We don’t have a permission slip to continue our disposable lifestyle
Every day, and never as much as during this pandemic, we have had to enjoy our coffee and burgers ‘to go’. Eco-Products makes sustainable food service packaging — developing disposables made from plants and post-consumer recycled content. It also takes significant steps to help customers keep them out of the landfill. MaCher talks to Eco-Products’ Sustainability Maven, David Fridland about their products.
Where did Eco-Products’ passion for business with purpose come from?
Started in 1990 in our founders’ — Kent and Steve Savage –garage, the company has always been focused on providing products that are a better environmental choice. We have made an exclusive commitment to environmentally preferred packaging, recognising the importance of the connection between the health of the planet and the impacts of disposable packaging. Every day we work to help people be better stewards of the environment.
Sustainable disposables sound like an oxymoron, but we see this as an incredible opportunity to help make sustainable disposable products that shift an industry.
What do you think is the importance of the B Corp movement for business?
Being certified as a B Corp is a seal of approval that signals to others that we are willing to walk the walk. Business truly can be a force for good, and our B Corp status shows that we have taken the steps necessary to ensure that we operate in a responsible way.
And do you think that being a B Corp means much to your customers?
For the informed consumer, I think it is immensely important. The B Corp Certification is a great way to distinguish from bravado and hollow rhetoric, and verified responsible business practices.
We have seen first-hand that the educated procurement professional looks to our B Corp status a differentiator.
How much does your business look to other B Corps as partners or suppliers?
We love working with other B’s! There aren’t a ton in the foodservice manufacturing and distribution space, but we are always eager to connect and support others that are using business as a force for good. We try our best to be active with our state-wide organization — B Local Colorado. They do a fantastic job of bringing the Colorado B Corps together and allowing for networking and collaboration.
What are your key learnings from the process of becoming B Corp certified?
Keep working hard and keep evolving. It’s great to become a B Corp and chin the bar, but we should all be looking to get our scores as high as possible and keep pushing the limit.
What does the future look like for your business?
As more and more in the mainstream think about the impact of packaging waste, the use of post-consumer recycled content or renewable resources in making products will become even more important. Additionally, food waste in landfill is a big deal, and we push for the use of compostable packaging to deliver that food to a beneficial end use (like composting). These issues are only gaining momentum, so we expect to be right in the middle of these discussion for a very long time.
Our society has a long way to go before every product can be successfully composted or recycled. And even when composting and recycling is an option, we don’t think that means we have a permission slip to continue our disposable lifestyle. We are adamant about the benefits of our products, but we know they are not perfect. They are a good start, but there is still room to make them better.
We advocate for a Zero Waste future, and we are clear eyed about how far we have to go.
Who is your sustainability hero?
We would be disgracing our ancestors if we didn’t say John Muir for this answer, right? But seriously, the guy paved the way for Yosemite and Sequoia National parks. That’s pretty awesome.
This article has been posted by MaCher to celebrate B Corp Month 2021 and build awareness of companies that meet the highest standard of verified social and environmental performance. For more information about Eco-Products, please click here.