Sustainability is so much more than recycling and being eco friendly. For companies to be sustainable they must consider transportation, water, energy use and even packaging materials.

Consumers are now more eco-conscious than ever. The demand for environmentally-friendly products that are reusable, recyclable and compostable is rising. Especially when it comes to packaging materials which impose huge environmental impacts.

Most noteworthy and a major concern now is whether items will completely biodegrade within 90 days. In addition, plastic has also become a colossal issue for the environment. All because they remain in landfills for hundreds of years.

According to MBA Online, the most innovative companies quickly shift. That’s shift to cater consumer demand.

Some of the cups and bowls can handle food or drink as hot as around 200-220 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also microwaveable. Therefore. their usage extends across the board. That’s into any application where you would require tableware.

In addition, companies as familiar as the office supply store Staples. It created lines of compostable plates, utensils and bowls. Their Sustainable Earth line is simple as it sounds. For it also covers the things needed for a potluck, company dinner, or outing.

In addition, Branch has a line called WASARA. One that features Japanese elegance in single-use tableware. It’s made of sugar cane, bamboo, and reed pulp. They also offer an unusual beauty and attention to detail. I mean not often found in single-use ware.

Now ALDI is pleased to announce a series of commitments it has made. All to help combat the global plastic crisis. By 2025, 100 percent of ALDI packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable. Furthermore, ALDI will also reduce packaging material. So that’s across its entire range by at least 15 percent.

More than 90 percent of ALDI’s range is ALDI-exclusive. Giving ALDI more leeway in their ability to change product sourcing and production.

The company will work with its supplier community to achieve the following comprehensive goals:

In 2025, 100 percent of ALDI packaging, including plastic packaging, will have reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging;
So By 2025, packaging material of all ALDI-exclusive products to be reduced by at least 15 percent;
Then By 2020, 100 percent of ALDI-exclusive consumable packaging to include How2Recycle label;
By 2020, implement an initiative to make private-label product packaging easier for customers to reuse;
Guide continuous improvement of product packaging by internal expertise and external evaluations.

One thing that must be taken into consideration is that compostable items typically cost more than their traditional relatives. However, they are capable of breaking down and not harming the environment. Many people are so willing to find an additional eco cost. They feel it’s a very small price to pay.

Another reason to buy compostable is that items in a commercial composter fully break down in 30 days. However, it takes about 90 days at the home compost pile. This is why it’s necessary to process large amounts of compostable material. Go big! I mean, it’s preferable to use a commercial composting facility.

As I wrote before, the number of usable landfills in the United States has also sharply declined in the past few decades. This is according to a 2005 report on municipal solid waste generation. the EPA notes a total of 7,924 landfills in 1988 and only 1,654 in 2005.

As a result, one of the most-notable landfill closures was Fresh Kills and Croton-on-Hudson in New York. Fresh Kills is one the world’s largest landfill. It was closed in 2001 after being filled with 53 years worth of garbage from NYC. That’s according to the Staten Island Advance.

But, while many landfills are closing, others are expanding. Consequently, an expansion of the Cherry Island landfill in Delaware was recently completed. Thereby adding 20.7 million cubic yards in capacity. This was noted in a press release from Sevenson Environmental; the environmental remediation company that completed the expansion. The expansion “extended the life of the landfill by about 20 years,” according to the CEO of Sevenson Environmental, Michael Elia.

Moreover, cities are getting on board with municipal composting. It seems like composting will become a regular part of life. Finally, for more and more people as time goes by, to everyone’s benefit.

By: Elaine Hirsch

Now really finally, here’s also an infographic on composting peat free. Hopefully it’s helpful.