A Different Approach.
Recycling is not enough.
Annually, more than twenty-one million tons of plastic containers, packaging, and nondurable goods such as plates and cups are produced in the U.S. About nine percent of the total plastic waste generated is recovered for recycling. That leaves 19+ million tons of plastic to find its way into our landfills, our waterways, our oceans. In the past few years, that percentage has decreased with the price of a barrel of oil. Currently in Gallatin County only plastics of type 1 and 2 are accepted for recycling, as it’s more expensive to recycle other types of plastic than to make new items.
Polystyrene, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam, is an even bigger problem. Americans discard 25 billion Styrofoam cups each year and 19 billion pounds of polystyrene packing peanuts. Yes… that is billion… with a b! Those numbers don’t include plates, food containers, other packaging. This material is cheap to produce, much cheaper than recycling would be.
Solutions
to break the cycle.
There are not only issues with these materials contaminating our waterways with physical hazards and filling up our landfills. The people working in the plants that produce these products are exposed to the carcinogens and neurotoxins that make them up. In the 500-1000 years that it takes these materials to degrade to microscopic levels, they absorb toxins from the environment. This means that as they enter the food chain as microscopic particles, they bring with them not only their intrinsic carcinogens and neurotoxins, but also environmental toxins, such as PCBs. It’s a vicious cycle.
Here at EcoMontana we offer solutions to help break that cycle. While reusable is always best, it’s not always practical. We supply only compostable food service items, all made from plants… NOT petroleum! We have hot cups made from paper that comes from sustainably forested trees and lined with a “corn plastic”. We have clear cold cups, deli containers, soufflé cups, and clamshells made from the same “corn plastic.” Our utensils, made from corn and talc, are the sturdiest disposable cutlery you will find. They withstand temperatures up to 200ºF and if they happen to come home in the kids’ lunchboxes, they can go in the dishwasher! Our plates and napkins are made of straw and come in various shapes and sizes. We also have bowls, to-go containers, and catering pans made from bagasse, the fibrous leftovers from sugarcane processing.
Options
for Business and Home.
Contact us today and let us show you the sustainable options available, both for your business and your home. We stock over 150 different items in our two Bozeman area warehouses, and have access to hundreds more. All items are available for purchase by the case (usually 500-1000 pieces) and also by the sleeve (generally 50-100 pieces.) We have partnered with Summit Distribution, so we can get our products to you wherever you are in Montana!
