In the area of out-of-home or to-go supply, disposable tableware is indispensable. Straws, barbecue utensils or drinking cups: after a single use, the unloved waste is disposed of. The problem is that the mountains of waste grow and even end up in the sea, where they are mistakenly perceived as food by animals. When fish and seafood are then caught and processed, the microplastics they ingest also enter our food cycle. But it is not only disposable tableware that poses a serious problem: Plastic bottles are also still in circulation. According to the new ordinance, from 2025 onwards they must be made of recycled material and 90% of them are to be collected separately by 2029.

The figures give cause for concern

The EU-wide average of plastic produced is around 32 kilograms per inhabitant. In Germany, we are even above this average with almost 38 kilograms per inhabitant. Far less than a third of the plastic waste produced is recycled. The rest is burned or stored. Waste that is not disposed of properly ends up in our oceans. Now the producers are being called in. The tobacco industry, in particular, is under a great deal of pressure here, as most of the waste consists of carelessly discarded cigarette filters.

According to the EU Commission, 85% of the waste in the world’s oceans is plastic. Of these, about half are disposable products that are readily thrown away. By 2050, experts say, there could be more plastic waste than fish swimming in the oceans. But dangers for animals and the environment are already emerging: fish and other marine life either get tangled up in the rubbish or mistakenly ingest it as food. The microplastics end up on our plates, too.

How can Ehlert help (you) avoid waste?

Many of our foods and spices are made fresh for each order. From 35 to 700 kilograms, Ehlert offers you the possibility of receiving fresh goods and not having to store them for a long time. Due to the order-related production, change requests can also be taken into account at short notice.

And what about packaging? We also offer alternatives for this. Try using containers, boxes or tubs. To divide your food, you can conveniently resort to cans and jars for portioning and labeling. Unlike disposable tableware or packaging, these are much more durable and stable. This keeps your food fresh and durable for a long time.

Offer your customers the perfect on-the-go solution: a fresh jar of Overnight Oats is perfect for them to take to work. And leaves no waste products. Instead, the jars can be returned to you – for a deposit, for example – or recycled yourself. With our cans and jars, a healthy meal at work is no longer a problem.

Where plastic waste cannot be avoided, we can at least ensure that it is reduced to a minimum: Do you use vacuum bags for longer shelf life and freshness? Classically, they have a thickness of 90 my. But it does not always have to be this strength. That is why we also offer bags with 65 my. Less plastic – while maintaining the quality of your products!

Further questions about environmentally friendly solutions?

Did this blog post get you thinking? Did suggestions or further questions come up while reading? Then please feel free to contact us. Our team is also available by email, phone or in person. We look forward to you, a lively discussion and suggestions.