"Green Washing" from the Green Restaurant Association

If you are consious about Green Living then you've heard about and probably seen the Green Restaurant Association's Certification on something.  I would like people to take a hard look at the standards they have for disposable/takeout products.  They only have standards for paper and plastic products.  That means biodegradable products like bagasse and PLA can't get certified. 

Paper Disposables must be 100% Recycled Paper and processed Chlorine Free.  That seems good.  However, not all of products must be 100% Post Consumer Waste(PCW) recycled paper.  Cups only need to be 10% PCW, and take out containers only need to be 35% PCW.  The paper products I have seen with this logo still have a plastic lining, usually polyethylene.  Why would I care if a product is made of recycled paper, if its never going to biodegrade because of its lining? 

Is the Green Restaurant Association Green Washing?


"There are many products in today’s world that claim some sort of environmental responsibility. GRA-Endorsed Products represent the best in the industry and serve to distinguish themselves from products that are lighter shades of green." -- The Green Restaurant Association's Website

I think so!  How can they claim environmental responsibility if they are endorsing products that can't be recycled and will never biodegrade.

I am only talking about the disposable products at this time.  Do your own research and let them know what you think.  Let's help them.  Ask for certification standards for Bagasse(sugarcane) and PLA(corn plastics).  Let's help them know when new products become available, especially those made from sustainable sources and that are biodegradable.  Let's move away from not just polystyrene(styro foam), but also plastics. 

Green Restaurant Association's Website

"Green Washing" - Bio Pak Earth

Bio-Pak Earth is made from 100% recycled paper, however only 35% of that is post consumer.  That paper is then covered and lathered with polyethylene, which will never decompose.  So, when they say "The printed logo tells your customers that you are environmentally responsible by helping preserve the environment for future generations."  That my friend is green washing.  To get the Green Restaurant Association endorsement logo on a take out container; a paper container must be 100% recycled paper, 35% must be post consumer waste, and be processed chlorine free.  They only have standards listed for paper and plastic.  I don't even know if they would certify 100% biodegradable sugarcane or corn products.  Please tell you favorite restaurant to move away from harmful take out containers and take the step to being green.

This is why we here at Bgreen will never carry Bio-Pak Earth.  Although, there is a Bio-Pak Terra in the testing phase that has a PLA lining.  That is something we can stand behind and will carry when it is available.

It's time to ban Styrofoam, Ann Arbor.

Is your favorite restaraunt still sending you home with Expanded Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam) boxes full of leftovers or take out food?  Or is your favorite coffee shop still serving you lattes in styrofoam cups?  Have you ever asked them why they are still using something that is so bad for the environment or potential hazardous to your health.  Why aren't they using something bio-degradable?  For most companies, particularly the larger ones, the answer always seems to be money.  While styrofoam cups may be a little cheaper than 100% biodegradable products, how is a matter of nickels and dimes more important than the social cost of styrofoam in our environment.  Polystyrene takes a very long time to biodegrade, and because of its many uses, what we need to be focusing on is how to not put more styrofoam into the environment.

Many cities across the country have banned styrofoam cups and styrofoam "to-go" boxes in their restaurants.  Oakland, Berkeley, Portland, Santa Monica, Santa Cruz, Seattle, and San Fransisco are just some of the cities that have recently banned styrofoam.  Isn't it time that Ann Arbor do the same.

If you want to try to convince your favorite restaurant, deli, or coffee shop to stop using products made out of styrofoam, come in to Bgreen and ask for some samples.  Some businesses prefer to listen to their customers rather than sales people.  We will happily give you all the information you need to try to convince the local businesses to do this! 

Bgreen currently supplies a number of local restaurants with bio-degradable take out containers, its time we get them all!

Bgreen, Inc. is located at 1952 South Industrial Hwy, (in the colonial lanes plaza)

or visit us online at http://www.bgreentoday.com/

"Be Sweet to the Earth"

“WE ARE SWEET TO THE EARTH”  
Still Using Paper Napkins and Toilet Tissue?
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