Green Product of the Month
Each month we will feature a different product that our committee recommends as a green product that you should consider.
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The Green Product
for this month
is
Compostable Dinnerware
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Consider Compostable Dinnerware
While the holiday season has come and gone, occasions for celebration continue throughout the year with family reunions, office parties, birthdays and any number of reasons to join in celebration with friends and family. These occasions often result in piles of dirty dishes and utensils that remain after the conclusion of celebration and while the dishwasher is handy at home, other venues require cleanup after said festivities. Instead of placing trash bags full of refuse at the curb for transport to the local landfill, why not consider disposable and compostable dinner service and utensils that can be turned into useful compost instead of taking up valuable space in a landfill where it will take many years for nature to break down this material.
Virtually everything associated with casual or more formal dining can be had in a disposable, compostable form. This includes knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, storage containers, napkins and dish towels. These items are typically made from naturally occurring plant fibers that originate from plants that are rapid growing and sustainable and avoid the use of petroleum based chemicals. Corn starch and potato starch along with a small amount of soy or other vegetable oil is often used in forming these items. Some are also made with sugarcane fiber (bagasse), bamboo, and reed pulp. Bamboo sheath (a protective covering found on emerging bamboo plants) is likewise used. As the bamboo plant matures, the sheath falls to the ground and is collected, cleaned and laminated and pressed into shape, and without the use of harsh chemicals. Many cups are made with Polylactic acid (PLA), which is a corn derived product made from U.S. grown non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) corn and 30% talc. Dish towels are typically made with organic cotton and natural dyes. These compostable items are also microwave and refrigeration safe as well as possessing a grease impermeable surface.
All of the above mentioned products are 100 percent compostable, high heat tolerant, biodegradable and attractive. While many of the products come in basic white or ivory, they can also be had in a variety of colors as well. Most of these products will decompose in a home composting environment within 30 to 90 days time. Pricing ranges from a few dollars to 20 dollars for typical serving needs of 10 to 50 people, but are also available in bulk quantities of a hundred or more at prices ranging up to a hundred dollars or more.
If you are interested in using sustainable products, reducing the amount of material entering landfills and looking for convenience of clean-up after your party or gathering, then consider using some disposable, compostable dinnerware at your next function.
References
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