27 Oct Benefits of Compostable Packaging
Conversations about the environment have become part of everyday life. As a result, more people are being mindful of their choices and actively looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint. The eco-conscious consumer is a rapidly emerging segment of the market. Packaging used in the food service industry usually ends up being fairly contaminated with food residues which in turn, makes recycling impractical, if not impossible. That’s why we at The Better Bar have made the conscious decision to switch over to all compostable packaging.
The harsh reality is ecosystems around the world are under extreme pressure. With issues like overpopulation and pollution, it can be predicted that we face a grim future. Though this idea can be daunting, composting is one big way we can help restore the balance. Here are some of the reasons why we decided to make the jump and why you should consider composting in your everyday life!
1. Reduces Landfills
The problem with traditional single-use food service items is they are unable to be recovered or recycled due to food contamination. This means the packaging and the organic food waste both end up in our general-waste bins. Compostable packaging allows a single collection of waste, which leads us to the added benefit – reducing the environmental impacts of organic materials in landfill. The average landfill size is 600 acres, and while there is no comprehensive database of landfills in the U.S., it is estimated that there are roughly over 1,250 landfills currently open. This space could instead be used for natural habitats, housing, or food production.
2. Decreases the methane and carbon outputs of your local community
Methane is a greenhouse gas that comes from livestock, natural gas, and landfills. The reason why methane is so dangerous for our planet is because upon escaping into the atmosphere, greenhouse gasses act as a blanket insulating the Earth, absorbing energy and slowing the rate at which heat leaves the planet. Composting, even at a small scale, keeps organic materials out of landfills and helps reduce these greenhouse emissions. Reducing methane emissions can potentially buy us more time for the more drastic changes that need to take place!
3. Plant-based materials – away from plastic, towards the future
Another irrefutable reason to shift towards plant-based materials is the mere fact that they’re not only compostable, they are also renewable. When it comes to compostable material, it can be recovered and have a useful life in our food service industry before being recovered, composted, and returned to the soil to provide nutrients for – wait for it – more plants! This overall process is an integral part in helping us transition into a circular economy.
The truth is there’s nothing more important than preserving and protecting the environment we live in. Here at The Better Bar, we want to not only nurture bodies and minds, we want to nurture and care for our planet. We want to lead by example and inspire those around us to be receptive to sustainable practices. We understand and accept that if we want change, it starts with us.
