James Calver: Ecoware co-founder on David Seymour's new school lunches using 'wasteful' packaging

David Seymour's new school lunch programme has opened up more concerns - this time from environmentalists. 

The new lunches are expected to come in aluminium trays and non-compostable packaging, prompting worry about sustainability, with some suggesting the food should come in less 'wasteful' packaging.

Ecoware co-founder James Calver has raised concerns about the lack of recyclable materials to be found - and he thinks the sustainability aspect is worth discussing. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now there are more complaints about David Seymore's changes to
the school lunches program. This time it's over the packaging,
because the new lunches come in quote, wasteful aluminum trays
and non compostible packaging. Co founder of Eco Where James
Calver is with us on this, Hey James, how are
you well? Thank you mate? So was this your first
thought when you saw the lunches being served up at

(00:20):
Parliament on Tuesday? Bad packaging?

Speaker 2 (00:23):
I wasn't the first thought, no second thought. I didn't
actually count, but it was definitely a deep thought and
a consideration.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
What's your concern about the aluminium? Because I thought aliminium
was recyclable.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
And what way did you think it was recyclable at
a national level?

Speaker 1 (00:41):
Well don't I just thought it was recyclable, is it not.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
I don't really have concerns about the aluminium specifically, just
and you know, essentially, what we're kind of dealing with
is two of the world's most severe and I guess
challenging crisises that inter relate, and we've got food and water,
and we've got an environmental kind of race, and I
just wanted to kind of bring to front of mind

(01:06):
the fact that you know, we've spent four four or
so years with a program educating key week heads and
seeing them with nutritious lunches, and then too, you know,
look at it in a narrow mindset and rule out
the kind of future generations in terms of you know,

(01:27):
considering environmental impact. Was worth a discussion.

Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah, okay, So the bottom bit of the tray is aluminium,
and then the top bit that goes on the lid,
what is that.

Speaker 2 (01:37):
I'm not supplying it, but I would assume that it
would be a pain aboard was potentially a polypropylene or
a plastic.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
Lining, and that's not compossible, is it.

Speaker 2 (01:47):
I'm actually not sure because at the moment we're still
supplying a growing number of the school lunch program.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
The only reason I'm asking you this, to James, is
because your press release is wasteful aluminum trays and non
compostible packing.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yeah. So I just wanted to understand the concept of
how you thought it was recyclable because at the national level,
my understanding is that there is you know, limiteds for
limited ability and infrastructure to essentially recycle contaminated aliminium trades.
And I don't see, and I don't see a way

(02:22):
that schools can wash or rum.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Setting up another aluminium recycling plant.

Speaker 2 (02:30):
I think he's making cans for city drinks, isn't it.
I'm not sure.

Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, Okay, now, James, I've got to ask this question, right,
is the reason that you're upset about this because you've
lost business because you were doing eco friendly packaging previously
for the schools.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
We haven't lost any business. We've actually been essentially involved
with the program since inception and have rolled. But I
guess the government's previous instructions and have been you know,
kind of cool.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
So you're not going to lose any business. You're going
to continue to supply packaging for this program.

Speaker 2 (03:05):
To the best of my knowledge, right now, we're consuming
to grow, and we're growing in a sustainable way, but
we're also editating children for a you know, a sustainable future.
But at the same time, I just want to understand
the cost cuts that you are considering or talking about. Yeah,
how many school lunch school lunches were sent out this year?
How many will be sent out next year?

Speaker 1 (03:25):
No, I don't know.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
Tell me, I'm asking. I'm not sure, but I just
wanted to understand the reference of the one hundred and
sixty five million dollars cost saving.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
I didn't lot, did I say one hundred and sixty
five million dollar cost saving or the cost.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Saving that your referenced yesterday? And I just wanted to understand.

Speaker 1 (03:41):
James was listening. A long time listener, first time caller.
Appreciate it. Thank you, James the whole style James cald
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