HOTBIN: Biodegradable Food Packaging Composted in Under 30 Days

HOTBIN: Biodegradable Food Packaging Composted in Under 30 Days

The HOTBIN was originally designed and developed to compost a wide range of food and garden waste quickly and efficiently. A few years ago, our developers were approached by Lucy Frankel from the UK Food Waste Network, and more recently, this year, by Anil Abrol from Eco-Guardian in Canada, to conduct tests on composting biodegradable packaging.

Vegware and Eco-Guardian are companies that produce sustainable, eco-friendly packaging solutions, particularly for the food service industry. Their take-away food packaging is designed to be compostable and is made from various plant-based materials.

The biodegradable food packaging from the Vegware and Eco-Guardian brands includes cups, plates, takeaway boxes, glasses, and cutlery. These items are made from either PLA or CPLA, both derived from plant-based substances.

PLA, produced from corn starch (similar to food caddy bags), serves as an excellent alternative to oil-based plastics in various applications, including films, thermoformed products like cups and deli pots, and injection-molded items.

CPLA, a proprietary blend of PLA, chalk, and other biodegradable additives, is considered more durable than PLA. It is suitable for high-heat applications, such as making cutlery and hot cup lids, as it can withstand temperatures up to 185°F (85°C) without deformation. However, like PLA, it remains vulnerable to bacterial breakdown during the composting process.

Starting the Trial
Both providers supplied a range of PLA and CPLA products, including cups, plates, takeaway boxes, glasses, and cutlery. As with all waste added to the HOTBIN, these items were chopped up to increase the surface area available to bacteria, thereby speeding up the composting process.

To thoroughly test how these items decomposed, they were only added to the HOTBIN when the internal temperature exceeded 104°F. Since biodegradable packaging provides limited nutritional value for bacteria, the items were added every weekend along with fresh food waste.

Fully Decomposed in 6 Weeks
The Vegware items decomposed in the HOTBIN within two weeks, with those resembling cardboard showing no visible remains.

The tougher CPLA spoons and forks, as expected, took longer to break down. However, all products were fully decomposed in less than six weeks.

Whether you are part of an educational institution, a restaurant business, or simply a regular household interested in learning more about what other types of waste can be composted in a HOTBIN, we invite you to reach out. Email us at m.abreu@hotbincomposting.com. Currently, HOTBIN is collaborating on several initiatives with Solid Waste Management in various counties and educational institutions. If you're interested, let's start a conversation!