The Material Truth
We continue to search for the truth about how different container types affect the environment. All our information is confirmed by our municipalities as we work together to reduce waste and educate. All was considered when we chose our containers!
Compostable
First we are back to single-use production. And more importantly they are NOT ACTUALLY COMPOSTABLE. There is NO product on the market that breaks down in the required timeframe in any Canadian city's waste facility so they end up in the landfill. Now studies are showing you shouldn't even put them in your own compost because of the materials used to keep the container together.
Plastics
The dirty truth about plastics is, only 9% of plastics in Canada actually gets recycled. We call this "Wish-cycling". We use single-use items and hope it goes to a better place. Even bioplastics, made from renewable resources like palm leaves or bamboo include additives so are no healthier nor compostable which destroys collection. They are more of a problem than a solution. Our plastic will be repurposed with a private company.
Aluminum
We are back to the single-use production challenges if you choose to recycle, but if not completely cleaned, it goes into the garbage or can affect recycling facilities ability to sort effectively. For safety reasons they have to be double-walled which makes them cost prohibitive. Multi-use applications are difficult to seal and clips or silicone edges hide bacteria.
Styrofoam
This is a non-starter. In 2022 the Canadian government is banning Styrofoam along with other single use plastics because of the harmful affects to the environment and to our health. The chemical styrene in Styrofoam is linked to cancer, vision and hearing loss, impaired memory and more and it can leach into our food especially when heated up by food. Some municipalities have already implemented a ban i.e. Vancouver and Calgary is not far behind.