Why go green?

is a division of Import Food Network, LLC.

that specializes in products that are…

biodegradablematerials that can be broken down by living organisms (decomposers)

compostable

materials that biodegrade

under special composting

conditions to create a rich

product known as compost

Kessner Photography

annually renewable

resources that are replenished naturally at a rate comparable or faster than the rate of human consumption.

Traditionally,

We use plastics…

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for shrink wrap

• low-density polyethylene(LDPE) for produce bags, trash can liners, food storage containers

• Polypropylene (PP) for drinking straws, yogurt containers

• Polystyrene (PS) for plastic tableware

• Expanded Polystyrene(EPS) for packing peanuts, cups, meat trays, take-away food containers

• Polyethylene terephthalate(PET or PETE) for carbonated drink bottles, microwavable packaging

In 2007, the United States alone generated

30.7

MillionTons

of plastic waste.

Only 6.8% was recovered by recycling.

Tons of plastic

ends up littering

land and sea.

And because plastic is so slow to degrade,

it can take hundreds of yearsfor a Styrofoam cup to break down.

Even then, plastic just degrades to smaller pieces of plastic which is still harmful to wildlife.

Traditionally,

We use paper…

• Paper Tableware: bowls, plates, cups

• Napkins

• Paper Grocery Bags, Lunch Bags

• Take-out Containers

• Microwavable Containers

In the United States, paper accounts for the most waste-83 million tons.

Paper production generates pollutionPaper-making plants worldwide release millions of pounds of

highly toxic chemicalssuch as toluene, methanol, chlorine dioxide, hydrochloric acid, and formaldehyde into the air and water.

Bleaching with chlorine releases dioxins, environmental toxins that may cause cancer, damage to immune system, and thyroid disorders. The process releases lots of organic material into rivers and lakes.

In addition, paper is made…

…from trees.mberlee Kessler Design

Some wood comes from old growth forests.

These forests

are non-renewable because of unique biological features

•Trees of all ages•Sole habitat/ nesting area for some animal species

Other wood comes from tree farms, which may use

pesticides,insecticides,

and fungicidesand which replace natural forests and

do not foster the same biodiversity.

Those were some environmental reasons to go green…

but there are others…

It’s what customers want!

Consumers care about the environment.

They are beginning to make more choices based on whether a product is

organic, cage-free, local, renewable, compostable,

biodegradable

Use GREEN as a public relations platform to

differentiate from other companies.

Legislation!Styrofoam (EPS) products were banned in Berkeley, CA in 1988. Over 20 other cities and counties in California have enacted bans also.

Many other U.S. cities areconsidering fees or bans on

plastic bags as well.

Here are a few:Austin, Texas

Boston, Massachusetts Bakersfield, Calif.New Haven, Conn.

Portland, Ore.Phoenix, ArizonaAnnapolis, Md.

Other countries including China,Ireland, Kenya, Uganda andTanzania's Zanzibar islands

ALREADY discourage the use ofplastic bags by fees and bans.

Plastic bags were banned in San Francisco, CA on March 27, 2007.

Why go green?Our planetConsumersYour BusinessLegislation