In 2005 it was recorded that about 16% of all solid waste in landfills was comprised of plastic materials. In an effort to cut down on unnecessary pollutants and provide consumers with a sustainable solution to this problem, the Prairie Moon Company has decided to offer new biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable products. These products are disposable, but can be reused and are ideal for camping trips, picnics, or parties. Bio Plastic (PLA) These organic plastic drinking cups are made from agricultural crops to create an organic bio plastic known as Polylactide or PLA. PLA serves as a great sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic cups, which are non-biodegradable and often contain unhealthy toxins. This organic form of “green” plastic is also fully biodegradable and compostable so you can throw them in your home composting bin or take them to a commercial composting facility. PLA is made from a renewable resource of American agriculture, which makes it a virtually infinite supply. The cold beverage cups made from Polylactide vegetable plastic have numerous benefits including competitive pricing with existing plastic glasses. So make the decision to go green and use a sustainable product that gives back to the environment every time you use it. We also have bio plastic straws and sundae cups made from cornstarch-based plastics. What separates these from traditional plastics is that they are derived from the biomass of renewable resources and that makes them fully biodegradable. They are strictly for cold beverages, just like the beverage cups. These straws and sundae dishes are made from cornstarch plastic and contain no toxins. Potato Plastic Cutlery Another product line we are introducing is the new potato plastic cutlery. This original dinnerware remains strong and durable even under boiling temperatures! Just like all of the other environmentally friendly products we’re introducing, the spoons are biodegradable and compostable. Unlike conventional plastics, there are no animal or petrochemical ingredients used in the production of this cutlery. Perhaps the most shining feature of these forks, knives, and spoons though, is that they are tough enough to be reusable, but cheap enough to be disposable. Bagasse Sundae Bowls Introducing biodegradable sundae bowls made from an ingenious new biomaterial known as Bagasse. Bagasse is an extraordinary by-product that results from the sugar refining process. It is a sugar cane fiber that has traditionally been thrown away or burned. Recent developments have allowed sugar cane pulp to be made into a durable, eco friendly substance known as Bagasse. One of the most practical uses for Bagasse is the disposable dishware we now offer. These bowls are biodegradable, compostable, and eco friendly. Bagasse dishes are also strong and sturdy, which makes these unique dishes a perfect alternative to environmentally harmful Styrofoam dishware. These bowls are fully heat tolerant, capable of containing boiling water up to 212°F. Bagasse bowls are perfect for preparation and preservation as well because they are microwave and freezer safe. There is no wax or plastic lining to contaminate these purely organic products either, so you can feel comfortable using a home composting system. Because Bagasse is a natural by-product and it is derived from a renewable resource, there really is no reason not to go organic and choose something that reduces pollution and saves the environment. Real Cellophane Bags Cellophane is a natural plastic made from cellulose, a component of trees and plants. It is one of the very first plastics ever made. The cellophane bags we use for our 10 packs are made from cottonwood trees sustainably farmed and harvested specifically for cellophane production - no rainforest or old growth trees are used. We only use the uncoated 100% biodegradable cellophane bags, which generally biodegrade in 28-60 days. Today, many products labeled as cellophane are actually polypropylene which is a petroleum based plastic. Not all the biodegradable products we carry come in eco-friendly packaging. The product detail page will say “Real Cellophane Packaging”. If it doesn’t say Real Cellophane then the item has a petroleum based plastic bag. We have pointed out the inconsistency to our supplies, but so far there hasn’t been any change. Composting Composting is the degradation and decomposition of organic substance that results in a natural biomass known as compost. Compost is beneficial to the environment because it administers nutrients and minerals back into the food chain. Commercial Composting There are many options for industrial composting. Facilities range from sheet composting (where the compostable material is spread along the soil where it is left to decompose) to windrow composting (where materials are made into giant rows to become compost). These facilities are intended to produce massive amounts of compost and distribute it into the food chain accordingly. Home Composting Home composting is creative and there are many methods of executing it. However, the most popular is probably through use of a composting bin. The bin acts as a decomposition catalyst that allows decaying materials to break down organically. The interior of composting bins is often separated into layers of soil. |
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