Some of you may have seen “bio cutlery” other plant based plastics. The basic idea is that instead of using petroleum to create the plastics some plant material (usually corn) is used as the basis for the containers. This is often better for the environment in some ways because plants are a renewable resource and these plastics often degrade more quickly.

Chipotle Partners with HAVI/Perseco and Cereplast for Bio Cutlery

In Millbrae California the city government is instituting a ban on non-degradable containers at restaurants. This has restaurants scrambling to find suitable alternatives for their disposable products. This is probably a good idea for restaurants to implement nationwide.

According to this press release:

Chipotle will initially use the cutlery in its Millbrae, Calif. restaurant, with a system-wide rollout in Chipotle’s approximately 800 locations expected in the near future.

This could become another way that Chipotle leads the industry in sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

Except Chipotle Isn’t Really Planning a Change…

According to QSRMagazine Chipotle isn’t really planning this change…

Currently, through a supplier, Chipotle purchases plastic cutlery made using Cereplast Compostables resin for its one restaurant in Millbrae, California, to comply with a local ordinance. In a Dec. 15 press release, which was not reviewed or approved by Chipotle, Cereplast misstated the nature of the relationship, stating that “A system-wide rollout of up to 800 Chipotle locations is expected in the near future.”

Chipotle currently has no plans to expand its relationship with Cereplast.

This actually could be better for the environment. Plant based plastics may be degradable, but at what cost. I have yet to see a good comparison of the total environmental impact of the plants used to make these supposedly sustainable products. As the Omnivore’s Dilemma explains it, the industrial corn used to create products like this often has way more petroleum in it than we might imagine. That can make it worse for the environment than a plain plastic fork.

Of course it’s also possible that Chipotle isn’t rolling out this new cutlery simply because it’s more expensive. Recently their stock is doing well, but at a current price of $55 it’s off quite a bit since the 52 week high of 155.

Side Note About Press Releases…

By the way, it’s hilarious to me how companies still use press releases which often cost hundreds or thousands of dollars instead of just having a blog…

I do hope Chipotle will continue to do the best they can to help the environment