Day 008 - 07 Jul 94 - Page 39
1 A. Yes. It was because we wanted to improve the
environmental features of our packaging. We recognised
2 that there was a scientific issue, a preponderance
information at that time that in our estimation warranted
3 review by our management. We also saw that there were
alternatives available that were better for the
4 environment that we could switch to.
5 Q. By what date, as far as you can say, had the phase out
been completed?
6 A. The phase out in the United States was completed
during the calendar year of 1988. When we made our
7 announcement we said it would take 18 months to complete
it. In my role at Perseco, I was in charge of that phase
8 out and we completed it by the calendar year end 1988.
9 Q. So, by the beginning of 1989, is it, therefore, right that
none of the polystyrene foam in use for McDonald's
10 packaging had been blown by CFC?
A. Correct.
11
Q. Was there an extent to which CFCs were at that time during
12 the phase out replaced by HCFCs?
A. Yes.
13
Q. By HCFC-22?
14 A. Correct.
15 Q. Sometimes, or in the form you used it, Perseco used it, or
their suppliers used it, called Formacel-S?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Was there any cost advantage in the exchange of CFC for
HCFC-22?
18 A. No.
19 Q. At the time when HCFC-22 was introduced as an alternative
to CFCs, was it introduced for every use -- I have not put
20 that right -- was it 100 per cent a substitute?
A. No, it was not. Before we made a switch in August
21 1987, roughly half of our foam packaging was using, had
always used, hydrocarbons as a blowing agent, so we are
22 only dealing with half the packaging from the beginning.
Of that half that we were going to switch out of, a
23 certain proportion, approximately 50 per cent, actually
phased into hydrocarbons; the other 50 per cent which
24 would actually be one quarter of the whole phased into
HCFC-22.
25
Q. So is the position after the phase out this, that in
26 approximate figures 75 per cent was blown by hydrocarbons?
A. That is correct.
27
Q. And 25 per cent by HCFC-22?
28 A. After it was all done.
29 Q. At the time when HCFC was introduced in a proportion of 25
per cent, were you conscious -- you were in charge of this
30 on behalf of Perseco by now, you just told us -- whether
or not HCFC-22 had any potential damaging effect for the
