Reusables - the true alternative to single-use plastics
So, you’re a food business - you’ve come off the back of a couple of really tough, rough years and are just about holding it together. Your state has just announced their plastic ban - so immediately you start researching new packaging options.
Bioplastic is super expensive. And it didn’t take much digging to figure out that bioplastic is not really bio anything except that it's ‘not made from oil’ - maybe plants if you’re lucky.
You find a product that is compostable - it’s 3-5 times as expensive as plastic, but otherwise, you think this is a great option - because it can be put in compost and will biodegrade relatively quickly.
Except that this isn’t true.
The problem with compostables
At scale compostable containers are being removed from compost all over the country. Why? Well, compostable containers need a compost environment that is wet enough to compensate for the volume of dry waste that is put in. But as we start to switch over to compostable containers there is going to be way too much dry waste to compost.
Sadly we’ve been getting feedback from restaurants, Not-for-Profits, production companies - all hearing the same thing from the composters - even before the full range of plastic bans comes in the composts are FULL to bursting with dry waste. We’re even hearing reports of it being PICKED OUT of compost by the compost provider.
So, while compostables seem like a good idea in principle, at the scale we are dealing with for takeaway food, it isn’t always possible to compost a compostable container.
Are they the best option for single-use? Compared to plastic, that’s a hard YES. They are the best type of single-use. But, are they the best choice for the environment? NO. Single-use is not the best choice for the environment. Reusables are.
Hands down a rePlated reusable is the best option for the environment after just 15 washes (when compared to compostables, that are composted correctly, which as we’ve outlined above, you cannot assume).
If you’re that same food business who also noted that the costs for a compostable container are somewhere between 3 - 5x more expensive than plastic (or more!) then you might also be surprised to learn our pricing for restaurants is really competitive when compared to plastic & particularly ‘better’ compostable alternatives. The ‘true cost’ includes the environmental cost of a product and its actual cost. Reusables are better from all of these perspectives.
We have worked hard to create a product that is the best choice for the environment. It is locally made, from recycled plastic, and we take it back at end of life. But what we are trying to achieve with our Mealbox is both the best environmental option and a viable, cost effective alternative to single-use. Which we think is important to any business.
Join the reuse revolution
As a food business here are your next steps for becoming a reuse champion and being able to ditch single-use for good (eventually):
Accept reusables (and join our network)
Well the first step is easy - join our rePlated Accepted network. Accepting reuse has multiple benefits from a cost saving perspective as well as an environmental one. There is no state in Australia that bans reuse (contrary to advice given by the restaurant and catering association during the early days of covid in 2020). All states are happy for you to accept a reusable as long as its clean.Sell reusables
Why don’t you consider retailing our Mealboxes? Customers can make a switch immediately and reusables can become a great income stream while building up a loyal customer base who use them at your venue.Join rePlated’s Swap & Wash
When you’re ready to take it to the next level, you can sign up to become a Swap & Washpartner. Swap enables you to offer your customers an order ahead option for resuables and as we roll out features in our app, your customers will also be able to borrow a Mealbox if they forget theirs.
Take the first step towards a more sustainable takeaway business