State parks, including Keystone, switching to paper products over plastic at concession stands

Food providers at state parks across Pennsylvania are switching to compostable, paper, wooden or plant fiber alternatives for packaging and consumption, according to Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials.

It’s part of an effort to reduce the amount of waste and plastics that are associated with concessions. New contracts with food providers prohibit the use of plastic bags, straws and plastic ware, and requires them to minimize the use of paper straws and disposable utensils, according to Secretary Cindy Dunn.

That change is happening at Keystone State Park in Derry Township, said Manager Kris Baker. He expects Elegant Catering, which started in 2021 as the new food provider, to fully adhere to the change upon reopening for the 2022 season.

“They’re more than cooperative with meeting those requirements,” he said.

Keystone is among six state parks where the change is being made, according to an announcement from DCNR officials. Concession contracts at 13 more, including Point and Yellow Creek state parks, are expected to be updated in 2022. Others will be updated as they expire.

Dunn said it is an important measure to take as a conservation leader.

“This step will help to reduce the emissions generated through plastic production and eliminate the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills,” she said in the announcement.

Baker said the responsibility should fall on visitors who bring picnics to Keystone, too. Anything that is thrown away ends up in a landfill.

“Keystone is still one of the heavier attended beaches in the area,” he said.

The park has seen attendance increase over the past dozen years. In 2020, more than 700,000 people visited the park as there were limited recreational options during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. That’s an increase of about 100,000 people over 2019, Baker said.

The new contracts also require a food provider to work with parks officials to compost food waste and other materials when it’s an option on-site. Keystone does not have composting available, but Baker said he is considering options to add it for the food provider and potentially visitors.