Disposables have become an integral part of our daily lives. From the coffee cup you drink from on the train in the morning to the box you take your takeaway home in. They are convenient, quick, and often cheap. But what about the environmental impact of all these disposable products? In this blog, we tell you what you need to know about disposables and how to make conscious choices.

What exactly are disposables?

Disposables, or disposable products, are items that you use only once before throwing them away. Examples include cups, straws, napkins, food packaging and cutlery. They are often used in places where convenience and hygiene are important, such as in hospitality, at events or in offices.

What environmental problems do traditional disposables cause?

Many traditional disposables, such as plastic cups and cutlery, are made of non-biodegradable materials such as plastic. These types of materials can remain in nature for hundreds of years before degrading. Moreover, many of these disposables end up in landfills or, even worse, in our oceans. This leads to a number of problems:

• Plastic pollution: Plastic disposables break down into microplastics that pollute our ecosystems and are dangerous to animals and ultimately to us.
• Waste mountains: Since many traditional disposables are not recyclable, they end up in landfills, where they contribute to growing mountains of waste.
• CO2 emissions: The production of plastic disposables creates significant greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

What are sustainable(er) alternatives?

Fortunately, sustainable alternatives to traditional disposables are increasingly available. These alternatives are designed to reduce environmental damage and are often biodegradable or compostable. Here are a few examples of eco-friendly disposables:

• Sugar cane trays: Made from residual materials from the sugar cane industry, fully compostable, plastic-free yet sturdy.
• Cardboard cups: Often provided with a thin/environmentally friendly coating, making them recyclable.
• Wooden cutlery: Biodegradable and often from responsibly managed forests.
• Paper straws: A good alternative to plastic straws and fully compostable.

As an entrepreneur, how can I make a difference?

As a business owner, you can play an important role in reducing the impact of disposables on the environment. Here are a few tips to be more sustainable with disposables:

1. Opt for biodegradable materials and/or plastic-free options: Use disposables made of natural and compostable materials, such as sugarcane, bamboo or cardboard.
2. Encourage reuse: Encourage customers to use disposables more often or bring their own cups or bags.
3. Ensure proper waste separation: Make it easy for customers to separate their waste and make sure recyclable products are actually recycled.

What is the future of disposables?

The demand for sustainable(er) disposables is increasing, and that is good news for the environment. Governments are introducing increasingly strict regulations to reduce plastic pollution. In many countries, plastic straws, cutlery and other disposables are already banned or meet strict restrictions. As a result, sustainable alternatives are becoming increasingly popular.

At TakeAware, we understand the importance of sustainability and offer a wide range of eco-friendly disposables. Whether you are looking for sugar cane trays, cardboard cups or biodegradable cutlery, we are happy to help you make more sustainable choices.

Would you like to know more about our sustainable products? Then feel free to take a look at our product range!