Eco-vessels: features, types and selection criteria

In the modern world, when choosing household goods, more and more attention is paid to their impact on human health and the environment. Therefore, it is worth considering the main features of eco-dishes, finding out what types of it are, and also familiarizing yourself with the criteria that should be considered when choosing sets of such dishes.

The following basic criteria exist: which ecological vessels must comply with:

• it must be made of natural materials;
• it should not contain substances harmful to the human body and the environment;
• harmful substances should not be emitted during its disposal.

Since the struggle for ecology is currently in fashion, often such dishes are developed with the participation of leading world designers. The main disadvantage of such products is the higher price compared to plastic products, as well as the low availability of eco-dishes in traditional points of sale, such as supermarkets.

According to the degree of environmental friendliness, three types of dishes can be distinguished, wearing the prefix "eco".

• Products from materials for dishes classic, such as glass and metal, which through the use of modern manufacturing technologies preserve the health of users. This category includes, for example, pans with ceramic non-stick coating, which reduces the amount of oil used in cooking and preserves more vitamins and other useful substances in the food.

• Products from natural materials, stylized as antiquity. Such sets are most often made of stone, wood and clay. They are harmless to humans and nature, but are not biodegradable.

• Products from biodegradable materials, which are not only safe for people and the environment, but also completely decompose in the soil for a period of 1 month to 1 year, thereby contributing to the solution of the problem of overcrowding of landfills. It is this type of cookware that is currently the most popular.

By purpose, the following types of such products are distinguished:

• disposable tableware for eating - since the main mission of eco-dishes is often the replacement of plastic, it is logical that it is in this segment that the greatest variety of goods on the market is observed;

• reusable dishes for eating - these products are not as popular as disposable so far, and among them the most common are sets stylized as folk ones;

• reusable cooking items - biodegradability has a price, therefore, usually biodegradable products are less durable and heat-resistant than traditional metal, porcelain and plastic products; Because of this, at present, eco-dishes for cooking are represented mainly by sets of wood, stone and clay.

The most extensive classification of such dishes is according to the material of its manufacture. Consider in more detail the materials that are most common today.

Birch bark dishes are the most traditional for the Russian market, as they have been used since ancient Russia. Moreover, it is not only completely safe for nature and humans, but also has a number of healing properties due to the presence of betulin (birch camphor) in its composition - a natural antiseptic and biostimulant. Birch bark can be stored for a very long time, as it is resistant to mechanical damage and decay. In the Russian market, the most common wicker Yakut dishes in a folk style. Most often, sets of baskets (boxes for storing products), mugs, bread bins and containers for spices are offered. The main disadvantage of birch bark products is their low resistance to elevated temperatures, therefore birch bark mugs should be used only for cold drinks, for example, juices and kvass.

Wheat straw is another newly discovered material for dishes, which was used by our distant ancestors. Currently, such products are produced by grinding straw into a homogeneous mass and subsequent pressing. Most often, disposable lunch boxes and trays are made from straw. Such products are resistant to high and low temperatures and mechanical damage. When such dishes are decomposed, natural fertilizers are formed, so that it is not only safe for nature, but even useful.

Currently, the most common bowls and plates of coconut shells, in which coconut flakes are used as glue. They are distinguished by durability and elegance, and also make even the most ordinary day a small tropical holiday. Their main disadvantages are poor resistance to temperature changes (they do not tolerate freezing and strong heating), as well as the need for regular maintenance (wiping with coconut or linseed oil, hand washing instead of machine). In addition, they decompose in water, so they can not be soaked for a long time.

For production, fallen palm leaves are used, which are washed and pressed in order to give the desired shape, and then covered with food-grade paint. Such dishes combine lightness, strength and resistance to temperature changes. Its main drawback is its low availability in the Russian market, where more traditional materials are common.

Such products are made from corn starch by casting and stamping.In terms of lightness, strength, resistance to high and low temperatures, these products are in no way inferior to plastic ones. At the same time, being utilized into the soil, this material decomposes into water and carbon dioxide in 9 months. Unlike the more exotic versions of reed and palm leaves, corn dishes are quite widely represented on the Russian market.

Bagasse (sugarcane) is used for this dish, which is crushed, squeezed juice, boiled, poured into molds and dried. Finished products have excellent strength, tolerate both freezing and heating in the microwave, decompose in soil in 5 months. The main disadvantage is poor resistance to liquids (no leakage is guaranteed for 4 hours).

For production, bamboo stems are used, which are crushed, pressed and varnished. Such dishes are highly durable, can be used repeatedly, but poorly tolerates temperature changes, in addition, it can not be soaked. Despite its durability, fully biodegradable utensils are disposed of within 3 months in the ground or 2 days in water.

Among other applicable for the manufacture of tableware materials the following are most known:

• waffle dishes - familiar to everyone since childhood, ice cream cups not only meet all the criteria for eco-dishes, they are also edible, which not only completely solves the issue of their disposal, but also guarantees their complete safety for health and the environment; we can say that wafer cups are the most common eco-dishes of our time;
• sunflower husk products - it is produced, for example, by the Russian-Chinese-Austrian company Ecofrand;
• cinnamon options - traditionally the manufacture of such dishes was a folk craft in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, it is from there that such sets most often come to Russia as a souvenir; in their production coconut shell and coconut flakes are used, and cinnamon serves as an element of decor, the properties of such dishes are similar to coconut;

• avocado seed dishes - Biofase is engaged in its production, and its shelf life is up to 1 year;
• orange peel products - Israeli designer Ori Sonnensha is engaged in their production; the advantage of this dish, in addition to environmental friendliness, is that it has a pleasant smell and elegant appearance;
• peeled carrot and peanut shell options - This dish is made by the Italian company Who Made from recycled food waste;

• products from vegetable / fruit puree - a group of Russian scientists from the city of Samara is developing the technology for the production of mashed cups (in particular, apple); the advantage of such options is that they are not only environmentally friendly, but also edible;
• coffee grounds products - Dutch startup Kaffeeform is engaged in the production of such mugs; products from this material are not only environmentally friendly, but also highly durable;
• dough dishes - the idea of ​​making edible spoons belongs to Bashkortostan Vadim Fattakhov; Since 2017, the startup he created has been collaborating with cafes and restaurants in Russian cities.

You will learn about the benefits of eco-dishes in the next video.