(Photo above courtesy of biomasspackaging.com)
Disposable Food Service Items Promote Environmental Responsibility
Every business sets out to earn a profit, and many do so with the expressed intent of making environmental stewardship a part of their mission. They may find ways to make meaningful contributions through green manufacturing, recyclable products, local cleanup efforts or public education. But it’s rare that a company’s entire raison d’être is to help create and promote a cleaner, healthier environment — often at the expense of that business itself.
Yet such is the case with Bend-based LavaEdge, a local supplier of food service products that are engineered and manufactured specifically to provide an alternative to conventional disposable cups, plates, flatware and to-go containers. All of the company’s products are manufactured from non-toxic, plant-based components, and the vast majority are 100 percent compostable in municipal and commercial compost facilities. They decompose via natural ongoing processes in the environment and meet a set of strict standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
The company got its start when owner Owen Mitz volunteered to help out with the annual Christmas bazaar at a church in his then home state of Maryland in 2006. His assignment was to help organize the food preparation and service, which meant providing 1,000 meals in a single day.
The organizers were clear from the onset that they wanted the entire affair to be as green as possible, and Mitz undertook an extensive research project to learn all he could about traditional single-use products, the effects they have on the environment and the available alternatives.
“Conventional single-use cups, plates and containers are typically paper products with petroleum-based coatings to withstand hot and cold temperatures,” Mitz explained. “Flatware is generally made from petroleum-based plastics. The problem with those materials is that they take a very long time to degrade when they are landfilled, and they don’t qualify as compostable.”
And to his surprise, he learned that even products labeled as biodegradable could be misleading to the average consumer. “Biodegradable signifies that the products are capable of disintegration by biological means,” he explained. “They’re typically made from materials that can be decomposed by some variety of microorganisms. But technically, that can include almost any material, since with enough time, some microorganisms can decompose almost anything. For example, aluminum cans will biodegrade in the ocean in about 175 years, and hard plastic bottle caps will biodegrade in about 400 years.”
As an alternative, Mitz learned from his research that a select group of manufacturers were producing these same food service items from plant-based materials, specifically polylactic acid (PLA). “PLA is a sustainable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch or sugarcane,” he continued. “It degrades quickly through natural, ongoing processes in the environment, ultimately forming carbon dioxide, water and biomass.”
Mitz chose the plant-based products for the church event and found their performance to be equal to the traditional paper and plastic options. Church officials were extremely pleased with his work. A year later, he and his wife Helen moved to Bend and formed LavaEdge. “It was clear to us that Bend is an environmentally-conscious city, and we felt there was an unfilled need for alternatives to the traditional single-use products found in most restaurants, hotels and coffee shops,” he said.
While the company’s growth was slow at first, particularly through the recession that began in 2008, Mitz’s faith in the plant-based products never wavered. He began supporting a few local events and charitable organizations by donating his products or selling them below cost, a practice he continues today.
“We do our best to educate local businesses and consumers about these products,” Mitz continued. “Most people are surprised to learn that biodegradable materials aren’t necessarily the best choice for the environment, and they’re usually pleased to learn that there are cost-effective alternatives.”
In fact, his own education has been a continuous process, gradually leading him to find other suppliers that embrace green technologies and allowing the company to expand its product line. LavaEdge is now a source for cleaning products, recycled paper products and even an upscale line of plates, bowls and cutlery, all engineered with environmental responsibility as a fundamental element. “There are very utilitarian products for everyday use, as well as elegant designs for special occasions,” Mitz said.
Certainly, the company’s intention is to continue its history of steady growth and profitability, but Mitz stressed that its underlying mission will always include a measure of philanthropy and contribution to local organizations. “We are confident that the number of businesses practicing environmental stewardship will continue to expand,” he said. “But more than anything else, the foundation of our business has been the belief that it’s the right thing to do.”
LavaEdge LLC supports a healthy environment by providing sustainable and compostable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based disposable products traditionally used by coffee shops, caterers and restaurants. The company also handles environmentally friendly cleaning products and supplies. Incorporated in Bend in 2007, its client base is comprised of eco-conscious businesses, organizations and households who value environmental responsibility. Commercial accounts are serviced on a delivery basis. Individuals can purchase retail products at Central Oregon Locavore.
Owen Mitz / owen@lavaedge.net
541-389-5400
