It is well known that plastic products are favored for their durability and affordability. Especially in the restaurant industry, the low cost and ease of use of disposable plastic tableware make it highly valued in the restaurant industry. However, leading reports indicate that nearly 60 to 95 percent of waste contains plastic. Plastics are non-biodegradable and harmful to the planet. As a result, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly tableware as biodegradable products are being advocated globally as an alternative to plastic products to reduce the impact of plastic pollution.
Although plastic products are more affordable than eco-friendly, the reality is grim. Environmental protection has received global attention, and countries are actively introducing relevant environmental policies.
What happens when plastic products are used with impunity?
Accumulation: A United Nations report states that only 9 percent of the world’s plastic waste is recycled. The rest of the plastic waste accumulates in the oceans, landfills, and the environment, posing a severe threat to people, plants, and animals.
Land and water degradation: Plastics are not biodegradable. They take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to water and soil contamination.
Threat to humans and animals: Plastics break down into smaller particles called microplastics. The harmful chemicals used in manufacturing plastics flow into water sources and are eventually absorbed by plants and animals. Humans who consume such foods are vulnerable to health complications.
The above impacts affect the environment on a large scale, reducing land productivity, increasing plastic pollution, and decreasing the planet’s viability for humans.
Benefits of using eco-friendly tableware
Biodegradable: Green products such as eco-friendly straws, cups, and cutlery are 100% biodegradable, ensuring the elimination of land or water pollution.
Eco-friendly materials: The primary materials used to make eco-friendly products are renewable and environmentally friendly.
No threat to plants or animals: Since green products are composed of environmentally friendly materials, accidental consumption by animals or plants will have zero negative impact.
Reduced energy use: Plastic products require more energy to manufacture than the energy needed to make green products.
Reduce waste: Due to the biodegradability of green products, eco-friendly products can be used for composting to improve soil fertility compared to plastic products that end up in landfills or the ocean.
Each of us should contribute in the face of increasingly serious environmental problems. We can start with small tableware around us from today to reduce the use of plastic tableware and to encourage the restaurant industry to use environmentally friendly tableware so that the era of environmentally friendly tableware becomes mainstream sooner.
Hengfeng can provide cost-effective disposable tableware, biodegradable tableware, and corn starch tableware customization services.
