It’s a question that many people are asking these days: are all biodegradable food trays compostable? As more and more people go green and try to reduce their carbon footprint, composting has become a necessary part of their lifestyle. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what to do with food trays that are not compostable. This article will explore the answer to this question and provide information on which types of food trays are compostable.
What are biodegradable food trays?
Biodegradable trays are a great alternative to disposable or plastic packaging. They are made from cornstarch and can be composted like any other natural material.
Biodegradable food trays are an excellent choice for restaurants, hospitals, schools and other places serving large amounts of food. These products are durable enough to hold hot or cold meals without melting or breaking apart. Biodegradable trays can also be used as a substitute for Styrofoam containers, which often end up in landfills instead of being recycled.
How do biodegradable food trays work?
Biodegradable food trays are made of material naturally broken down by microorganisms. The main component of biodegradable trays is an organic polymer, a natural substance made from renewable sources. These plastics are biodegradable because they can be broken down into harmless compounds like water and carbon dioxide by the action of microorganisms.
Biodegradable plastics are made from polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), starch-based polylactic acid (SPLA), and others.
Are all biodegradable food trays compostable?
Are all biodegradable food trays compostable?
Yes, almost all biodegradable food trays are compostable. There are a few exceptions, but they are usually trays that are not used in restaurants and cafeterias.
Biodegradable Food Trays
All Biodegradable Catering Trays must be made from renewable materials. These include sugarcane and cornstarch, both of which are derived from plants. They also include bamboo, a type of grass that grows quickly and can be cut down every few months to produce more stalks. Some biodegradable trays are made from renewable resources , such as cornstarch or sugarcane. While others use wood pulp or wheat straw as their base material.
Compostability
Composting is when organic materials break down into smaller pieces over time, becoming a nutrient-rich soil amendment for gardening or agriculture. When you compost your food waste, it is broken down by microorganisms that live in the soil and feed on decaying plant matter. This process destroys harmful pathogens like salmonella, e-coli and campylobacter. So that you can use the finished product as fertilizer for your garden or lawn without fear of contamination by human pathogens.
If you want to ensure your Biodegradable Catering Trays are compostable, check the label or ask your supplier before buying them.
Here’s what to look for:
1.) Polylactic acid (PLA) — PLA is one of the most commonly used plastics in biodegradable products , because it can be recycled and broken down by many organisms, including fungi and bacteria. It’s also 100% bio-based (made from renewable resources like corn starch). The main drawback to PLA is that it’s relatively thin and may not hold up well against liquids or foods with high water content, like soup or chilli.
2.) Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) — PHA is a family of plastics that are biodegradable, compostable and recycled. It’s made from renewable resources like corn starch, sugar cane, wheat straw or vegetable oil waste. This kind of biodegradable plastic is used for some food containers and bottle caps. It has the recycling symbol 5 in its bottom right corner.
Conclusion
biodegradable food trays are compostable, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, not all food residue will biodegrade. Therefore, it is important to check the label of your tray to see if it is labelled as compostable. Additionally, environmental conditions may slow the biodegradation process or prevent it altogether. In general, if you follow the instructions on the container and put your tray in a suitable environment (rich soil with plenty of moisture), chances are good that your food tray will break down and be converted into the organic matter over time.
