Time to wave goodbye to single-use plastic utensils

The impending ban on single-use plastic cutlery in the UK and many countries around the globe marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Single-use cutlery has been offered with food items for decades, from takeaway market stalls to supermarket meal deals, Brits have become very familiar with eating with a plastic fork or uploading a picture of their “on-the-go” meal served on a plastic plate to social media.

However, just because it became commonplace, doesn’t mean that it wasn’t having an impact on the environment. In fact, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) the global food industry’s reliance on single-use plastics has been having “large negative impacts on the environment” and each year in the UK 2.5 million metric tons of plastic waste is generated.

The food industry is undoubtedly undergoing a transformation, moving away from the convenience of disposable plastics in favour of more eco-friendly alternatives.

While some could argue that single-use plastic is convenient, it’s important to recognise that the disposal of these items poses significant challenges, with most of them ending up in landfills and contributing to pollution. The shift towards other options, such as wooden, bamboo or areca palm leaf utensils, is not without its challenges for businesses, but it reflects a commitment to sustainability over convenience.

(Source: newfoodmagazine.com)