Mission
Our mission is to replace as many single-use plastic products with reusable, eco-friendly options. In a perfect world, we would replace them all. I think we’re ready for perfect. We definitely know Mother Nature is. So we work towards this mission by visiting different corporations, schools and institutions around the US to offer stainless steel forks for absolutely free. No petitions to sign, no politics, no donation guilt. Just a free fork that we hope will go a long way in helping Mother Nature take that breath she has been patiently waiting for. Our greatest wish is to nurture a strong awareness of daily plastic use in the lives of every single person that uses our cutlery, and show that we all give a fork for a hurting planet.
Why eliminate plastic utensils? What’s the big deal?
LET'S RUN THE NUMBERS
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the average American works 261 days per year [1]. If we assume only one plastic utensil (average weight of ~3.39 grams) is used and disposed of after every lunch, the average American worker throws away 1.95 pounds of one plastic utensil every year. This may not seem like a terrifying amount, but let’s quickly run some numbers…
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the average American works 261 days per year [1]. If we assume only one plastic utensil (average weight of ~3.39 grams) is used and disposed of after every lunch, the average American worker throws away 1.95 pounds of one plastic utensil every year. This may not seem like a terrifying amount, but let’s quickly run some numbers…
To start, what are plastic forks made of? (Warning: the following paragraph contains science)
Plastic cutlery is typically made out of two types of plastics – polypropylene and polystyrene – resulting in a very durable material that is extremely difficult to decompose. These plastics are formed through a process called polymerization. Briefly, the hydrocarbons found in oil and natural gas are heated until they produce monomers, including propylene and styrene. The monomers then undergo additional modifications (e.g. colorants, stabilizer, protectants, etc.), form polymers, and are finally cooled and molded into the plastic utensils we know today. Of the two plastics, polystyrene makes up the vast majority of the flatware we use today.
How does plastic cutlery contribute to pollution and CO2 emissions?
Producing one pound of polystyrene requires 20.54 gallons of water and emits 2.51 pounds of CO2 [2]. Incinerating one pound of polystyrene releases an additional 6.15 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere [3]. If we assume the average American worker uses only one plastic utensil for every working day, that translates to 1.95 lbs of polystyrene, 40.05 gallons of water from production, 4.90 pounds of CO2 emissions from production, and 12 pounds of CO2 emissions from the incinerating process every year.
To put it into better perspective, if 225 people replaced two plastic utensils with reusable stainless steel cutlery, we would save the planet from 1 ton of CO2 emissions from production, 2.5 tons of CO2 generated from incineration, and just over 18 thousand gallons of water every single forking year.
Kind of impressive, eh?
But what about landfills?
If the plastics are buried and not exposed to sunlight, oxygen, wind, and water erosion, they have the ability to persist underground for many decades. Anaerobic bacteria – bacteria that do not require oxygen for growth – could eventually break the plastics down into a hydrocarbon sludge, but this sludge is dangerous to local residents if leeched into the surrounding groundwater or soil. Plastics that are left above ground to decompose will break down quicker, but never fully disappear. They disassemble into tiny microparticles that enter our water systems and the food we eat. So we throw our forks out after one use to literally ingest them in the future. Gross.
Wait…aren’t they recyclable?
Both polypropylene and polystyrene are recyclable! Yay right? Nope. Most recycling plants do not accept them because they are difficult to process and not cost effective per unit processed. So in the landfill or incinerator they go.
Replacing cutlery at work is a start, but there’s a lot more surface to scratch – plastic cutlery is everywhere: fast food joints, take out bags, outdoor festivals and concerts, backyard gatherings, etc.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
Producing one pound of polystyrene requires 20.54 gallons of water and emits 2.51 pounds of CO2 [2]. Incinerating one pound of polystyrene releases an additional 6.15 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere [3]. If we assume the average American worker uses only one plastic utensil for every working day, that translates to 1.95 lbs of polystyrene, 40.05 gallons of water from production, 4.90 pounds of CO2 emissions from production, and 12 pounds of CO2 emissions from the incinerating process every year.
To put it into better perspective, if 225 people replaced two plastic utensils with reusable stainless steel cutlery, we would save the planet from 1 ton of CO2 emissions from production, 2.5 tons of CO2 generated from incineration, and just over 18 thousand gallons of water every single forking year.
Kind of impressive, eh?
But what about landfills?
If the plastics are buried and not exposed to sunlight, oxygen, wind, and water erosion, they have the ability to persist underground for many decades. Anaerobic bacteria – bacteria that do not require oxygen for growth – could eventually break the plastics down into a hydrocarbon sludge, but this sludge is dangerous to local residents if leeched into the surrounding groundwater or soil. Plastics that are left above ground to decompose will break down quicker, but never fully disappear. They disassemble into tiny microparticles that enter our water systems and the food we eat. So we throw our forks out after one use to literally ingest them in the future. Gross.
Wait…aren’t they recyclable?
Both polypropylene and polystyrene are recyclable! Yay right? Nope. Most recycling plants do not accept them because they are difficult to process and not cost effective per unit processed. So in the landfill or incinerator they go.
Replacing cutlery at work is a start, but there’s a lot more surface to scratch – plastic cutlery is everywhere: fast food joints, take out bags, outdoor festivals and concerts, backyard gatherings, etc.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
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You can help by giving a fork. Literally.
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Buy some stainless steel cutlery and offer it to your family, friends, colleagues, your boss, the bus driver, your mother-in-law… basically give it to anyone you can confidently assume uses cutlery on a regular basis. Let them know you give a fork, ask them to give a fork, and please use hashtag #giveafork and tag @giveforks on any Instagram pictures you post to help fuel this movement. Don’t forget to let me know the number of utensils you distributed so I can add it to our total below!
We can do this. Every single one of us can make a difference. Please never think otherwise. That one plastic bag you didn’t throw out will not end up in a whale’s guts. That one plastic fork you didn’t use won’t be around in a landfill waiting to be ingested by your grandchildren. |
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“If we pull back and give nature a chance, maybe she will surprise us in ways that we don’t deserve”
- Dr. David Suzuki |
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OUR PROGRESS
Plastic waste is dangerous to our health and the environment, and we are passionate about seeing it eliminated. Our goal is to offer free alternatives to commonly used plastics to as many people as possible, for as long as we can afford it. So far we have given out 216 pieces of stainless steel cutlery and look forward to seeing that number grow. Our primary focus continues to be plastic flatware, but we aim to expand this initiative towards replacing plastic bags as well. |
Additional Tips
I hope at this point you have been motivated to rethink how you use disposable plastic, and whether there are some other changes you would like to implement in your regular routine to decrease its use. Make a list of the disposable items you use daily or regularly, and see how you can replace them with more permanent products. Here are a few simple ideas to help get you started:
Coffee cups? Disposable coffee cups come lined with polypropylene to help waterproof them. Solution: Buy a thermos! They are easy to use, keep your coffee warmer much longer, and most are dishwasher safe.
Plastic bags? There are a ton of reusable bags available in all kinds of sizes. Bags specifically made from cotton are thin but strong, reusable, and can easily be folded. Some of the thinnest options include bags made from a strong cotton mesh that are easy to transport and great for carrying groceries.
Plastic re-sealable baggies? A quick online search will reveal a plethora of dishwasher-safe, easy-to-use, reusable and sealable baggies that are great for snacks and sandwiches.
Plastic plates? Using real dishes is ideal, but if you absolutely need to purchase in bulk, there are many different biodegradable plates available for purchase.
Can’t live without glitter? Have no fear, a biodegradable option is now available! (Seriously)
Plastic cutlery? I think we know what to do here.
I hope at this point you have been motivated to rethink how you use disposable plastic, and whether there are some other changes you would like to implement in your regular routine to decrease its use. Make a list of the disposable items you use daily or regularly, and see how you can replace them with more permanent products. Here are a few simple ideas to help get you started:
Coffee cups? Disposable coffee cups come lined with polypropylene to help waterproof them. Solution: Buy a thermos! They are easy to use, keep your coffee warmer much longer, and most are dishwasher safe.
Plastic bags? There are a ton of reusable bags available in all kinds of sizes. Bags specifically made from cotton are thin but strong, reusable, and can easily be folded. Some of the thinnest options include bags made from a strong cotton mesh that are easy to transport and great for carrying groceries.
Plastic re-sealable baggies? A quick online search will reveal a plethora of dishwasher-safe, easy-to-use, reusable and sealable baggies that are great for snacks and sandwiches.
Plastic plates? Using real dishes is ideal, but if you absolutely need to purchase in bulk, there are many different biodegradable plates available for purchase.
Can’t live without glitter? Have no fear, a biodegradable option is now available! (Seriously)
Plastic cutlery? I think we know what to do here.
REFERENCES
1. OPM.gov, "Pay & Leave"
(https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/computing-hourly-rates-of-pay-using-the-2087-hour-divisor/)
2. Dr. Pramod Parajuli, "Living the Life of a Plastic Fork"
(https://sites.google.com/a/pvlearners.net/sustainability/a-life-cycle-analysis-a-plastic-fork)
3. Timeforchange.org, "Plastic bags and plastic bottles - CO2 emissions during their lifetime"
(https://timeforchange.org/plastic-bags-and-plastic-bottles-CO2-emissions)
1. OPM.gov, "Pay & Leave"
(https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/computing-hourly-rates-of-pay-using-the-2087-hour-divisor/)
2. Dr. Pramod Parajuli, "Living the Life of a Plastic Fork"
(https://sites.google.com/a/pvlearners.net/sustainability/a-life-cycle-analysis-a-plastic-fork)
3. Timeforchange.org, "Plastic bags and plastic bottles - CO2 emissions during their lifetime"
(https://timeforchange.org/plastic-bags-and-plastic-bottles-CO2-emissions)
Photos used under Creative Commons from marcoverch, ยตยต left-hand
