Beware of wooden utensils made in China from “dirty wood”
FACT: The largest polluting nation on the planet is, by far, China. Source: [https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/top-5-most-polluting-countries/]
FACT: Over half of all timber shipped globally goes to China. Source: [https://e360.yale.edu/features/chinas_appetite_for_wood_takes_a_heavy_toll_on_forests]
FACT: It is estimated that over 20% of all timber imported into China has a high risk of illegality. Source: [https://indicators.chathamhouse.org/explore-the-data/china/trade?qt-field_collection_quicktabs=3#qt-field_collection_quicktabs]
FACT: Deforestation in China, Russia and elsewhere is rampant. For example, Global Witness, an environmental group, predicts that, at the current pace, Chinese manufacturers could completely eliminate the rain forests in the Solomon Islands by 2036. Source: [https://www.chinadialogue.net/blog/10935-Ending-illegal-logging-requires-China-to-act/en]
FACT: China is also the world’s largest exporter of wood products. Source: [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/world/asia/chinas-voracious-appetite-for-timber-stokes-fury-in-russia-and-beyond.html]
FACT: The majority of all wooden utensils sold today come from China. Source: [https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProduct_TS.aspx]
Making a case for disposable wooden utensils vs. plastic utensils is easy because we are all aware of the problems with plastic. As you see from the facts above, making a case against “dirty wood” emanating from China is also easy, just not as well known.
Deforestation is a significant global problem, one with perhaps greater ramifications than even plastic. Beware of buying into this problem when you purchase wooden utensils made in China.
WoodAbles, on the other hand, are made in Chile from the same sustainable forests where we have responsibly harvested the wood to manufacture so many other disposable wooden products for decades. We have been certified by the organizations that look out for the public good. And, our disposable wood utensils are not only environmentally responsible, they also perform! Buy WoodAbles with confidence knowing that you are doing the right thing for your family and the planet.
