FAQs

Q: What is Earthcycle Packaging made of?

Earthcycle Packaging is made from palm fiber, a former biomass waste, leftover after the palm fruit is harvested for oil.

Q: Is the biodegraded product safe for my garden?

Yes. Earthcycle packaging products have successfully passed biodegradability and compostability tests as per ASTM D6400, the compostability standard for North America. To meet this standard the humus that remains after the product biodegrades must be able to support plant life and not leave behind regulated metals. In less than 90 days your Earthcycle Packaging will biodegrade into carbon dioxide, water and a natural humus that will make a healthy contribution to the soil.

Q: If I don’t compost at home can I put my EC packaging in my yard waste collection bin/bag?

Yes, if your municipality or state collection program accepts food packaging, such as pizza boxes in its curbside program. It is best to check with your local authorities first.

Q: Does your product use bleach in its manufacturing process?

There is no bleach used in our manufacturing process. The color variations in our products are a result of the age of the fiber being used – the older the fiber the darker it gets.

Q: Will the product biodegrade if it is sitting on the shelf?
No. Earthcycle Packaging will not biodegrade without necessary conditions including the presence of microorganisms and moisture.

Q: What is the difference between home and industrial compost?

Residential or backyard composting means that an individual household composts most of its food and yard waste in a container located outside the home. This is the simplest and most cost-effective method because collection and transportation costs are avoided. People benefit directly from their own efforts by producing a valuable additive for their own garden soil.

However, not all food and yard waste can be managed so simply. This is where centralized or industrial composting fits in. Industrial composting involves significantly larger quantities and a larger variety of organic wastes.

Organic material is collected and transported to a special facility where it will be prepared and processed into compost. Industrial compost facilities are better able to control oxygen, moisture, and temperature. They typically maintain temperatures above 130°f which allows for the breakdown of some materials that require consistently higher temperatures, such as PLA.

Q: What is the difference between biodegradability and compostability?

Biodegradable: material that will degrade from the action of a naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi etc. Biodegradable material is not necessarily compostable, as the residue may be toxic and is, therefore, not considered compostable.

Compostable: materials capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site, to the extent that they are not visually distinguishable and break down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (eg cellulose). Compostable materials leave no toxic residue and therefore, the resulting humus is a safe and healthy contribution to soil.

Q: What is the difference between recycling and composting?

Recycling: Reusing materials and objects in original or changed forms rather than discarding them as wastes.
www.nsc.org/ehc/glossar2.htm#r

Composting: The controlled microbial decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, in the presence of oxygen, into humus, a soil-like material. Humus can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, hedges, etc.
www.recyclethis.org/QP_Res_dictionary.html

Q: Is your product recyclable?

Yes. Our product has been tested and proven to be repulpable so it can be recycled in the waste paper stream.

Q: What does HDPE, LDPE and PET stand for?

HDPE - High density polyethylene
LDPE - Low density polyethylene
PET – Polyethylene terephthalate
PP – Polypropylene
PS – Polystyrene
PVC – Polyvinyl chloride

Q: What are those numbers on the bottom of plastic products? Do they mean how many times the plastic has been recycled?

The numbers inside the recycle symbol indicate what material the product is made from:

Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene - PETE goes into soft drink, juice, water, detergent, and cleaner bottles. Also used for cooking and peanut butter jars. High Density Polyethylene - HDPE goes into milk and water jugs and bleach bottles. Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC goes into window cleaner, cooking oils, and detergent bottles. Also used for peanut butter jars and water jugs Low Density Polyethylene - LDPE goes into plastic bags and grocery sacks, dry cleaning bags and flexible film packaging. Also some bottles. Polypropylene - PP goes into caps, disks, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, straws and film packaging. Polystyrene - PS goes into meat trays, egg cartons, plates, cutlery, carry-out containers and clear trays. Other - Includes resins not mentioned above or combinations or plastics.