We were looking at what embodied CARBON is today. It’s the carbon burned during the manufacture of items, so for example, if our project uses recycled♻️ steel versus virgin steel for our raw materials, it will massively reduce the carbon footprint of live events

However, what got us thinking laterally, whilst doing the domestic washing up this fine 💦💨 morning 🌄, is that rather than order millions of items of bespoke stainless steel serveware, would it be also just as valid to ask the public to donate all their spare “embodied carbon” lying in their cutlery drawers and sitting going dusty unused on shelves?

Our task is to care for these items, keeping them “in circulation” for as long as possible, washing them up in an efficient way.

This is what chat gpt said when we posed the question,

US: “we are thinking of creating a washing up service for live events that reduces the carbon footprint, pollution and land use associated with providing food and drinks to thousands of live events by replacing the single-use Serveware with reusables. Would we save even more resources if we used second hand serveware rather than commissioning bespoke items made from recycled stainless steel?”

CHAT GPT : “Using second-hand serveware instead of commissioning bespoke items made from recycled stainless steel can potentially save more resources in terms of raw materials and energy consumption. Here are a few factors to consider when making this decision:

1. Raw Material Consumption: Commissioning bespoke items made from recycled stainless steel still requires the consumption of raw materials. Even though it’s recycled steel, there is still an energy-intensive process involved in transforming the raw material into usable serveware. On the other hand, using second-hand serveware eliminates the need for any additional raw material consumption.

2. Energy Consumption: Manufacturing new serveware, even from recycled materials, requires energy for the extraction, processing, and production of stainless steel. Second-hand serveware does not require any energy-intensive manufacturing process.

3. Waste Reduction: By using second-hand serveware, you are extending the lifespan of existing products and preventing them from ending up in landfills. This contributes to waste reduction and promotes a circular economy.

4. Embodied Carbon Footprint: Embodied carbon refers to the total amount of carbon emissions associated with the entire life cycle of a product, including its production, use, and disposal. Using second-hand serveware can potentially have a lower embodied carbon footprint compared to commissioning bespoke items made from recycled stainless steel since it eliminates the energy-intensive manufacturing process.

However, it’s essential to consider a few potential challenges when using second-hand serveware:

1. Availability and Quantity: Sourcing a sufficient quantity of second-hand serveware that meets your specific requirements may be challenging. Depending on the size and scale of your outdoor events, it might be difficult to find a suitable supply of second-hand serveware.

2. Quality and Consistency: Second-hand serveware may vary in terms of quality and condition. It’s important to ensure that the serveware you acquire is in good condition, meets food safety standards, and maintains a consistent aesthetic for your events.

Ultimately, the decision between using second-hand serveware or commissioning bespoke items made from recycled stainless steel depends on various factors such as availability, cost, aesthetic preferences, and the specific sustainability goals of your washing up service. Conducting a thorough assessment of these factors will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your objectives and resource-saving goals.”

Questions for you :

Embodied CARBON is already sitting in millions of household drawers and cupboards in the form of unused crockery, cutlery and cups.

Can we unlock that asset by contacting your visitors, asking them to donate their unused items to the events industry, so we can distribute them to local community events for reuse that makes their event more sustainable?

Have you any items which might be useful for community events?

GET IN TOUCH TO TELL US MORE.