Sustainable Disposables
Disposables.bio offers biodegradable alternatives to plastic disposables. We are on a mission to phase out the use of plastic disposables. By offering alternatives made from natural materials we wish to replace the plastic disposables with compostable options. When talking about sustainable disposables there are a few terms that reoccur, renewable resources, biodegradable and compostable.
Below you’ll find a definition of these terms.
Renewable Resource
Any natural resource that can replenish itself naturally over time, such as the palm bark used to produce our Hampi line.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable refers to the ability of materials to break down and return to nature. In order for packaging products or materials to qualify as biodegradable, they must completely break down and decompose into natural elements within a short time after disposal – typically a year or less. The ability to biodegrade within landfills helps to reduce the buildup of waste, contributing to a safer, cleaner and healthier environment. Materials that are biodegradable include corrugated cardboard and even some plastics. Most plastics, however, are not biodegradable – meaning they cannot break down easily after disposal and can remain on the planet as waste for decades.
Compostable
Compostable materials are similar to biodegradable materials, as both are intended to return to the earth safely. However, compostable materials go one step further by providing the earth with nutrients once the material has completely broken down. These materials are added to compost piles, which are designated sites with specific conditions dependent on wind, sunlight, drainage and other factors. While biodegradable materials are designed to break down within landfills, compostable materials require special composting conditions. Compostable packaging materials include starch-based packing peanuts – an alternative to Styrofoam loose fill packaging that can be dissolved in water and added to composts for safe disposal.