Should Styrofoam and plastic utensils go the way of the dinosaur?

I attended a pancake breakfast fundraiser the other day, and was bothered to see the group using Styrofoam cups and throwaway plastic utensils. I had a mug in the car, but haven't gotten around to buying travel bamboo utensils such as those found on the link below.

Styrofoam and plastic utensils should go the way of the steel beverage can. Once heavy steel cans were replaced by lighter, and more frequently recycled aluminum cans.

With the introduction of biodegradable products and expanded recycling options, large fundraisers and festivals have more options to go green. At the 2008 Columbus Green Day Festival, all biodegradables, including the starch-based utinsils, were composted, and bottles and cans were recycled. Most of our various festivals recycle plastic and aluminum cans, but there's plenty room for improvement.

Most vendors and fundraising committees would consider using biodegradables, but are concerned about the cummulative financial costs more than they are their carbon footprint. I wonder how much that pancake breakfast committee would pay for biodegradables. If they don't mind paying 75%-125% more for their utinsils, than the time is right.

When I visit places or events where there seems to be a lot of waste or no reclycling, I start to question the key people. Sometimes it leads to earth changing results. Hopefully you can plant a few seeds in the organizer's heads from that pancake breakfast. When given alternatives, sometimes people choose environment over the bottom line. Some groups are better than others than making environmental choices. If this were a school fundraiser, I'm sure the kids and parents would feel great if they knew their utinsils and plates were going to be composted, or at least biodegradable. Perhaps a little discussion will allow the next pancake breakfast to go green.

One Small Step Holiday Gift Ideas

Bamboo $28.68 Bamboo

Old Cooking Utensils $10.75 Old Cooking Utensils

Core Bamboo 6PC Utensil Set $4.99 Core Bamboo six-piece utensil set. Made from 100% organically grown Bamboo. This is the perfect kitchen essential set with the 6 most popular utensils you will be sure to use daily. Each tool is crafted of 100% organically grown bamboo and won't scratch your pots and pans. Set includes 1 of each: solid spatula, slotted spatula, corner slotted spatula, slotted spoon, salad fork and solid spoon. Wash with warm soapy water or a damp cloth.

Benders Utensils $5.99 As we all know, introducing your baby to DIY eating can be quite challenging especially when it comes to using utensils. All babies love finger foods but eventually they need to be able to eat other things like soup that require more than their fingers. To assist with this we found Bender Utensils. Bender utensils ease you into the trials and tribulations of getting your geekling to use utensils. The set of benders comes with a spork and a spoon. Both of them are designed so that the ends bend side to side to assist with the angle that is best for your baby to consume food. After all, it's always preferable to have food go into the mouth rather than onto the floor and walls or all over the family pet.

Baking Utensils $18 The Baking Utensils Set by Plan Toys is a great addition to your child's kitchen collection. The set features a rolling pin, measuring spoon, whisk, pastry cutter, and spatula. All pieces are made with recycled rubber wood for the safety of your child and the environment. Great for ages 3 years and up. Green Toy – Green Company. PlanToys recognizes the importance of promoting good quality of life, balanced with concern for environment. They are committed to minimizing their impact on nature and their toys are made from recycled rubberwood that is non chemically treated. PlanToys simplicity in design is combined with innovative use of materials and real-valued function encouraging more creative play in a good learning environment.

Personalized Gift - bamboo $14 bamboo

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