By now we all know that the plastic that’s thrown away in the trash and not properly recycled most probably ends up in some body of water (oceans). While we, the consumers, are now raising awareness and learning how to change our lifestyle to adapt a sustainable way of living, others may not be doing the same; and by “others” I mean big companies that are spewing plastic products.
In 2010, a study was made about the amount of plastic waste produced as well as how much of that went straight into the ocean. I tagged the study if you’re interested in reading all the details but it basically shows that 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of this plastic waste had entered the ocean. The study also suggested that that number will increase a heck of a lot during the next decade. That was in 2010, we are now in 2018 and the numbers are definitely not so great.
I only mention these numbers so that we know the magnitude of problem. Now like I said before, us consumers are starting to change our ways and doing things differently when it comes to plastic waste. We started carrying our own reusables, recycling properly, avoiding plastic in general, etc.
While all this is great, there are some factories and companies that are still producing so much plastic that ends up in the ocean. Think of how many times you went to a fast food place and they gave you not one, but a handful of those plastic utensils packaged in plastic. Now think of where those end up because it’s hard to recycle some of them.
What needs to change, other than our ways, is the factories that are producing these. There are methods to fix this and we should definitely share them.
This couple in India found a way to make edible spoons! They’re called BAKEYS|Edible Cutlery. The spoons are 100% natural, biodegradable and vegan/vegetarian since they’re made from “flours of jowar (sorghum) blended with rice and wheat.” They even have flavors; plain, sweet and savory spoons.
There’s also EcoProducts and they produce cups, containers, utensils and more that are compostable and recyclable. I was introduced to their products when I went to this tiny place to eat at in Washington, D.C. and noticed that the cutlery was green. I then read what was written on them and they said they’re 100% compostable!
These are just two examples of people and companies that are doing things right and providing a solution to the core problem (production of single-use plastic) and not just the symptoms (incorrect disposal).
We need more companies like these! Please comment below with any organisation that does this or something similar to this so I could add it.
Credit: TreeHuggingEnthusiast