What is Sugarcane Bagasse?

Bagasse is a natural by-product of sugarcane refinement. Bagasse is the fibre that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice. Bagasse pulp requires minimal processing and elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching to turn it into a woven high-strength paper that is biodegradable and compostable. Sugarcane bagasse products are more energy efficient to produce in comparison to pulping wood for paper, or manufacturing polystyrene from oil.

What is PLA?

PLA stands for polylactic acid and is a resin made from corn starch. PLA is used to make clear compostable containers and PLA lining is used in cups and containers as an impermeable liner. PLA is biodegradable, and fully compostable. It uses 65 percent less energy to produce than conventional oil-based plastics and generates 68 percent fewer greenhouse gasses and contains no toxins.

What is Bio-resin?

Bio-resin is a thermoplastic made from organic materials instead of petroleum products. Bio-resin is a substitute for PET and polystyrene and can replace polyethylene and polypropylene. Our bio-resin cutlery is made from renewable cellulose wood and grass fibre instead of oil-based materials. Certified compostable, our bio-resin knives, forks, and spoons have high temperature resistance up to 180 – 190 degrees F.

Does It Help the Environment?

Eight percent of the world’s current oil production is used to produce plastics, and these plastics, after use, take up at least 25 percent of an average landfill site. Reducing and redirecting materials from landfills is a major goal of environmental reform. Our products are made from renewable resources with minimal long-term environmental impact so as to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

What is Composting?

Compost has the ability to help regenerate poor soils. The composting process encourages the production of beneficial micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) which in turn break down organic matter to create humus. Humus–a rich nutrient-filled material–increases the nutrient content in soils and helps soils retain moisture. Compost has also been shown to suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, and promote higher yields of agricultural crops.

How Does it Help Pollution?

Composting organic materials that have been diverted from landfills ultimately avoids the production of methane and leachate formulation in the landfills. Compost has the ability to prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water resources. Compost has also been shown to prevent erosion and silting on embankments parallel to creeks, lakes, and rivers, and prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields, and golf courses.

What is the Economic Benefit?

Using compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides. It serves as a marketable commodity and is a low-cost alternative to standard landfill cover and artificial soil amendments.

Composting also extends municipal landfill life by diverting organic materials from landfills and provides a less costly alternative to conventional methods of remediating (cleaning) contaminated soil.

How Do We Save Money?

For a commercial or corporate user of compostable materials, your “tipping cost” to have these products taken to a compost facility are less than the cost to have your trash taken to a landfill. In addition, many companies are able to purchase back humus soil from the composter at a reduced cost. The savings are greater if a commercial or corporate user has the willingness and ability to compost their own waste and eliminate the tipping costs and generate their own compost for landscaping soil enrichment. Individual consumers save money by buying in bulk at costs lower than grocery store or discount store pricing, without having to travel to the store. In addition, composting at home can reduce your trash hauling costs and generate your own rich soil humus for gardening and landscaping. Start your own garden…$30 worth of vegetable seedling plants can generate over $100 worth of food. Starting from seed can save even more. According to Burpee, the world’s largest seed producer, $20 worth of seeds can generate $650 worth of vegetables.