Sustainability

Why does it matter?

Sustainability

Why does it matter?

Why Sustainable Packaging Matters


Why use compostable foodservice packaging?

Choosing plant based, eco-friendly products is one way to impact our environment in a positive way. Compostable products are lighter impact alternatives to everyday plastic and Styrofoam disposables. The products we offer are designed to completely break down into non-toxic substances or transform into healthy, new soil through composting. They use less energy and water to manufacture, make less pollution than petroleum-based products and are made from renewable resources and waste materials… the list of benefits is almost endless.


Petroleum-Based Plastics Pollute the Earth

  • They are manufactured from 20 petroleum-based resins with different levels of recyclability and toxicity
  • Plastic can only be recycled if it is clean and has being properly sorted by resin type
  • The sorting is often inaccurate and or requires advanced equipment
  • Only 8% of plastic waste is actually recovered for recycling
  • The remaining 92% of discarded plastic (over 30 million tons each year in the U.S. alone) is sent to landfills or incinerated


Compostable Packaging Uses Less Resources

  • Less Energy - Manufacturing bio-based plastic from corn takes 77% less energy than manufacturing conventional plastic from petroleum.
  • Less Water - Making cups from bio-based plastic uses 86% less water than it takes to make them from foam.
  • Less Pollution - The production of bamboo pulp for plates emits only 65% of the CO2 pollution that is emitted in the production of expanded polystyrene resin for foam plates.


Eating Out of Compostable Packaging is Healthier

We’re just beginning to understand some of the short- and long-term risks associated with the chemicals in packaging: obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Phasing out some of the riskier substances that come into contact with our food is long overdue. When hot products are placed in containers, chemicals from the box can leach into the food and, in turn, our bodies. Progressive food establishments have traded it and other hazardous packaging for safer, plant-based alternatives.

The "best" options (meaning the ones that contains the fewest chemicals that are likely to leach into your food or the environment after you throw it away) are ones that are compostable and fluorine free. That means those brown paper boxes marked with a green seal saying they are made from 100% recycled paperboard or the white paper soup containers that have a green stripe and similar compostable markings. Another option is plastic-like containers that are actually made of bioplastic or PLA (polylactic acid) that are completely compostable.

Styrofoam is bad. We all instinctively know it. What even is that material? (answer: it's polystyrene, which is a form of plastic). Anyway, if you can avoid it you should. It easily releases chemicals into hot foods and drinks and takes forever to break down in the world once you toss it and is not really recyclable.


Tips for Healthier Take Out

  • Try to notice what your food comes in when your food arrives, then order from places that already use better options.
  • Before ordering your food ask the server or hostess what kind of containers the food will come in. If the food comes in a container that you're not happy with, maybe try somewhere else for dinner. Consider talking to them about switching to something better like compostable options.
  • Get involved at the local level in the movement to ban styrofoam or harmful chemicals from food packaging and even to create state composting systems.

Win loyalty from customers by using earth-friendly alternatives.

Sustainable packaging is more cost-effective than ever before, and becoming an expected part of the brand experience.