COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT

Project D: Food Packaging in Brunei

By students: Christina Eu Nguk Ling, Hjh Siti Nor Faezah Bte Hj Abd Rahman, Noor
Aliham Bin Hj Muhamad and Kasnol Bin Hj Muhammad Kincho

Problems:
Plastic and polystyrene food packaging are used to a high extent in various events.
Polystyrene food packaging cannot be recycled due to food contamination. The migration
of plasticizers (DEHA) from PVC cling wraps and the styrene molecule from polystyrene
has been linked to cancer. Bisphenol A from polycarbonate bottles has been found to
cause genetic defects, e.g. miscarriages and Down Syndrome. The slow decomposition
rate and limited recycling possibility of plastic food packaging has resulted in limited
landfill space. The production of plastic and polystyrene also involves the production of
chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs (which cause ozone depletion) and non-sustainable by-
products of crude oil refinement.

Figure 1. Food in a polystyrene Figure 2. Rows of polystyrene

container covered by cling wrap. containers containing food.

Figure 3. Polystyrene and Polypropylene Figure 4. Polycarbonate bottles.

containers containing food.
 COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT

Possible solutions:
The public could be educated on the importance of the ‘3Rs’ (reduce, reuse, recycle)
through the use of media such as the newspaper, radio and television. The public could be
encouraged to use alternative food packaging, e.g. stainless steel tiffin carriers.
Restaurants and food vendors could be encouraged to develop alternative food packaging
and asked to recommend the packaging to their customers; this would make it much
easier for the public to accept alternative food packaging. Rules and regulations on food
packaging by restaurants and food vendors could be imposed.

Figure 5. Tiffin carrier.

Actions taken:
A brochure prototype was designed, which was attached to letters that were sent to
several government departments for public education on food packaging. A letter was
sent to the local newspaper’s opinion page regarding the problems of using plastic and
polystyrene food packaging and suggestions on what can be done for a better and healthy
lifestyle. It was suggested to the Ministry of Education that schools use alternatives to
plastic food packaging and that students should be encouraged to bring their own food
containers and to encourage recycling of plastics. The university cafeteria and student
council were met with and negotiations took place regarding the change of food
packaging practices. The Department of Environment was asked to propose an act and/or
regulations on controlling the use of plastic food packaging in restaurants and food
vendors.
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT

Figure 6. Published article in The

Brunei Times (dated 20th October
2006 on page 4) regarding the
fact of plastic and polyester.
 COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT

Figure 7. Brochure made by the students to promote awareness of using proper food
packaging.