PaperlessKitchen Blog

McDonald's Switches from Plastic to Paper

This week, McDonald's announced that every location in the U.S. will soon be using paper cups for hot beverages instead of plastic. The move is meant to be a positive one for the health of the planet, but it's evident that the fast food giant still has a long way to go to truly be more environmentally responsible.

McDonald's explained that by switching from plastic to paper, the company will be able to recycle more of its cups. Plus, paper cups that are carried out of the restaurant and end up in the garbage will break down more quickly in landfills unlike the current plastic cups that do not readily biodegrade.

While there's no doubt that paper is more biodegradable than plastic, concerns about deforestation should be considered when evaluating the true sustainability of McDonald's plan. The company has stated that they will be using "more" recycled content in the paper cups than in the plastic ones, but has not specified how much more.

A far more green option for McDonalds and other restaurants is natural non-paper recyclables, such as corn or sugar cane-based products. So far, none of the major fast food restaurants have experimented with using these types cups, but doing so could make a big impact on the planet.

What do you think about McDonald’s announcement? Does it make you more likely to eat there than you are now or less likely?

Palm Oil Waste New Raw Material for Paper

Recently, the Malaysian company Palm Republik announced the development of a new tree-free paper made from waste leftover from the manufacturing of palm oil.

Used for cooking throughout many parts of the world, palm oil is a staple of many cuisines. The palm oil industry produces up to 200 million tons of waste per year, mostly in the form of the leftover husks that remain once the oil is extracted.

Palm Republik has developed a new method of transforming these husks into paper. The fibers found in the husks are very similar to those of timber. To produce the palm paper, the husks are shredded and then mixed with post-consumer recycled paper pulp. Then, it is compressed and dried. The resulting product is 100 percent biodegradable and compostable. Unbleached, the palm paper is now being used to produce boxes and heavyweight stationery like note cards.

At this time, Palm Republik is only selling its paper to industrial customers but has hopes of making their products available to consumers in the near future.

Green Paper Products

 While you can take steps to reduce paper consumption in your home and in the workplace, it's just not possible to avoid using paper altogether. Fortunately, you can make smart choices when it comes time to purchase paper and ensure that you're selecting products that are eco-friendly.

 Here are a few of our favorite environmentally friendly paper products.

 PaperEvolution Note Set in Recycled Denim - To write a letter in eco-friendly fashion, pick up a set of this green wonder, which is made from post-consumer recycled paper pulp and used blue jeans. The set includes five note cards and five envelopes all in a beautiful light blue color. 

Bungala SenS - This unique brown-tinted craft-type paper is made entirely from grass fibers. A special coarse grass that grows in Latvia is used in the design and gives the paper a smooth texture. Bungala sells SenS in two sizes and also does custom orders upon request.

 Crane's Crest - Since 1801, Crane has been producing their signature Crest line from 100 percent cotton. Available in a variety of finishes and colors, the paper is very versatile and can be used for many printing applications; however, you may have to shop around at several online retailers to find a full selection. 

EcoPaper Banana Paper - White in color and excellent for everyday printing, this paper is made from post-consumer recycled paper pulp and by-products from banana plantations. The paper is processed without the use of chlorine, and a percentage of its sales are donated to an orphanage located in Costa Rica.

Do you have a favorite eco-friendly paper that's not on our list? Tell us about it in the Comments section!