The Vision
Making sustainable packaging accessible for all
We’re underwhelmed by plastic – to say the least. The future of takeout will be a mix of reusable and sustainable one-time-use containers with fines for the one-time-use products similar to existing bag or straw taxes.
This means we need a combination of business, policy, and design solutions to achieve this outcome. This is no easy undertaking, but that’s where “One Nation Over Plastic” comes in. One Nation Over Plastic will advocate for these solutions at the local level while facilitating the change in mom-and-pop restaurants for a smoother transition.
Sustainable
First and foremost we must reduce the waste we're sending to landfills. With COVID-19 increasing the need for take-out solutions, it's important that we invest in planet-based solutions for our current problems.
Accessible
It's important that sustainable doesn't mean elite. This must be as economically advantageous for the mom-and-pop restaurants and consumers as it is good for the environment. Creating tiered cost-sharing can help with this.
Scalable
This must be a replicable and flexible model that works outside of city centers and adapts to the transportation systems, infrastructure, and cultures in different regions.
The Consideration
Mother Nature Knows Best
Product design is an important environmental consideration. In this model, circular reusable containers are prioritized. It’s important that these containers be long-lasting for a number of uses and recyclable (in a market that truly wants that material) when they’re no longer up to the job.
As for the compostable elements, there are a number of high-quality options that compost in municipal facilities. The process of disposal and decomposition are important considerations during the product’s creation. There are levels of sustainability of all products. There are virgin compostables such as bamboo silverware, cardboard straws, and palm leaf compression plates that are created from first-time-use materials. Then there are recycled compostables like those that use mycelium to bring organic agriculture byproducts together to create containers. These are ideal because they extend the use and life of what might otherwise be waste.
Unfortunately, high-quality reusables and compostables are currently more expensive in most cases. It’s important to us not to decrease sustainability due to cost. To reduce the cost, high-quality reusables and compostables would be purchased in bulk for One Nation Over Plastic restaurants as a type of cost-sharing.
The Plan of Action
How we can achieve this vision of the future
- Restaurants interested in participating can email onenationoverplastic@gmail.com to receive the questionnaire
- Fundraising and investment will help create equity at the launch (coming soon)
- See our list of participating restaurants (coming soon)
More questions? Drop us a line at onenationoverplastic@gmail.com
About The Artist
Monica Dang
Digital marketer passionate about sustainability and the ways we relate to the evolving world today (and tomorrow). Always curious and looking to expand her mind.
