Bob and Renee Blake show a selection of their green product line. Their new business creates products that are compostable.
Georgina
August 20, 2008 07:55 PM
When Bob and Renee Blake left their day jobs — his as a Toronto Fire captain and hers as a marketing manager — early this year to start a marketing and promotional products company, they knew being environmentally-friendly would be a key consideration.
Like many consumers, they had become increasingly aware over the past few years of the effects of their actions on the planet.
Not wanting to promote the “trinkets and trash” that get quickly thrown away, they set out to find promotional products that were functional and would either last for years or biodegrade after use.
“We began doing some research on the Internet and what we found out about plastic products was shocking”, Mr. Blake said. “Every bit of plastic ever made still exists — except for the small amount that has been incinerated and spewed noxious smoke.”
The world’s consumption of plastic materials has grown to nearly 100 million tonnes annually and only about 25 per cent of recyclable plastic is actually recycled, he added.
The rest ends up in landfill, or worse, in the environment where it eventually breaks down into smaller pieces and acts as a magnet for toxic substances and ultimately ends up in our food chain.
“Google ‘North Pacific Gyre’ for a real eye-opener of how disposable plastic products are affecting the earth,” Ms Blake said.
The Blakes stopped buying plastic water bottles after watching the video of the Gyre on the Internet.
Over the next few months, while attending industry trade shows and researching suppliers, they discovered disposable cups made from polylactide, a derivative of corn.
These cold drink cups are as strong and clear as the old standard cold cups — which are petroleum-based and depend on oil — yet they are completely compostable.
“Don’t get us wrong, we’re not against plastic,” Ms Blake said. “It is a great material for products that need to last indefinitely, but we believe there’s really no need to be using plastic for disposable items when other much more environmentally friendly options now exist.”
Finding corn cups with so much potential for use at larger offices and events encouraged the couple to source other bio-degradable products. Soon they located plates and bowls are made from sugar cane (after the sugar has been removed).
“They are as strong as Chinette type plates,” offers Bob, “but no trees are cut down to produce them.”
In addition to the service-ware, you’ll find bamboo, hemp and organic cotton golf and business clothing, stainless steel water bottles and other eco-friendly products on their website: TheBizMates.com or by calling 905-535-1202.