This document defines various types of compostable food serviceware and provides purchasing considerations. It outlines that compostable plastics are derived from plants and degrade in composting, while bio-based plastics contain plant materials but may not degrade quickly. Common compostable resins are PLA and PHA, made from corn. Acceptable serviceware includes items made from paper, bagasse, bamboo, and corn- and potato-based plastics. When purchasing, factors like certification, appearance, price, performance, and vendor information should be considered to obtain fully compostable options.
This document defines various types of compostable food serviceware and provides purchasing considerations. It outlines that compostable plastics are derived from plants and degrade in composting, while bio-based plastics contain plant materials but may not degrade quickly. Common compostable resins are PLA and PHA, made from corn. Acceptable serviceware includes items made from paper, bagasse, bamboo, and corn- and potato-based plastics. When purchasing, factors like certification, appearance, price, performance, and vendor information should be considered to obtain fully compostable options.
This document defines various types of compostable food serviceware and provides purchasing considerations. It outlines that compostable plastics are derived from plants and degrade in composting, while bio-based plastics contain plant materials but may not degrade quickly. Common compostable resins are PLA and PHA, made from corn. Acceptable serviceware includes items made from paper, bagasse, bamboo, and corn- and potato-based plastics. When purchasing, factors like certification, appearance, price, performance, and vendor information should be considered to obtain fully compostable options.
This document defines various types of compostable food serviceware and provides purchasing considerations. It outlines that compostable plastics are derived from plants and degrade in composting, while bio-based plastics contain plant materials but may not degrade quickly. Common compostable resins are PLA and PHA, made from corn. Acceptable serviceware includes items made from paper, bagasse, bamboo, and corn- and potato-based plastics. When purchasing, factors like certification, appearance, price, performance, and vendor information should be considered to obtain fully compostable options.
Food Serviceware What to know before purchasing Definitions • Compostable Plastic - undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials; leaves no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue1 • Bio-based Plastic (bio-plastics) – made from a bio-based origin, such as corn, sugar, or starch as opposed to a fossil- based carbon source; not necessarily compostable; a product that has both plant-based and oil-based materials may be referred to as bio-based2 • Thermoplastic (complex starch/composite plastic) – derived from blending starch from plant-based products with other plastics (bio-based and/or oil-based)3 ; some are compostable, some are not 1 ASTM Standard D6400, 2004, “Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2004, DOI: 10.1520/D6400-04, www.astm.org. 2 Compostable Plastics 101: An Overview of Compostable Plastics, Sponsored by the California Organics Recycling Council 3 Compostable Plastics 101: An Overview of Compostable Plastics, Sponsored by the California Organics Recycling Council Origins of Plastics • Petroleum-based (oil and natural gas) • Bio-based (plants) • Composite or thermoplastic starch = petroleum-based + bio-based or bio-based + bio-based
* raw material from which plastic is made does not
dictate compostability or recyclability Types of Compostable Plastic Resins • PLA – Polylactic Acid (brand name: Ingeo) – produced from corn – most prevalent compostable plastic • PHA – Polyhydroxy Fatty Acid (brand name: Mirel) – produced from corn – also passes ASTM D7081 for marine degradability • Composite Plastic Starch – bio-based starch blended with other plastics (bio-based or oil-based) * some are not compostable, such as cutlery Compostable Serviceware Materials • PLA – Polylactic Acid (corn-based) • PHA – Poloyhydroxy Fatty Acids (corn-based) • Bagasse – by-product of sugar cane/sorghum juice extraction • Paper • Wheat straw Corn
• Drink-related: lids, straws, hot cup sleeves, cup carriers • Bowls: various sizes, with lids (clear or fiber) • Plates: various-sizes, compartmental • Trays: various-sizes, compartmental • Cutlery: forks, spoons, knives, sporks PLA • Hinged containers (clamshell): clear or fiber Other Compostable Serviceware
Bags: various sizes,
used for compost collection
Deli containers: clear with lids,
various sizes
Oven containers: designed to heat
and serve, fiber-based (bagasse or paper)
Miscellaneous: serving gloves, films,
baking sheet liners, aprons Cutlery • needs to be BPI-certified • avoid “plant starch”, “corn starch” and “composite starch” cutlery (combined with another resin to make stronger) • most BPI-certified cutlery is PLA • wood-based cutlery also available • Eco-Products & Bio-Centric clarify on their websites
Plant-Starch Cutlery Appearance
• logo and printing options available
for compostable products • molded and other paper/fiber products available in a variety of appearance and strength options • products can be ordered with compostability labeling Price Comparisons • Mainstreaming of compostables helped make some price- competitive with traditional disposables
• Many compostable products now price competitive with
paper counterparts (not with polystyrene)
• Many factors affect prices: distribution, quantity ordered,
etc. Performance: • vast improvements in last few years • manufacturers now verify uses and temperatures products withstand (oven-proof, microwave-proof, liquid appropriate, etc.) • pay attention to product’s purpose/function • ask how heat, refrigeration, etc. will affect performance • request and test samples • improper storage will affect performance – some products don’t perform well if stored in hot or moist environments Purchasing
• Look for BPI logo:
http://www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/Approved.html • companies offering BPI-certified products also offer a variety of “disposable” products similar in appearance and function • Compostable products may be advertised under special brand, not company’s name The Best Environmental Options Durable and Reusable Contact Information Cyndra Dietz • Phone: 303-444-6634, ext. 122 • Email: cld@ecocycle.org • Website: www.ecocycle.org • Address: Eco-Cycle P.O. Box 19006 Boulder, CO 80308 http://ecocycle.org/microplasticsincompost
Full Download (Ebook) Environmental Engineering: Water, Wastewater, Soil and Groundwater Treatment and Remediation, Sixth Edition by Nelson L. Nemerow, Franklin J. Agardy, Patrick J. Sullivan, Joseph A. Salvato ISBN 9780470083031, 9780470432808, 0470083034, 0470432802 PDF DOCX
Full Download (Ebook) Environmental Engineering: Water, Wastewater, Soil and Groundwater Treatment and Remediation, Sixth Edition by Nelson L. Nemerow, Franklin J. Agardy, Patrick J. Sullivan, Joseph A. Salvato ISBN 9780470083031, 9780470432808, 0470083034, 0470432802 PDF DOCX
