Helpful Tips About Composting

Here's some 'dirt' on composting and specifically, answers to frequently asked questions regarding our Veneerware® single-use bamboo dinnerware. Yes, our bamboo plates and everything in our Veneerware range of single use dinnerware are compostable. But what does that mean? Let's dig in.

 

Sunday May 29th is Learn About Composting Day, so here is some general information about composting, a few tips for you, and some commonly asked questions in regards to our bamboo plates. 

Composting is actually de-composting and decomposition is a wonderful thing. It happens in nature every minute of every day. Material such as leaves, fruit, vegetables, plants, weeds, stems, twigs, bugs, animals, and microbes die and decay. The remains eventually are absorbed, creating a nutrient-rich soil used by living roots, fungi, and other living microorganisms. 

Composting is a great way to recycle yard waste such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, most weeds, and dead houseplants. Plus, why not include most of your food scraps and unwanted leftovers too? (note: your refrigerator is not a compost bin.) 

It takes nature centuries to make just one inch of humus-rich soil. Yet, your composting efforts can consistently yield a nutrient-rich soil in just a fraction of the time. It is a symbiotic relationship with nature. Give your compostable waste, and get back nutrient-rich organic matter in the form of compost which feeds your yard, garden and plants. It's an enduring cycle that is the very definition of sustainability.

              

Whether we are talking large industrial compost facilities, or small at-home compost bins, composting requires a couple of elements for de-composting to occur. Water, air, and microorganisms which create carbon dioxide. The diagram above (courtesy of HowStuffWorks) shows how it all works.

Our Veneerware bamboo plates are compostable too. Our new single use napkins are too. Because they are made from an organic, natural source, they too will inherently biodegrade and breakdown to be a part of your nutrient-rich finished compost. If you have used Veneerware bamboo plates and have run water over them, you will notice that they lose their rigidity and shape. The biodegrading process is already beginning. They are still very much usable after rinsing with water. They will simply look more like a potato chip than the original straight and firm bamboo plate that you first purchased. 

Veneerware bamboo dinnerware is the original single-use bamboo plates and the one and only bamboo dinnerware made from certified organic sources and also compost approved. Guilt-free, hassle-free, beautiful and natural dinnerware for almost any occasion. Plus, now you can include our bamboo napkins which are also biodegradable. Our premium paper napkins are made entirely of bamboo and are biobased certified. These are the most eco friendly napkins money can buy. Plus they are beautiful compostable napkins. 

Return To The Earth. Biobased Certified. 

    

Veneerware bamboo dinnerware is made entirely from bamboo with only a tiny percentage of a water-based, food safe glue. Veneerware is a USDA 100% Certified Biobased Product. We have created this composting infographic to illustrate the soil-to-soil journey of our Veneerware bamboo plates.

Veneerware is tested and approved by Cedar Grove Composting, the largest commercial composting facility in the US. Veneerware is also approved by other composting facilities across the country. This means specifically, that Veneerware bamboo plates are "accepted for composting in an industrial composting system.” 

We recommend disposing of Veneerware bamboo products in a commercial compost facility where the tableware can be broken down, turned into compost and then returned to the soil. 

What to find a composter near you? Check out our Find A Composter link here. 

 Where What Goes Where?

Here is a useful guideline of what stuff goes where. There may be differences in what your municipal pick-up service provides.

Food scraps

• Fruit and vegetables
• Bread, pasta, grains
• Eggshells, nutshells
• Coffee grounds, filters
• Tea bags
• Meat, fish, and chicken
• Dairy products - milk, butter, cheese
• Shells and bones

Food-soiled paper

• Paper towels, napkins - kitchen only
• Paper plates - uncoated only
• Food-soiled newspaper
• Greasy pizza boxes
• Shredded paper
• Paper bags (uncoated) with food scraps
• Compostable bags
• Approved compostable tableware (yea, Veneerware goes here!)

Yard waste

• Plant material
• Grass
• Leaves, branches, twigs - up to 4 feet in length
• Plant and tree trimmings
• House plants - no pots
• Small amounts of sod
• Holiday trees - no tinsel, ornaments, flocking

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Some additional facts and questions about composting, and bambu plates.

• Are Veneerware bamboo plates and cutlery compostable?

Yes. Compost tested and approved for commercial composting. Veneerware is tested and accepted by the industry leader, Cedar Grove composting facility.

• Which bin do I put them in for pick up?

Veneerware can most often be placed in the bin for food scraps.

• Does my local composter accept Veneerware plates?

Veneerware is accepted by many municipal compost facilities.

•  Can I compost Veneerware bamboo plates in my own yard compost bin?

Veneerware will compose in your own at-home compost system. We have had several customers tell us they compost at home. Because, home composting typically does not create the consistent composting conditions needed, we would suggest that you cut the plates into smaller pieces to help accelerate the compost process.

• Is Veneerware BPI approved?

No. The reason Veneerware is not BPI approved is because those standards are written specifically for plastics, and bio-plastics. Veneerware is biobased certified and meets the requirements for biobased designation. Learn more about the Biobased Program here. 

 bambu Veneerware is also a certified product by Ceres.

Check out our full range of bamboo dinnerware here including bamboo plates, trays, bowls and cutlery and serving items.