Greenwash Watch: Wasara Paperware
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 08.12.08
It is a stunning website with poetic copy- "Underlying the concept of WASARA is the legacy of the Japanese aesthetic and value sense. Japan has a tradition of good manufacturing backed by excellent skills and techniques, one of the most refined food cultures in the world, and a spirit of hospitality and courtesy. These are essential for days of spiritual fulfillment." -for a disposable paper plate.
They say "it is designed to minimize the environmental burden, a global issue of our time. Therefore Wasara employed reed pulp and bagasse (sugarcane waste) for its material....it is eco-friendly tableware complemented by spiritual richness."
I almost choked on my sushi when I read this:
"As paper tableware, the WASARI series is ephemeral. The materials, reed and bagasse, will return to the soil in the end. Since ancient times, human beings have lived side by side with nature, conversing with and learning from it. Everything- human beings, animals, trees and weeds- returns to the earth from which new life springs.
After serving at people's gatherings, WASARA also returns to the earth. Wasara, a one-time only paper ware plays a role in enriching one's mind, despite its ephemeral nature."
Now if that isn't the best justification ever for tossing something in a landfill, I don't know what is.
It is beautiful stuff, beautifully presented. But to justify disposables by saying "After serving at people's gatherings, WASARA also returns to the earth" is romantic and poetic, but it is egregious greenwashing. ::WASARA via ::CribCandy
More disposables on TreeHugger:
When Disposable Plates are Green :
Sexy Disposable Dishes?
Party Plates Without the Problems
Reduce Waste: Lose the Cafeteria Trays
More Greenwash Watch:
Greenwash Watch: Has Green Advertising Nuked the Fridge?
How To Spot Greenwashing
Greenwashing Index: Rate Your Favorite
The Semiotics of Greenwashing
Well, I happen to think they are a much more attractive option than regular paper plates. And being made of sugarcane waste product makes it the lesser of the disposable evils. At least they arent chopping down any forests to make this single-use item.
Sure, they went a little overboard with the poetic descriptions of harmony with the earth but, c'mon, if I have a really big gathering I'm not going to go out and buy more dishes to accommodate everyone - I'm going to buy some disposable plates...and it might as well be something like this.
Well if it really is made of sustainable (and otherwise rarely used) materials, and it really will turn into compost, is this company really lying? IMHO it sure sounds eco-friendly (definition of this word is open to interpretation, mind you). Better than using plastic plates or regular (wood-based) paper plates right? And just how often will one host a party anyway? Sure, using your regular ceramic/china/long lasting plates are better (as long as you don't toss 'em away), but this product is a better alternative in its category: single use plates/tableware. Unless there really is a nasty story behind this brand, of coz.
eh... when i think of japan, "hospitality and courtesy" are not the first things that come to mind...
How is this NOT economically friendly? The materials used to make it would have been thrown away otherwise. People always need(or at least think they need) disposable plates for events/picnics/parties. This seems better than plastic or wood paper plates. Remember that people still use STYROFOAM plates. I would consider this to be green.
Most towns in Japan recycle paper waste, so this would not go into landfills here. Not sure why you chose this as a "greenwash watch" item, if they use sugare cane waste instead of wood pulp, this would be much better than regular paper plates.
I have to say that I would be a lot more inclined to buy this paper plate vs. our current options. There is a nicer aesthetic to the design, they are using a waste product, the plate is biodegradable. Why not? As already mentioned, if you're having a party/bbq/get together, you're not going to want to whip out the china, so paper plates are the next option.
Another good example of some extreme green zeal...
I actually think it's a very good idea, you have to be practical - people throw parties, they need disposable ware, why not use eco friendly one?
Dude - so THAT'S what's wrong with me these days! I don't have the kind of dinnerware essential for spiritual fulfillment!