This week's seminar features an invited guest, Ms. Julia Wetstein. She is Zero Waste Director at VegwarePackaging, Inc. – a global firm specializing in plant-based compostable foodservice packaging. Her presentation is entitled “Food Waste Diversion and Compostable Packaging: The Recycling Revolution”. Be sure to warmly welcome our special guest!!!!
Sustainability is a huge issue in today`s world. The impact that climate change has already had on our way of life is hard to deny. It is imperative that change needs to happen, but the implementation of that change can be hard to accomplish. A company based out of Edinburgh is changing how we view plastic waste. Vegware has created a type of plastic-like substance that is wholly compostable. Vegware products are made from a bioplastic called polylactic acid or PLA. PLA is made from fermented plant starch from plants like corn, cassava (used to make tapioca), sugar cane and/or sugar beet pulp. As the costs of contaminating plastic recyclables increases through fines and fees, companies are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on single-use plastics. Julia Wetstein is an environmental specialist for Vegware, and she travels around the country introducing Vegware to corporations looking to reduce their footprint and become more sustainable. With compostable single use materials one can simply throw their food waste (the crusts from a sandwich or the last bits of lettuce from their salads) along with the plant-based materials (silverware, plates, etc.) all in the same bin. That mixture is then taken to a commercial composting facility and composed into nutrient rich fertilizer that is then used by farms. The cycle of utensil to compost and back to the earth via fertilizer is an attractive system that, after listening to Julia talk, seems to be a smart and sustainable solution to corporations` and universities` food waste problems. What do you think is another step companies and universities can take to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable?
ReplyDeleteI was totally intrigued by Julia's presentation and the amount of research and effort Vegware has put into developing and marketing their products. I hadn't really thought about using plant materials such as fermented starches to make what essentially behaves like a plastic material. Using compostable plastics for foodware definitely increases ease of use and disposal while cutting down on the amount of nonrenewable resources used in the production of traditional plastics.
ReplyDeleteOne other step that companies and universities can take to reduce their carbon footprint was shown in her video about a rocket composting machine that broke down food waste and produced mulch the groundskeepers could use. Since this decreased the number of trips a truck would take per month to dispose of trash, we can think about it in terms of carbon emissions and suggest that companies and universities use electric vehicles for groundskeepers. There is still going to be a need for traditional gasoline vehicles which have a greater power output, but smaller vehicles like golf carts would be great alternatives for transporting people. A conversion to renewable solar energy could also reduce the need for electricity which produces much of the carbon emissions in the world.
I was glad to get to listen to Ms. Wetstein speak, because while I share the sentiment that we need to take measures to protect our planet from a harshening climate crisis, I lacked in knowledge that could help me consider solutions. Ms. Wetstein came to us with one such probable solution, that being the Vegware products. I like that it gives a tangible and likely pragmatic solution to reducing non-decomposable waste. I liked hearing that Vegware is working with Nike and Coachella since it helped put away some skepticism that they did not have meaningful clientele. I don't mean that to sound rude, I simply didn't know about Vegware prior to this presentation, which could also be my fault. In any case, I'm eager to see this product line grow further. Someone in the seminar asked about water bottles being changed over to a Vegware, or other plant-based, packaging system. That is one thing I would like to see. That along with plastic bags, those plastic rings they use for packs soda cans, styrofoam packaging, etc. Those are the first few things that come to mind, I'm sure there is loads more. Anything to get plastic and trash out of our oceans, ya dig.
ReplyDeleteI found Julia Wetstein's presentation extremely interesting and enjoyable. I was unaware that anything like Vegware existed until she informed us, and I'm glad she took the time to speak at YSU. Vegware seems to put in significant research and testing into their products to ensure durability, safety, and eco friendliness. Traditional plastics used around the world daily are nonrenewable and frankly don't do the environment any good sitting in a landfill. The fact that there is a company focusing their time and energy on creating safe, recyclable, and disposable food service products from plants is a giant step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, I think companies and universities should better utilize composting. This would cut down on the amount of waste being produced and better the university/company grounds by using composted materials. I also think companies/universities should consider utilizing companies such as Vegware for their foodservice needs, to replace current plastic cutlery and cups, with more eco friendly options.
Ms. Wetstein's presentation was truly intriguing in that her products can revolutionize the way we manufacture environmentally friendly culinary tools. Unlike plastic culinary tools, Vegware is used with crystallized polylactic acid that can be used to make spoons and forks, and can be sprayed on paper cups. Given that they are compostable, they can help reduce the amount of methane that is emitted into our atmosphere. The videos also were a great demonstration of how Vegware has impacted local communities and universities in Scotland. If there was more funding for producing these products, and more of a shift towards using recycled materials, Vegware has the opportunity to change the world for the better.
ReplyDeleteThis post was made by Michael Deak.
DeleteMs Julia's presentation was really a thought-provoking one. Addressing the whole issue of decomposing wastes and at the same time taking care of the environment. The love of her job is evident how she goes around the world enlightening people about their services. The idea of the Vegware Company manufacturing products made up of plants using renewable,lower carbon, recycled materials and designed to be commercially compostable with food if accepted was really awesome. This has really reduced the need to clean, sort or separate the food wastes now and then. The end product after composting is really a big boost to the agricultural sector bearing in mind the merits of using organic manures compared to the inorganic fertilizers. Companies and universities have an opportunity to reduce their carbon footprints and become sustainable by, from the word go, adopting the system of Vegware. Its really working well. Their is also need to adventure into the use of laptops more than we use desktop computers because laptops use up to 80% less energy compared to desktop computers. People should be encouraged to walk on short distances rather than use of vehicles which emit carbon (IV) oxide into the environment. thumbs up to Ms Julia and Vegware at large.
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