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
