Earth Surge is a Kaua‘i company that sells eco-friendly goods. And according to owner Paul Clark, they do this for a specific reason. “Plastic poses a major threat to fish, sea turtles and birds, which all can mistake it for
Earth Surge is a Kaua‘i company that sells eco-friendly goods. And according to owner Paul Clark, they do this for a specific reason. “Plastic poses a major threat to fish, sea turtles and birds, which all can mistake it for food,” Clark said in a press release. “It is also responsible for many marine mammal entanglements.”
Clark said that plastic in the ocean currently outweighs plankton — ocean creatures that provide 70 percent of the world’s oxygen.
These new eco-friendly alternatives reduce the growing mountains of non-biodegradable containers and cutlery used statewide by the plate-lunch culture.
Earth Surge’s message is that petroleum-based plastics never break down. In contrast, the company’s take-out containers are made from sugar cane fibers, corn starch and potato. A portion of all proceeds are donated to www.saveourseas.org
While working with international nonprofit Save Our Seas, Clark was amazed at the amount of trash he encountered during statewide community cleanups.
“We found trash from all over the world accumulating on Hawai‘i’s coasts, and we knew that that there had to be answer to this pollution,” he said.
According to Clark, the bags and other compostable products easily replace conventional takeout items and can even go into your home composting bin to break down. The GMO-free corn bag looks just like its plastic counterpart.
All Earth Surge products biodegrade within 45 to 180 days, depending on the product.
While the eco-goods tend to be a little more expensive, Clark said some businesses offer them as an alternative to traditional plastic bags for an extra dime.
“I think this is a good way for a business owner to see if people think the environment is worth it,” he said. “I know if I were given the option I would always choose to use something that’d break down.”
Earth Surge, distributor for Bio Bag Hawai‘i, is prepared to help local businesses play a part in helping the islands reduce plastic that enter the landfills and ocean.
“There’s a minimum order, but we are willing to work with businesses in order to get this product out there,” Clark said.
Environmentally conscious Kaua‘i businesses such as the Hanalei Dolphin are getting involved. Others include Spinners Coffee, Kula Elementary, Intermediate and High School, Kilauea Fish Market, Evolution Foods, Luna Bella Loves Chocolate and Healthy Hut.
“We care so much about the ocean we knew we had to take action, and using products like this makes it easy,” Hanalei Dolphin owner Beatrice Allen said in a press release.
San Francisco and Oakland are two examples of areas enforcing strict laws that prohibit the use of plastic bags. On Maui, there is presently a bill before the county council’s Policy Committee proposing the reduction of the use of plastic bags on the Valley Isle.
Earth Surge is hoping that other Hawai‘i councils will follow in those footsteps and pass a ban on plastic bags and foamed polystyrene (Styrofoam).
What is a starch
bioplastic?
• Bioplastics are biodegradable plastic-like material made from corn, potato and tapioca.
• Products like forks, spoons, cups, straws, shopping bags, deli containers and almost anything else you can think of can be made from bioplastic.
• It breaks down in 90 to 180 days.
• Sugarcane fiber left over after water extraction is called bagasse.
• Bagasse is used to make everything from cups to plates to “clamshell” takeout containers. It looks and feels like poster paper and has a life span of 30 to 90 days, depending on compost conditions.
For more information, visit www.earthsurge.com
or call 651-3452.
