— Contributed by Frances Schalk

I run a small restaurant in Orange County, and ever since 2021 started, I wanted to make a change with how we do the business. And this is by being more eco-friendly with our everyday choices. 2020 was a really challenging year, especially with the whole COVID-19 situation. So with 2021, we wanted to offer a healthy alternative to our patrons by going organic with our ingredients and choosing eco-friendly food packages for take-outs and deliveries.

Another reason why we’re shifting to biodegradable food packaging is because they are free from any toxins or allergens. Traditional food packaging is manufactured from chemically laden materials, making them harmful to our customers. Another thing is that biodegradable food packaging is a big part of our new brand message. That is by making a positive impact on the environment by reducing our carbon footprint.

Why most people think that it might be hard to shift into biodegradable packaging and utensils, it was actually not. We were able to find a trusted restaurant supply store in Los Angeles, where we get our biodegradable food packaging and supplies. Restaurant Smart is an online business that offers a wide selection of essential kitchen products. Their eco-friendly products include PLA compostable containers, bio-based disposable utensils, and compostable drink cups and lids.

We’re a big fan of their compostable containers made from renewable resources and are BPI-certified compostable. They also have a strong and sturdy design, which is a big plus, especially since our previous food packaging easily gets dents during deliveries. However, with Restaurant Smart’s compostable containers, that rarely happens.

Another product that we get from them is their bio-based disposable utensils. A 100 pieces only cost $30.95, which is quite affordable compared to other biodegradable disposable utensils you can find online. There are also their compostable drink cups and lids, which are similar to their compostable containers that are sturdy.

Overall, I am very satisfied with their biodegradable food packaging and utensils. Thanks to Restaurant Smart, our restaurant had a smooth transition from traditional packaging to our now eco-friendly packages. If you want to know more about Restaurant Smart and the products they offer, I definitely recommend that you visit their website.