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The throwaway culture

Lucy Siegle

It goes against the grain of a green life. But some disposables are breaking the mould.

CONSIDER DISPOSABILITY as an epidemic (as we ethical types tend to do) and it is as welcome a concept as nuclear waste or whaling. But then, traditionally, disposable products have tended to invite criticism. I cite as evidence the "talk `n' toss" disposable mobile phone. When the minutes are up, the phone — two wedges of oil-rich plastic containing intricate chips and precious minerals — can simply be "thrown in the rubbish." Or the disposable fridge, which had the added bonus of being inflatable, made from polluting PVC.

Parts of the eco market have adopted an "if you can't beat them, join them" approach. Earth Friendly Baby Wipes (www.earth-friendly-baby.co.uk) , for example, are made from Ingeo, a cornflour derivative. These are 100 per cent biodegradable, apparently — though that doesn't necessarily mean compostable. Crucially, they are made from "100 per cent sustainable resources."

Some of the pens in Pilot pen's BegreeN (www.pilotbegreen.com) range are refillable but the bulk are far more disposable than, say, a traditional fountain pen. However, the range uses 65 per cent recycled content, helping to close the recycling loop.

Crockery has become a real target for disposable innovation, too. Vegware (www.vegware.co.uk) makes disposable plates, cutlery and napkins from cornflour and potato starch, as well as the U.K.'s "most eco-friendly disposable napkin," made from recycled U.K. fibre. All of which is good news if you're a takeaway or alfresco eating obsessive looking for a green solution or have a hatred of old-fashioned china, napkins, and knives and forks. I have some, but I wash them up, which is hardly entering into the disposable spirit. But it does prove that you can subvert throwaway culture.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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