FAQ

We have built our reputation on producing the highest-quality compostable foodservice packaging, certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and OK Compost, among others. Our mission is to manufacture products that are the safe and sustainable solution for cities enacting single-use plastic bans.

To ensure our products meet your performance and sustainability needs, we invite you to request samples through your region’s broker prior to ordering. Please contact our Vice President of Sustainability at  if you have any additional questions about our products’ sustainability features and alignment with your community’s environmental standards.

Sourcing hyper-renewable, regenerative, and sustainable materials is paramount for us. We also strive for organic and non-GMO options wherever feasible. Please refer below for more information on the environmental profiles of our most popular substrates.

Better Earth utilizes three key materials: rapidly renewable plant fibers, sustainably sourced paper, and a bioplastic called PLA (Polylactic Acid).

• Plant Fiber: Bamboo, sugarcane, miscanthus, switchgrass, and sorghum are all rapidly renewable resources that Better Earth shapes into our molded fiber food service packaging. Utilizing these fibers supports forest conservation, creates dignified green jobs, supports small farming operations, and builds demand for composting infrastructure. 
• Paper: Better Earth has a commitment to utilizing the most regenerative and renewable plant-based materials, and therefore minimizing our use of tree-based fiber. Wherever possible, Better Earth paperboard products, including our Hot and Cold Food Collection and Better Collections, are made from FSC-certified, tree-free bamboo paper. For items that cannot yet be substituted with plant fiber, like our Hot Cup Collection, we use FSC-certified paperboard from sustainably managed forests.
• PLA (Polylactic Acid): PLA is a plant-based and compostable alternative to petroleum-based plastic made from renewable resources like corn, sugarcane, cassava, and sugar beet pulp. This bioplastic is fashioned from plant sugars and is more environmentally friendly in production, emitting fewer greenhouse gasses than certain traditional petroleum-based plastics.

Our Sugarcane collection is made from the byproduct of the sugar extraction process that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. Bamboo, one of our most popular substrates, is hyper-renewable and grows up to three feet per day. Switchgrass and miscanthus are some of the native perennial grasses that make up our domestic Farmer’s Fiber Collection. They are powerful soil regenerators. After being planted, they will continue to grow, be harvested, and nourish the soil for more than 20 years.

No, they are not meant for consumption. Consult a doctor if ingested.

The processing alters the chemical structure of the corn, eliminating allergic concerns.

Yes, our items are gluten-free.

The corn is a mix of non-GMO and GMO. Processing removes any traces of genetic material. We strive to reduce dependence on petroleum-based products and hope to shift entirely to non-GMO in the future.

Each of our fiber lines has a unique aesthetic and performance profile.

• Our Eco-Bamboo line is a bamboo-based fiber collection that is tan in color. Its longer fibers provide strength for holding foods with moderate moisture content.
• Our Sugarcane line is the most commonly seen compostable foodservice packaging material and is among the earliest in the market. It is white in color.

Our plant fiber products are primarily derived from bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, miscanthus, switchgrass, and sorghum.

Our products are designed to simultaneously withstand a wide variety of temperatures and break down within 90 days in a commercial composter. However, they are not designed to bare the extreme temperatures found in microwaves, ovens and freezers. We recommend heating up or freezing food-products in glassware whenever possible.

• Freezer: Our clamshell collections can go in the freezer but are not airtight. This means foods may be subject to freezer burn or reduced freshness. Our PLA products are also not recommended for the freezer and can become brittle when frozen.
• Microwave: Our Fiber Collection products are microwave safe for reheating–they are not designed for extremely high heat. We recommend testing our Fiber Collection products to confirm that they comply with your specific conditions.
• Oven: While our hot cups, soup cups and some containers are designed to withstand high-temperatures, including boiling water, our product-line is not designed for the extreme high heat of the oven, which can cause them to warp, leak or even catch on fire.

Plant fiber items can handle up to 450°F. They’re microwave-safe for up to 2-3/4 minutes (unlined) and 5-3/4 minutes (lined). Always test in your specific conditions.

Better Earth’s products are validated for their compostability by globally recognized organizations such as the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), TÜV Austria, and the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA). This means that you can be confident that Better Earth products will break down completely into organic matter in a commercial composting facility. Please refer below for Better Earth’s member profile and associated certified products with each certifying body:

• BPI: Biodegradable Products Institute (bpiworld.org) 
• CMA: Better Earth – Compost Manufacturing Alliance

While traditional plastics usually bear resin codes #1-6, our compostable items are considered #7. However, for clarity, Better Earth bioplastics are distinctly marked “compostable” and/or bear the BPI Certified stamp.

Our mission is to provide our customers the safe and sustainable solutions they need to meet and exceed their own environmental commitments. That’s why we’re constantly in the lab and working with industry leaders to ensure our products go beyond today’s rigorous environmental certifications and standards. For example, we test our products using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards to ensure they break down in commercial composting facilities. These tests are then verified by several third-party organizations. Refer below for more information:

• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI): BPI-certified products undergo rigorous, third-party testing to verify that their products meet ASTM D6460 and/or ASTM D6868 standards (refer to “ASTM D6460” and “ASTM D6868” in our Key Terms). You can always find the latest list of Better Earth BPI product certifications by visiting BPI’s website.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): The Forest Stewardship Council is a not-for-profit organization that sets standards under which forests and companies are certified in order to meet our current needs for forest products without compromising those of the next generation. When you see the FSC label on Better Earth products, you can be assured that the forest products sourced are responsibly harvested and from verified sources.

FSC-certified Better Earth products include: 
Paper Straw Collection
Hot Beverage Collection
Hot & Cold Food Container Collection

• OK Compost: Like BPI, Vinçotte OK Compost-certified products undergo rigorous, third-party testing to verify that the products are compostable in commercial or municipal facilities in compliance with the European Standard EN 13432.

Thanks for your interest in Better Earth! You can ask your local distributor if they stock our products, and if not, email and we will put you in touch with a local representative.

We currently work through distributors and brokers. Please contact your local distributor or broker, or email us at and we will put you in touch with a local representative.

Takeout orders account for around 269,000 US tons of plastic waste that has entered the oceans. According to the NOAA Ocean Service, plastic doesn’t decompose and can stick around indefinitely.  And every day, more cities, counties, states and even countries are joining the movement to ban single-use plastics in favor of sustainable alternatives like compostable and reusable products.

Our customers purchase compostable products because they know the disposables landscape is changing and their end-users are demanding more sustainable options. At Better Earth, we help our customers meet their sustainability goals with innovative products that offer the same quality and similar performance to conventional plastic and Styrofoam.

Store PLA products in a location with temperatures under 110°F and shield them from direct sun exposure.

All Better Earth products are third-party certified to break down in a commercial or municipal composting facility within 90-180 days or less. There is still not a viable American home compostability certification, but Better Earth looks forward to verifying applicable products under this standard once available. 

We are happy to see so much discussion about the marine degradability of foodservice packaging and are more committed than ever to ensuring our products are the safe and sustainable solution for protecting marine life. Better Earth is advocating for a single standard to define marine degradability within the industry and supports efforts to design and produce certified marine-degradable products.

Composting is the natural degradation of organic matter by microorganisms, producing nutrient-rich soil. Composting can happen at a small scale through home and backyard composting methods, or at a large scale via commercial composting facilities.

A product can break down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass in about 90 – 180 days or less with the support of aerobic microorganisms, and that the process leaves no toxicity in the soil (for more information, refer to “composting” in our Key Terms).

Compostable products can include food scraps, paper, leaves, as well as certified-compostable foodservice packaging materials like Better Earth. The speed of degradability will vary based on the composition of the product.

Labels can be misleading. When purchasing compostable products, always look for the words “certified compostable,” “OK Compost,” “BPI-certified,” or “meets ASTM-D6400 standard.”

• Biodegradable: Anything can be considered “biodegradable” because there is no legal definition for how long it takes for an item to “biodegrade.” The term has become so synonymous and confusing that “biodegradable” as a marketing term is now banned for marketing packaging in Maryland, Washington, Colorado, and California. 
• Compostable: is a legally binding term. Any product using this term for marketing purposes must be certified to break down into compost in 90 to 180 days in a commercial composting facility and leave no toxicity in the soil.

While we always try to use exactly what nature gives us and in its intended form, we do need to deviate occasionally to ensure the raw material can stand up to the process and performance required to expand the market for sustainable products. For example, the corn we use is genetically modified to have a higher sucrose content which allows for better and more consistent fermentation.

Contact your local waste management or check the Find a Composter site and ensure the facility accepts compostable items. But what if commercial composting isn’t available yet in your area? You can still transform most of your food waste and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich fertilizer using a backyard composter.

The world produces more than 14 million US tons of polystyrene (otherwise known as Styrofoam) each year. There are several well-known qualities that have led to its widespread usage, such as its low cost, light weight and insulation properties. However, these same benefits carry several indirect or hidden environmental and health costs.

• Styrofoam is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource
• The chemicals used in the manufacturing process (benzene and styrene) have been identified as harmful neurotoxins and carcinogens
• Furthermore, Styrofoam’s lightweight and air-like qualities make it difficult and expensive to recycle, leading to Styrofoam comprising as much as 30% of total landfill volume

Comparatively, compostable products like Better Earth are comprised of renewable, agriculture-based resources and will break down in a commercial composting facility in 90 days or less.

Our hot cups, hot and cold containers, and Better Collection are made with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certified sustainably harvested paper.

Better Earth compostable products are designed to efficiently break down in a commercial composting facility and are not optimized for the demands of municipal recycling facilities (or MRFs). 

Better Earth compostable packaging should be sent to a commercial composting facility. If unavailable, please dispose of Better Earth packaging in the landfill, and join the conversation to advocate for composting in your city.

Yes! Unlike petroleum-based plastic or Styrofoam products, compostable products are comprised of hyper-renewable raw materials like bamboo and wheatgrass, as well as the waste products of renewable raw materials like sugarcane bagasse, that naturally sequester carbon through the agricultural process. This means that in the undesirable scenario that our products end up in a landfill, they still have a lesser environmental footprint across their lifecycle than alternatives made from fossil fuels.

Polylactic acid, or PLA, is a bio-based plastic that is typically made from fermented plant starch such as corn, cassava, sugarcane, or sugar beet pulp. It’s fashioned by transforming sugars from these plants into lactic acid, which is then made into polymer form. When compared to conventional plastics, PLA has a lower environmental footprint. Store PLA products below 110°F and away from direct sunlight.

Can I use PLA products for hot food or liquids?

• PLA items are best for cold contents and must be stored below 110°F.
• CPLA hot cup lids can handle up to 200°F.
• Paper cups and bowls with a PLA lining are suitable for up to 220°F.
• Products made of plant fiber can endure up to 200°F.
• CPLA Cutlery is suitable for temperatures up to 200°F.

Better Earth bioplastics look, feel, and perform like petroleum-based plastic but are made entirely from plants. Typical petroleum-based plastics are highly dependent on fossil fuels, have very low levels of recyclability, and persist within our environment and food supply as microplastics. Alternatively, Better Earth bioplastics are born from renewable plant-based resources and break down completely in a commercial composting facility in 90-180 days or less.

Better Earth has a diversified international supply chain to ensure quality and resilience for our customers. Better Earth’s primary manufacturing hubs are in Asia due to its robust existing infrastructure capabilities for compostable packaging. However, Better Earth is proud to offer our domestic Farmers Fiber Collection as part of our initiative to directly invest in expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities in the United States, with the goal of sourcing 50% domestic by 2025. 

Life expectancy varies based on product type: 

• Items made of plant fiber: 3 years
• Paper-based containers and cups: 2 years
• Disposable items from PLA: 2 years
• CPLA utensils: 1 year
• Eco-friendly paper straws: 2 years
• T-shirt bags for carryout: 12 months
• CPLA lids resistant to heat: 12 months

To maximize longevity, keep in a cool, moisture-free environment.

Our products are designed specifically for the environmental conditions of a commercial composting facility, which means they must have access to microorganisms, carbon, water, heat and oxygen to biodegrade within 90 days. Oxygen is especially important for breaking down organic material through a process called oxidation.

Compostable items break down at about the same rate as other biodegradable materials in landfills, such as paper and organic waste. This is because landfills are typically low in oxygen, a key component of the composting process, which slows down the overall decomposition process. We encourage our customers to be skeptical of any products that claim to biodegrade or “compost” quickly in a landfill setting.

• If placed in an open-air landfill where oxygen is available, commercially compostable products can biodegrade at similar rates to other organic materials in the same setting. However, open-air landfills often pose anaerobic conditions (without oxygen) if overcrowded and compacted tightly.
• If placed in a capped landfill, the most common type in the US, compostable products will be deprived of oxygen and microorganisms and the composting process will be severely restricted. This is true for all organic material, like banana peels and yard waste, placed in this air-tight environment.

If you do not have access to commercial composting in your area, you can still transform most of your food waste and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich fertilizer using a backyard composter. Check out this Better Earth blog post to learn how to build your own backyard composter in 10 minutes or less. If none of these options are available for you, please dispose of Better Earth products in the waste bin.

But most importantly, we encourage you to join us in advocating for more composting infrastructure in the United States so that we can all close the loop between compostable products and their rightful home: the soil.

Yes! Unlike petroleum-based plastic or Styrofoam products, compostable products are comprised of renewable raw materials like bamboo and wheatgrass, as well as the waste products of renewable raw materials like sugarcane bagasse. This means that in the undesirable scenario that our products end up in a landfill, they still have a lesser environmental footprint across their lifecycle.

Better Earth products are plant-based, compostable, and made from naturally renewable resources, making them a more sustainable choice than conventional plastic products.

• Compostability: Better Earth products meet ASTM D6400/D6868 compostability standards, meaning they can be safely broken down into organic matter in a commercial composting facility. This helps to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich compost that can be used to improve soil health.
• Renewable resources: Better Earth products are made from renewable resources, which reduces reliance on non-renewable petroleum and helps to protect the environment.

In contrast, conventional plastic products are typically made from non-renewable petroleum and can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. This means they can end up in landfills or persist within our environment as microplastics and release harmful chemicals into the soil and water.

Better Earth products are packaged in clear sleeves within corrugate cardboard boxes.

• The sleeves are currently comprised of recyclable PE plastic due to recent instability in the PLA (compostable bioplastic) raw material market. We believe this instability up the supply chain could compromise our other core commitment of providing you quality products consistently and at a stable price – which is something we will not risk. Please contact your local recycling provider to confirm if they accept PE plastic film.
• Our corrugate cardboard boxes are just about universally recyclable. Please contact your local recycling provider to confirm where you can drop off cardboard in your area.

Absolutely! Please contact your local broker or distributor, or email us at for more information on our product offerings and how to submit a sample request.

Yes! Yes, custom branding is available on our clamshells, fiber bowl lids, Better Box, hot cups, and food containers and our in-house design team is here to support you. Minimum quantities vary for production and shipping. Please contact your local broker or distributor for more information, or email us at and we will put you in touch with a local representative.

Yes, we can print on single and double wall hot cups and food containers. Minimum quantities are 100,000 pieces per SKU.

Custom printing is available in our Clarkston, GA print facility, and our in-house design team is here to support you. We have a 2-pallet minimum per print job, but this minimum can include 1 pallet of 1 size, and 1 pallet of another size. Generally, there are no limits on number of colors nor are there per-color charges. This is subject to the actual print request. The lead time is generally 6 weeks.

Need a quote? Contact your local broker or for more information.

General packaging products usually ship within 10 business days of order confirmation unless notified. Domestic Custom Print Items have a lead time of six weeks upon approval of the orders. Overseas Custom Print Items have a lead time of 10-12 weeks.

Organic materials include grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings, food scraps and certified compostable packaging, crop residues, animal manure, and biosolids (byproduct of wastewater treatment). Please utilize the filter tool within the Composter Map to understand which organic materials your local composter accepts.

Composting facilities turn organic material into compost, a nutrient rich soil amendment. They use management techniques or technologies, such as physical turning, windrowing, aeration, in-vessel equipment, or aerobic digestion, to convert the materials, or “feedstocks,” into finished compost. Composting facilities range in scale from community scale (typically a neighborhood to a few neighborhoods) to commercial sale (typically services a whole city or region). Depending on the scale and technologies used, composters can transform the feedstock into finished compost within 45 to 180 days.

While there are vertically integrated composters that do both the hauling and processing of the materials, you will most often need to partner with a hauling service to get your compostables to a composting facility. Haulers can be standalone businesses or part of a larger waste collection company such as those that service your landfill and recycling bins.

Where residents, and in some instances, businesses, can drop off their organic waste. From there, the community’s organic waste is picked up and taken to a composting facility. Drop off locations are a great way to create more access in more rural locations, where residential service is less feasible.