EcoZeal

Cups made from corn, like this one from Trellis Earth, are more environmentally responsible than traditional plastic – but they’re still not without issues.

Sometimes it seems you just can’t win.

You can go out of your way to purchase items that are sustainable, reusable, recycled, recyclable and otherwise environmentally benign…only to have them handed to you all wrapped up in plastic.

The evils of plastic

This country’s mania for wrapping things up has gotten way out of hand. How many times have you bought a bunch of already-bagged items – and had the sales clerk pop them into yet another bag? How many items have you been forced to buy packages in bubble wrap, when they could just as easily been sold in bulk? And how’s this for ridiculous: now you can even buy individually-wrapped prunes!

We all know the evils of plastic. It doesn’t biodegrade. It introduces hormone-disrupting compounds into the environment. It’s a petroleum product, for heaven’s sake!

But it’s hard to deny, plastics are useful, too. And while it’s good to work towards reduction, one has to be realistic. People aren’t just going to stop using them.

That’s why the new food-based, decomposable plastics are becoming a big hit as a functional alternative to traditional plastic.

If you frequent natural foods stores and other earth-conscious establishments, you may already have experience with shopping bags made from this type of plastic. Made from renewable soy or corn, they’re engineered to do their duty as plastic – and then break down at about the same rate as paper and leaves. They’re compostable and leave little to no toxic residues behind.

Sounds ideal – but not so fast. There are a few catches involved.

Bio-plastic is non-recyclable and can ruin a batch of plastic for recycling if it gets mixed in – so consumer education is vital. Too much of the stuff in waterways could deplete the water of oxygen as it decomposes, leading to algae blooms and other environmental problems. And knowing that the plastic is biodegradable might encourage people to use more of it – an undesirable side effect, since growing the crops to make it, plus its manufacture still results in hefty fossil fuel consumption.

Even so, corn- and soy- based plastics, when properly and judiciously used, can contribute to a greener lifestyle. If you do use items like trash bags, ag film, pet waste bags, etc. on a regular basis, take a moment to explore the biodegradable bag options available right now. Two places to start are Bio Bag, featuring bags made from corn, and Trellis Earth,  which also carries disposable dishes and cutlery. Don’t forget to alert your favorite retail providers, too!