Making Events Better for All: The Journey to Compostable Cups
Release Date: 07/19/2024
Right whale baby boom: The fragile hope that could decide the future of a species
How To Protect The Ocean
Right whale baby boom is giving scientists and conservationists a rare moment of hope, but it comes with a hard question: is this surge in newborn calves enough to save one of the most endangered whales on Earth? With only around 360 North Atlantic right whales left, every birth matters, and this episode breaks down why this moment is so important and why the clock is still ticking. North Atlantic right whale recovery has been painfully slow for decades due to ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and shifting ocean conditions. In this episode, we explore what led to 21 calves being born...
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Scientific Discoveries That Changed How We See the Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
Scientific Discoveries are transforming our understanding of the ocean in ways that were once unimaginable. In this episode of Surfacing Secrets: Explore the Ocean. Know the Planet, Richard Dewey, Kohen Bauer, and Gwen Klassen of Ocean Networks Canada share some of the most exciting breakthroughs made possible by real-time ocean monitoring. From mysterious sediment flows to acoustic insights that map marine life, this conversation reveals how cutting-edge technology is unraveling underwater mysteries. Ocean conservation has never felt more urgent or more hopeful. Scientific discoveries...
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Marineland Beluga Whales: What Happens Next and Why This Decision Matters for Animal Welfare
How To Protect The Ocean
Marineland Beluga Whales are once again at the center of a national debate, and the outcome could shape the future of captive whales in Canada. Marineland Beluga Whales face uncertain futures as government decisions, export permits, and welfare concerns collide, raising a critical question, are these whales being protected or simply moved out of sight? Beluga whales in captivity reveal a deeper problem that goes beyond one facility. This episode breaks down the latest updates on relocation plans, the role of federal permits, and why animal welfare groups argue that sending belugas to other...
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Will the US move towards Deep-Sea Mining? What’s Really at Stake for the Ocean and Our Future
How To Protect The Ocean
Will the US move towards Deep-Sea Mining? This question is no longer theoretical, it is urgent, political, and deeply consequential for the ocean. As pressure grows to secure critical minerals for batteries and clean energy, the US is facing a decision that could permanently alter the deep ocean. In this episode, we break down what deep-sea mining really means, why it is suddenly back in the spotlight, and why scientists are sounding the alarm about what we stand to lose before we even understand it. Deep sea mining explained through real testimony, expert insight, and clear examples that cut...
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Should bull sharks be culled? The truth behind shark bites and how people can actually stay safe
How To Protect The Ocean
Should bull sharks be culled? Shark bites spark fear, outrage, and calls for action, but the real question is whether killing sharks actually makes people safer. In this episode, we unpack why bull shark incidents happen, what science tells us about risk, and why quick emotional reactions can lead to decisions that do more harm than good. Bull shark attacks are tragic and serious, but one surprising insight from this episode is that bull sharks often bite because they cannot clearly see what is in front of them. Murky water, river runoff, and warm summer conditions dramatically increase...
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Ethical climate storytelling: How honest stories move people from fear to action
How To Protect The Ocean
Ethical climate storytelling asks a hard question that most climate conversations avoid: why do so many people shut down when the science is clear and the stakes are high, and how do we tell stories that actually move people to care and act. In this episode, we explore how ethical climate storytelling can reconnect audiences to climate issues without fear, guilt, or manipulation, and why this approach matters for protecting the ocean and the communities that depend on it. Climate communication strategy often defaults to urgency and catastrophe, but our guest explains why that approach can...
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Who Decides Offshore Drilling, And Why Coastal Communities Pay the Price
How To Protect The Ocean
Who Decides Offshore Drilling is the central question behind decisions that shape coastlines for decades, yet are often made by people who never have to live with the consequences. This episode breaks down how offshore drilling decisions are made far from the coast, why public input often feels symbolic, and how risk quietly shifts from decision-makers to coastal communities. Offshore oil and gas leasing sounds like a technical process, but the impact is deeply human. Through firsthand voices from across the US, this episode reveals a surprising truth: once an area is leased, the future of...
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Cook Inlet Offshore Oil Drilling: Why Alaskans Are Questioning Another Generation of Fossil Fuels
How To Protect The Ocean
Cook Inlet offshore oil drilling is being pushed forward through new federal lease plans, but the people who live closest to these waters are asking a hard question: who really benefits, and who takes the risk. In this episode, we unpack why Cook Inlet matters so deeply for salmon, beluga whales, and coastal communities, and why offshore drilling decisions made far from Alaska can have permanent local consequences. Alaska offshore oil and gas leasing has shaped the state’s economy, politics, and identity for decades, and that history still influences how people talk about jobs, revenue, and...
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Distant water fishing fleets are stripping the ocean bare and the new high seas treaty may be our last chance
How To Protect The Ocean
Distant water fishing fleets are operating just beyond national borders, pulling massive amounts of squid from the ocean with almost no rules, and this episode asks a simple but urgent question: can the new high seas treaty stop ecological collapse before it is too late? Off the coast of Argentina, hundreds of vessels gather in international waters to exploit a regulatory loophole, threatening a keystone species that supports whales, seabirds, and entire food webs. What happens here does not stay here, it affects global fisheries, biodiversity, and the seafood on our plates. High seas squid...
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Hidden costs of seafood: Why “Sustainable” Tuna Is Being Paid for by Taxpayers
How To Protect The Ocean
Hidden costs of seafood are shaping the global tuna industry in ways most people never see, and this episode asks why it matters for the ocean, workers, and anyone who buys seafood. Hidden costs of seafood raise a simple but uncomfortable question: if an industry cannot survive without public money, can it truly be sustainable, and who is paying the price behind the scenes? Tuna fishing subsidies are at the center of this story. Drawing from new peer-reviewed research, this episode breaks down how fuel tax exemptions and government support keep European tuna fleets operating, even when they...
info_outlineOn this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Reagan Kelly from Better for All discusses the journey to creating fully compostable cups. Discover how these cups are not only better for individuals but also for the environment. Learn about the impact on sustainability and the future of businesses. Join us for an insightful conversation on sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic cups.
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Better For All is a company that offers fully compostable cups as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic cups. The journey to creating these cups began in 2018 when the family-owned company became aware of the plastic pollution issue, particularly in the ocean. Reagan Kelly, the product lead at Better For All, was passionate about the environment and recycling, which led the family to explore the world of compostable and plant-based materials.
The company focused on developing cups that were not only compostable but also marine-degradable, addressing the concern of plastic waste ending up in the ocean. The cups are made from a material called PHA, which is naturally occurring and biodegrades safely in home composters or commercial composters. This material is friendly to a wide range of microorganisms, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Better For All's cups were put to the test at the Tortuga Festival in Florida, where they delivered 170,000 cups. The festival organizers were impressed by the unique look of the cups, which helped in sorting them out for composting. The cups received positive feedback from attendees, showcasing the potential for sustainable alternatives at large events.
The company's focus on innovation and dedication to creating environmentally friendly products has led to the development of various cup sizes, catering to different needs and applications. The cups are not only functional but also contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of events and businesses that choose to use them.
Overall, Better For All's commitment to sustainability and providing a viable alternative to single-use plastic cups demonstrates the importance of conscious consumer choices and the impact of innovative solutions in reducing plastic pollution.
During the journey to develop the compostable cups, significant challenges in manufacturing were encountered. Traditional methods and equipment geared towards working with plastic had to be reevaluated and changed to align with the new sustainable material. The manufacturing process had to be modified to accommodate the unique properties of the compostable material, requiring a shift in mindset and practices.
Securing adequate funding was another major hurdle in the development process. Developing a new product like compostable cups required substantial financial investment for research, development, testing, and scaling up production. Convincing investors of the viability and potential success of the product was crucial, necessitating a strong business case and a clear vision for the future.
Overcoming the challenge of buy-in from manufacturers, customers, and investors was a critical aspect of the journey. Manufacturers had to be convinced to adopt new processes and materials, customers needed to be educated about the benefits of using compostable cups, and investors had to see the potential for a return on their investment. Convincing all stakeholders of the value and importance of the compostable cups was a key challenge that had to be overcome.
Better For All is not only focused on providing fully compostable cups but is also looking to expand its product line to include other sustainable items. Regan Kelly mentioned in a podcast episode that they are considering developing water bags as a potential new product. These water bags would serve as an alternative to single-use plastic bags commonly used for beverages in certain regions, especially in Africa.
Introducing water bags aligns with the company's mission to make events and gatherings better for all. By offering sustainable alternatives like water bags, Better For All aims to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics and provide a more eco-friendly option for consumers. The company's focus on creating products that are sustainable and practical for everyday use demonstrates their commitment to promoting environmental consciousness in various settings.
Expanding the product line to include water bags would cater to a different market segment and contribute to reducing plastic waste in different contexts. By introducing innovative and sustainable solutions like water bags, Better For All continues to prioritize sustainability and aims to make a positive impact on the environment while enhancing the overall experience of events and gatherings.