Q: How long will the non-GMO wheat-based and corn-based cutlery take to decompose or compost?

A: They will completely biodegrade in about 3-6 weeks in a compost pile, and about 4-6 months in regular soil.

Q: What’s the difference between biodegradable and compostable plastic?

A: Biodegradable plastic is a degradable plastic in which the degradation must result from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms. (ie: no human interference). Compostable plastic is a plastic that undergoes biological degradation during composting to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic (not animal or vegetable) compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials, leaving no visually distinguishable or toxic residues.

Q: What if I throw my Earthware cutlery into the trash?

A: Earthware Biodegradables cutlery is completely Earth-friendly and is designed to return to the soil through composting or burying in your garden. If thrown into the trash it will be collected and end up in a landfill. Communities across the country are rapidly depleting available landfill space, so any addition to landfill volume simply adds to this problem. More importantly, landfills are sealed which means little biodegradation occurs below the surface, so what is thrown away remains preserved for decades to come.

Q: What if I throw my Earthware cutlery into the recycling bin?

A: If Earthware Biodegradables cutlery is thrown into the recycling bin, it will not be reformed into another plastic product, but it will degrade in the actual recycling process. (Keep in mind that after the sorting process, a low percentage of plastic is actually recycled.)

Q: Is composting a feasible alternative to landfills?

A: By composting biodegradable plastic along with the other biodegradable waste, we can generate much-needed carbon-rich soil (humus) instead of filling up our valuable land with waste. Compost amended soil can have beneficial effects by increasing water & nutrient retention in soil, reducing chemical inputs, (toxins, pesticides, etc.) and suppressing plant diseases. Many communities have large-scale centralized collection of yard waste and compostable material. (Check with your community about options in your area or ask your waste disposal company.) Through composting, the problem of waste disposal could become the solution for low-input sustainable agriculture.

Do you have any unanswered questions? Please send them to us at info@earthwarebiodegradables.com