Will Lorenzi, CEO of Smart Planet Technologies, featured in KTLA Los Angeles Interview, addressing bill SB1167 ban on foodservice packaging for in-store dining

Will Lorenzi, CEO of Smart Planet Technologies, appeared in a recent interview with KTLA Los Angeles to discuss Smart Planet’s technology in fully recyclable disposable paper packaging, as a solution to the waste challenge from disposable packaging in in-store dining in quick service restaurants.

During the interview, Lorenzi highlighted the importance of transitioning towards eco-friendly packaging to reduce environmental impact. He emphasized the need for collaboration between industries, policymakers, and consumers to drive meaningful change in the packaging industry. Additionally, Lorenzi shared insights on innovative technologies developed by Smart Planet Technologies that aim to revolutionize packaging sustainability. Overall, the interview shed light on the pressing need for sustainable practices in packaging and the role of cutting-edge solutions in addressing these challenges.

Senator Blakespear recently introduced bill SB1167 in California, to restrict the use of disposable packaging for in-store dining across California. The purpose of the bill was to reduce the waste from these restaurants, as the paper disposable packaging is typically not recycled, specifically because of the polyethylene coating on packaging such as paper cups and takeaway boxes, which makes it incompatible with paper recycling systems, undesirable to recyclers, and therefore typically sent to landfill.

However, Smart Planet Technologies has developed paper-based foodservice packaging that is fully recyclable, like uncoated paper which classifies the material for the premium paper recycling stream, and therefore highly desirable and profitable for the recycling industry, providing new revenue streams in support of California’s recycled paper mills. In Australia, this technology has been proven to have these materials recycled into premium paper goods, such as Hallmark gift wrap and Australian Paper copy paper.

In many studies, disposable paper-based foodservice packaging is a more environmental solution over reusable tableware, but only when the disposable foodservice packaging gets recycled. SB 1167 is well intentioned in the absence of recyclable solutions, but now with the innovation of fully-recyclable foodservice packaging, Will Lorenzi explains that the problem can be solved, without the disruptive effect on California’s restaurant community, and continue to provide the convenience in packaging for the consumer when dining in quick service restaurants.

Will Lorenzi proposes a modification to the bill to allow restaurants to adopt the new packaging materials, establish recycling of these materials across California, before imposing draconian bans when no longer warranted, and especially when studies show that SB1167 is a less environmental solution.

KTLA5 Los Angeles

Interview with Will Lorenzi, CEO of Smart Planet Technologies