Bamboozled continued...
Whether you choose bioplastic tableware or bambooware, saying 'no' to plastic is what matters. "Every time you make a plastic plate, you take stored carbon out of the ground - like every time you drive to the shop," says Paul. "The earth's atmosphere allows life to flourish, as carbon was locked in the ground millions of years ago, but when we take stored carbon and release it at a phenomenal rate, the effects are devastating.
"Using any renewable resource means that you are working within the carbon cycle. Everything natural is made of carbon. When we break down at the end of life, we release carbon and it is taken up by new life forms. That is why renewable resources are such a good thing. Bamboo is pest-resistant, too, so it doesn't need much in the way of pesticide."
With remarkable resources like bamboo at our fingertips, why did we ever think plastic was so fantastic?
A FEW GREEN TIPS
Look for disposable bioplastic tableware, made out of corn and potato starch.
Choose finger foods for picnics and then you won't need to pack the plastic.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Look for sheets and towels made of bamboo and cotton/bamboo mixes.
* Grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, the bamboo in these products is organic and the fabric is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic.
* Bamboo towels are quick to absorb moisture and dry twice as fast as cotton.
* Cotton-and-bamboo-blend sheets such as those sold by bed-linen manufacturer Peri are soft, comfortable and eco-friendly.
Cotton
« previous page |
page 2 of 2
Related Articles
|
Learn how to grow your favourite fruits, vegies and herbs with our new gardening series How to Grow Fruits & Vegies. In every issue, we show how to grow 10 new plants with easy step-by-step instructions. There are lots of tips and tricks of the trade, plus expert solutions to common problems. Imagine it: fewer trips to the supermarket, more money in your pocket, and a fresh, healthy supply of chemical-free produce for you and your family.
