Sustainability
Sustainable Lifecycle Pioneers in Cutlery
Lifecycle of EcoTensil® Products
Disposables are part of our world. EcoTensil’s goal is to offer affordable, disposable, single-use utensils that reduce the amount of costly waste impacting our planet and future generations.
Beginning of Life
Sustainably Managed Forests
The cradle-to-cradle lifecycle of EcoTensils begins with well-managed forests, where biodiversity is allowed to thrive, waterways are healthy, and CO2 is sequestered.
Supporting Well-Managed Forests
By supporting well-managed forests, we create greater market demand for certified material. This grows a system that supports healthy, carbon sequestering forests instead of harmful clear cutting.
Conscientious Manufacturing
Our primary facility has won numerous awards and is engaged in many levels of sustainability practices, from recycling 95% of waste to energy efficiency measures.
100% Manufactured in the U.S.
Our manufacturing plant is in the Midwest. Localized production in the Midwest reduces greenhouse gases. We are proud to support American companies and their workforces.
Middle of Life
Reduce, Reduce, and Reduce
The best way to reduce our exploding human footprint on our one and only planet is to simply reduce the amount of material we use. EcoTensils are extremely material efficient, literally using about 1/3–1/5 of the material and space of their plastic counterparts!
Reduced Shipping
Reducing material also means a significantly lighter carbon footprint in shipping.
Reduce Demo Materials
Because our tasters have a full-sized “bowl” area they can replace costly, dense, full-sized utensils frequently needed in demos! EcoTasters are used to plate samples, reducing the need for a spoon AND a cup.
End of Life
Compostability
The GreenDot™ EcoTasters have a primarily mineral-based coating as a moisture barrier, and they have been accepted by the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (including Cedar Grove) for compostability. The AquaDot™ material is certified both home and industrially compostable in accordance with EN 13432 and NF T51-800 and has been accepted by the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (including Cedar Grove) for compostability.
EcoTaster after four weeks in compost, compared to a “biodegradable” spoon in the same compost.
EcoTasters break down completely in 3–6 weeks, so they easily break down in composting facilities that require 180 days! Happily, the number of composting facilities is increasing, so items like food waste and EcoTasters can be regenerated in a closed loop lifecycle.
Do business in California? Learn about AB 1826.
Recyclability
GreenDot EcoTasters and AquaDot EcoTensils are fully re-pulpable, and produce high quality recycled fiber.
Reducing Waste in Landfill
Importantly, if EcoTasters do end up in the landfill, they will have used 1⁄4 the amount of material and taken up 1⁄4 of the space vs. plastic utensils.
EcoTasters use roughly 20% of the cube space of plastic.
Our two product lines: • GreenDot • AquaDot
• Our most sustainable material
• Used for sampling — perfect for a few bites.
• Compliant for compostability
• Uses roughly 1/4 the material of plastic, bioplastic, and wood utensils.
AquaDot line is used for on-package products, food service, and iScoops for ice cream.
• Certified plastic-free (SUPD compliant)
• Long lasting for full servings
• Material efficient – uses roughly 1/4 the material of plastic, bioplastic, and wood utensils.
• Recyclable* and compostable