No straw, or a stainless steel one
Plastic straws are banned in most rich countries, but 90 percent of paper straws tested contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); steel was the…
Cutlery, straws and cups
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Carry your own cutlery for takeaway
A fork and spoon from your kitchen drawer in your bag avoids hundreds of single-use plastic pieces a year.
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Coffee pods: reusable steel pod or ground coffee
A capsule a day is over a kilo of plastic and aluminium a year; a refillable steel pod or a stovetop and cafetiere removes…
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Skip balloons and plastic party kit
Balloons, plastic tableware and single-use decorations are used for hours; paper bunting, real plates and no balloon releases avoid the lot.
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Seaweed-based films and coatings
Films, sachets and grease-proof coatings made from farmed seaweed extracts; best for replacing thin plastic films, sachets and coatings on paperboard made with PE…
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Moulded and dry-moulded fibre
Paper pulp pressed into 3D shapes, wet or with PulPac’s water-free dry process; replaces thermoformed trays, clamshells, cups, caps, blister packs and, in trials,…
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Thermoplastic starch (cornstarch blends)
Plant starch plasticised and blended with biodegradable polyesters; the standard material for certified compostable carrier bags, bin liners and mulch film.
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PLA (polylactic acid) and its limits
The most common compostable bioplastic, made from fermented corn or cane sugar; suits clear cups and clamshells but only breaks down in industrial composting.
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PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)
Bacteria-made polyesters that biodegrade in soil, fresh water and seawater; the only mainstream bioplastic family that does not depend on industrial composting.