Sustainable disposable tableware
In 2018, the Studierendenwerk already tested takeaway menu boxes made of biodegradable sugar cane fiber, which will be used in all dining halls in the future instead of the previous disposable packaging. Now we have replaced not only the menu boxes, but the entire range with more sustainable disposable packaging. The new disposable packaging is made from either renewable raw materials or recycled materials and is therefore environmentally friendly and resource-friendly.
List of our sustainable disposable alternatives:
Menu box (bagasse), price: 0.50 euros
Burger box (bagasse), price: 0,20 Euro
Cutlery (CPLA), Price: 0,20 Euro
Salad bowls and lids (rPET), price: 0,30 Euro
Coffee mugs (bagasse) and lids (CPLA), price: 0,20 Euro
Soup containers and lids (kraft paper) with PLA coating, price: 0.30 Euro
Pizza container (kraft paper), price: 0,20 Euro
Carrier bag (kraft paper), price: 0,20 Euro
Napkins (recycled paper)
Drinking cups, dessert cups and lids (rPET)
Snack bags / bread bags (PaperWise) possibly with viewing window made of PLA
Straws (paper)
Materials used:
Bagasse: Bagasse is the fibrous remains left over from sugar production. The reuse of these remnants conserves resources. Another advantage of the material is that it consists entirely of renewable raw materials. In theory, bagasse is biodegradable within 90 days and can be composted according to the industrial composting standard EN13432. Unfortunately, however, composting plants in Germany are not yet designed for this type of packaging, and no sustainable packaging of this type is yet being produced that can be disposed of in organic waste without hesitation. This means that the material must still be disposed of in residual waste!
PLA: PLA (Polylactide) is a plastic that is produced from renewable raw materials (e.g. corn starch) and is therefore also called "bio-plastic". In theory, the material is biodegradable within 90 days and can be composted according to the industrial composting standard EN13432. Unfortunately, however, the composting plants in Germany are not yet designed for this type of packaging, and no sustainable packaging of this type is yet being produced that can be disposed of in organic waste without hesitation. This means that the material must still be disposed of in residual waste!
CPLA: The material CPLA (crystallized polylactide) differs from PLA only in its heat resistance: While PLA is heat resistant only up to 40 degrees Celsius, CPLA can withstand temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius.
rPET: "rPET" stands for recycled plastic. Reusing plastic that has already been manufactured conserves valuable resources. Did you know? Plastic can even be recycled several times.
Paper / recycled paper: To avoid plastic, we also use paper alternatives. Most of these are made from recycled paper to save more resources. All paper products in our dining halls are FSC-certified and thus come from responsibly managed forests. In addition, the recycled paper packaging is certified under the EU Eco label and the Blue Angel.
PaperWise: This material uses by-products of agricultural waste (such as stalks, leaves, etc.) to produce high-quality packaging.