Q: What are your compostable products made from?
We have 3 main product material categories: plant fiber, paper, and PLA (Polylactic Acid). Each of these categories offers a unique way to replace traditional items.
For more information, please visit sontex.
Q: What is the difference between compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic?
&#;Biodegradable&#; means that an object is capable of disintegrating by biological means. Technically, these items could be composed of almost any material since with enough time microorganisms can decompose almost anything. For example, aluminum cans will biodegrade in the ocean in about 200 years and hard plastic bottle caps will biodegrade in about 400 years.
&#;Compostable&#; means that a product breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass which leaves no toxic residue. According to D composting standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), compostable products must break down at a rate similar to paper or disintegrate into small pieces within 90 days so that the original product is not visually distinguishable in the compost.
Q: How are your products better than traditional alternatives?
World Centric® products meet ASTM D/D standards for compostability and certified for plant-based content by the USDA BioBased program. Our products not only break down into compost, but - through their production and disposal - use less energy and water, and release less harmful pollutants than their conventional counterparts. For example, we can make 2 compostable forks with the same amount of energy it takes to make 1 polystyrene fork and 3 compostable plates with the same amount as 1 polystyrene plate. That&#;s a 66% saving in energy. Using less energy means producing less greenhouse gas and emitting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Conventional plastics are manufactured from 20 different petroleum-based resins with 20 different levels of recyclability and toxicity. As a fossil fuel, petroleum in a non-renewable resource and its extraction process degrades the environment. Due to complexity in recycling, over 20 million tons of plastic are sent to landfill each year.
Q: What is Ingeo&#;?
Ingeo&#; is the trademarked brand name for PLA made by NatureWorks.
Read more about PLA.
Q: How should PLA products be stored?
Products made of PLA should be stored at a temperature below 110°F and out of direct sunlight.
Q: What is the shelf life of your products?
Q: How long will these products take to break down?
Q: Which products have the least environmental impact?
Our plant fiber products are made from renewable plant fiber like bamboo fiber, sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw. Here are some benefits of using plant fiber:
Q: Isn&#;t using corn for disposable products wasting a valuable food source?
Our Ingeo&#; products are made from No. 2 yellow dent field corn, the most abundant and cheapest source of fermentable sugar in the U.S. We use very little of available U.S. corn crop.
Q: Have your items been tested for compostability by reliable sources?
Our products are certified compostable by either the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) to meet ASTM D and ASTM D standards for compostability or through testing by Composting Manufacturing Alliance (CMA). Our bags also have the TUV certification for compostability.
New products are not always certified immediately as the process takes time to complete.
Q: Where are your products manufactured?
Most of our products are manufactured in Asia. We currently manufacture some of our PLA lids in the U.S. and are exploring more manufacturing options here.
Q: Why are you manufacturing in Asia? Doesn&#;t that increase the carbon footprint?
We currently manufacture our products in Asia so that we can provide an affordable alternative to plastic. Since transporting products from Asia to the U.S. is not ideal, we are currently exploring options to manufacture more in the U.S. We do our best to minimize the impact on the environment and people. We offset all our carbon from raw materials to delivery (including manufacturing, transportation) and do regular fair labor audits overseas to ensure that workers are paid well and have decent working conditions.
Q: Where do your materials come from?
Our raw materials come from a variety of plant-based sources including bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, corn and paper from sustainably harvested trees.
Q: How are your materials grown?
Whenever available, we seek supplies that are grown without GMOs and with organic farming practices. Unfortunately, there does not exist a reliable supply for some of our materials that are certified non-GMO.
Find a Recycling Location Near You
Disclaimer: These sites are listed for informational purposes only. US EPA does not endorse any of these entities nor their services. Contact Us to suggest any additional links.
EPA receives various questions on recycling. Below are answers to some of the most common questions, broken down into five categories.
On this page:
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community, the economy and the environment.
EPA data show that recycling conserves energy and natural resources. For example:
When we make new products out of virgin materials, we expend energy to extract and process those materials. This includes burning fossil fuels. However, if we manufacture products using recycled materials, we reduce the need for virgin materials and save the energy required to extract and process them.
To estimate how much energy you can save by recycling certain products, EPA has developed a tool called the individual Waste Reduction Model (iWARM). This tool calculates how much energy you save by recycling aluminum cans, glass or plastic bottles, magazines or plastic grocery bags, and shows you how long those savings could power different electrical appliances.
The most effective way to reduce waste, and the most environmentally preferred strategy, is to not create it in the first place. Source reduction, along with material reuse, are the most functional ways to save natural resources, protect the environment and save money. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy, from extracting raw materials to fabricating the product to transporting it to the place of purchase. Check out EPA tips for reducing and reusing, and donation.
Please contact your local county or municipality to determine your local recycling options. Additionally, please check out the Earth911 website for more information.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Biodegradable Utensils Supplier.
Putting items in the recycling bin that can&#;t be recycled can contaminate the recycling stream. After these unrecyclable items arrive at recycling centers, they can cause costly damage to the equipment. Additionally, after arriving at recycling centers, they must be sorted out and then sent to landfills, which raises costs for the facility. That is why it is important to check with your local recycling provider to ensure that they will accept certain items before placing them into a bin. Some items may also be accepted at retail locations or other at local recycling centers.
Furthermore, some recycling providers require different types of materials to be collected in separate bins (multi-stream recycling), whereas other providers may accept different types of materials that are put together in the same bin (single-stream recycling).
Your local recycling facility might not accept all recyclable items. This is especially true with plastics. While plastic bottles are the most commonly recycled plastic products, other plastics may or may not be accepted in your area, so first check what your local recycling provider accepts. It is important to understand that the existence of a plastic resin code on the product does not guarantee that the product is recyclable in your area. Additionally, glass may not be accepted in some areas, so please confirm with your local provider.
Generally, these are the most commonly recycled items. Please confirm with your local recycling provider first before putting these items in your curbside recycling bin, however, since what is accepted depends on your area.
Generally, plastic bags and wraps, electronics, and textiles cannot go in a curbside recycling bin. Please check with your local recycling provider first, though, to be certain since it depends on your local area. Do not put items in your recycling bin unless you know they are accepted. Non-recyclable items can contaminate a whole load of recyclables, causing them to all be thrown out.
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. It enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. Compost also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and it encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
To compost at home, you&#;ll need browns (dead leaves, branches and/or twigs), greens (grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and/or coffee grounds), and water, along with a dry, shady spot for your pile or bin.
View EPA&#;s Composting At Home page for more information.
EPA does not have information on the environmental benefits of paper versus plastic bags. The Agency encourages consumers to:
Consumers also can reduce waste by using reusable shopping bags.
First, be sure to cut off the zippers (if necessary).
Many grocery and department stores will accept plastic bags and wrap/film. Please ask your local grocery and department store, or visit the Earth911 to find a location nearest you that recycles plastic bags and plastic wrap/film.
Styrofoam: While most recyclers don&#;t accept Styrofoam, check with your local recycling provider first to be certain.
Egg cartons: It depends on the material of the carton. Please check with your local recycling provider first to be certain.
EPA uses a life cycle perspective when comparing the environmental impact of different materials and products. The Waste Reduction Model is a tool that can help an individual, business or municipality compare the environmental impact of 54 materials and six management practices. We don&#;t promote a single material or management practice; alternatively, we encourage users to compare scenarios themselves.
While we provide general guidance below, please check with your local recycling provider first for area-specific guidance.
Generally: Plastic, metal and glass materials must be empty and rinsed clean of food debris before being recycled. Paper materials must be empty, clean and dry before being recycled. Wet paper/food-soiled paper products may be compostable.
While we provide general guidance below, please check with your local solid waste agency/recycling provider first.
Generally, you should flush the excrement down the toilet and then place the diaper in the trash. Also, consider using reusable cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers.
Gently-worn clothes and shoes can be donated to many charities. For damaged clothes and shoes, please double check with your local charity to see if it will accept them. Additionally, some retail stores recycle clothing or shoes. Check your local ones to see if they accept these items for recycling.
Check with your local program first when recycling (whole) glass. Most curbside community recycling programs accept different glass colors and types mixed together.
Electronics: Manufacturers and retailers offer several options to donate or recycle electronics, including cell phones, computers and televisions. Please also check with your local recycling facility for best ways to recycle electronics, and visit our Electronics Donation and Recycling page for more information.
Bottle Caps: Please check with your local recycling provider first, but you should be able to recycle bottle caps if they are attached to the bottle. Please also verify whether you can recycle loose bottle caps.
Books: Check local places that take donations (schools, places of faith, charities, non-profits) to see if they will accept books, and contact your local recycling provider for ways you can recycle books in your area.
If you use gift wrap, look to find a type that can be recycled or that is made from recycled content. Consumers can also reduce waste by using decorative boxes that do not require wrapping and that can be recycled.
A lot of gift wrap isn&#;t recyclable because of the coating on the paper, which is often shiny and laminated. However, check with your local recycling provider first to be certain and for the best ways to dispose of wrapping paper.
The Agency encourages consumers to reuse gift bags and tissue paper, and not discard them after a single use.
EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic, as household hazardous wastes. Although it depends on your local solid waste agency/recycling facility, some examples include pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, paints, solvents, oil filters, light bulbs, batteries, aerosol cans that aren&#;t empty, ammunition, ammonia, antifreeze and nail polish.
Please see our Household Hazardous Waste web page for more information on household hazardous wastes and tips for how to reduce it in your home.
Paint: Check local places that take donations (schools, places of faith, charities, non-profits) to see if they will accept paint donations, and contact your local recycling or household hazardous waste facility for ways you can recycle paint in your area.
Barometers and thermometers: Please avoid discarding them in the trash. Check with your local recycling or household hazardous waste facility, or visit Earth911 for more information on ways to properly dispose them, as some thermometers are considered household hazardous waste.
Burnt-out light bulbs: Check with your local recycling facility for recycling options for burnt-out light bulbs, or take them to a retail store in your area that offers light bulb recycling.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website reusable plastic cutlery.