polycarbonate or PVC. Our PVC film has been independently tested by a qualified technician and they have been verified free of Phthalates.
    Our products are made from polypropylene, PET or polystyrene (also known as expanded PS). PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most popular form of plastic used as it is strong and light, and recycles easily. PET was invented by Nathaniel C. Wyeth, a DuPont engineer, and the patent was issued to Wyeth in 1973 and assigned to DuPont.
  • How should CPET trays be best used?
    When using CPET trays in a conventional oven:
    - A fanned assisted (turbo) conventional oven is recommended.
    - Preheat oven to a maximum of 1800C.
    - The tray’s cover film should be perforated for venting prior to introducing the tray into the oven.
    - The tray should be put on a baking or cookie sheet (not a grid), preferably in the center of the oven and not in the proximity of the heating elements.
    - After heating the tray should be carefully removed from the oven on a baking sheet and cooled for a few minutes prior to serving.
    - It is the food packer’s responsibility to give instructions regarding the time of heating and treatment of the tray with the food in it.

    When using CPET trays in a microwave oven
    - The tray’s cover film should be perforated for venting prior to introducing the tray into the microwave oven.
    - The tray should be introduced into the oven.
    - The microwave oven should be turned on for a time period according to the product’s status (chilled or frozen) and the food packer’s instructions.
    - After heating, the tray should be carefully removed from the oven onto a flat surface and cooled for a few minutes before serving.

    It is the responsibility of the food packer to assess the trays’ performance under his own manufacturing, filling, packing, transportation and heating/cooling processes.


    Please note: No oven toaster or grill should be used to heat or bake food products in CPET trays.