“Be a global citizen. Act with passion and compassion. Help us make this world safer and more sustainable today and for the generations that will follow us. That is our moral responsibility.” — UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon
Pollution and the climate crisis are two of the greatest global challenges facing us today. Every year, we see the real consequences of humans’ impact on the planet, and it’s more than concerning; all stakeholders must fully commit to sustainability if we are to ensure future prosperity.
One way to be a global citizen is by minimizing plastic pollution where you can. As a company, you can do this by offering plastic-free products to your customers. Studies show that individuals want to be more sustainable in their lives, and they want the companies that they support to make sustainability easy for them. Consumers who are moving toward a plastic-free kitchen will appreciate all-natural kitchenware offerings.
Coconut shells offer a fantastic, natural alternative to plastic, ceramic, and other common kitchenware materials. They are durable, stylish, and they make use of materials that would have otherwise been discarded, which is why we love them! Here are five key reasons why your customers will love coconut bowls, too.
1. They rescue agricultural waste
Because coconuts are mostly used for their meat, the vast majority of harvested coconut shells are disposed of, typically through burning. Not only does this waste an incredibly valuable raw material, but it also contributes to the climate crisis through carbon and methane emissions.
Coconut shells can be used for a variety of purposes, including manufacturing activated charcoal and kitchenware, so it’s a huge waste to dispose of them in this way. Rather, repurposing coconut shells into gorgeous, all-natural coconut bowls contributes to circularity, allowing us to close the loop on agricultural waste and prevent pollution.
2. They support local families and low-income farms
Coconut farming takes place in 92 countries, many of which are low- and middle-income nations. Many families who run coconut farms struggle to live day-to-day. The economic potential of using the entire coconut can be huge for these farms and their communities.
In the Mekong Delta, for example, over 200,000 families have coconut farms. However, much of the coconut is thrown away because we typically focus on the meat rather than the rest of the coconut. By using the shell, we are providing an economic opportunity to low-income families.
This is especially important in the Mekong Delta where communities are already suffering from the effects of climate change. Rising waters and other side effects of climate change are currently damaging communities and diminishing livelihoods. Financial support through the sale of coconut shells and husks can greatly benefit the communities in this area.
3. They are biodegradable
The circularity of coconut bowls goes beyond reducing agricultural waste. Coconut bowls are biodegradable, so when they reach the end of their life cycle, they will return to the earth, closing the waste loop.
This is far superior to other bowl materials, especially plastic. Plastic bowls are rarely recycled, and even if they do get recycled, they can only be recycled once or twice before the plastic loses its integrity and is unusable. This means that it’s almost certain that your plastic bowls and other plastic kitchenware will eventually sit in a landfill or become plastic pollution.
Plastic will never fully degrade. Rather, it will break down into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics, which have now been discovered in human blood and breast milk. While the health implications of this discovery are unknown, it’s clear that we must do something about the plastic pollution problem before it takes over our lives.
Coconut bowls and other all-natural materials offer one solution to plastic pollution. Rather than depending on non-renewable resources that cannot be sustainably disposed of, we should rely upon rapidly renewable materials that promote circularity and clean living.
4. They are rapidly renewable
Speaking of rapid renewability, coconuts as a crop are much more renewable than other popular raw materials, like timber (which is slow to renew) and fossil fuels (which do not renew at all).
A single mature coconut tree can yield between 60 and 100 coconuts per year. Each coconut can be used to make a number of items, including food, durable textiles from the husk, coconut bowls, and even activated charcoal. Depending on the species, a coconut tree takes anywhere from 3 – 10 years to reach fruit-bearing age. This may seem like a long time until we compare it with timber, which must grow for decades before it can be harvested.
Coconut trees grow in abundance in tropical locations, making them ideal for raw material use. The only question we should be asking is why we haven’t taken advantage of these amazing crops until now.
5. They’re durable and look amazing!
Besides all of the environmental benefits of using coconut shells as bowls for the kitchen, they’re also practical and stylish. Your customers will love having coconut bowls as part of their natural kitchen aesthetic.
Coconut bowls boast the same durability as your plastic bowls, which makes them perfect for households with children. They won’t break as easily as ceramic bowls might, but they look just as good.
With proper care, coconut bowls can last decades. Avoid the microwave and dishwasher, and rub them with coconut oil every few months, and they will maintain their luster for years to come.
They also look fantastic. Here at Minimali, we rely upon the natural beauty of the coconut. While some of our bowls are decorated with colored resin in the bowl’s interior, allowing customers to match their bowls with their current kitchen aesthetic, our bowls let the raw elegance of the coconut shine. We perfectly combine contemporary styles with organic designs, perfect for the modern kitchen.
Including coconut bowls as part of your company’s offerings is a great choice for business and sustainability. Customers want to be more sustainable in their lives, and the all-natural products offered through Minimali make it easy. Your customers won’t have to choose between a stylish kitchen and positive environmental choices; with our all-natural biodegradable kitchen merchandise, you get the best of both worlds.
Curious about helping your customers move toward plastic-free kitchens? Contact us today!