MoneyVoice user kzacar1 left the following feedback for Under the Mango Tree:
“Please cease using any plastic and opt for compostable straws, cutlery, & packaging”
In response, this business became the first ever business to respond to their customers on MoneyVoice! When we saw their response we were delighted by how thoughtful, thorough and interesting it was, so we thought we would post it here as a great example of the type of high-quality communication between customers and businesses that MoneyVoice was designed to support:
Thank you so much for this feedback! You will be pleased to know that we have been working on a long term initiative to implement a system that will hopefully make us one of the greenest businesses in Miami — and encourage others to follow. We want to be the leaders of this movement for businesses in this city that is very far behind in this regard. It is our top priority project right now and it is motivating to receive reminders like these to move forward with this as soon as possible!
After much research we do not believe that compostable packaging is the answer to this problem. Of all the companies we have called regarding their plant-based packaging — 100% use mostly, if not all, corn as the base of their product. We have yet to find a company that uses organic non-gmo corn. Meaning, if you choose these products not only are you supporting growth of GMO plants but also the coinciding poison that must be used on them. Beyond that, we assume (although we are not scientists) that those chemicals in the products made from this poisoned corn not only leech into our food but also when breaking down (bio-degrading) it will return this poison into the soil (or ocean).
Also on another level with regards to compostable products, most people are unaware that these products only bio-degrade in industrial composting systems. They need to reach such a high temperature to break down that technically they are NOT bio-degradable if they are not disposed of properly. There are very few cities in the U.S. that have compostable programs and Miami is for sure not one of them. Sadly Miami does not even have a viable recycling program.
As for now, we currently promote our customers to eat in the shop where we always serve in reusable ware. Unfortunately a lot of people are not conscious of the issue of waste and how they contribute to it in their daily choices. For example, even though encouraged by us to eat in the shop (we even made a HUGE investment changing to a bigger location in order to have more seating space), many times customers still order to-go but end up staying to eat in the shop (creating unnecessary waste).
As you can see there are so many elements to this project. We do not want to just appear to be green by choosing these easy to find “compostable” products. We want to do this the RIGHT way, a way where we know a real difference is being made and people are learning to make choices that are truly eco-friendly- not just in the label. That’s the only way true change will begin to happen and we will actually see the fruit of our labor as a human species.
Our point is that this global issue needs to be addressed beyond “compostable” packaging, we need to move toward truly green choices which coincides with educating the customer on the how’s and why’s of the wasteful mindset and everyday behaviors that have become our norm. This is a HUGE endeavor — time wise and financially, as once you go down the rabbit hole you realize how waste is so deeply ingrained in our society and how there really are not many valid options for disposable eco-friendly packaging. So what are the options? Well we are working on the answer to that right now! We look forward to launching this multi-level “True Green” project very soon — so stay tuned!
We so appreciate your support with this — you as the consumer can speak with your money — as this concept of “Money Voice” is all about. It is important for everyone to know that since being truly green is sadly a revolutionary act in our society today, this will not be a “cheap” project for us. We are a small local-owned business and in order to thrive in this movement, we must have our community (and we consider all conscious people part of this — not just Miami locals) on board with us!
— Under the Mango Tree
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