Consequences (A Response)

In response to my last blog, I wanted to take a look at biodegradable containers and utensils.  I remember I first saw these when I was a freshman at Davis.  At the convenience store next to the dorms, Trudy’s, they had disposable forks and spoons made from corn rather than from plastic.  It was the first time I had seen something like that and lately, I’ve been seeing containers that are compostable as well.  On a bigger scale, FritoLay SunChips also have changed their chip bag packaging to 100% compostable ones.

Plastics made from corn rather from oil are called Polylactides.  PLA, as it is referred to, is both biodegradable and compostable, taking only 30-45 days to compost.  Plastic products made from oil, on the other hand, can take up to 1000 years to decompose.  Though plastic utensils and containers are what are most commonly used, they might not be for long.  “Cornplastics” (as I’ll call them) are being used now to make not only utensils, plates, containers, but “plastic bags” as well.  And more good news – they cost about just as much to purchase as products made from plastic. 

At the Davis CoHo, compostable utensils, bowls, and plates are used.  And from a previous post coffee lids are recyclable too.  I’m personally curious as to when the switch to biodegradable cups will occur. I know they are out there.  In researching about biodegradable foodware, I was happy to find that even straws have been made biodegradable!

Now, as with any thing, it is important to consider the costs of this recent trend.  In just quick research, I found that there is also a con-side to this seemingly revolutionary invention.  There is some concern that the “biodegradable” factor of these products isn’t as glamorous as portrayed.  Some specialists say that the cost to produce “self-destructing” bags is much higher than the so-called “benefit.”  The name “eco-friendly” is just an “insurance policy” for people who don’t take responsibility for disposing of waste and in reality, these bags may actually be emitting toxins into the earth they compost in.

It’s still too early to tell, but these questions are being raised – and rightly so!  Any design should be tested and critically analyzed, especially when it has the potential to influence the globe. 

I find it exciting that people are being motivated to design products that take into consideration the environment.  I hope that people continue to work toward environmentally friendly solutions and welcome any kind of criticism in order to improve their designs and take into consideration all possible consequences.