Compostable plates are a big trend, but are they compostable? The answer to that question is a little bit complicated. On the one hand, The plates are made of materials that the composting process can break down. On the other hand, some of these materials may not decompose in the soil. To make things even more complicated, there is no standard for what counts as compostable. That means you won’t be able to rely on the terms “compostable” or “not compostable” when making purchasing decisions. The bottom line is that it’s best to contact the manufacturer of the compostable plates to find out exactly what they are made from and how they will be handled during the recycling process.
What are compostable plates?
What are compostable plates?Compostable plates are made from materials that will break into the soil in a home compost pile. The idea behind using these plates is to reduce the waste going into landfills and reduce your use of plastic or paper plates.
Plates from compostable materials are usually made from PLA (polylactic acid), corn starch or sugarcane. They’re a great alternative to traditional paper and plastic products, which can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
How do compostable plates work?
They are made with biodegradable, compostable, and renewable materials. They can be used just like regular paper plates, but they will break down into smaller pieces when thrown away.
Compostable plates are made from a thin layer of plastic material and then coated with a thin layer of starch. The coating is usually made from potato or corn starches and contains no petroleum products or chemicals. These types of plates are typically coloured with vegetable dyes.
When you throw away your plates, they will break down in a composting facility or the soil over time. The starch coating will break down first, followed by the thin plastic layer underneath it. These plates usually take about six months to two years to fully decompose once they’ve been placed in an active compost pile or buried in the soil where microorganisms are present (source).
What happens to compostable plates after they are used?
Compostable products are made with a blend of natural materials and usually have a high percentage of organic matter. They are designed to break down into organic material but do not easily give off heat, so they must be left out in the sun for several weeks.
The plates will break down into humus faster if you add them to your compost pile. The composting process can take anywhere from two weeks to four months, depending on how well you maintain the compost heap. If you don’t have room for a compost heap, you can purchase an outdoor composter at most garden centres or online retailers like Amazon or Lowes.
You should not throw compostable plates in the trash because they will not break down properly in a landfill environment. Instead, put them in your compost bin and other biodegradable items like eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags.
What are the benefits of using compostable plates?
They are made of renewable resources and can be composted after use.
They are available in various colours and shapes and are ideal for parties, weddings, picnics, barbecues and more. Compostable plates are strong enough to hold heavy foods like cake, burgers and other messy dishes.
It helps reduce waste while saving money on disposables.
They are made from renewable resources like sugarcane or corn starch, which makes them a better alternative to disposable plastic plates. These products can be reused up to five times before you throw them away! This means you won’t have to buy disposable items anymore, helping you save money in the long run.
Conclusion
Are compostable plates compostable? Some may say that they are, while others argue that the plastics used in these products will not break down in a natural environment. We don’t yet know whether or not they are truly compostable, but if you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact, opting for these types of plates may be a good option.
