Dubai: A company has launched what it claims are the UAE's first 100 per cent biodegradable disposable plates.
LTC International said the move aims to empower UAE consumers to deliver more concrete contributions in efforts to control the increasing volume of non-biodegradable waste generated in the country.
Distributed under the brand name Harmony, the eco-friendly disposable "bioplate" is available in all Carrefour outlets in the UAE.
The product is already being distributed and used in several European countries including Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
The bioplate is made entirely of fallen betel nut (Areca) leaves. It biodegrades naturally within two months, which makes it much easier to dispose of.
The bioplate also features special properties that allow it to be safely used in the microwave, refrigerator or when baking food.
The plates are non-odorous and are resistant to water, oil and heat. They are also naturally strong, semi-flexible and are not brittle. They come in 17 different shapes with a glossy finish. A specialised baking and sterilisation process has been adopted to ensure the bioplates are totally germ free, hygienic, and suitable for food.
The eco-product is seen as more cost-effective alternative to plates made up of other materials, particularly plastic, which is recognised as a leading cause of environmental pollution.
In Dubai alone, plastics account for over 17 per cent of the 3.4 million tonnes of waste produced per year, according to LTC International.
Although recycling facilities have been set up all over the emirate, many of the plastic waste still end up polluting the seas, clogging up waterways or being consumed and causing the death of desert animals.
"It is probably impossible to account for all the plastic disposable plates that are being disposed of every day and how many of them eventually end up as environmental pollutants and safety hazards. We strongly believe that using disposable products that are biodegradable will contribute immensely in cutting down the amount of environmentally harmful waste that we produce on a daily basis," said Kishan Gidwani, Chief Operating Officer of LTC International.
"Green development has been a huge buzz word in the GCC and I believe that the introduction of the Harmony bioplates will complement the growing environmental awareness," Gidwani added.
