Businesses, government facilities and universities are jumping on the bio-economy bandwagon by switching from petroleum-based plastic take-out items to products made of renewable resources that can be composted. Deborah Fleischer, founder of Green Impact, a consulting firm that works with socially responsible organizations to design and launch new sustainability solutions, offers these tips for starting the shift to bio-based take-out products at your organization.
- Weigh the PR benefit. As a first step, explore if using plastic in your food facilities projects the image you want -- is this image consistent with your organizational commitment to sustainability?
- Develop a green procurement policy or implement a ban on polystyrene foam. Green procurement guidelines, a ban on polystyrene foam, or a carbon reduction goal create a framework for a switch to biobased products. But while a policy can be a powerful tool, it’s not a requirement for getting started. Organizations can start to make the transition without a larger, pre-existing mandate.
- Find a leader to spearhead the effort. Find a community or company leader willing to spearhead the effort if you want to be successful. As Greg Stevens of Excellent Packaging and Supply, a distributor of biobased products, explains: “I have had my biggest successes where there is an advocate to push for it."
- Research your product needs and available options. The best option for replacing clear plastic fossil fuel-based take-out containers and cold drink cups is corn-based products made of polylactic acid (PLA). For plates, bowls, and clamshells for hot food, sugar cane-based fiber (known as bagasse) is a good choice. Another option to consider for coffee cups is International Paper’s new line of “ecotainer” cups with a PLA lining.
- Select a distributor. Choose one that has strong customer service, a variety of products, and good distribution capacity. Some will conduct an audit of your facility and complete a cost analysis of replacing items with biobased products. Excellent Packaging and Supply (EPS), World Centric, and EarthSmart are three well-regarded distributors of biobased products. Click here for more options.
- Make a commitment and move into action. There are issues associated with biobased products, including concern over GMO-corn and the potential to contaminate plastic recycling systems. Despite some of the drawbacks, many believe bio-based products are a step in the right direction. There is no silver bullet yet.
