With a whopping 40,000,000,000 plastic utensils being sent to the landfill every year, a low-waste alternative has long been needed. Now, biodegradable utensils and compostable cutlery are the preferred eco-choice. But depending on what they&#;re made of (and how they&#;re made), many aren&#;t as green as they seem.
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Often the words &#;compostable&#; and &#;biodegradable&#; are used interchangeably. But there&#;s a distinct difference between the two.
Biodegradable utensils will eventually break down in the natural environment. This term is loosely regulated, and a &#;biodegradable&#; utensil can be one that takes 5-10 years (or even longer) to break down. There&#;s no guarantee that so-called biodegradable tableware will break down into an environmentally safe form. In some instances, even plastic has been marketed as biodegradable. Because of the loose regulation and confusing nature of the term, it&#;s best to look for utensils that are certified as compostable.
Compostable utensils are made from materials that will break down either in a backyard composting environment (like a compost pile). Or in a commercial compost facility. Compostable utensils require third-party testing in order to be certified as compostable. And they must break down completely into pure, healthy, soil in a certain amount of time. Most commercial compost facilities require items to break down in 80 days or less. At a home compost bin, the compost cycle can take up to two years.
Compostable utensils must go through third-party certification to prove that they break down into soil in a short time. So, they&#;re a more environmentally sound choice. However, the environment in which compostable utensils are certified to break down in (as well as what they&#;re made of), are important factors to consider when determining their true eco-benefit.
We know that plastic is bad, but what&#;s better? The materials that make up the eco cutlery and compostable utensils you choose play a big part in their impact on the environment.
Compostable utensils are commonly made of bamboo or sugarcane. These two types of plant based utensils have different environmental impacts and different levels of compostability. Here&#;s what you need to know about each one.
Bamboo utensils are one of the cleanest choices for disposable cutlery. Depending on the company you buy from, they will be made from 100% bamboo, which is a sustainable, natural material. Bamboo grows much faster than wood. And it can be harvested without killing the plant itself. It&#;s also naturally pest-resistant and is typically grown without the need for pesticides. Bamboo utensils can also be finished without glues or lacquers, which keeps the production process chemical-free.
When it comes to performance, bamboo is extremely strong. In fact, it&#;s the strongest woody plant on Earth! The short fiber of the bamboo plant also makes it harder for bamboo utensils to bend.
Sugarcane, or bagasse, utensils are made from the leftover stalks of the sugarcane plant. While this, too, is a natural, plant-based material, it has a much bigger impact on the environment. Sugarcane is an extremely water-intensive crop. When it&#;s grown, the land has to be clearcut for its planting. This can damage the soil health and lead to erosion. Sugarcane is not pest-resistant, so heavy chemical pesticides are often used in its production.
When put to the test, sugarcane utensils tend to bend easily with use. It is semi-resistent to heat, but may lose strength when put into contact with hot foods.
Utensils that are certified as compostable will break down, but only in the right environment. Some of the most popular options for compostable utensils, like sugarcane, are only compostable in commercial compost facilities. When commercially compostable utensils are sent into an at-home compost environment, they won&#;t break down. Compostable utensils are not recyclable. And when they&#;re tossed in the landfill? Commercially compostable utensils may take decades or more to decompose.
Because of these factors, many compostable utensils end up in the same place as plastic utensils. The landfill. Often, consumers aren&#;t sure how to dispose of compostable utensils. And utensils made from sugarcane look nearly identical to plastic utensils. This can lead to compostable utensils being sent to recycling facilities and to the landfill.
In order for compostable utensils to be a better choice, they must be disposed of properly. Knowing if the utensils you use are commercially or backyard compostable is an important step. Here&#;s how you can tell if the utensils you&#;re using really are compostable:
A trustworthy compostable utensil will have a certification that proves its compostability. Look for certifications like BPI (Biodegradable Product Institute) and CMA (Compost Manufacturing Alliance). Without third-party certification, it&#;s hard to know if an item really is compostable.
Even with a certification, you&#;ll need to determine whether your compostable tableware is commercially compostable, compostable in your backyard. Or, both. Look out for the words &#;commercially compostable only.&#; If this label exists, then your compostable utensils will not break down in a backyard compost bin. And they can last in the landfill for years.
For most people, the best compostable utensils are those made from bamboo. Because bamboo is a natural, renewable resource, its production process is low-impact. Bamboo utensils are strong, heat resistant, and water resistant.
Many bamboo utensils are also compostable in both backyard and commercial compost facilities. Many Americans still don&#;t have access to commercial composting. So choosing bamboo utensils ensures that more compostable utensils are properly disposed of.
Additionally, bamboo utensils look distinctly different from plastic utensils. With their woody makeup, it&#;s easier to recognize that these utensils shouldn&#;t be recycled. This helps keep recycling streams free of contamination. And makes it more likely that bamboo utensils will make it to a compost facility.
Biodegradable tableware can often be the product of greenwashing. And properly disposing of compostable utensils can be slightly confusing. But alternatives like compostable bamboo utensils offer a more planet-friendly choice. When properly disposed of, the best compostable utensils offer a zero-waste solution for eating on the go.
Say goodbye to plastic and hello to bamboo! Shop CMA-certified compostable bamboo utensils and plates.
Discover 10 strategic questions to ask your disposable tableware supplier. Ensure value, quality, and sustainability before your next purchase.
The success of your business depends on supplier reliability. You should be ready to ask the right questions to ensure your tableware manufacturer will provide high-quality products and firm support that aligns with your expectations. This blog post will explore 10 key questions to help you make confident decisions and choose the best possible supplier for your disposable tableware.
Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Disposable Tableware Supplier?
Did you know that 68% of companies experience supply disruptions that can negatively impact trade? According to Gartner, this is because of issues with suppliers like material and labor shortages - underscoring the need for careful selection of a dependable vendor. Harvard Business Review mentions that learning as much as you can about a supplier gives way to reduced costs and mutually agreed standards.
Also, Forbes states that strong supplier relationships are vital for effective long-term partnerships. Your partners need to be trustworthy so your company doesn&#;t suffer from poor-quality products, late deliveries, unnecessary costs, and more. Let&#;s dive into some of the core questions you should be asking suppliers.
Q1: What Materials Do You Use?
Materials affect the durability and quality of your products, as well as the environmental impact - which is especially important if you&#;re looking to buy eco-friendly dinnerware such as wooden cutlery or bamboo sets. Here are the materials you can expect to come across:
a. Paper
b. Plastic
c. Biodegradable plastics (PLA & PHA)
d. Bamboo
e. Wood
d. Sugar cane (bagasse)
f. Stainless steel coating and reusable
If you want to learn more about and compare these materials, check out the following articles: bamboo vs sugarcane, bagasse vs paper products, bagasse vs cornstarch, and bagasse vs. plastic.
Q2: What Certifications Do You Have?
Proper certification equals quality and compliance with health, safety, and sustainability standards. You&#;ll need to check for different certificates depending on the type of dinnerware you&#;re selling. Ask for proof of certification, don&#;t just take the supplier&#;s word for it. These are examples of major certification bodies you should look out for:
a. BPI
b. FDA
c. ASTM International
d. European Bioplastics
e. TÜV Austria
f. European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Q3: How Do You Ensure Quality?
Do you want to receive your disposable tableware from a supplier that can&#;t easily answer this question? Probably not. Your supplier should be able to discuss their quality control processes - including inspections, testing, and how they make sure they&#;re following industry standards, and of course how they&#;re going to keep up with your standards.
Q4: What Is Your Pricing Like?
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Paying over the odds for your tableware isn&#;t the greatest strategy, but if you spend too little, you could end up with low-quality products. Aim to strike a balance between stocking decent tableware that your customers want to buy and keeping your expenses manageable. This is why you need to discuss pricing structures straight away with your supplier, so you can compare, negotiate, and guarantee value for money.
Q5: What Are Your Delivery Methods?
How is the supplier going to ensure your disposable tableware products arrive on time and in good condition? Ask them about how they transport and package their goods. Who are their carriers? Do they provide tracking options and guaranteed delivery schedules? All these things can impact speed and overall cost.
Q6: Do You Follow Sustainability Practices?
A report from the World Economic Forum highlights the importance of sustainability to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly eco-friendly world; and shockingly, only 60% of organizations actually have effective strategies in place. Discuss sustainability practices with your supplier to get a clear understanding of their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Q7: Tell Me About Your Customer Service
Customer service is important when you&#;re dealing with suppliers - if you&#;re waiting too long for a shipment, or there&#;s something wrong with your order, being able to contact a friendly and helpful customer service team can go a long way in resolving the matter effectively. You can also do your own research by checking out reviews to see what other customers have to say.
Q8: Do You Offer Customization?
Do you want to customize your tableware? If so, Medium says it could take your company to new heights and help you stand out. A report from Deloitte states more than 50% of consumers are interested in customizable products and 1 in 5 are happy to pay 20% more for them. Not only that, Forbes states that 46% of consumers are willing to wait longer to customize their product.
Q9: Can You Provide Product Samples?
The best way to find out if a product meets your expectations is to see it first-hand. Put yourself in the shoes of your ideal customer - what do they want from your disposable tableware? Samples let you check the quality and appearance of the disposable plates and other utensils you intend to sell - but also showcase the supplier&#;s commitment to you and the pride they have in their products.
Q10: What Is Your Returns Policy?
You have the right to return your dinnerware and get a full refund if it&#;s not up to scratch. Products could arrive damaged or they might not meet your standards. Making sure your supplier has a clear returns policy in place protects you from risks. You don't need to spend time worrying about losing money or waiting on returns!
Why Is Ancheng the Best Disposable Tableware Manufacturer?
Ancheng is the superior choice for your company if you value quality and sustainability. We offer a wide selection of eco-friendly options which are fully biodegradable and compostable so they don&#;t harm the environment. Looking for everyday use cutlery, fancy wedding plates for the big day, or elegant disposable party supplies? We can meet all your dining needs with organic bamboo cutlery and natural wooden utensils.
Why Choose Wooden or Bamboo Tableware?
Say goodbye to generic plastic dinnerware, dull silverware, and boring paper napkins - wood and bamboo are rising in popularity as unique eco-friendly alternatives. They're a fun and unique way to serve meals and are a hit with guests at parties.
Customers are much more concerned about protecting the environment these days. In fact, Business News Daily says 66% of them consider sustainability when buying goods, including disposable dinnerware.
Grand View Research reports the demand for eco-friendly dinnerware is expected to skyrocket with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% between and . Get ahead of the curve by making your organization environment-focused, because consumers form strong relationships with brands that consider their environmental impact.
Source: Grand View Research, Biodegradable Tableware Market Size & Share Report,
Our Sustainable Products
Whether you&#;re looking for a few compostable plates or forks, or want to make a bulk purchase for an event, we've got you covered. Ancheng has a large selection of products in different styles, that are the perfect combination of sustainable and trendy. Here are some of the products we stock:
a. Wooden tableware - Plates, forks, knives, spoons, coffee stirrers, and even sporks. They&#;re all made from renewable resources, sourced from responsibly managed forests. Our goods are completely free from chemicals, preservatives, and pesticides.
b. Bamboo utensils - Bamboo is a fast-growing resource that has minimal environmental impact. Choose our highly durable bamboo forks, spoons, plates, knives, and more to help reduce plastic use and waste.
c. Customization service - We provide bespoke disposable dinnerware designs that will transform your brand. Custom plates and other utensils are popular choices for impressing guests at a party or another special event. Contact our expert design team to bring your ideas to life!
FAQs
1. Why are wood and bamboo better than plastic?
Wood and bamboo are much better than plastic plates and cultery because natural materials are used so there is minimal harm to the environment. Plastic does not biodegrade, it builds up in the environment and causes pollution. Wood and bamboo are also recyclable and can be reused.
2. Is bamboo and wooden dinnerware food safe?
Yes, bamboo and wooden cutlery are safe to serve food on and are highly functional. They&#;re free from toxins and incredibly durable so you don&#;t need to worry about them breaking apart. That said, it&#;s important to keep the dishes clean and food-safe by hand-washing them.
3. How do you clean wood and bamboo?
Wood and bamboo are naturally anti-bacterial, so you only need to use a soapy handwash - making cleanup quick and easy even after a large party or event. Plastic plates and other dishes take longer to clean and are often finished with chemicals.
4. What certifications do you have regarding environmental sustainability?
We have various certifications that demonstrate our commitment to providing eco-friendly products. Take a look at our certifications page to find out more.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tableware supplier is an important step in achieving your business objectives. At Ancheng, we&#;re dedicated to providing environmentally friendly solutions that don&#;t break the bank. Check out our blog post about the best material for disposable cutlery to explore why our wood and bamboo products are tickets to sustainability and long-term success.
Revolutionize Your Eco-Friendly Business With Ancheng!
Ancheng is a perfect solution to the eco-friendly revolution. Our premium wooden tableware and bamboo utensils are made with both quality and the planet in mind. Give your customers top-grade cutlery and the knowledge they&#;re protecting the environment. Browse our amazing wholesale prices for your bulk orders and try before you buy with FREE product samples. Let&#;s transform your business - Contact us Today!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Biodegradable Utensils Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.