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JUN. JUL. 2019 VI MAGAZINE the environments meet the local characteristics of the buildings. Obicà brings to the fore the quality of the ingredients through careful selection of producers. “The concept of the sign,” says David Lorenzo, CEO Obicà, “stems from a great respect for all the products that make up the menu. Of course, the quality of the ingredients is closely connected to the territory where they are found. Polluted surroundings undermine any attempt to bring great food to the table. From here starts our attention to the environment, which we share with our guests all over the world.” In fact, the Obicà restaurants have renewed the box containers complying with the advance of European standards which will come into force in 2021 and will safeguard the taste of the transported food and the packaging design. During March 2019 the take-away boxes have been replaced for the delivery service in Italy and the UK. “For the creation of the box,” he explains, “instead of the traditional PET, materials were chosen which are certified eco- compatible, such as cellulose pulp, biodegradable and compostable, and PLA. Obicà Restaurants in Italy and the UK were thus equipped with containers made of raw materials of plant origin, renewable, 90% biodegradable and compostable, while the remaining 10% have been selected recycled materials or recyclable for technical and performance issues. Also, the new Pizza box is a product that is 100%, ecological, made only with recycled cardboard, which slows down the cooling of the pizza, and recyclable aluminium on the inside to maintain the taste. We are in the order of 6 or 7,000 containers ordered each month in Italy. Greater difficulties were encountered in the process of searching to find valid materials that are able to ensure the maintenance of the temperature and the quality of the dishes and products, representing the best philosophy of the brand in terms of design and packaging. The challenge in which we are engaged is a reduction of 100% of the plastic, and therefore in the search for solutions to reach this ambitious goal, which we also perceive as a social responsibility.” PANINI DURINI: A VALUE TO COMMUNICATE Panini Durini, having a dozen points of sale, mainly in Milan and in the Lombardy region, is a chain very attentive to sustainability. In fact, the decision of the Municipality of Milan to launch the project “Milan Plastic Free” in some parts of the city, although not directly relevant for now to Panini Durini, has been well- received. “If after the Isola district,” they explain in Panini Durini, “the project will extend to the whole city, we will be ready to be involved. But, it was not the choice of municipality to compel us to decide to limit the use of plastic.” In fact, since its inception in 2011, it has adopted eco-friendly solutions. “For example,” they say, “to avoid air pollution, we use bicycles for delivery; in the premises, materials and furnishings are produced from recycled raw materials. From July 2018, then, there was a change in the management, and this has given further impetus to project sustainability, going in the direction of Plastic Free. The project started in 2019. First, we have eliminated the plastic packaging of take-away food, replacing them with PLA containers. The next objectives will be to remove plastic from the parts for the fitting-out and to replace the plastic bottles, even if this point is the most difficult. Crockery and cutlery are not disposable material, so on this front we have no problems.” The choice of PLA has led to the need to locate new suppliers for these materials. “Our suppliers (we were in 2018),” they recall, “were not yet equipped on this front. Then we had to turn to distributors that specialise in this type of materials. After a year, also our regular suppliers have expanded their range to materials in PLA. Perhaps our request, along with that of other operators, has been a stimulus for them. We asked the technical data sheets of the products, to ensure that they are really biodegradable, compostable and suitable for contact with food.” Another hot topic is that of the costs. “It takes investment to move to plastic free,” they underline, “because these items have a higher cost than those in plastic, that we haven’t transferred to our customer. If a company believes in sustainability and makes it a value, it is right that they absorb the price increases. I think, however, that the same should apply, in reverse, in the entire supply chain.” Panini Durini tells through its own media channels the path in progress. “We believe,” said the company, “that care for the environment is a value to care for. On the part of our customers there is sensitivity about these issues and the feedback on social media proves it, especially by the younger audience.” ______________________________ BOX A WORD TO THE VENDORS – AGENZIA LOMBARDA High prices and poor selection, these are the critical problems of the alternatives to plastic Stimulated both by the regulatory requirements that the request of our clients and end-consumers, some suppliers have started to look round to propose alternative solutions to