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Our Company
- Where is Eco-Products, Inc. located?
- How long has Eco-Products, Inc. been in business?
- Does Eco-Products, Inc. carry every compostable
food service product available?
-
Although we are confident that we have the widest selection of
compostable food service products available, we do not claim that we
carry every compostable food service product that is made.
Technology for compostable products is improving everyday. We try to
keep up with all of the latest innovations and we are open to
carrying any product that meets our product qualifications.
- How can I invest in Eco-Products, Inc.?
Products
- What is PLA or Corn Plastic?
-
PLA or "corn plastic" is a biopolymer made from polylactide (PLA)
that can be derived from starchy plants like corn, potatoes,
tapioca, sugarcane, and soy protein. In the U.S., PLA is typically
made from corn kernels that are milled and processed to extract the
simple sugar dextrose.
These biopolymers perform like plastic, but are made from
annually renewable resources like corn plants. PLA offers the cost
and performance necessary to compete with traditional
petroleum-based materials, but with the crucial benefit of being
commercially compostable
- What if I am allergic to corn?
-
While PLA is corn-derived, the extreme heat used in processing
transforms its dextrose considerably and destroys any
immunologically reactive profilin. Thus, PLA should not cause an
allergic reaction.
- 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.
- Are your products recyclable?
-
In short, probably not.
When you are done with our PLA (corn plastic) products, they are
100% compostable in a commercial compost facility. Our clear
recycled PET products are made from post-consumer recycled PET
plastic, so we are excited to give a second (or third) life to this
material. Unfortunately, these products are not recyclable in most
areas – instead, they contain recycled content.
However, there are some regions where PET recycling is starting
or being tested. This type of plastic can be recycled many, many
times into a wide variety of products, but it can be challenging to
collect these materials. We encourage you to check with your local
municipality or materials recovered facility (MRF for short) to see
if they are accepted and if not, to learn when they will be.
Note: It can be tricky to tell the difference between a clear PLA
corn cup and a nearly identical cup made from petroleum-derived
plastic like PET or even recycled PET. Check out the resin
identification number on the bottom of the cup – PLA cups are
labeled with #7 and PET cups are #1.
Recycling facilities have problems with PLA, so it is important
to separate compostables from recyclables into clean waste streams.
Because PLA and PET mix about as well as oil and water, recyclers
consider PLA a contaminant and compost facilities have a hard time
cleaning it out of the compost.
- How long does it take your compostable products
breakdown?
-
Our compostable products break down in a commercial compost
facility in fewer than 180days. Many of our products actually break
down in as little as 45-60days.
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) uses scientifically
based standards to determine if a product is compostable in a
commercial facility, so look for the words "BPI Certified
Compostable" on our products and you can be confident that your
product will break down quickly in a commercial facility.
- 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 maintains their
integrity until they interact with composting microorganisms.
- Can I put your compostable products into my
backyard compost?
-
We recommend disposing of PLA products in a commercial compost
facility where they can be broken down, turned into compost and then
returned to the soil. Home composting typically does not create the
consistent composting conditions needed for our products, but
commercial facilities can manage just fine.
Commercial compost facilities are expanding around the country
and there may be one in your area. To find a compost facility near
you, please visit the US EPA website or check out
Find A
Composter
- Is PLA Corn Plastic edible?
- Can I feed PLA or Corn Plastic to my livestock?
-
PLA is a biopolymer, and as with any plastic, it would be a
foreign body if ingested. Most swallowed foreign bodies pass
harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract, but it is generally
not recommended as feedstock in case of injury or perforation. Also,
because PLA is compostable, it will biodegrade in the right
conditions. Commercial compost facilities have the capacity to
maintain ideal composting conditions for bioplastics, which allows
PLA to break down entirely with the appropriate soil bacteria,
yeast, and fungi. These conditions are generally not present
internally in livestock, and so we recommend disposing of PLA
products in a commercial compost facility only.
- What is bagasse (sugarcane)?
-
Bagasse is made from sugarcane. Rather than throwing away or burning used sugarcane stalks, the pulp is made into a paper-like substance called bagasse which is then formed into a wide variety of products like containers, plates, and bowls.
- How long does bagasse (sugarcane) take to fully biodegrade in the compost?
-
Bagasse is fully compostable and breaks down best in commercial compost facilities. In commercial composting conditions, bagasse will compost in approximately 45-60 days. Composting may take longer in a home composting bin, so we recommend disposing of it in a commercial compost facility.
- What is the heat tolerance of bagasse (sugarcane)?
-
Bagasse is heat tolerant like paper and can even be put in the microwave or the freezer. As with paper, extremely hot food might cause bagasse to lose some of its strength, but bagasse is one of the best compostable food service materials that can handle hot temperatures.
- Can bagasse (sugarcane) handle liquids and grease?
-
Lined bagasse will hold liquids well and is grease and cut resistant. Unlined bagasse works great too, but like paper, it may be more likely to loose strength when used with very hot foods or liquids.
Shipping & Order Tracking
- How long after my order is placed will it be
shipped out?
-
When will I receive my order? All orders are shipped out 24-48
hours, excluding weekends. The delivery time depends on what method
you chose to have your order shipped. UPS Ground is 3-5 business
days for most deliveries. Please add 1-2 business day to any
shipping method you choose. Please note: Orders exceeding 25 cases
or more may be shipped via common carrier.
- How do I track my order?
- Will you ship my order using my company's UPS,
FedEx or DHL account number?
-
We cannot ship using your company's FedEx or DHL account number.
However, we can ship using your company's UPS account number. To
have this done, please enter your UPS account number in the COMMENTS
field when checking out.
Billing Questions
- How do I setup a direct-billing account?
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