Karat Earth: The Eco-Friendly Brand
Karat Earth® was established in 2008 under Karat by Lollicup with the goal to give customers environmentally friendly options and reduce their impact on the Earth. Since then the company has driven the charge to sustainable solutions including natural paper straws, compostable bagasse containers or biodegradable PLA cups. Karat Earth’s mission is to make eco-friendly foodservice disposables easily accessible for all customers.
What is Eco-Friendly?
Eco-Friendly, or environmentally friendly, is a buzzword that consumers have begun paying attention to in recent years. It refers to products that do not harm our environment such as paper bags that are made from trees that can be regrown and will decompose back to the Earth after its use.
As more countries around the world discuss climate change and concerns about piling landfills, people have asked how they can do their part to contribute to the cause. One solution is to switch our foodservice takeout and dine-in disposables to biodegradable or recyclable options. Here are some eco-friendly terms that will help with purchasing decisions:
Sustainable Resources are sources for materials that can be replenished. For example, sugarcane can be replanted and harvested on the same plot of land. Unsustainable resources would include fossil fuel since it comes from within the Earth and takes thousands of years to make.
Biodegradable products can decompose over time by natural elements as opposed to chemically-treated plastics which will fill our landfills forever. Even if biodegradable items end up in a landfill, it will decay.
Compostable products are made from all organic material. At the end of its lifecycle, it can be added to soil and food scraps to become more nutrient-rich soil. From plant to product back to the Earth.
Recyclable products can be repurposed into new products. Plastic bottles and aluminum cans may be turned back into bottles or cans but they have been turned into tires, park benches, clothing and more! They are usually marked with a triangle recycle symbol and a resin number inside. This number indicates the type of plastic it is.
Karat Earth Products
Karat Earth products are made from sustainable resources and most are certified biodegradable and compostable. The materials consist of bagasse, PLA, and paper. Bagasse is a byproduct of harvesting sugarcane that would otherwise be disposed of. PLA, polylactic acid, is a thermoplastic derived from corn starch, tapioca roots, or sugarcane. Paper is made from trees but these paper products are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to ensure that more trees are planted afterward.
The Karat Earth brand continues to expand its product lines to meet the growing demand for plastic alternatives. Here are the latest products you can switch to and begin offering your customers.
‧ Paper Straws
‧ PLA Straws
‧ Paper Hot & Cold Cups
‧ PLA Cold Cups
‧ Bagasse Hinged Containers
‧ Paper Food Containers
‧ CPLA Utensils
‧ Wooden Utensils
‧ Bagasse Plates
‧ Bagasse Bowls
‧ Mineral-filled Container
‧ Bagasse Take Out Containers with Lids **Coming Soon**