Sustainability – A fair exchange

July is here, it is time to talk about living plastic-free... Sort of.

Often when we talk about sustainability many will switch off. But this time, we may all benefit from it and even save because of the returns. Allotment owners and local farms  could be our saviours ultimately. Read on.

Compostable packaging:

As you know, a few years ago Miss Nang basic packaging was replaced with compostable imitation plastic made out of wood pulp.

We’ve all heard of the desire  to move towards more green living, but unfortunately the structures around us don’t favors proper disposal of compostable materials. This is why you will notice that the earlier adopters of potato starch packaging have reverted back to plastic or solid paper sleeves for their subscription magazines etc…

Once more, in terms of disposal and for longevity,  it is up to small businesses to come up with solutions. 

The problem with compostable packaging

In order to dispose of compostable packaging, one must have functioning compost heap with enough heat and worms to do the job of tearing through the wood pulp made packaging. As we all live in cities, not all apartments have compost heaps… and, how many plant pots can you use to dispose of your packaging?

The experiment:

Click here to see video intro.

Having heavily contributed to few sustainable and plastic-free business discussions during COP26, for July 2022, I started an experiment that will ultimately prove that compostable wood pulp doesn’t need a compost heap to start disintegrating. Something that takes longer to decompose in water (easily accessible) is better than something that can decompose faster in inaccessible compost heaps. The goal is the give people the habit of reducing their use of plastic and even actively seek for alternatives that they can themselves dispose of.

The fair exchange part

If those of us who commit to use compostable packaging could be paired with local allotment owners, our desire to live more sustainably could become transactional… and even approved by the local council adopting the idea.

How it works

John, who is committed to reducing his plastic use, starts collecting his compostable packaging in a bucket. Wheelie bin full of water. 

Every so often (3-6 months), he delivers his loads to be integrated in the actual compost heap at the allotment. At harvest time, the allotment owner (Lizzie) who no doubt is overwhelmed with produce shares her harvest with John.

Going further.

Let’s imagine 50 people in the smallest (non-rural)  borough of Greater London – Kingston-Upon-Thyne -.

Kingston has about 100 allotments, if half of the allotment owners agreed to be paired, we may end up with a surplus of food that could then be distributed via a common surplus bank that will then serve the community further and wider.

It sounds like going back to basics, but this is what living green and sustainably looks like when everyone comes together.

Over to you.

Does this idea inspire you to take action and start looking to reduce your use of plastic?

If you could be paired with an allotment owner via the council would you consider stating the process of disposing of the compostable packaging yourself.

Let me know what you think. 

Author: Hortense Julienne, owner – Miss Nang Treats

I do really believe that our food and our environment impact our health and we must all contribute to both with small action that eventually have a big impact.