When eating out, the use of sustainable, compostable cutlery, instead of plastic disposables, will contribute towards reducing the billions of pieces of single-use plastic ending up in the environment, every year.
What is eco-friendly cutlery?
Eco-friendly cutlery is made from materials less harmful to the environment than plastic. Some may be reusable while others are single-use. They maintain the convenience of disposable cutlery, without leaving a negative environmental footprint.
A range of materials can be used to manufacture eco-friendly cutlery, including plant life such as bamboo or other forms of wood.
Recycled plastic cutlery
While recyclable eating utensils can be a good thing, recycling is a resource-intensive and potentially inefficient process. Recycled plastic is unlikely to be recyclable again and eventually has the same harmful effects on the environment once discarded.
While the exact long-term health effects are unknown, many chemicals associated with plastic have been deemed harmful, and the presence of microplastics in the food chain is concerning.
Natural bamboo cutlery
Bamboo is a sustainable ‘wonder plant’ used in manufacturing. It is a renewable crop, which can regenerate from its roots when the stems are cut. This means less room needs to be cleared for continued harvesting.
With naturally anti-microbial properties, bamboo can often be grown organically , without the aid of chemical fungicides. However, to be flattened and made into smooth implements, melamine and other binding agents may be used by some manufacturers.
Sustainable wooden cutlery
Wood is a natural, renewable resource. Grown and harvested responsibly, it offers a durable, lightweight, and strong alternative to plastic.
Birch wood is preferred for its fast-growing nature. It is also unlikely to splinter, so there’s no need for chemicals to smooth or reinforce its structure during manufacture.
Chemical-free wood is perfect for home composting. Compostable materials make the most environmentally friendly and convenient low-waste single products.
Reasons to switch to sustainable cutlery
Plastic in the environment takes hundreds of years to break apart. It often degrades into the form of microplastics, which are ingested by animals or leach into the environment.
Due to its small size and often being made from a mixture of materials, plastic cutlery is usually unsuitable for recycling.
Even traditional cutlery is less convenient than disposables and requires resources to wash after each use. It is also heavier and bulkier to carry around with you.
The benefits of eco-friendly utensils
Convenience without the cost
Compostable products preserve the convenience of disposable tableware and produce nutrient-rich compost instead of waste, when disposed of correctly .
Portability
Wooden utensils are lighter than ordinary metal cutlery and don’t require washing after use.
Though it is good practice to carry a set with you, encouraging your favourite eateries to switch to eco-friendly birch wood cutlery eliminates this need, and reduces plastic waste on a larger scale.
Naturally strong and durable
Cheap plastic forks and knives are notorious for breaking just when you need them most. Birch wood is resilient and robust, and can be cleaned and reused without being compromised. Wooden cutlery is still fully home compostable once finished with.
High-quality compostable cutlery
The verdict’s in: making the switch to eco-friendly cutlery saves money, is better for the environment, and loses none of the convenience of plastic solutions. So why wait?
At FOOGO green, we provide a selection of biodegradable cutlery options, including wooden knives, forks, and spoons made from robust birch wood. They are ideal for use with any type of food and are manufactured from a sustainable supply of materials.
When done, simply wash the cutlery and re-use it, or dispose of it in your home compost.
Our biodegradable cutlery is available in individual sets of separates , or as part of our combined disposable wooden cutlery packs .
To see our complete range of biodegradable tableware – from palm leaf plates to wheat straws – visit our online store.