Disposable food packaging was invented in the early 20th Century to stop the sharing of cups, to prevent the spread of disease. This is as relevant today as ever. Historically most disposable food service products were made of lightweight plastic and foamed polystyrene, as they were durable, economical and easy to produce. Now we have more choice – with bowls and cutlery being made from renewable resources such as wood and pulp fibre, amongst the options.
Sustain’s sugarcane plates and bowls are made from bagasse, a fibrous by-product from the sugar cane harvest. The fibrous material is a renewable resource made from a waste product, thus reduces waste. All plates and bowls are 100% plastic free. Bagasse is processed into packaging products using heat, pulp and pressurised into moulds. This makes them heat resistant and microwavable, making it ideal for hot food. Bagasse plates and bowls can be composted in commercial facilities. Using and composting bagasse plates and bowls not only reduces waste to landfill but reduces the waste in the sugarcane industry too. It’s a win-win!
Sustain’s cutlery is made from birchwood, farmed from responsibly managed trees, and they have a light beeswax coating for an improved eating experience. And if you’re looking for a sustainable swizzle stick or stirrer, they’re in the range too.
All Sustain disposable food packaging is commercially compostable, meaning that they degrade under specific criteria created within a commercial facility. During composting, compostable products will break down into carbon dioxide (CO2), water, inorganic compounds and biomass which leaves no visible contaminants or toxic residue.
Under the right conditions, composting is a faster process than biodegradation where a product breaks down naturally. So, if you’re looking for a non-toxic BPA-free alternative for picnicware and party plates – they’ve arrived.
