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The Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department revealed in its latest report that the city’s daily waste disposed per capita in 2017 was the highest since 1991, with plastic dining ware disposal alone up by 7.7% compared to 2016.
Made of wheat, tastes like tree bark and hard to chew – it may not be the finest option if you are looking for appealing and delectable food to satisfy your appetite, nor is this the most ornamental tableware to plate up your meals. But for people who want to avoid single-use plastic crockery, an edible plate might be the perfect alternative to curb plastic waste. Paper plates normally take five years to decompose while plastic ones take at least 500 years, but an edible plate would disintegrate in 30 days if it is not eaten up. A Polish technology company, Biotrem, are making these eco-friendly
plates with natural wheat bran by heating and compressing the wheat into solid dishes - a process that requires no fossil fuel at all. The plates can hold cold or warm food at up to 350°F. They are also microwavable and ovenproof. GreenBB, a local social enterprise has been importing the edible plates from Poland since last year. “Some environmental groups merely ask people to behave in certain ways to benefit the environment, but we’d like to take it a step further by motivating and inspiring people to protect the environment in creative ways,” said Jayford Wong, founder of the enterprise.
The group, which includes 20 young people, organises experimental activities such as green parties, workshops with schools and NGOs in a bid to raise eco-consciousness in the city. Hong Kong produces the most plastic waste in the Asia-Pacific region, with each person disposing, on average, around 400g every day. “Our participants like the plates very much, not because of the taste but the fact that they are fully biodegradable. The plates will disintegrate whether or not the user eats it,” said Mr. Wong, who said he had never really eaten a whole plate himself.