Single-use plastic waste has become a pressing global issue in recent years, with over 8 million tons of plastic waste entering our oceans every year. Among the major contributors to this waste are disposable plastic utensils, which are commonly used in restaurants, takeout, and other food service establishments. Fortunately, a growing number of businesses and individuals are turning to eco-friendly disposable utensils as a sustainable solution to this problem. In this blog post, we will explore the rise of eco friendly disposable utensils, their benefits, and their impact on the environment.
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Disposable Plastic Utensils Statistics:
- According to a study by the Ocean Conservancy, plastic utensils are among the top 10 items found in ocean debris.
- The United States alone generates an estimated 100 billion disposable plastic utensils per year.
- In 2019, the European Union voted to ban single-use plastic items, including plastic utensils, by 2021.
- Plastic utensils are not easily recyclable due to their small size and the fact that they are often contaminated with food.
- Plastic utensils can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills, and when they do break down, they release harmful chemicals into the environment.
Choose Reusable Utensils First
Of course, choosing reusable utensils is the most sustainable option. If you have the opportunity to use reusables, choose this option over eco friendly disposable utensils. For lunch on the go or camping, use utensils you already have at home or a bamboo travel utensil set. However, it’s understandable that for a larger gathering or event you might not have the option of choosing reusables. In this case, choosing an alternative to single-use plastic cutlery is a great idea!
Luckily, there are quite a few eco brands that offer a sustainable alternative to plastic disposable utensils. Check out these awesome brands below:
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Get 10% off your first zero waste order and all the latest Tiny Yellow Bungalow news!Ecovita Compostable Cutlery Combo Set
One of the top rated compostable cutlery brands is Ecovita compostable utensils. These 100% compostable utensils are durable and heat resistant. A small business brand makes this awesome product. This cutlery is certified by Biodegradable Product Institute and TUV which complies with USA and European ASTM D6400 & EN13432 High Standards. They ensure environmental friendliness by accepting no lower standard than BPI Certified Compostable Utensils made from Renewable and Sustainable Plant Resources
All contents including recyclable packaging are PLASTIC FREE! This set also comes with a convenient tray.
Ecovita products are made of crystalized polylactic acid or CPLA. PLA plastic requires 65% less energy to make and produces 68% fewer greenhouse gases than conventional plastics.
Ecovita makes their utensils with non-GMO corn in a registered facility. This renewable resource (corn) is grown and harvested ethically right here in the USA. There’s no BPA, Chlorine or Toxic Chemicals found in these utensils.
There’s no risk of splinters or weird after taste while eating or tasting like some wooden utensils.
They offer a 60 day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, they will gladly give you a full refund! This brand is proudly based in San Diego, CA.
These utensils require specific conditions to completely compost so you will need to dispose of them in an industrial composting facility rather than backyard.
EarthClusive Compostable Wooden Cutlery Set
Another highly rated eco friendly disposable tableware brand is EarthClusive compostable wooden cutlery. I especially love this brand, because they plant THREE trees for every set of eco-friendly cutlery they make. These are great for any eco event – wedding, camping, parties, etc. These wooden utensils are 100% compostable. They are high quality and sturdy. Great for hot or cold food.
Breezy Green Disposable Wooden Cutlery
Want biodegradable utensils but also want them to be stylish and cute for your special event? Pick Breezy Green Disposable Wooden Cutlery! The black chevron print is adorable! Instead of traditional plastic utensils, wow your guests with this eco friendly alternative.
These disposable wooden kitchen utensils are biodegradable and compostable. Throw them in the fire or the garden, and they will reunite with the earthworms.
They make their utensils with birch wood which is sustainably sourced and doesn’t leave a woody aftertaste.
Woodable Disposable Eco Forks
Backyard compostable forks? Yes please! WoodAble utensils take an estimated 90 days to compost it in the backyard. They do not require industrial composting, just a backyard compost bin. We love this durable alternative to plastic forks.
WoodAble is the only manufacturer and supplier that can proudly and confidently certify that its product is sourced by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards.
These compostable wooden forks come from Chile and are made the same way they’ve been making wooden products for many decades. Their parent company has been tending the same land for more than 115 years and have replanted the entire forest 8 times. Now that’s truly sustainable!!
Each spoon, fork, and knife is stamped, thermo-formed, and then turbo-polished for 4-6 hours by skilled workers who know their way around wood. The resulting utensils extremely durable, incredibly smooth, completely splinter free and absolutely able to do far more than flimsy plastic.
Gezond Compostable Plates, Cups, & Utensils
Want compostable disposable plates to go with your biodegradable cutlery? Check out Gezond compostable plates, cups, and utensils.
The paper plates are made from 100% sugar cane fibers and the cutlery is made from corn starch, which is plant-based and eco-friendly. All compostable materials!
These durable and heavy duty paper plates can resist high temperatures (up to 248°F) without deforming as well as resist oil. This means they are microwave safe. They are leakproof, and the cutlery can cut through steak, vegetables, fruits, etc.
There’s no wax lining, coatings, or chemicals on the plates. They’re free of BPA.
You can compost these products in your municipal compost but not your backyard compost pile.
EcoTensil Future Friendly Utensils
Here’s another alternative to disposable plastic cutlery that is not a bio-plastic or made of wood. EcoTensil Utensils are made of paper, but not just any paper. The cradle-to-cradle lifecycle of EcoTensils begins with well managed forests, where biodiversity is allowed to thrive, waterways are healthy and CO2 is sequestered.
Their primary facility has won numerous awards and is engaged in many levels of sustainability practices, from recycling 95% of waste to energy efficiency measures.
This product is 100% Made in USA. They harvest their paper from sustainably logged forests in Arkansas, Idaho and the Midwest. Localized production in the Midwest reduces green house gases.
Their utensils are recyclable and compostable. They have several different varieties of EcoTensils – ones that are commercially compostable and others that are home compostable.
These utensils would be an especially great choice for taste testing at a large event.
If there’s no compost available near you, EcoTensil products are recyclable if relatively clean. If the only option is the trash (landfill), EcoTensil products are still the greenest utensil because they use 50-85% less material than plastic, bio-plastic or wood spoons!
Borrow or Rent Utensils
Now there are so many wonderful options for eco-friendly utensils but I wanted to suggest one last idea. What about borrowing or renting utensils? In my town, the recycling facility offers tableware rentals. You can borrow cups, plates, utensils, tablecloths, etc. You rent them for your event and simply wash and return them when you finish using them. This might be another option for your future green event!
Conclusion
In conclusion, eco friendly disposable utensils offer a sustainable and environmentally-friendly solution to the problem of single-use plastics. They are made from renewable resources, are compostable and break down naturally, and offer a safer and healthier option for consumers. Lastly, by adopting eco friendly disposable cutlery, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans, ultimately helping to protect our planet for future generations.
Thank you for sharing blog about this, I support an eco friendly utensils for events, a great start to a more fresh and clean environment