Edible Plates And Cutlery Is The Future Of Sustainable Eating
The demand for environmentally conscious products is rapidly growing, so the food industry is introducing edible cutlery and plates to replace their plastic single-use equivalents. In a few years, you may be eating food out of these plates when going out for a picnic or a festival.
Key points:
- A Japanese company is producing edible chopsticks and plates in a variety of flavors.
- Polish technology is at the center of producing cheap edible plates made from bran.
The movement for reducing the use of plastic, worldwide, is encouraging manufacturers to design, innovative, eco-friendly dishes, and cutlery alternatives. Currently, it will take at least 500 years for regular petroleum-based plastic products, to biodegrade. That’s why manufacturing plates, drinkware, and cutlery which, are not only completely biodegradable, also edible is a huge step forward for a cleaner planet.
Japan produces a large quantity of plastic. However, it now offers multiple environmentally-friendly solutions. For example, Kit-Kat Japan uses recycled origami paper as its packaging, and stores now sell onigiri rice balls in bioplastic wrappers.
In recent years a Japanese ice-cream cone manufacturer produced edible organic chopsticks and water-resistant edible plates, a real game-changer, they are also in various flavors including:
- Grilled corn
- Onion
- Purple sweet potato
- Shrimp crackers
These plates, called e-trays, and they’re biodegradable, so even if you don’t wanna eat them, throwing them isn’t going to harm the environment.
There are also chopsticks are made from, the same plant that is used to weave tatami mats. At the moment, however, both products cost more than their plastic equivalents. Nevertheless, many customers are willing to pay extra knowing it will help save the environment.
Another example of fighting the problem of plastic waste is found in Europe. Where starting in 2021, the sale of single-use plastic will be banned.
A Polish company, Biotrem, has developed a new technology that allows making edible plates from bran, which is highly nutritious and a waste product of wheat grinding. Both hot and cold dishes can be served on these plates. If stored in proper conditions, the plates can last for about three years. They have already been tested in Polish IKEA outlets, which is very promising, for the future of these bran plates.
Biotrem is currently experimenting with waste product materials, from carrots, corn, and seaweed.
Source:
Global Edible Cutlery Market (2019 to 2026) – by Product, Raw Material and Application
These eco-friendly plates and chopsticks from Japan are completely edible
Polish Company Biotrem Leads The Way In Waste-Free Disposables