Plant fiber is one of the most eco-friendly options when it comes to disposable tableware, because it is made from natural materials without adding any harmful chemicals. Using plant fiber to create disposable tableware is an eco-friendly option compared to other materials like plastic or styrofoam, which are non-biodegradable and often end up in our landfills.
What is plant fiber made from?
Plant fiber plates and tableware are created using a mixture of different plants, or trees like some of the examples below.
Bamboo
Bamboo is considered a wonder wood (even though bamboo is technically a grass). The flexibility of bamboo allows it to be made into an incredible amount of products. Bamboo is also fast-growing, with a rate of up to 3 feet per day, depending on the variety. This is much faster than trees, which means some types of bamboo can be harvested in months, while most trees can take anywhere from 30-50 years. Farming bamboo retains the natural soil quality and prevents erosion without the need for excess fertilizers. Bamboo can be used to create different types of paper products, including compostable cups and plates.
Wood Fiber
Raw wood is the primary material that paper manufacturers turn into wood pulp. Paper is usually made from softwood or hardwood trees. Most of the wood pulp that makes paper comes from softwood trees because they have longer fibers known to produce stronger paper.
Why is plant fiber tableware better?
Not all plant fiber tableware is created equal - but generally, it is compostable. Check the label to ensure the plant fiber tableware you are purchasing is certified compostable, like Greenlid.
PFAs & molded fiber tableware
Greenlid’s products are 100% free of fluorinated chemicals and PFAs, unlike the vast majority of other molded fiber tableware and foodservice products.
PFAs (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals that are added to food packaging to provide grease and water resistance. With very similar properties to Teflon, PFAs and other fluorinated chemicals are considered “forever chemicals” as they accumulate in the environment. Greenlid uses a natural bio-based additive to repel water and add leak protection.
Big-name brands have committed to removing PFAs from their packaging, but will not achieve their goal until at least 2025.
All of the materials used to make Greenlid products are natural and sustainable, which means they are fully compostable and outside of any single-use plastic bans. Greenlid provides truly sustainable options for all of your disposable tableware needs.