Polystyrene packs, which are usually stuffed to the gills, are a frequent means for food takeaways from parties. The meal, which consists primarily of rice, is served with a variety of garnishes, including salad, plantains, and moin moin (bean cakes). But as Economy&Lifestyle found, there is no longer this way of serving so much food.
Many of these hosts linked this development to the high price of various foods, including rice, plantains, and beans, as well as the expense of preparing them, particularly when cooking in big numbers. Some, however, cited the prohibition against using styrofoam packs as a primary justification for packing food takeout in box cartons at their events.
“Many event hosts request 200 food packs of takeaways in styrofoam or plastic packs,” according to caterer Mrs. Gladys Asaga.However, a lot of people have recently started asking food to be packaged in little portions and box cartons. “Some even personalise the box cartons and send them to me so they can use them to serve their guests.
“Upon closer inspection, I discovered that they were merely attempting to save expenses. “Even the plastic is now very expensive and takes lots of food,” I discovered.However, the box cartons are typically little and can only hold one and a half servings of the meal that customers order. “A bag of rice now costs nearly N100,000, and beans are even more expensive.”Vegetable oil and dairy goods, such as chicken and beef, are also highly priced.
“All of these are taken into consideration because a few of these hosts receive support from other organisations or bodies, and some of them are primarily involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.” Based on the Financial Derivative Company’s October Domestic Commodity Price Movement, 50 kg of rice now costs N110,000, while 50 kg of honey beans currently costs N180,000.
“Many organisations and individuals are starting to key into the use of box cartons to serve guests as takeaways in events and parties,” stated Mrs. Fehintioluwa Odusanya, a welfare official in her organisation.Even the “serve yourself” option is no longer available because servers now stand in front of each dish, distributing pieces of food to each visitor as they go. You now take your plate in a queue.
You should be aware that in the current economic climate, food will scarcely last if a normal Nigerian is let to serve himself. “The recent ban on the use of Styrofoam plastics, particularly in Lagos State, is another factor that hosts are taking into consideration.” “The State government would search for scapegoats in such a scenario, and nobody wants to run into any difficulties, particularly when it comes to problems involving the government.
“Therefore, box cartons are used as food takeaway packs at events.” The Lagos State Government announced last week that, starting in January 2025, single-use plastics and sachet water would no longer be allowed in circulation.
The State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, spoke at a stakeholders’ workshop and awareness raising event on the implementation of the ban on using Styrofoam and SUPs for packaging in Lagos.
He explained that the ban was a part of the State Government’s efforts to put policy guidelines for plastic utility in place to further ensure sustainable management of plastic waste and a safe and healthy environment. A businessman named Joshua Jegede described his experience as follows: “I went to a business meeting and left feeling quite hungry. Then I was given a bag. Even the thought of eating in the car on the way to work pleased me.
“When I opened the bag, I saw that it was a very tiny box—not nearly as big as the cube sugar that the rice was served in.”The fish and meat for the meal were then placed into a second tiny box. I simply had to go to a restaurant to obtain something to satisfy my appetite. Point of Sale (PoS) agent Mrs. Judith Nwakama stated: “I recently attended a seminar and was offered a takeaway in a very little box. My thoughts were focused on the contents of the box. When I opened it when I got to my office, I saw that it contained plantain and jollof rice.
“Film paper was used to wrap the meat.” “I wanted to criticise the organisers, but then I realised that the economy is not doing well at all, and that they might have chosen this particular packaging because plastics and styrofoam are banned.”