The process of finding sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every piece of plastic ever manufactured still exists today. Plastic is neither biodegradable nor compostable. Even plant-based plastics are not biodegradable, and while they can be composted at industrial facilities, the vast majority of these “sustainable” plastic utensils still end up in a landfill. The planet is facing a plastic crisis, and the only way to reverse the environmental damage is for companies to lead the way by adopting alternatives that exist today. Alder-Tek is uniquely positioned to help companies step to the front of this movement and drive real change and better environmental outcomes.
Our wooden utensils are biodegradable and easily compostable, resulting in a significantly lower environmental impact when compared to all the varieties of single-use plastics and bioplastics.
Ever wondered what actually happens to the plastic utensils thrown into these separate bins? The end results may surprise you.
- Polypropylene (PP): 1% is eventually recycled – the rest eventually ends up in landfills and oceans.
- Polystyrene (PS): 12% is eventually recycled – the rest eventually ends up in landfills and oceans.
- CPLA: CPLA used in the foodservice industry MUST be clean and free of contaminants before it can be recycled; for this reason, most eventually end up in landfills and oceans.
- Wood: N/A
- Polypropylene (PP): Not compostable, eventually ends up in landfills or oceans.
- Polystyrene (PS): Not compostable, eventually ends up in landfills or oceans.
- CPLA: Must be separated for composting in CPLA specific facility, otherwise eventually ends up in landfills or oceans.
- Wood: Completely decomposes in compost facilities in 49 days.
- Polypropylene (PP): Never degrades, will exist in landfill or oceans for 500+ years.
- Polystyrene (PS): Never degrades, will exist in landfill or oceans for 500+ years.
- CPLA: Is not biodegradable but will decompose over 80-100 years in a landfill; will never decompose in the ocean.
- Wood: Completely biodegrades into carbon and water in 1-5 years.
Negative environmental impacts of single-use plastics occur long before they end up in our oceans and landfills. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful byproducts of manufacturing several different types of plastics. Plastics consume a significant amount of water and energy in the production process, adding to the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of these single-use disposables even before they are used and thrown away.
are required to produce
1kg of plastic.
We are committed to being responsible stewards of every part of the supply chain. Our raw materials are sustainably sourced, our hiring and management policies exceed industry ethical standards, and our products are the safest and highest quality available today.