PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES FOR BUSINESSES
COFFEE PODS
Avoid using coffee pods. Use individual coffee pots and reusable cups. If pods are required, Keurig reusable/refillable pods are available online to fit certain machines. Also, Nespresso offers coffee pods which are aluminum and can be recycled. If purchased from Convenience coffee the pods can be returned to them for recycling.
PLASTIC CONDIMENT SACHETS
Avoid using plastic condiment sachets. Individual-size paper containers with lids are available. Use large condiment containers, preferably glass.
PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
Use glass bottles, preferably reusable. Water jugs with glasses or reusable plastic cups; water fountains with paper cups or reusable cups; bottle your own filtered water, flat or carbonated. Products are available on the island. Provide branded reusable water containers free or for sale.
PLASTIC HOT CUPS
Switch to porcelain or aluminum cups or bring your own cup. Non-plastic or PLA-lined hot cups are not currently on the island but are available in Europe.
PLASTIC BAGS
Encourage customers to bring their own bag or provide reusable bags for sale. Paper bags are an alternative.
PLASTIC STRAWS
A variety of non-plastic or biodegradable (home-compostable) straws are available on the island in different sizes. Phade is a well-known brand that works well for smoothies. Customers should be asked if they require a straw. Reusable stainless steel straws can also be made available for sale.
PLASTIC COLD CUPS
Change to porcelain cups, reusable plastic cups, glasses, and paper cups which are not plastic or PLA lined. These are available on the island. Encourage customers to bring their own cup.
PLASTIC STIRRERS
Wood or fibre are available on island.
PLASTIC HOT FOOD CONTAINERS
Fibre, kraft paperboard and foil containers are available on island. Foil containers can be recycled. Customers should be encouraged to bring their own containers. Vendors should consider a reusable container scheme.
PLASTIC SUSHI/DESSERT CONTAINERS
These usually have see-through plastic lids. There is not yet a non-plastic transparent lid. Consider if this container is for ordered food or ‘grab and go’. For ordered food, customers know what they have purchased, so there is no need to see the food (think of a pizza box) and a fibre box with a fibre lid should suffice. Clamshell fibre containers are available. Reusable containers, and bring your own container are also alternatives.
The following wholesalers stock a lot of plastic alternatives and continue to improve their range of non-plastic products. You should contact them to see if they can meet your requirements. However, many paper and fibre products are still lined with Plastic or PLA (a bioplastic) so you need to ask for ‘unlined and PFAS free’ items. We all need to be very careful of “greenwashing”, but Beyond Plastic can advise you.
D.E. Mortimer
james@demortimer.com
www.demortimer.com
236-8848
Medical House
mickey@medicalhouse.bm
292-3622
The Storeroom
mpesci@storeroom.bm
www.storeroom.bm
595-6375
Redo Bermuda
Bermuda’s Sustainable Shop
Jacqui Smith
www.redo.bm
J. Harvey
jharveyltd@logic.bm
www.jharveyltd.com
292-3255
Butterfield and Vallis
tdurrant@bv.bm
www.bv.bm
295-3434
Dunkley
jod@logic.com
www.dunkleysdairy.com
292-1310
GREENWASHING
Greenwashing is the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice.