An email from GreenPlate was forwarded to me by a friend. I was intrigued since I work for a company selling food service packaging - plastic. Unfortunately, there is tremendous misinformation out there about plastic. There is great confusion regarding "environmentally" friendly packaging - i.e. - fiber packaging, starch products, paper items, etc.

Here are some real facts:
Polystyrene foam takes up less than 1% of landfills.

There are no toxic chemicals that are leeching out of a foam hinged container. (These chemicals were banned in the 70's.)

Polystyrene foam has the smallest carbon footprint - cradle to grave - than any other food service material available.

Fiber food service containers are primarily manufactured in China. How green is transporting product from a country with zero emissions all the way to the U.S. for further distribution? Additionally, Fiber containers are "compostable/biodegradable" not recyclable. (Try finding a composting facility near you....)

Starch containers are made with corn starch - and a binding agent - typically polypropylene....so this material is neither compostable nor biodegradable. It is a number 7 plastic. Most municipalities do not accept number 7 plastics.

Paper containers - if used for food service - are typically wax coated. Wax coating deems this material non-recyclable as well.

The choices are vast when it comes to what packaging a restaurant or food service facility can use. Unfortunately, if they are spending the extra money on "green" options (typically 30% more than traditional food service containers) they are only paying more money. This effort will not help the environment (unless the restaurant has a closed-end loop and is collecting the packaging and disposing of it properly on behalf of their consumer. Sadly, an arrangement like this requires the consumer to return the used, food-soiled packaging to the restaurant...).

Until composting facilities are the norm, and the public is somewhat educated on how to properly dispose of ALL materials whether composting or recycling (be it a #1 plastic, metal, paper or #5 plastic), the extra expense is simply going to waste. Going into a plastic liner in a trash can, into a curbside garbage bin and into a landfill. We should be educated enough to know that once most items - be it a newspaper, or a television - hit the landfill, they will not degrade on their own, they become part of the "landscape."

Until there is a "magic" material readily available and manufactured in the U.S. - and without taking resources from the food chain - the best answer we have is to "pitch in" and Keep America Beautiful.......

I was shocked that Starbuck's doesn't recycle, since they use all that good recyclable paper. However, it would really be good if they'd compost all their coffee grounds, yes?

We are extremely excited about working with GreenPlate for the Green Cell Cleanups!!! They are such a phenomenal group of individuals that get together and truly make a difference in our community. The last clean-up took place on Sat, April 17 @ Fourth Ward Park and it was amazing!!! To see the amount of waste thrown about in our backyards of Atlanta is eye opening! Huge kudos to individuals like Polly, that steer Atlanta in the right "sustainable" direction!!!

-ReMix Recycling

Saw GreenPlate's booth at EnviroExpo recently (Hi Polly!). I've been touting BYO with my spork and portable chopsticks (and giving them as gifts) for a while - kudos to GreenPlate for making it a real movement.

I included GreenPlate in my blog and business marketing, www.chinesesouthernbelle.com

http://www.chinesesouthernbelle.com/2009/12/byob-and-byoc-chopsticks-cups-cutlery-and-containers/
http://www.chinesesouthernbelle.com/2009/12/gotta-get-a-spork-perfect-eco-stocking-stuffer/

I had my daughter's birthday party at Pizza Fusion 2 weeks ago. There were about 15 kids ranging in age from 3-7. The pizza was delicious and the service at the restaurant was fantastic. One of the moms commented that her son never eats pizza and he had two slices (organic & gluten free - amazing!). The party was just under two hours. The kids ate and then decorated their own tote bags. Montine was great and talked lightly about recycling and re-using their bags - it was cool because it wasn't over their heads at all. Montine then glitter sprayed and put the bags in the heat press so they can be washed and re-used over and over and the kid's designs will stay. All had a great time. I would definitely recommend a green plate party with Montine and Pizza Fusion!

Just as an FYI you made a very compelling argument against bottled
water when we spoke at our booth.So since the show in Atlanta I
haven't bought a case or a bottle of water . I use all reusable
containers at home and the Green stainless one you sold me goes
everywhere with me. Thanks for that!

Thank you for coming to the community center last eve and sharing the video.
lso I am thinking about other ways I can help/contribute to the mission. Let me know when you have the river cleanups, I can send to my list. Also is it too ambitious to have one once a month?

I will offer this idea in case it makes sense at any fundraising events... I create jewelry designs out of glass that I tumble. Similar process to the ocean's treatment of glass. I have been making for years and it is very sellable, I now mostly make around the holidays and have focussed on other mediums for the most part, but I have plenty and can always make more. I would be happy to sell at appropriate events/venues and have %40-%50 go to GreenPlate. I will go ahead and offer this for the Holidays too, a great way to get the word out.
Cool link with the "ocean" as people are always reminded of seaglass when they experience my jewelry.

LINKS to websites
http://ediemorton.com/ (Current website)
http://ediemorton.com/amulets/amulet_home.html (Amulets/Jewelry)

I discovered your organization through the Cabbagetown newsletter and I am very excited about your mission/purpose in the Atlanta area and beyond. I am passionate about Green education for Atlanta. We are , as usual, behind the times, so to say, and I want to change that. It is of utmost importance to educate, advocate and support the growth of Green education in our nation and I desire to be involved with a Green organization who will make that happen.

I am a 38 year old female business owner and a full time Social Work/Public Policy student. I live in Edgewood neighborhood and I would love to bring Green education here as well.

Please bring GreenPlate back to CABBAGETOWN in Atlanta. Make our neighborhood a GreenCell community!. Our neighborhood email group is always filled with our discussions on the city and whether or not they are actually recycling, give us more tools to make sure we're doing our part.

11:27am May 26

Love GreenPlate!

I am working on DD [Dunkin Donuts] going all paper. But they do have eco-friendly napkins...

Melissa Steele of Must Have Melli
11:36am May 26
Greenplate rocks, has definately made me more aware, and I actively refuse plastic bags at almost every purchase. Plus have mentioned at several restaurants paper take out not styrofoam. I also recycle and re-use at every opportunity. Thanks for all you guys are doing.