FAQ's - Our Products
Do your products contain BPA?
Our products are BPA free.
Will PLA melt in extreme heat?
Yes. We recommend that our PLA containers be stored at temperatures less than 105°F (40°C). Remember to keep these products out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place. Keep in mind that our Plantware™ cutlery is made with a slightly different process that gives it a heat tolerance of about 200°F (93°C). If you need a solution for high heat items, check out our recycled-content products. For more please visit Smart Care of Ingeo biopolymer.
Do compostable products break down when put into the soil, water, left outside, or stored on shelves?
Our compostable products are made from sugarcane and PLA, both of which break down best in commercial compost facilities. Soil and water are relatively cold environments that do not allow PLA or sugarcane to become biodegradable and break down. Retail shelves similarly do not provide an environment with the right composting conditions for these products to break down, so they maintain their integrity until they interact with composting microorganisms.
Is PLA or corn plastic edible?
Our PLA is FDA approved for food contact and well-suited for a variety of packaging applications, but it is not recommended for human consumption.
Can I feed PLA or corn plastic products to my livestock?
PLA is a biopolymer, and as with any plastic, it would be a foreign body if ingested and it is not recommended in case of injury or perforation. While PLA is compostable, it will only biodegrade in the right conditions.
Commercial compost facilities have the capacity to maintain ideal composting conditions and sustained heat and moisture needed for PLA to break down entirely with the appropriate soil bacteria, yeast, and fungi. We recommend disposing of PLA products in a commercial compost facility only.
What is the heat tolerance of sugarcane (bagasse) items?
Sugarcane is heat tolerant like paper and can even be put in the microwave or the freezer. As with paper, extremely hot food might cause sugarcane to lose some of its strength, but it is one of the best compostable food service materials that can handle hot temperatures.
Can sugarcane (bagasse) products handle liquids and grease?
Lined sugarcane products will hold liquids well and is grease and cut resistant. Unlined sugarcane works great too, but like paper, it may be more likely to loose strength when used with very hot foods or liquids.
Can I put sugarcane (bagasse) products in the oven?
We do not recommend that sugarcane be used in ovens. Sugarcane fiber is heat tolerant like paper and is both microwave and freezer safe. However, as with paper, it will begin to lose some of its strength when in contact with extremely hot items or in the oven.
