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The right sustainability solution depends upon customer needs, disposal and reclamation options, and the perceived value of sustainability benefits.
Material reduction:
Single-use products made from existing materials can be reengineered in an effort to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the same or increased product performance.
Recyclable materials:
Any material (or product) that can be recovered and reprocessed into usable product is considered to be recyclable. Many single-use products can be recycled. We encourage customers to talk with
their waste management service to determine which paper and plastic products can be commercially recycled in their area, and to find out how to properly sort and remove food waste for recycling.
Recycled content materials:
Single-use products made with post-consumer fiber (PCF) or with recycled PET (RPET) reduce demand for virgin raw materials. Post-Consumer Recycled Content is any material recovered and reprocessed after consumer use. When consumers are able to recover and recycle products made with recycled content, the sustainability loop becomes even stronger.
Renewable materials:
Renewable resources are naturally occurring resources from the earth that can replenish itself or grow back. Plant-based resins like polylactic acid (PLA) provide a positive alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Fast-growing plants like bamboo can also replace traditional wood fibers from slow-growing trees in the manufacture of single-use products like dinnerware and food containers.
Biodegradable materials:
Biodegradable is any material (or product) that degrades through a biological process. Single use products are capable of breaking down, safely and quickly through microorganisms. The rate of
biodegradation depends on the material and the conditions.
Compostable materials:
Compostable materials are any material (or product) that degrades through the controlled biological decomposition of organic material in the presence of water, heat, and bacteria to form a humus-like
material. Most single-use products made from renewable materials can be commercially composted to return valuable nutrients to the soil. Waste management partners can help our customers determine whether composting is a viable option in their areas.
Recovery Program Options
Recycling
The process of properly collecting and reusing any material. Recyclates are waste materials recovered from recycling. They may be post-industrial (waste products from a manufacturing process) or post-consumer (waste products diverted for recycling after consumer use).
Incineration
The process of safely burning product in an appropriate facility.
Composting
The process of decomposing products in a specified time through exposure to the proper combination of heat, moisture and bacteria; composting does not release dangerous chemicals or harm the ground.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE)
The process of safely burning product in an appropriate facility and recovering the energy value of the material.
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