Who loves eating off disposable wood cutlery? You don’t? Then read on…
APP Group has opened doors for companies like EcoTensil to create never before possible products with their Foopak Bio Natura certified plastic-free paperboard. Foopak has been used in cups, bowls, and containers, and now, this compostable and recyclable board is being used by EcoTensil to make its line of satin-smooth folding paper utensils to replace not only plastic cutlery, but also those not-so-appetising wooden utensils.
In line with increasing business and consumer prioritisation of healthy, safe and environmentally friendly products, EcoTensil has recently launched a new cutlery line, AquaDot, using Foopak’s Bio Natura foodgrade paperboard. "People feel good about reducing the amount of plastic going into our landfills, oceans and increasingly finding their way into our foods and bodies and even into mothers milk*" says EcoTensil CEO, Peggy Cross, "but they don’t like many of the alternatives to plastic for cutlery, such as wood."
"Americans use approximately 40 billion pieces of single-use plastic cutlery annually."
The Foopak cup-stock is designed to provide the food packaging industry with options that are protective of health and do not compromise the environment. Foopak Bio Natura products are certified plastic-free by Flustix and are recyclable, compostable and PFAS-free.
"The Bio Natura paperboard has been a long sought after holy grail for us," says Cross. "Our plastic-free GreenDot taster line is terrific for sampling, but it doesn’t last for full servings. Our BlueDot line had an unwanted thin poly coating… there was no other plastic-free paperboard available with a moisture barrier. So we were over the moon when we discovered Bio Natura, which allowed us to be both plastic-free AND longer lasting. We’ve since replaced the BlueDot line entirely with the AquaDot Bio Natura board."
EcoTensil utensils are chef-approved for taste and texture, providing an option to plastic that doesn’t negatively impact the experience of the food, as does wood. “I wish I had photos of all the expressions I’ve seen when bringing up the taste of wood cutlery!” says Cross. Additionally, AquaDot‘s silky-smooth texture was judged to be on par with plastic by a third-party sensory lab, in terms of providing an enjoyable eating experience.
Being FDA-compliant and free from chemicals and PFAS, often associated with single use plastic utensils, AquaDot goes beyond the call of sustainability. Consumers can enjoy a delicious meal and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their plastic-free utensils are not putting their own health, or the health of the planet at risk.
EcoTensil AquaDot utensils are surprising sturdy, moisture-resistant and multi-functional. They are even strong enough to cut through foods like cheesecake, watermellon and peeled hard-boiled eggs in one simple fold along EcoTensil’s patented scores.
Aside from using up to 85% less material than traditional plastic and wooden cutlery, the foldable design also makes it compact and easy to ship and store, which will benefit both the environment and packaging converters who want to provide their customers with better utensil options.
Ideal for the packaging and food service industries, AquaDot is the longest-lasting cutlery option in the patented EcoTensil line of cutlery, proven to hold up well during use and designed for high-speed packaging requirements.
As the call for actionable climate solutions grows louder, the responsibility to act rests on everyone – consumers, governments, and the private sector alike. Today, 67% of American consumers believe sustainability should be the standard for companies, demanding healthier and more eco-friendly options that align with their values. At APP, we are dedicated to answering this call by driving sustainable innovation in the packaging industry. Our flagship innovation brand, Foopak, reflects our commitment to advancing a circular bioeconomy with high-quality, plastic-free solutions.
APP and Foopak are pleased to support EcoTensil on this valuable, environmentally conscious addition to the cutlery market. Together, we can drive a lasting impact on plastic pollution through eco-friendly, healthy and innovative choices.
To find out more about EcoTensil’s range of utensils visit EcoTensil.com. For more information on the full range of eco-conscious food packaging offerings by APP’s Foopak brand, visit foopak.com