Q and A: Reusable cutlery set
Do you already use it? With the (free) reusable cutlery set, you contribute to reducing the use of single-use products, such as disposable cutlery. In doing so, you will help make the TU Delft Campus more sustainable.
TU Delft is working on a more sustainable campus. How we deal with procurement and waste management is part of our ambition to be carbon neutral, climate-adaptive and circular by 2030, with a focus on quality of life and biodiversity. We are happy to answer your questions about the cutlery set.
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TU Delft is working towards a carbon neutral, circular and climate-adaptive campus, with a focus on quality of life and biodiversity. Using the cutlery set will save on single-use products, and materials such as plastic. With a smaller demand for plastic, the material is put to better use if it cannot be replaced.
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The packaging is made of reusable cardboard. Without a cardboard box, the cutlery case can be damaged. The reusable cardboard is the most sustainable way to transport the cutlery sets.
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The cutlery sets are from the supplier Van Slobbe Premiums & Gifts. They are located in Barendrecht.
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The cutlery set* consists of approximately 80% of wheat straw, which is the straw left over after harvesting grain. This raw material is reusable and biodegradable. Straw in combination with sugar is made into bio plastic. The remainder of the cutlery set consists of about 20% Prolypropene (PP). This is a plastic that is difficult to break and it can be recycled. This material is highly resistant to bacteria and mould. This makes it suitable as a cutlery set material.
*The cutlery set refers to the cutlery; knife, fork, spoon, and the storage case. The cutlery set has an storage case. This case makes it easy to carry the unused and used cutlery in your bag.
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All staff and students at TU Delft received a cutlery set at TU Delft's Dies Natalis 2023. New employees and students will receive a cutlery set when collecting their campus card at the Auditorium. In addition, people from outside the TU Delft can buy the cutlery set at various restaurants and at the Auditorium of TU Delft.
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The cutlery set is produced by Global Bridge Industry Co. This is located in the Longgang District, in Shenzhen, in China.
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Production in China transported the cutlery sets by ship to the Port of Rotterdam. From here, the cutlery sets went by truck to the supplier in Barendrecht and were distributed from there to the TU Delft Campus.
TU Delft invests as much as possible locally. In the case of the cutlery sets, a local alternative was not feasible due to the desired price-quality ratio and sustainability requirements.
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The cutlery sets are tested by Van Slobbe Premiums & Gifts. Two test reports, TST and SGS, have been approved by European laws and regulations. The SGS is test report from an independent certification company.
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Yes. TU Delft has looked at alternatives for the cutlery set, such as bamboo material and 100% bioplastic. These materials were not chosen due to unpleasant mouth feel (wood), for short-term use and/or poor hygiene.
The cutlery set at TU Delft
The current cutlery set at TU Delft came out as the best in the test. The cutlery set can be used for several years, is dishwasher-safe, and its functionality is high. In addition, the case can withstand a bump.
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Waste metal cutlery is currently being reprocessed in the metal industry. Remelting metal waste and reprocessing it into new cutlery has a large environmental footprint. This is a less sustainable choice.
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At TU Delft, there are many visitors from outside TU who visit our restaurants and cafés. They do not yet receive cutlery sets, but they can buy them in the canteens and restaurants for 2 euros. This is the purchase price of the cutlery set; TU Delft does not receive any profit on this.
Meanwhile, disposable cutlery also has to be paid for. It is not yet legally required to offer only reusable cutlery in restaurants and cafés, but TU Delft will do so in 2024.