The last straw.
France implemented their ban on single-use plastics in 2020 starting with plastic plates and cups sold in bulk in supermarkets, cotton buds, and still water bottles in school catering services. These items were among the most common types of plastic waste found in oceans and landfills, contributing significantly to environmental pollution and harm to wildlife.
In 2021 the ban extended to plastic straws, disposable cutlery, stirrers takeaway cup lids, confetti, Styrofoam containers, and plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables. In 2022 the ban incorporated plastic tea bags and toys distributed by fast food restaurants, free plastic bottles, and disposable dishes for fast food restaurants.
Scientists estimate between 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws are on coastlines around the world and could make up about 4 percent of the plastic trash by piece.
We received a request for the pre-shipment inspection for a shipment of 6000 wooden straws manufactured in Vietnam from our French buyer.
The French buyer's adherence to the circular economy laws of France led him to find an alternative material supplier for straws in Vietnam, as with most developed countries the labor costs are prohibitive to manufacturing, and sourcing products from Asia is one of the cheapest routes. One of the main concerns with sourcing products from Asia is quality and workmanship. The Buyers solutions for this was to find the world's greenest inspection network, to quote on an inspection in Vietnam.
The buyer needed a pre shipment inspection of the wooden straws to make sure that the cheaper products still adhere to the quality needed. They requested an inspection in Hà Đông, Hanoi, Vietnam, received multiple quotes from our local network in Vietnam, and continued with the inspection.
The inspection result was positive even though the required inspection totals weren’t met. With the report received our buyer proceeded with the import.
The following week the same buyer requested an inspection on 12600 rice-derived straws this time at a business park in Hai Hau, Nam Dinh, Vietnam. With our network, we secured the buyer a great deal on their pre-shipment inspection from another Vietnam based inspector close to the inspection location, and they received the report in record time.
We celebrate the buyer who is looking for quality solutions for circular economies and celebrate the fact that through our network of local professionals, we contributed to the lowering of CO2 emissions for the inspection and independently contributed to quality and conformity of a product that can reduce waste.
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