An island company has vowed to cut the amount of plastic waste from hot food containers during the TT fortnight.

MannVend is supplying more compostable plates, platters and cups to caterers at both the Grandstand and Bushy’s TT Village.

MannVend managing director Tracey Leahy said: ’We’re really pleased to see more and more caterers in the island are making great efforts to reduce plastic waste.

’We’re supplying products that include palm plates, palm platters and cups made from Areca nut palm leaves pressed into shape by a simple but ingenious, sustainable, chemical free process. These products are ideal for food, and fully compostable.

’We’re delighted to be helping to reduce plastic during TT fortnight, and in doing so showing visitors that the Isle of Man is taking practical steps to protect natural resources and the environment.’

MannVend, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man partner, is supplying compostable ice cream tubs to Smoo, the hand-made gelato specialists that have a stand in Bushy’s TT Village in the Villa Marina gardens.

Vegware items are also being supplied to some food outlets at the TT Grandstand.

A range of items, including plates, platters, and cups, will be used at the new informal TT hospitality experience on the Upper Colonnade Terrace at Bushy’s TT Village.

Sam Jones, co-founder and Director of Revel, said: ’We’re very excited to be introducing the new palm plates and compostable cups to Upstairs at Bushy’s.

’Revel is increasingly taking a sustainable approach to events and campaigns, and MannVend’s new range has enabled us to take this a step further.’

MannVend’s drive to increase the use of plastic free and compostable products has seen a number of achievements in recent months.

In April Business News reported how three chip shops in Peel, The Cod and Castle, Peel Fisheries Chippy, and the Quayside Fish and Chip Shop, have begun using a range of compostable products made from plants, including take away coffee cups, cutlery, chip trays and burger boxes.

The products are manufactured from a material that is 100% compostable, and not made from fossil fuels.