Plastics are posing damage to our environment. Everything about it, from
the production process to the disposal, damages our environment. There is just
no way to minimize its environmental impact. Small business owners think finding
an eco-friendly cutlery option such
as knives, spoons, forks, and plates won't be easy. Some people think that
their only options are Styrofoam and plastics when distributing their products.
Fortunately, with the ongoing development, researchers have developed a
non-toxic substitute for plastics without affecting the company's bottom line.
The Pros and Cons of Various Eco-Friendly Cutlery
Whether you are small business owners who want to impress your customers
with your eco-friendly cutlery or
you want to minimize your business's waste, here are some biodegradable options
that will perfectly fit the needs of your business.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
After scientists realized how toxic plastics could be to the environment
and the people, they tried to look for less toxic substitutes for plastics. One
of the very first successful discoveries would be PLA or polylactic acid. It is
a type of bioplastic extracted from cornstarch, which is a less damaging
element than petroleum. The product is entirely biodegradable. Eco-friendly cutlery made from PLA will
not release dangerous chemicals while decomposing. It does not contain chemical
derivatives such as BPA and phthalates.
Advantages
·
Ideal for a take-out container and cold beverages
·
Biodegradable
Disadvantages
·
It is not recommended to use on hot liquids
·
Non-microwaveable
Potato Starch
Potato starch with an altered chemical composition can be molded into a container.
It is perfect eco-friendly cutlery
that is as durable as plastic containers. Low quality and non-genetically
modified potato starch is a renewable resource. The product is also durable
that will meet the needs of your business.
Advantages
·
It can tolerate heat
·
Microwavable
·
Dishwasher safe
Disadvantages
·
Additives introduced to create the products can slow down the decomposition
rate
Bagasse
If you want to avoid plastic materials completely, the bagasse is your eco-friendly cutlery solution. It has a
property similar to cardboard that is crafted using sugarcane pulp. It has an
amazing resistance against heat and water. It means that you do not have to
worry about putting it inside the microwave or fridge. It will deteriorate
under normal conditions.
Advantages
·
Microwavable
·
Has an amazing heat tolerance
·
Biodegradable
Disadvantages
·
Non-reusable
·
It is not sturdy for cutlery products like knives, spoons, and forks.
Currently, the cost of eco-friendly
cutlery will be slightly higher compared to plastics and Styrofoam.
However, aside from protecting our environment, going green is the perfect
opportunity to connect with customers looking for a business that supports
their ideals. Customers will be returning due to your deep commitment to our
environment. Using biodegradable materials can also minimize the waste product
of your business.
Essential Tips in Choosing Eco-Friendly Cutlery for Your Event
If you are hosting an event that involves food, you will realize that
there are too many things you need to consider. You may want to pay special
attention to the manner of your distribution. Every year, at least 190 billion plastic
containers are being discarded in the US alone. Apart from this, there are also
73 billion Styrofoam cups and plates discarded annually. Plastics and Styrofoam
are petroleum-based materials that will release chemicals into the air. If you
want a better solution, we encourage you to choose eco-friendly cutlery for your event. To help you choose the right solution
for your event, we listed some necessary tips that you might find handy when
looking for compostable cutlery.
Benefits
One of the first things you need to consider would be the benefits of eco-friendly cutlery. For instance, do
you want a material that you can use to enrich the nutrient content of the
soil? Some compostable spoons and forks can enhance the soil nutrients to more
than 15%. When these materials enter a stage of decomposition, they will not
release toxic chemicals like plastic but valuable minerals that can support the
propagation of plants. You should also choose a biodegradable material that is
sustainable at a particular level.
Materials Used
Various compostable items are created from different materials. For
instance, there is eco-friendly cutlery
manufactured using fallen leaves. The leaves will be collected, which will then
be heated and then pressurized. These are non-toxic materials since it does not
contain lacquers, glues, and plastics. Here are other materials that you can
choose from.
·
Sugarcane Fiber- Bagasse, a paperboard crafted using sugarcane fiber,
provides exceptional eco-friendly
cutlery. They can be used to create cups, bowls, and plates. It has a high resistance
against heat, cut, and grease. You can also place it safely inside the fridge
or microwave. The price of the product is also similar to the other disposable
items.
·
Wheat Straw and Corn Starch- The eco-friendly
cutlery made from corn starch and wheat straw are commonly used in
restaurants, schools, and hospitals. A lesser amount of energy is required in
the manufacturing process.
·
Organic Bamboo- Some cutleries are made from the stalks of bamboo. It
does not contain dyes and bleaches, making it entirely safe for use.
Disposable or Reusable
You should also consider if you need reusable or disposable eco-friendly cutlery. When it comes to
the plates, reusable is the perfect solution. However, there are instances when
disposable might be a better option. If you are doing the event in hospitals
and schools, the disposable might be the better option, especially on the fork,
spoon, and knives. The price of the compostable cutlery may be a bit higher,
but it is still a smaller price to pay to enhance the health of our
environment.
The Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Cutlery
Disposable knives, spoons, and forks allow us to eat conveniently away
from our homes. Aside from social events like weekend barbeques and picnics,
some people eat in their offices and school. Disposable products also provide a
suitable solution when serving many guests. Unfortunately, the traditional
disposable materials are created from non-biodegradable materials that are
poisonous to the environment. Eco-friendly
cutlery delivers convenience and flexibility and will not harm our
environment. Disposable products made from biodegradable such as plants, potatoes,
and other plant-based ingredients, have different advantages than non-biodegradable
materials.
Fuel-Efficiency
Manufacturing eco-friendly
cutlery such as PLA (Polylactic Acid) will save a significant amount of
fuel. The production process of biodegradable knives, forks, and spoons require
65% less energy compared to the energy needed to produce petroleum-based
containers. Furthermore, the compostable products are manufactured using
renewable resources like potato starch, sugar cane, and corn starch. At least
200,000 oil barrels are being utilized in the United States daily to produce
plastic containers.
Reduced Pollution
The entire process involved in producing, utilizing, and decomposition eco-friendly cutlery will require less
energy, thus reducing pollution. The product does not release a toxic chemical
like leachate that can release chemicals and poison the air and water during
the decomposition process.
Compostability
When used as compost with other products such as agricultural wastes,
food, and paper products, eco-friendly
cutlery will allow you to transform this trash into rich material that can
enhance mineral and nutrient retention. It can also improve the quality of soil
that will help in propagating plants. It means that the need to use chemical
fertilizer will be lessened.
Availability
There are wide ranges of eco-friendly
cutlery offered today; plastic cups, sheets, coffee sleeves, boxes,
bottles, gloves, trays, straws, plates, cups, knives, spoons, and forks. There
are various brands and styles that you can choose from and can also be
customized to help in the branding of your business.
Competitive Cost
Different factors can affect the cost of eco-friendly cutlery. The materials used, quantity, and product
distributions are just some of them. With the improvement in the production
process, the manufacturers could offer a competitive price with their plastic
counterparts. The cost of the biodegradable spoon is similar to the polystyrene
foam. With the increasing cost of petroleum, the time will come that biodegradable
products will become mainstream, which will significantly bring down the cost.
Finally, almost all types of eco-friendly
cutlery are microwaveable safe, and waterproof. They can be used to heat
food items and carry hot beverages. In addition, they have fantastic durability
that makes them ideal to use during parties. Due to the increasing awareness of
the public on the harm of plastics to our environment, more companies are using
biodegradable and compostable materials. It is a non-toxic, sustainable
material for those people who want to have their meal in an eco-friendly
manner.
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