RFQ DES Washington State Answers

 

re: Food service disposables deadline 6/16/2022

 

Questions

  2. Non-Wood based pulp alternatives agriculture upcycled by products circular and carbon negative / neutral carbon footprint. Moulded fiber (paper plates, clamshells etc), cups, paper board (with and without plant moisture barrier), cardboard, napkins, etc.  Certified PFAS free.

Labeling with certified compostable logo.

 

  1. Certified Plant based compostable plastics; grocery sacks, consumer products, food service items, drinking cups, lids etc. Made from Corn and Potatoe.

Labeling with certified compostable logo.

 

  1. Supply Chain/Substitutes.

Import products:

Current production is imported from our facilities overseas; who have been manufacturing the Wheat Stalk non-wood papers is for decades.   Already exporting to EU, the main concern is competition in the market.  We have very strong partnerships with factories and many growth options.  Shipping is the main concern.

USA made products:

The only Wheat Straw Pulp mill in the entire USA is in WA state; sad that is shuttering closed (Columbia Pulp). This facility could handle 430 Tons of non-wood pulp / day. Equivalent to approx 20, 000 paper plates / ton = 8.6 Million paper plates a day!  We are situated to bring in equipment to utilize this pulp for food service and consumer packaging – however we need consistent industrial clients to warrant the investment (Starbucks, Amazon, Boeing would all be great).  See. Below for carbon offset reference.

Compostable plastic manufacturing is not currently available in USA, not sure if supply chain is ready for this.  If market will justify, we can build the factory; assuming all environmental processes can be followed.

  1. Locations. Nation wide delivery is available. Currently orders are shipped directly to purchaser for each order.  Stockpiles would need to be managed and warranted in advance and can be arranged.

 

  1. Sustainability practices.

100% of our products are Carbon Negative or Carbon Neutral

Plant plastic compostable certificate – see logo attached on certificate

PFAS free compostable fiber products certificate – see logo attached on certificate

Yes we can generate sales reports identifying sustainability attributes.

1 wheat stalk mill producing 430 Ton / day =  offset of 133,000 tons of C02 + 17Million trees

 

  1. Industry/Technology Changes.

Ironically the upcycling of Wheat stalk, Barley stalk and Rice Stalk are old technology they have used in China for many years to replace the more valuable virgin wood used in disposable packaging.  This idea has not taken hold in the USA yet, so I foresee this could be an improvement for local manufacturing and thousands of green jobs.  We have calculated that 100 pulp mills could process the Wheat stalk in USA replacing majority of virgin wood used in our disposable food service and consumer packaging, this would radically alter the Carbon Offset of the USA.  Disposable packaging contributes to one third of our total carbon output.  Compostable plastics are growing in availability.

 

  1. Pricing.

Current product availability is all FOB China – we can manage logistics.

Freight costs have been fluctuating as well as consistent shipping mainly because of the pandemic, however this has stabilized.

Pricing is affected by purchase order volumes and market demand could affect the costing.

 

  1. Delivery.

Timeline for delivery – samples available in Seattle.

Leadtime approx. 2-6 weeks plus shipping 2-4 weeks

  1. Customer Service.

Customer Service stems from quality and value in the product, delivering on our promise.

  1. Website Options.

We are finishing our website and will include customized ordering,

 updated pricing, sustainability options, and information specific to the master contract.

  1. Additional comment. Our business colleagues are interested in building PRF’s (plastic recycling facilities) in WA and other states.  However, the once free solid waste plastic is now being sold to Canadian cement plants who burn it for fuel, or exported and end up in another landfill. 

How can we ever get on a better track if we cannot compete with it being sold as fuel? 

I know there is a plan for a plant to recycle contaminated plastics – but that is years out.  Our team will build the factory (3 months), but they are looking for nearly free solid waste recyclables to convert back into pellets to remake into longer lasting precious plastic items.  We are only recycling 6% so much more to be recycled!

Currently many items are being sold and shipped with little to no transparency.  Managing it in a transparent and efficient method seems critical at this early stage.  Sorry just venting hoping for the best path forward.  MRF’s don’t answer my inquiry and they have buyers so they don’t seem interested.