Eco-Products launches BPI-certified compostable straws amid biodegradable boom

22 Nov 2022 --- Eco-Products has announced a new line of compostable straws made from plant-based plastic that are as durable as conventional straws. 

Made from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a plant-based plastic derived from canola oil, the straws are Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified compostable and meet the ASTM D6400 standard for compostability. 

“The straws provide the same performance as traditional straws but have some important environmental benefits because they are made from PHA,” Nicole Tariku, director of product development at Eco-Products tells PackagingInsights. 

“That makes them an excellent option for those seeking [environmentally] sustainable options.” 

The straws 
Because the straws are made with plant-based PHA, their organic nature allows them to act as a food source to the bacteria that aid in decomposition. These PHA straws are able to biodegrade in a commercial compost facility or a home compost pile.

Eco-Products also offers a compostable lid that makes it easy to sip from a cup without using a straw.“Eco-Products currently offers its products through a broad network of distributor partners. Our partners work with a range of segments, including healthcare, business and industry, college and university, hospitality and more,” asserts Tariku.

“That means you’ll find our products in restaurants, college and pro stadiums, arenas, ski resorts, hospitals, museums and national parks across the country.”

The new straws are offered in a variety of lengths from 5.5 to 10.25 inches and are available in individually wrapped or unwrapped options. The wrapped version is clearly marked as compostable, so guests and staff know to properly dispose of it in a compost bin. 

Compostable product range 
For those who prefer to go “strawless,” Eco-Products offers a compostable lid that makes it easy to sip from a cup without a straw. 

Designed to prevent spills and “splashback,” Eco-Products’ Cold Cup Sip Lids come in different sizes to fit a variety of cups. Made from 100% renewable resources, all are BPI-certified compostable and meet ASTM standards for compostability.  

With the pandemic continuing to negatively impact restaurants, Eco-Products says it has been working hard to help them survive. The company provides a wide variety of compostable containers, plates, cups and utensils to meet the fast-growing need for more to-go, delivery and family-style meal orders.   

The bioplastic debate 
Innova Market Insights identified “Bioplastic Boosters” as one of the main packaging trends in 2022. Global consumers appear ready to embrace bioplastics, with 41% viewing biodegradability as the most environmentally sustainable end-of-life disposal method for packaging, followed by compostability (20%), according to the market researcher.

However, a recent study revealed that the majority of “home compostable plastics” in the UK are ineffective and mislabeled, causing them to end up in landfills. According to the research, calling plastic packages “home compostable” is a greenwashing tactic designed to take advantage of consumer interest in environmental sustainability. 

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainability, concludes that most home compostable plastics don’t work, with 60% failing to disintegrate after six months. 

By Natalie Schwertheim

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