Green Utensils and Takeout Boxes

As a fan of NBC's hit show 30 Rock and a lover of the planet I enjoyed episode the fifth episode of season two entitled "Greenzo". David Schwimmer (Ross from Friend's) get's a new job promoting GE's green appliances in the form of a green superhero named Greenzo. Unfortunately, he goes overboard and begins insulting everyone about how gross their overconsumption really is and devolves into a self obsessed megalomaniac.

At one point in an intense standoff Greenzo confronts Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) with "Wait! What's in that styrofoam cup, huh? The Earth's blood? Gimme that!". Tragically, styrofoam cups and individually wrapped plastic utincils are still in high demand and use. These compounds are toxic to produce and nearly impossible to dispose. According to WikiAnswers it takes upwards of 50 years for a styrofoam cup to decompose... so what are the alternatives?

Thankfully, a whole new industry is "sprouting up" around biodegradable consumables such as forks, knives, plates, takeout boxes, and even water bottles! I first noticed this trend two years ago while working at the Googleplex in Mountain View California, the epicenter of cleantech (in the US). Google is well known for its employee benefits, free food, pets at work, etc. etc. but not so many people know that their takeout utencils are made of corn which is completely compostable. They have also have one cafeteria that only utilizes ingredients grown within 150 miles known as "Cafe 150". Recently Google also added organic gardens to their portfolio of green eating options. These gardens supply ingredients used daily to prepare meals at their main cafeteria.

These days it's not just Google clearing the way to a greener future in the food industry. Several local restaurants and corporations are jumping onboard as well. Hewlett Packard, for example has made an internal commitment to rid themselves of styrofoam coffee cups in break rooms and cafeterias. Microsoft has begun using recyclable silverware in their cafeterias. As a soccer Mom (or Dad) who serves up pizza and casserole you could also be making a difference. Instead of using Solo plastic cups and styrofoam plates for your next playdate or sleepover consider the alternatives being offered by the Dine Green Store. You can also do a bit of homework on your local restaurants and figure out which ones belong to the Green Restaurant Association. The GRA connects sustainable product suppliers and producers with consumers and restaurants providing a convenient way for all sectors of the restaurant industry, which represents 10% of the U.S. economy, to become more environmentally sustainable. Shown here are food containers made out of Bagasse, a fiberous resadue leftover material from the production of sugarcane.

It won't be long until Costco and Sam's club are offering these products in bulk, in the mean time check out the websites we've shared and keep your eye out for recyclable materials like Bagasse, Bioplastic, Corn, Bambu, BioPak Fiberboard, Clamshell, Organic Cotton, Recycled Paperboard and of course Recycled Paper. Share your own source of bio utensils and organic materials below.