All Episodes

September 3, 2024 31 mins

In this episode of Let's Set Your Table, the hosts discuss green and sustainable disposables with their guests from Eco Products. Our guests for this episode were Toby Alves, Product and Zero Waste Specialist with Eco-Products and Nicole Geletka, Regional Sales Manager with Eco-Products.

They aim to clarify the confusion around terms like "biodegradable" and "compostable" and educate owner-operators on waste diversion and the benefits of using certified compostable packaging.

The guests explain the differences between biodegradable and compostable materials, emphasizing that compostable items break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable items take longer and may leave residuals. They also highlight the importance of proper sorting and the role of signage in waste diversion. The guests offer their services and support to help operators make the transition to more sustainable practices!

 

Key Takeaways

  • Compostable items break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable items take longer and may leave residuals.
  • Compostable products are more strictly regulated with clear standards, while the term biodegradable is less regulated and can be misleading.
  • Proper sorting and signage are important for successful waste diversion.
  • Eco Products offers a range of new and innovative products for operators looking to transition to more sustainable practices.
  • The cost of waste diversion and composting depends on the market and contract negotiations, but it can lead to cost savings and environmental benefits.

Sound Bites:

** "Compostable materials are designed to break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable materials take longer and could leave residuals."

** "Compostable items need a specific composting environment to break down properly, while biodegradable items may break down in a wider range of environments." ** "Compostable products are more strictly regulated with clear standards, while the term biodegradable is less regulated and can sometimes be misleading."

 

What we discussed:

00:00 - Introduction and Discussion of Green Disposables 05:26 - Roles and Value of Product and Zero Waste Specialists 07:53 - Eco Products' Differentiators and Commitment to Sustainability 13:52 - Educating Operators on Waste Diversion and Composting 17:52 - Clarifying the Differences: Biodegradable vs. Compostable 23:57 - Taking the Next Step: Entry Points for Operators 27:03 - Cost Considerations and Services Offered by Eco Products 29:35 - New and Exciting Innovations from Eco Products

 

Links: 

Explore innovative industry leading green compostable packaging solutions at : https://www.hodegroup.com

The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com

Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts 

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.