New Flatware Designed With Composting in Mind

Several of the newer lines of disposable dishes and flatware are being manufactured from materials that, while they may not be recyclable, will biodegrade in a compost pile.

When purchasing compostable plastic tableware, keep in mind that you'll need to find a facility that accepts that material. Photo: Vegware.com

The newest line of Bare by Solo dishes are produced using sugarcane and have been certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). The company is also working on a line of cups that are made from bioplastics.

Another manufacturer, Vegware, produces cutlery from corn and potato starch. Its products are also wrapped in biodegradable plastic made from wood pulp, which is produced by Innovia. Innovia’s NatureFlex film is unique in it was developed to break down in a home composter, unlike most other biodegradable plastic materials.

Although these products are made from biodegradable materials, they will only break down under extreme temperatures and therefore have the same shelf-life as normal disposables. Innovia’s wrap aside, compostable cutlery will only actually break down in a commercial composter, where temperatures can reach as high as 145 degrees. Web sites like FindaComposter.com can help you find a commercial facility near you.

Traditional disposable plates and cups cannot be composted because they are made of petroleum-based plastic, which will not break down quickly. For those looking for a disposable plate that can be composted at home, Chinet’s Classic White line is both made from 100 percent recycled material and biodegradable in home composting.