Many of us use the (very sanitary) rule of if a piece of food has been on the floor for less than five seconds (ten for the brave), it's still clean enough to eat - you know, germs are slow to transfer, right?
I just learned about a cool product that takes guidance from that rule (in a sanitary manner, of course): Verterra is a company that creates biodegradable disposable plates out of fallen leaves that would otherwise be burned.
The company is not only environmentally responsible (using organic leaves and manufacturing products without chemicals, bleaches, waxes, dyes, or plastics), but also socially repsonsible: Verterra pays a living wage to its Indian leaf-gatherers and provides working conditions that meet international standards.
I heard about this company from Time Magazine: The Dish on Green Disposables.
5 comments:
Finally! A sustainable plate that is biodegradable, does not contain toxins, and a company that believes in their message with fair trade and reasonable conditions for their workers. I foresee these as interesting stocking stuffers!
As a side note, I just saw a study the other day that indicated that the 5-second rule shouldn't actually be utilized because five seconds is long enough for contamination by bacteria.
Thanks for the great write up. If anybody has questions about Verterra, I can answer them for you. I'll track this article and come back to reply.
I can tell you that they're also washable and reusable, many times. And you can bake with them.
Check out the accompanying photo essay that Time did on how they're made: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1846838,00.html
I have been contacted by Mr Michael Dwork. He disputes my critiques, I believe my comments to be valid, readers may choose to disregard my previous posts, and should make their own inquires.
Richard - Murwillumbah, Australia.
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