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Flatware from the forest

MEGAN STEWART

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:14 AM EST 14/09/07

Two teachers from Vernon, B.C. revolutionize the kosher, disposable wooden cutlery business ...Read the full article

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  1. David Demner from Canada writes: What an interesting story!
  2. Andrew Lim from Antigonish, Canada writes: Sure this is great for when it goes in the trash (and biodegrates) , but think about the trees you will have to cut down. In that sense it isn't as eco friendly as most might think.
  3. Larry Hill from Canada writes: Andrew, you missed the part that their primairy wood is birch which is a "trash tree" in the forestry industry. Birch is cut in the clear cut process and generally burnt in a slash pile or picked up by consumers to be used as firewood. So more eco friendly than you are stating.
  4. Mat Negru from Toronto, Canada writes: I went to the company website at http://www.aspenware.ca/wun/cutlery.html and was surprised how aesthetically pleasing the cutlery is (at least in photos). Iused to design wood products, the design is excellent. If the cost is reasonable, this looks like an exportable product on design grounds. There are long term issues around sustainability, of course, for example if demand exceeds the availability of the 'trash tree birch,' but these can be managed. There are sustainability issues with metal cutlery also -- for example, the washing process (hot water, detergent) uses quite a bit of energy per use, especially in restaurant settings, not to mention that the original mining and fabrication energy and materials consumption and occasionally some persistent residues of contaminants from mining.
  5. D K from Canada writes: Can I take them on a plane?
  6. foo bar from Canada writes: Since when is birch "left to rot"?!?! Birch is a hardwood, commonly used to make furniture, musical instruments as well as flooring, among other uses. It has a smooth closed grain, takes staining well and quite hard.

    Also, why is the company called "Aspenware" when they use birch? Aspen is a type of Poplar.
  7. Larry Hill from Canada writes: Not sure about your part of the world, Foo Bar.. but here in B.C. birch is a "weed". I used to pick up my firewood from slash piles and would love it when I saw birch. But birch rots very quickly so you would have to grab it quickly.

    I would assume that the birch here is random and not enough in volume to make it worth while to have some one pick it over for commercial use. I also assume that birch in eastern Canada comes more in groves that makes it more suitable for commercial use.

    I wonder about the name too. Guess that "Birchware" just did not have the same marketing jingle!
  8. Old Folksinger from Canada writes: Disposable anything is not enviro-friendly - period.

    Reusable cutlery is the only thing that makes any sense.

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