Across the world, businesses are producing plastic-based products in unsustainable ways. As much as 91% of plastic is not recycled. This has resulted in over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste ending up in landfill or the ocean.
In recent years, national governments have taken steps to address this issue. In France, for example, disposable plastic cutlery is banned. Legislation has directed companies towards making them more eco-friendly.
These days disposable cutlery is available for all occasions, including parties, travelling, and children’s meals. As demand for ‘green’ tableware continues to grow, an opportunity has arisen for businesses to offer innovative and practical solutions.
Eco-alternatives to disposable plastic cutlery
Being eco-friendly is not just about producing eco-friendly products. It is also about incorporating sustainability in every stage of the product lifecycle, from sourcing to the end of the product’s life.
Sugarcane bagasse cutlery
Bagasse is the residue that is left behind after the juice is extracted from sugarcane. The fibrous nature of bagasse makes it a good raw material for making disposable cutlery and other house hold utensils.
Made from agricultural waste, the environmental impact of bagasse items is low. They are also biodegradable and compostable, making them one the most eco-friendly alternative to plastic products.
The cutlery made from sugarcane bagasse is resilient and highly functional. They can withstand moderately high and low temperatures.
The shelf life of unprocessed bagasse is low. This poses a challenge for companies trying to mass produce bagasse products.
Edible Jowar spoons
Yes, that’s right, edible spoons! Edible spoons are made from Jowar flour. They decompose very quickly, especially when you add water to it. Another way is to simply eat them!
Jowar spoon is an innovative and fun product. It is also eco-friendly and compostable. However, on the flip side, it is less practical to use. The spoon can be used with dry food. However, when used with moist food it will lose its structure and shape easily.
In addition, so far, only spoons have been successfully produced. Disposable forks and knives are yet to be developed.
Polylactic acid a.k.a. PLA plastic cutlery
PLA plastic is made from renewable materials such as starch, corn starch, and/or sugarcane. This type of plastic is considered renewable and does not release harmful chemicals into the environment.
The cutlery made from PLA plastic is very durable and suitable for hot and cold food. Unlike regular plastic cutlery, it does not leach harmful chemical when in contact with hot food.
The challenge is, although it can be recycled, it will take a very long time to decompose in natural environments. Therefore, the plastic needs to be taken to a specialist recycling unit.
Bamboo cutlery
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Bamboo is highly resilient, light-weight and flexible. It is compostable and will biodegrade within a few weeks to months.
The forks, spoons and knives made from bamboo is extremely strong. It can easily withstand low and high temperatures, so it is convenient to use fridge or microwave.
However, to produce the final product, chemicals still need to be applied to smooth the surfaces and remove any rough edges.
Birchwood cutlery
Birchwood cutlery is another plant based alternative to plastic cutlery. Birchwood is a fast growing tree. The cutlery made from this wood is extremely versatile and can also withstand high and low temperatures.
Unlike bamboo, there are no chemicals required for finishing as the wood is naturally smooth and guarantees no splinters. The wood is strong and fast-growing. Therefore, is easily accessible and can be bought in large quantities. For the buyer, this option is the most affordable and practical.
The material is light-weight and can be carried around when travelling or going to events and parties. In addition, it can be easily recycled and is 100% biodegradable.
Benefits to using eco-friendly cutlery
There are two key reason why you should make the switch from plastic to eco-friendly cutlery;
Saves the planet
Purchasing eco-friendly products is contributing to sustainability. Plastic is made from non-renewable elements such as natural gasses, fossil fuels and compounds. Choosing environmentally friendly alternatives reduce the amount of plastic being processed and going to landfill.
Saves you money in the long-term
Eco-alternatives, particularly Birchwood and Bamboo are durable and long-lasting. The cutlery made from these materials are sturdy and reusable to a great extent. Plastic disposables, on the other hand, are flimsy and break quickly. In the long-run, using durable products will save you money and time.
Choosing the right disposable cutlery
Overall, there are many types of eco-friendly cutlery options available in the market. Some are innovative and quick to biodegradable but lack practicality. Other alternatives such as wooden and bamboo cutlery may take a little longer to degrade but can be reused and are extremely practical. Evidently, wooden cutlery is like the best practical, sustainable and eco-friendly option.
At FOOGO Green, we sell disposable wooden cutlery made from Birchwood. You can buy them as sets of spoons, forks and knives. We also have combo packs that include cutlery sets, large plates for main course and small plates for starters or sides.
Visit our shop, for our full range of eco-friendly dinnerware and party supplies. If you have any question, you can contact our helpful customer service team.