You use it every day, but never give a thought to its sustainability. What is it? Your flatware.
Let’s face it, you can’t slurp soup or cut into eggplant parmesan without a fork, knife or spoon. You’re using these products every single day, several times a day and routinely submitting them to high heat. Did you ever think about the materials involved in making flatware, though? Wonder how making a switch in your forks could ever lead to resource conservation?
Well, surprisingly, your knives and spoons can have a big impact on the environment, from the moment that they are bought to the moment that you decide you need a change in flatware patterns.
Liberty Tabletop is the only company in the United States making flatware. Along with being Made in the USA, Liberty Tabletop is also environmentally conscious and strives for resource conservation in all aspects of production.
At Sherrill Manufacturing, which produces the Liberty Tabletop flatware, cookware and specialty items, doing what’s right for the environment and the community is their benchmark for business. When Oneida Limited shut down in 2005, Sherrill Manufacturing wanted to put the third- and fourth- generation silversmiths back to work. So they opened a factory in Sherrill, New York to employ local skilled artisans.
Almost all materials come from American sources, including the stainless steel, which is tested to make sure there is no lead, mercury or other toxic elements, based on rigorous domestic testing specifications.
Non-toxic chemicals, oils and other manufacturing ingredients are used rather than cheap toxic compounds. The energy is sourced from the Niagara Falls’ hydroelectric power supply.
Utilizing domestic materials not only puts Americans to work, but is also a powerful form of resource conservation. The energy used to transport flatware from overseas factories to domestic shops and malls can be staggering. According to Liberty Tabletop, their flatware travels on average 1,370 miles from their factory to you. What if your knives and forks were made overseas? Then it could be a distance almost six times greater, around 8,200 miles. Along with that increased distance comes the increased cost of fuel and energy for transportation.
How does the cost compare to flatware manufactured overseas? Liberty Tabletop had to be a little creative in trying to keep costs competitive, while also paying fair wages for employees. They decided to sell direct, which cuts out the middleman and very high markup prices to get their products into big box stores.
Liberty Tabletop might be doing things a little differently than most flatware companies, but they also know what consumers want – and expect. Their luxury flatware is made from 18-10 nickel/chrome stainless steel and traditional hollow handle knife construction. Their pieces are sure to be a long-lasting heirloom combining environmental resource conservation, practicality and design together in a most beautiful way – all with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Imagery courtesy of Liberty Tabletop