proposed licensing requirements which would have forced street food vendors in oxford to only distribute biodegradable and recyclable packaging have been watered down by the city council following lobbying by the packaging industry.council proposals for a new street trader licensing policy, originally put forward in june 2014 see letsrecycle.com story, stipulated that all packaging and utensils should be biodegradable and recyclable.the policy &ndash which would have been a first for the uk &ndash would have effectively seen polystyrene burger and chip tray packaging banned from use by street food vendors in the city centre.oxford city council accepted that expanded polystyrene eps boxes and trays can feasibly be recycledhowever, following a meeting of the licensing committee last week january 27, councillors accepted that most commonlyused takeaway packaging and utensils can feasibly be recycled &ndash including polystyrene foam insulation trays and boxes &ndash depending on the individual street trader&rsquos waste management arrangements.the new policy includes no specifications for the types of packaging being banned outright from use, and street traders will be able to choose the most suitable packaging and waste management arrangements for their vans or trailers.despite this, the council said the policy would still highlight the importance of recyclability and to encourage street traders to improve their waste management practices through its licensing policy.the licensing policy applies only to street traders and the waste or recycling bins they provide. it does not apply to bricks and mortar premises or to council street bins and containers.proposed licensing requirements which would have forced street food vendors in oxford to only distribute biodegradable and recyclable packaging have been watered down by the city council following lobbying by the packaging industry.council proposals for a new street trader licensing policy, originally put forward in june 2014 see letsrecycle.com story, stipulated that all packaging and utensils should be biodegradable and recyclable.oxford city council accepted that expanded polystyrene eps boxes and trays can feasibly be recycledoxford city council accepted that expanded polystyrene eps boxes and trays can feasibly be recycledthe policy &ndash which would have been a first for the uk &ndash would have effectively seen polystyrene burger and chip tray packaging banned from use by street food vendors in the city centre.however, following a meeting of the licensing committee last week january 27, councillors accepted that most commonlyused takeaway packaging and utensils can feasibly be recycled &ndash including polystyrene foam insulation trays and boxes &ndash depending on the individual street trader&rsquos waste management arrangements.the new policy includes no specifications for the types of packaging being banned outright from use, and street traders will be able to choose the most suitable packaging and waste management arrangements for their vans or trailers.despite this, the council said the policy would still highlight the importance of recyclability and to encourage street traders to improve their waste management practices through its licensing policy.the licensing policy applies only to street traders and the waste or recycling bins they provide. it does not apply to bricks and mortar premises or to council street bins and containers. 
