The foodservice industry is increasing its use of a variety of types of compostable food packaging in response to environmental concerns, consumer preferences, and cost. This is giving consumers the opportunity to create and leverage their own composting to reduce wasted food and responsibly dispose of compostable food packaging materials.
Here we will talk about what composting is, how the foodservice industry is taking advantage of compostable materials, and how you can create your own compost.
What Does Compostable Mean?
Compostable materials are made of natural, organic matter, and are able to decompose back into their natural elements within a purpose-built, manmade, composting environment. Appropriate composting environments provide the right mix of oxygen, drainage, and human oversight to achieve the desired results.
Materials can be composted quickly when managed correctly.
What is the Difference Between Compostable and Biodegradable?
Materials that are biodegradable will naturally decompose over time with the help of bacterial and fungi microorganisms, returning them to their natural state and without harming the environment. The main difference between compostable and biodegradable is that composting requires human intervention while biodegradation does not.
What are the Types of Compostable Food Packaging Made From?
Most compostable food packaging is made from FDA-approved natural, sustainable resources such as sugarcane bagasse, cornstarch, or cellulose molded fiber. Using these 100% natural and renewal materials reduces the unhealthy toxins that other packaging materials are made from or use in their manufacturing process.
The Benefits of Compostable Food Packaging
There are several benefits to using compostable food packaging:
Reduce landfill waste
In 2018, the EPA calculated that more than 82 million tons of waste sent to landfills was from packaging materials used for goods, food, beverages, medications, and cosmetic products.
Contributing to the 82 million tons of waste was 10 million tons of packaging made from plastics, or 69% of the total 14.5 million tons of plastics packaging manufactured in 2018. An additional two million tons of plastics was recycled and 2.5 million tons incinerated.
Replacing plastic packaging with packaging made from compostable materials has the potential to alleviate considerable waste from our landfills.
Conserve energy
Disposing of packaging materials in a landfill requires fuel to transport the waste as well as energy to incinerate it, if it is destined to meet that end.
Create nutrient-rich organic material for a garden
Compost can improve the health of garden soil through the addition of organic matter. The composted organic matter provides outstanding nutrients to your plants, reducing the need for fertilizer, and also helps your soil retain moisture.
Reduce the use of pesticides
A little known fact is that compost also reduces the need for pesticides on your garden plants!
Our Favorite Types of Compostable Food Packaging
Now let’s move on to the various types of compostable food packaging options that serve fast casual and quick service restaurants (QSRs), delis, and grocery markets.
Bagasse compostable packaging and bags
Bagasse is a 10% renewable resource made from the manufacturing waste of sugar cane processing. The benefits of bagasse packaging are many including its durability, toxin-free manufacturing process, and reusability.
Some of the most common types of compostable food packaging items made from bagasse are bagasse meat and produce trays and bagasse deli containers.
We also love that bagasse can be used to make highly durable and attractive reusable shopping tote bags.
Cornstarch Compostable food packaging
Cornstarch is another fantastic material used in the production of several types of polymer-based compostable food packaging items. Cornstarch makes a great alternative to traditional plastics in that cornstarch packaging maintains its rigidity while being 100% compostable and non-toxic.
Cornstarch is used to make meat and produce trays, clamshell containers, and deli containers
Molded fiber compostable packaging
Molded fiber packaging is made from recycled paper, cardboard materials and wood pulp. We love the many benefits of molded fiber for food packaging because of its form flexibility, eco-friendly and waste-free manufacturing process, and durability.
Molded fiber trays, carry-out containers, egg cartons, plates, bowls, and cups are just some of the packaging items that can be made from molded fiber for the foodservice industry.
Molded fiber is also very cost-friendly due to its materials and manufacturing process.
Creating Your Own Compost for Compostable Food Packaging
Creating your own compost is a fairly easy setup process. Here we will share how to get going, how to maintain your compost, and how to use it.
Preparing your composting area
First, determine where you are going to place your compost. Location matters so choose a place that is easily accessible and has good drainage. You can place your compost in a sunny or shady spot.
Next, purchase a pre-made compost bin or make one yourself. You can use a variety of materials if you choose to make your own, including wood framing, chicken wire, or even concrete blocks. Just make sure that there is adequate oxygen flow and drainage.
We also recommend a lid so that pets and other critters don’t get in!
Starting to compost
Composting requires a good mix of both “browns” and “greens”. Brown materials include leaves, twigs, untreated wood chips and shredded cardboard and paper bags. Green materials include grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, used tea bags and crushed eggshells.
You do want to avoid adding any animal products to your compost such as meats, fish bones, or dairy products. Also keep out any pet waste, oils and greases, cooked food, or non-biodegradable chemically manufactured papers or stickers. Essentially, keep your compost natural by only including non-animal natural things in it!
Build your compost pile
Start with leaves and twigs at the bottom and then layer on your greens and browns as you go. Over time, use a pitchfork or shovel to irritate and toss the compost pile a bit to maintain good oxygen flow and ensure that it doesn’t become a soggy, smelly mess. Keep adding grass clippings and other yard materials along with your kitchen scraps.
When adding your compostable food packaging, just cut or tear it up into smaller pieces so that it will mix in and break down at the same pace as your other organic material.
Using your compost
The material at the bottom of your compost pile will be ready first (having a handy doorway at the very bottom is useful for harvesting – otherwise, just dig in with your pitch fork and scoop some out). You’ll know it’s ready when the compost is dark and crumbly like soil.
Take your fresh compost and mix it into your new garden beds or use it to fertilize existing plants.
Contact Servous for Compostable Food Packaging
At Servous, we are believers in supporting the preferences of our customers by manufacturing responsible, compostable food packaging to the foodservice industry.
We have a selection of types of compostable food packaging for grocers, delis, restaurants, and QSRs for dine-in, to-go, and delivery orders. We offer a wide range of options to fit any budget so that you can handle and present your food with excellence.
Contact us today to see what options might be the best for you and be sure to ask us about our packaging customization!
