Compostable cutlery is on the rise, thanks to the modern-day push of the Green movement. More and more people are becoming environmentally conscious every day and are taking the necessary steps to protect the environment. Businesses that embrace the concept of being eco-friendly can realize a wide range of benefits from doing so. One of the business industries in which compostable products can be used the most is in the food industry. Both dine-in and takeout restaurants have the opportunity to incorporate eco-friendly products into their operations in the form of plates and cutlery.
Almost every type of restaurant is expected to offer its customers utensils with which to eat, and there is no reason why those utensils can’t be compostable utensils. Compostable utensils are ones that are made of natural materials, such as cornstarch or potato starch. They are still a type of plastic, but because they are made from natural materials that are found in agriculture, they are known as bioplastics. These types of plastics decompose much more readily than traditional plastics that are derived from petroleum. Therefore, they are considered to be more eco-friendly than traditional plastics.
Basically, the way that these types of utensils are made is in the same manner that regular ones are made. However, what makes them different is that the resin that they are made from before they are poured into and cut from their molds is derived from natural plant sources that make them compostable. Compostable materials are ones that will decompose more easily when they are placed in the appropriate conditions. Generally, compostable materials are not designed to be placed in landfills. Rather, they are supposed to be placed in commercial compost facilities where they will be in the appropriate environment surrounded by the appropriate conditions to facilitate decomposition. For instance, some of the conditions that compostable materials need to be present in order for them to properly decompose include water, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and microorganisms.
When placed in the appropriate conditions, compostable utensils will generally decompose within 180 days, sometimes sooner, depending upon the exact type of resource that they are made of. Some resources tend to decompose more quickly than others. No matter what type of compostable material your utensils are made from, though, it is important that they be placed in a compost facility in order for the proper decomposition to take place.