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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What are the green goods that Passion Purveyors distributes?
Passion Purveyors green goods are sustainable and compostable packaging solutions created from renewable agricultural resources like sugarcane, reed, bamboo, palm, corn and potato. Our packaging is an environmentally responsible and attractive replacement for industry standards like StyrofoamTM and other non-renewable petroleum-based products.
In the past, all foodservice packaging was considered equivalent, selected for its presentation and ease of use. Unfortunately, the negative effects of using petroleum-based products (polluted groundwater, increased greenhouse gases and the dumping of non-degradable materials in our landfills and waterways) have become apparent. Steps to reduce these environmental consequences have become equal in importance. The green goods that we distribute are an excellent way to care for the environment without losing the convenience or aesthetic appeal of traditional packaging materials.
What about recycling plastic?
The United States has a mature recycling system that works well for some materials but not for plastics. According to figures from the EPA, we recycle less than 1% of the total plastic we generate. We do better with PET (the plastic commonly used in drinking water bottles) recycling almost 25% of it. That still leaves almost 3.2 billion pounds of PET left as trash and litter. If PET were replaced with compostable bioplastics, such as PLA, those new bottles (which can be composted and recycled) would not become the permanent pollution that PET creates.
What products are available right now?
New bio-based products are continually being introduced into the marketplace. Currently, the Passion Purveyors line offers: Bagasse containers to replace paper or StyrofoamTM cups, plate and to-go containers; PLA corn bioplastics to replace traditional clear plastic for use with cold foods and beverages; Corn and potato starch cutlery to replace plastic cutlery and plates; ecotainerTM compostable paper hot cups and soup containers; compostable bags and can liners; and unbleached paper products such as napkins, bags and sanitary papers made from recycled paper.
How does Passion Purveyors packaging effect greenhouse gas emissions?
Packaging made from bio sources is carbon neutral. If burned, the carbon released is equal to that which the plant absorbed from the atmosphere during its growth. If it is composted, much of the carbon will be fixed in the compost, replenishing the soil to assist plant growth instead of being released into the atmosphere.
What is PLA corn plastic?
NatureWorksTM PLA is an attractive, clear plastic used for cups, deli containers, bowls and hinged containers that are made from domestically grown corn. It is designed for cold applications and will not tolerate temperatures over 110? F. The basic raw material for NatureWorksTM PLA (polylactic acid) is dextrose. Dextrose is a natural sugar derived from the starch in kernels of corn, carbon dioxide and water. NatureWorksTM PLA uses up to 100% fewer fossil resources in its manufacturing process than conventional plastics. It can compost completely back to carbon, water and organic matter, helping to eliminate its ecological footprint.
What is Bagasse?
Sugarcane Bagasse is the fibrous waste left after the extraction of the sugar from the cane. Historically, the waste has been burned in the fields. Now, however, it is a valued as a green energy source and packaging material. Bagasse food packaging is made from bagasse, reed, bamboo and palm. It tolerates both high and low heat applications holding either wet or dry food. It is freezer, microwave and oven safe and is the most cost-effective replacement for all varieties of StyrofoamTM plates, cups and containers. Bagasse is compostable in both municipal and home compost piles. It is an excellent alternative to both plastic and paper tableware. It is also carbon neutral.
What is the cutlery made of?
The cutlery is made from a bio-plastic consisting of 80% potato or corn starch and 20% soy or other vegetable oil. It is certified compostable and will also biodegrade in the environment when exposed to natural elements. This cutlery will tolerate boiling water while maintaining its integrity.
What is the difference between 'BIODEGRADABLE' and 'COMPOSTABLE'?
Biodegradability: capacity of a substance to be broken down by microorganisms with no set time scale.
Compostability: capacity to biodegrade in a managed process, producing useful compost within a period of 180 days.
Does the compostable packaging need to be shredded prior to composting?
Municipal compost is shredded prior to composting. Uniform piece size is important for compost to process uniformly. The home composter does not have to shred, however, complete composting will occur more rapidly if the material is shredded. The increased surface area created by shredding is key to a timely compost cycle.
Why should we buy compostable packaging if it is not being composted?
The value of sustainable, renewable and compostable packaging is not diminished if it is not composted. As waste, if degrades much more quickly than non-degradable petroleum-based plastics. Even the traditional paper cup is lined with a petroleum based layer that is impenetrable by naturally occurring microorganisms. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced as more packaging is made from renewable resources and less from oil. The amount of carbon released from the Passion Purveyors products is equal to the carbon fixed in the plant as it grew. In other words, as the plants grow, they are absorbing carbon from the atmosphere only to release the same carbon when burned or composted.
The only way we can achieve viable, sustainable products with reasonable prices is to create a market for them. When you support Passion Purveyors by purchasing our line of compostable packaging, you are creating the demand that will force prices down and enhance availability. Passion Purveyors is a local company, reducing transportation costs and emissions to deliver the products to your door.
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