by Hilary Miller, Washington, DC
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Here’s why:
The usual plastic or styrofoam place settings that are pulled out every summer for outdoor cookouts or parties take forever to biodegrade and often end up polluting our forests and waters where animals are harmed by consuming them and they leak toxins into our resources. Paper options are preferable but waste valuable natural resources such as trees. New biodegradable alternatives are popping up everywhere and offer a way to lower your negative impact. Biodegradable plates and cutlery are made of things like bagasse, grass, or corn and can be thrown in the compost bin immediately after use. Even better, most of these options are reportedly made from excess plant material that would otherwise go to waste! Of course, using washable reusable plates is always the best option with the least material wasted. So try making the most eco-friendly decision this holiday and see if you can keep it going all year long.
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(Source: www.treehugger.com )