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  • Palm leaf plate oval 26 cm drop-shaped

    Original price €11,89
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    Our sustainable tableware is made from whole palm leaves that come from controlled cultivation and is therefore the perfect alternative to plastic...

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  • Bagasse plate - 26 cm (oval , white)

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    Our disposable tableware is made from sugar cane fibers. These are mixed with water to a pulp and dried in molds, resulting in practical disposable...

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Disposable plates

Produce disposable plates sustainably - is that even possible?


We all know that, whether from larger parties, from Birthday or a picnic in the country: disposable tableware has so many advantages that very few want to do without it. For example, who wants to lug a picnic basket with porcelain dishes along a hiking trail? Who dares to take grandma's elegant champagne glasses out of the cupboard at a bachelor party? And can anyone get excited about doing the dishes after a party?

When many guests are expected at a barbecue party or a wedding, there are often not enough dishes for everyone. So we get disposable cups and plates for certain occasions, even if we don't necessarily have a good conscience about it. It doesn't have to be plastic dishes. After all, paper plates and paper cups will do, too. However, it is now said that the coating of paper plates can contain harmful substances.

Lately there has been so much different information about disposable tableware in the media that hardly anyone knows whether there are actually sustainably produced products. Is it all just greenwashing again? Or can paper plates & co. really be produced in an environmentally friendly way? In this article we have compiled the most important facts on the subject of "disposable tableware" from reputable sources and offer you answers to your questions here.

How long have disposable tableware been around?


Many important inventions come from clever minds in Germany. The first paper plates were also invented by a German: by Hermann Henschel from Luckenwalde. He patented his paper plates in 1867. Nevertheless, it still took quite a while until the paper cup was invented. Around 1908, the two Americans Hugh Moore and Lawrence Luellen found the technical solution for the production of disposable cardboard cups.

At the beginning of the last century, the course was set for coffee-to-go. Things really got going in 1948: The management of the McDonald's restaurant chain decided at the time to replace their porcelain and glass tableware with disposable tableware. Appropriate disposable packaging made it possible for the first time to not only eat the dishes on the spot, but also to take them away.

What advantages have made disposable tableware so popular?


Originally, the first paper plates and cups were used for hygienic reasons. During the 1930s and 1940s, many companies in North America used paper plates in workers' canteens. At that time, the main concern was to curb communicable diseases, which can be spread, among other things, by inadequately cleaned dishes. However, it soon became clear to the decision-makers in the catering trade that disposable tableware had clear advantages. However, it was less about hygiene and more about economic aspects. You don't have to rack your brains to figure out what it's all about:

Cardboard cups and plates take up a fraction of the storage space that china and glass tableware takes up. Disposable tableware doesn't break and nobody would think of stealing paper plates or cups. Cleaning after use is no longer necessary, which reduces electricity, water and personnel costs. In addition, disposable packaging for hamburgers, pizza, fries and the like allows customers to take their food with them and eat it straight from the packaging - which clearly expands the customer base. That's why the triumph of disposable tableware around the world began in the middle of the last century.

How has the consumption of disposable tableware developed in Germany?


According to a study by the Society for Packaging Market Research (GVM) from 2018, which was carried out by NABU in order was given, almost 350,000 tons of waste were generated in Germany in 2017 from to-go packaging and disposable tableware. Almost a third of it consisted of plastic and similar plastics - which also included so-called "bio-plastics" (a kind of plastic substitute), since they cannot be disposed of in the organic waste bin.

Almost two thirds of these were disposable products made of cardboard, paper and cardboard, some of which are at least recyclable. The proportion of natural materials and aluminum in the waste was less than ten percent at the time - but has been increasing since then. In this study, 50% of plastic waste and more than 60% of paper waste are attributed to single-use food service products in the hospitality industry.

Disposable crockery for private use is added to this. 19% of the 350,000 tons of waste from single-use products is at the expense of private households - in the form of single-use plates, bowls or cups for parties, weddings, picnics etc. In addition, many single-use products end up on roadsides, in parks and on embankments. Waste thrown away at the roadside and in nature cannot always be collected and disposed of. Plastic parts decompose over time and get into the water cycle as microplastics.

Why is the consumption of disposable plates & Co. constantly increasing?


According to NABU the gross domestic product in Germany increased by 38% between 1994 and 2018. The inhabitants of Germany are becoming more and more prosperous - which is also reflected in their consumption habits. Convenience is the current magic word in marketing. It is no longer about advertising and covering basic needs. Today it is about living as comfortably as possible.

Ergonomic desk chairs, low-vibration tool handles and a smart home for a cozy evening: who wants to waste their time cooking or washing up? It is completely clear that the consumption of disposable tableware will also increase as a result. Fortunately, the governments in the EU have finally drawn their conclusions from the growing mountains of waste. It was discussed for a long time, but finally implemented: the ban on plastic for single-use products.

What does the new EU regulation say about the ban on plastic?


Since July 3rd In 2021, the EU will ban the production of certain single-use plastic items. Remaining stocks can still be sold, but afterwards gastronomy and trade have to come up with more sustainable solutions. Here you can find out directly from the federal government which products are involved:

"Disposable cutlery and crockery made of plastic, drinking straws, stirrers, cotton swabs and balloon sticks made of plastic may not be used throughout the EU from July 3, 2021 more are produced. The same applies to to-go beverage cups, fast-food packaging and disposable food containers made from Styrofoam. Retailers can sell off existing goods.
Disposable plates, cups or cutlery made from bio-based or biodegradable materials are also banned Plastics. The same applies to disposable plates and bowls made of cardboard, only a small part of which consists of plastic or is covered with plastic." (Quote)

Why are single-use products not produced more sustainably?


In Europe, around 62 million tons of plastic waste have been produced annually since 2018. The ocean is polluted with microplastics and plastic waste to the most remote areas of the world. Plastic recycling is pure window dressing: only between five and eight percent of single-use products are actually dismantled and reintegrated into the production cycle.Anything else would be too expensive Up to now, the remaining plastic waste has been partly incinerated and partly exported to third world countries.

Nevertheless, when it comes to "environmentally friendly company policies", governments have so far relied on the voluntary commitment of retail and gastronomy. Apparently that didn't work very well - otherwise the annual mountains of garbage would have shrunk long ago. For all the single-use plastic products that are now banned by EU regulations, there have been more sustainable alternatives for years. Environmentally friendly production is more expensive, but it pays off in the long run.

What exactly does sustainable production mean?


According to the Federal Environment Agency, sustainable production involves "social responsibility , economic efficiency and the protection of the natural environment” are inextricably linked. Companies that do not produce sustainably overexploit the natural resources of our planet - at the expense of future generations.

So far there have only been a few companies that have really pursued a sustainable corporate policy. In the future, however, requirements for environmental standards for industrial production are to be drawn up. So far, the principle of voluntariness still applies. Sustainable production simply means that the earth's natural resources are conserved in the manufacture and marketing of a product and that social justice is taken into account.

Are there any environmentally friendly disposable plates at all?


What would you think of spontaneously if you wanted to produce a disposable plate in the most resource-efficient way possible? A paper plate made from recycled waste paper? Unfortunately that does not work. Almost all paper plates and cups that were commercially available were covered with a thin layer of PE or PLA. This prevented the cardboard from softening when it came into contact with moisture. Of course, such crockery could not be recycled and at best ended up in the residual waste after use.

The research team at Wisefood - one of the pioneers in terms of sustainable production - has found a way to make paper plates moisture-resistant without an artificial coating make. Wisefood's collection of paper products is made in an environmentally friendly way from the fresh wood of conifers from certified sustainable forestry. The surface is only compressed by water vapour, so that this crockery does not contain any harmful substances.

No harmful substances are released into the environment during the production of Wisefood paper plates. They are made of so-called "kraft cardboard" or "kraft paper" and consist almost exclusively of natural cellulose. That's why you can dispose of our paper plates in the compost or in the organic bin without hesitation. This means you simply return your disposable tableware to nature's cycle.

Wisefood's white and brown paper plates are lightweight and stack so well that they hardly take up any storage space. They are ecologically harmless and biodegradable in every respect. Of course, they come in paper packaging - Wisefood is based on the principles of sustainability in every respect.

Why is Wisefood's cardboard tableware made from fresh wood?


We have already explained above that we have not yet found a way to make uncoated tableware made from recycled paper waterproof. Of course, our research team is working flat out on possible solutions - and you might soon find disposable plates made from waste paper in our shop.

However, one can never know exactly which foreign substances are hidden in waste paper. During previous use, storage and transport, it is quite possible that the raw material contains substances that are not necessarily food-safe. That can't happen to you with our kraft paper plates.

Where do the trees that are used for Wisefood's cardboard tableware come from?


For Wisefood, environmental protection is important top priority. In order to keep the CO2 footprint of our products as low as possible, we rely on German pine and spruce from FSC-certified forestry. We make sure that our transport routes are as short as possible and prefer to work with regional producers.

Only in exceptional cases do we cooperate with suppliers from nearby countries. However, it is also important to us that we only work with entrepreneurs who have made “sustainability” their motto – and who can also demonstrate this in practice. At Wisefood there are no bad compromises.

Does Wisefood only produce party tableware made of cardboard?


No. Our clever research team has found another material that can be processed into moisture-resistant disposable tableware without the addition of any chemicals or plastic. It's about palm leaves - more precisely, leaves of an Indian palm species that has nothing to do with the production of palm oil. Traditionally, these leaves were collected and burned.

Now the leaves of the areca palm are processed into sustainable tableware: into palm leaf plates and bowls. In their production, only their natural components are used. Palm leaves naturally have a water-repellent layer on their surface, are made of solid plant fibers and are ideal for the manufacture of disposable tableware to take away.

Our innovative palm leaf plates are particularly popular because they have a unique look. When they are made, a kind of grain is created that is reminiscent of wood. Every palm leaf bowl and every plate has its own distinctive look. The stylish unique pieces are not only used at weddings and similar celebrations in private households, in catering and for the stylish presentation of finger food. They are also ideal as disposable tableware when traveling or as camping tableware.

Our plates made of palm leaves are extremely robust and dimensionally stable. You can easily put them in the microwave. They even tolerate heating in the oven at temperatures of up to 180 °C for a while. In addition, they are cut-resistant and waterproof. And if you want to store leftover treats from a party, wedding or company event in the freezer, you can simply put them in with your palm leaf plates.

Do the palm leaves for plates and bowls come from plantations?


In South and Southeast Asia, the Areca palm has been cultivated in plantations for centuries for its fruit . It produces betel nuts, which in processed form are chewed by the population for their stimulating effects. The trunk of this palm tree is formed from the remains of fallen leaves. Areca palms reach a height of up to 30 meters and shed their lower leaves several times a year.

The palm leaves for our bowls and plates are a leftover product from local agriculture. They used to be collected and burned. Today we support the circular economy in India by reusing palm leaves from BSCI certified plantations. The leaves are collected, sorted by hand and then washed.

So we can be sure that our palm leaf products are made from a clean and pollutant-free raw material. After drying, they are mechanically pressed into shape with the help of steam and then cut to size. No additives or chemicals are used. The production of our palm leaf bowls and plates uses hardly any energy and creates safe jobs under fair conditions.

How can the long transport route be reconciled with the principle of sustainability?


Of course we would prefer if areca palms could grow in Germany. But unfortunately they only tolerate temperatures above 10 °C - and who would be interested in betel nuts, which stain saliva and teeth red? Some plants just thrive in hot countries. However, our palm leaf plates and bowls are so light that we accept the long transport route.

Of course, we offset the CO2 emissions caused by production and transport. Climate neutrality is one of our basic principles. Wisefood is taking part in a climate protection project in India and is thus making an important contribution to the fight against climate change. So you don't have to worry about whether our palm leaf products are really climate-neutral.

Which disposable plates for which occasion?


You're probably wondering now, which plastic substitute is more suitable for your purposes. With the purchase of cardboard tableware you support sustainable forestry in Germany and indirectly contribute to our forests absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen. If you decide for palm leaf tableware, you contribute to the creation of fair jobs in the third world. Otherwise, our paper and palm leaf products have a lot in common. They are

  • biodegradable
  • free from harmful substances
  • contain no plastic
  • sustainably produced
  • climate-neutral
  • made from renewable raw materials
  • versatile
  • stackable
  • light
  • robust



So it's more or less a matter of taste what you ultimately choose. Paper crockery is a little cheaper to buy, but palm leaf crockery is more robust and water-repellent. In addition, there is the unusual natural look. Many of our customers from the catering industry opt for buffet dishes, finger food bowls and snack bowls made from palm leaves.

The plastic substitute with its natural look also cuts a fine figure at weddings or company events. Our brown and white eco-friendly paper plates are often used at intimate parties, outings, picnics or camping. They can be stacked particularly well and are ultra-light. Due to their neutral appearance, they fit into any ambience. Rely on your own taste and take a look at our two collections.

Our tip: If you want to be on the safe side, simply test both product groups. This is the best way to get an idea of ​​the properties of the different materials.

Just take a look at what we have in our portfolio!



Sources:

https://www.nabu.de/ environment-and-resources/waste-and-recycling/25294.html
https://www.nabu.de/imperia/md/content/nabude/WastePolicy/181022_gvm-studie_einwegchina_sofortverzehr.pdf
https:// www.ifu.com/de/nachhaltige-produktion/
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelnusspalme
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Areca+catechu
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einweg dishes
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themes/economics-consumption/sustainable-production
https://wwwbundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/nachhaltigkeitspolitik/one-way-plastic-will-be-prohibited-1763390

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