One way to reduce your ecological footprint is by using compostable plates at home, in commercial restaurants, or in cafés.

Global warming has been increasing with time, leading to severe climate change. This is why it has become necessary to be mindful of your carbon footprint.

Composting is a reliable method to reduce global wastage and reduce the negative effects of greenhouse gases. You can perform it at home or on a commercial level. So here is everything you need to know about compostable plates to be more eco-friendly.

What Are Compostable Plates?

Compostable plates are a famous alternative to plastic and disposable tableware because of their eco-friendly benefits. They are primarily made of organic components and used at events such as picnics, outdoor parties, and barbecue events.

You may also encounter them at cafeterias of education institutes or healthcare places.

The primary purpose of these plates is that they are biodegradable and do not release toxic substances into the environment. This tableware type can also promote plant growth due to fertilizing features. The most prevalent option on the market is bagasse plates.

These are widely used by various people because of their natural construction. You can identify a bagasse plate through its light brown color. However, sometimes they may be white, depending on whether the plate has been bleached or not.

Which Paper Plates Are Compostable?

You can purchase paper plates from various wholesale suppliers, but not all of them offer compostable options. This is why knowing the degradable types will help you choose the right supplier for your event or business.

The primary thing that makes a plate compostable is its raw materials. Here are the top plates that you can get for compostable properties:

Plastic Plates

Disposable plates are evolving with time, so more plastic options are being produced under the compostable category. The top rule to remember is that plastic tableware with compostable properties is biodegradable.

However, the case may not be the same if you have purchased a biodegradable plate. Such plates do not necessarily have to be compostable. So you must pay attention to the tableware’s labeling.

Paper Plates

Another famous option for compostable plates includes paper plates. You can easily use them to reduce your ecological footprint. The top thing to ensure is to get a paper plate without any plastic coating for easy degradation.

You can shred the paper plates for fast decomposition, but a better option is composting. This is especially true if the tableware is dirty.

PLA Plates

PLA is a type of bioplastic. PLA plates may seem unfamiliar to you because they are not that well-known. However, many disposable takeaway containers are made of PLA, This is due to its excellent water and oil resistancet.

The primary feature of PLA plates is that they are similar to plastic plates but biodegradable. But in recent years, PLA tableware has been replaced by other plant fiber tableware. PLA tableware is not compostable, it is not 100% biodegradable and leaves no nutrients behind.

Vegetable Starch Plates

Vegetable starch from corn or potatoes is a famous raw material for compostable plates. This component is non-toxic and can easily decompose into water, biomass, and carbon dioxide after composting. Such plates also don’t contain any fossil fuel-based components.

Plates made of cornstarch components are also renewable and offer a sustainable option to users. So you can consider this option to reduce your carbon footprint.

Wood Fiber Plates

Wood fiber plates are an excellent alternative for various plates, including plastic, standard wood, and metal plates. Their best feature involves good thermal properties and mechanical strength. So the material offers a strong product.

These plates also have good biodegradability due to composting features. They are also cost-effective and cheaper than some other options on the market.

Bamboo Fiber Plates

Bamboo is an excellent renewable plant that is used for various items such as compostable plates, sustainable clothing, and much more. It is a renewable component because no pesticides are necessary for its growth.

The material for the product can also be taken from the plant without harming it. Because of this, degrading bamboo fiber plates is relatively easy due to composting properties. You don’t have to worry about releasing toxic chemicals when degrading these plates.

Palm Leaves Plates

Palm leaf plates also offer a sustainable option for those who want to be more climate-conscious. You can compost this tableware at your home or an industrial facility. The best part is that the collection of this material does not contribute to deforestation.

So the production process of these plates is also relatively eco-friendly. No chemicals or binders are also required for degrading such plates, making them completely compostable.

Bagasse Plates

The final raw material you can consider when getting compostable plates is bagasse. This is the most prevalent component of such tableware currently due to cost and environmental benefits. Sugar cane is the source of this material, so producing such plates ensures low labor costs.

Bagasse plates are also strong to offer a good option for eating various dishes. You can get this material’s tableware from wholesale suppliers such as Ecoure without breaking your bank.

Are Compostable Plates The Most Eco-Friendly?

Compostable plates offer the most eco-friendly option to users because of the various benefits. The top feature of this tableware is that it can degrade easily without harming the environment. Materials for these plates are naturally sourced, and their production process also emits fewer greenhouse gases.

You should also note that these composting plates release essential nutrients that you can supply to the soil by applying the compost to it. So you can enjoy environmental sustainability by using compostable plates.

Benefits Of Compostable Plates

Here are the top benefits of compostable plates:

PFAS Free

Bagasse plate is PFAS free. PFAS can end up in your food during use or microwave heating, it builds up in your body and stays there for years. PFAS free paper plates are microwave safe and harmless to your body.

What is PFAS? And what are the benefits of PFAS free paper plates? Click here to see more.

Better Sustainability

The top benefit of compostable plates is that they offer better sustainability. One of the primary features of this tableware is that the raw materials are not fuel-based. So they do not contribute to the depletion of fossil fuels and harmful gases.

You can source most of the materials from natural or organic components. Because of this, many compostable plates are made of renewable options. For instance, bagasse, bamboo, and palm leaves are some of the sustainable materials for these plates.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Compostable plates allow you to reduce your carbon footprint because composting them does not release harmful substances into the environment.

Users don’t have to worry about toxic gases or contributing more to greenhouse emissions. These plates are designed to help people be more climate-conscious.

Zero Waste

The best part about compostable plates is that they have zero waste properties. Users don’t have to worry about harmful by-products when composting the tableware. Compost can also be applied to the soil to enrich it and promote plant growth.

Renewable And No Deforestation

Compostable tableware is also renewable because of its natural raw materials. The good thing about the production of these plates is that it does not involve deforestation. For instance, bamboo compostable plates can be produced without harming the bamboo plant.

Similarly, bagasse plates are sourced from sugar cane and do not contribute to deforestation. So you can reduce your negative ecological impact by opting for compostable tableware.

Enhance Your Brand

The final benefit of compostable plates is that they will help you enhance your brand. More people are becoming conscious of climate change every day. This is why offering your customers compostable alternatives will help them perceive your brand more positively.

Can I Put Compostable Plates In My Compost Pile?

Users can put the plates in their compost pile for easy degradation. After breaking down, you can add compost to your garden to enrich the soil. This helps with plant growth in various seasons.

Composting at home can also be made more efficient using specific tips. You should keep the material moist for easy composting. It is also advisable to shred larger pieces for fast degradation. You can also wet dry ingredients for better composting at home.

Burying fruit and vegetable waste beneath the compost material is also helpful for reducing fly infestations and enjoying a healthier environment. Red worms in the compost bin will also accelerate the degradation.

Compostable Plates Vs. Biodegradable Plates

Both compostable and biodegradable plates can be degraded in the natural environment. However, some key differences set apart the two tableware. For instance, not all biodegradable plates are compostable, so you must pay attention to the labeling.

Compostable plates can also break down completely, but the same is not true for biodegradable plates. You can also apply the compost to the soil for enrichment, but biodegradable plates do not have this property. Another benefit of compostable tableware is that it does not leave toxic residue, but biodegradable plates may.

This is why compostable plates are a better option for being environmentally friendly.

How To Identify Compostable Plates/Tableware?

The top way to identify these plates is by checking for compostable labeling. You can also see the components to understand the construction. Palm tree leaves, bagasse, and bamboo are the top materials for compostable plates.

The plastic coating is also not present on compostable tableware because the coating may be toxic. Most compostable plates also have a light brown color due to a lack of bleaching.

In general

1. Look for compostable signs, not “biodegradable”
2. Raw material is bagasse
3. Color: brown
4. No coating
5. No pattern and ink