The growing demand for sustainability has led to the emergence of biodegradable utensils as a popular alternative to single-use plastic products. America is the biggest market for disposable cutlery, and many manufacturers have entered the industry. However, with so many competitors, finding the best company for your business needs is challenging.
In this article, we highlight the 10 best biodegradable utensil manufacturers in the US as of 2026.
Source: IMARC Group
Single-use plastic utensils are one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution in the world. So, it should come as no surprise that several states in the United States have restricted the sale of single-use utensils as of 2018. The soft ban on plastic straws led many entrepreneurs to seek out opportunities in the biodegradable cutlery market.
The influx of new biodegradable utensil manufacturers has boosted the disposable (compostable) cutlery market size to $46.9 million (2024). Experts forecast a 50% increase in sales of compostable cutlery by the next ten years, with the US being one of the biggest markets for such products.
While the state of biodegradable utensils had a rocky start, the industry has matured considerably and is rapidly expanding.
We have reviewed hundreds of biodegradable utensils manufacturers and handpicked the ten best. These companies were selected based on their product quality, sustainable business practices, and market reputation.
The demand for biodegradable and compostable tableware has been historically low. Only in the last ten years has it skyrocketed. Hence, almost every company on this list is less than two decades old.
Table 1 - List of the Best Biodegradable Utensil Manufacturers in America
Please note that the order of these companies doesn't indicate rank.
Green Paper Products is a packaging and container manufacturing company specializing in compostable packaging, biodegradable products, and eco-safe takeout containers.
The company was started in 2009 by two friends with a simple goal—"help build a better future for their kids and grandkids." Since its inception, the company has been focused on making high-quality, sustainable tableware that performs just as well as its plastic counterparts.
Green Paper takes a two-pronged approach to sustainable cutlery. First, it uses plant-based materials such as sugarcane, bamboo, palm leaves, and other natural plant fibers. Second, the company uses recycled aluminum and PLA for some of its products. Recycling ensures that potential landfills get a new life, such as salad bowls or food trays.
Pros
Wide Range of Biodegradable Utensils
ASTM Compliant
Available for Bulk Order
Carbon Neutral Shipping
Cons
Use of PLA Plastic for Food Containers
Ancheng is a leading manufacturer of disposable catering supplies. The company sells wooden and bamboo cutlery products and ships them in biodegradable paper packaging.
Wood is an excellent sustainable source and one of the oldest known cutlery materials. Its long fibrous structure provides it with strength while keeping it soft and malleable. A big drawback of wood-based disposable utensils is tree harvest. Trees take several years to grow and mature, making the practice unsustainable in the long run.
Ancheng understands the threat of deforestation and heavily promotes the use of bamboo plates and cutlery. Bamboo is easy to grow and matures in 6-12 months. The company sources its bamboo from ethical suppliers and employs a “do no harm” approach.
Furthermore, bamboo and wood utensils are much stronger than paper and plastic ones. So, customers get a more reliable product that is superior to the competition.
Pros
OEM Services
Ethically Sourced Materials
Higher Quality Products
Wholesale Pricing
Fast Delivery Times
Cons
Doesn’t Sell Food Containers
Good Start Packaging is a sustainable catering and container manufacturer. It aims to improve public understanding of plastic pollution while providing better alternatives to single-use cutlery and containers.
Most Good Start products are made from compostable plant-based materials such as bamboo and corn. The remaining products are made from biodegradable and recyclable plastics like PLA.
The company sources agricultural byproducts from local farmers, reducing waste and supporting local businesses. Efficient use of agricultural products ensures minimal environmental impact.
Twenty percent of the company's profits are donated to humanitarian projects that focus on feeding children, supplying clean water, and supporting war refugees.
Pros
Diverse Range of Products
Profits Donated to Humanitarian & Environmental Causes
Quick Shipping across the US
Wholesale Pricing
Cons
Use of Non-Recyclable Materials such as Cellophane
UrthPact is one of the biggest packaging and container manufacturers in the United States. It sells a wide range of biodegradable products, including compostable plastics.
The company understands the need for single-use cutlery, containers, and straws. However, it rejects the notion that forever plastic materials are the only reliable material for the application. UrthPact has invested years into perfecting its manufacturing and molding technology.
It produces high-quality biodegradable tableware that matches the durability of plastic products while remaining environmentally friendly.
UrthPact has already sold billions of single-use biodegradable utensils and will continue its mission until all single-use plastic is replaced with sustainable alternatives.
Pros
OEM Services
Large-Scale Production Capabilities
Higher Quality Products
Cons
No Direct Customer Sales
Limited Product Catalog
Greenprint is a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in disposable and compostable products for the food service industry. Its compostable cutlery and containers use an agave base and plant fibers.
The company is trying to eliminate oil-based single-use plastics through natural materials and recycling. Greenprint container lids and straws are not only made from recycled plastics but also recyclable.
As part of its sustainable business practices, Greenprint sources materials locally, ensuring no extra energy is wasted during transport. Despite being a relatively young company, it has already earned the trust of 2,500 clients across the US.
Pros
Uses FSC Certified Materials
Compostable Products
Uses Recycled Materials
Transparent about its Business Practices
Cons
Lack of Product Diversity
The Sustainable Agave Company is a Canadian food and beverage services company focused on agave upcycling. It sells biodegradable catering disposables made from sustainable materials.
Canada doesn't have native tequila production. However, its neighbors in Mexico are famous for their agave-based tequila. The nectar of the agave plant is used for tequila production, and the leftover plant fiber, called Bagazo, goes into the landfill.
The Agave Company recognizes the option of upcycling this byproduct into sustainable and biodegradable cutlery. It sources Bagazo directly from local rural Mexican communities, ensuring new jobs.
Pros
Competitive Pricing
Reliable Products
Supports Local Farmers
Cons
Limited Product Offerings
EcoTensil is a biodegradable paper spoon manufacturing company. It does one thing better than everyone else: It produces high-quality paper spoons that are more sustainable than other compostable cutlery.
Paper is incredibly versatile and becomes extremely sturdy when processed properly. However, the material is susceptible to moisture and decomposes quickly.
EcoTensil has designed a unique product that can easily hold all types of foods and liquids without plastic coatings. Foldable paper spoons occupy less space than other plastic spoons and are more cost-efficient.
These products are best suited to businesses that sell snacks and other small-serving food items such as ice cream, salads, rice bowls, and even soup.
Pros
Lower Cost
Biodegradable
Quick Shipping
Cons
Only Sells One Product
Lack of Product Versatility
Eco Guardian Inc. is a packaging and container manufacturer from Ontario, Canada. It produces eco-friendly products that reduce waste and decrease our reliance on plastic food service items.
The company has been manufacturing sustainable tableware for almost two decades. Eco Guardian primarily uses bamboo and sugarcane fibers for its compostable cutlery products.
Its designer tableware line uses sugarcane bagasse for plates, ensuring a beautiful finish while ensuring structural rigidity. Sometimes, people avoid compostable plates due to their unappealing colors.
By offering people a designer disposable set, Eco Gudiarian incentivizes customers to choose compostable products.
Pros
Diverse Range of Products
High-Quality Cutlery
Sustainable Material Sourcing
Cons
Use of PLA in Paper Cups & Lids
PacknWood is a food packaging and container manufacturer specializing in eco-friendly materials. It is a sister company in the UK under the same name. Both companies are subsidiaries of First Pack, a French company.
The company exclusively uses sustainable, eco-friendly materials such as bamboo fibers, sugarcane pulp, cornstarch, wood, and palm leaves.
Additionally, it uses recycled PET plastic for its transparent food containers. While plastic use is not ideal, it's great that the company uses recycled plastic, preventing it from ending up in the ocean.
PacknWood also sells premium cutlery made from metal and glass to discourage the use of single-use plastic or other items.
Pros
Diver Range of Products
Vast Variety of Material Choices
Uses Recycled Materials
High-Quality Products
Cons
Uses PLA, Which is Partially Biodegradable
EcoSoul is an eco-friendly tableware manufacturer from Washington, USA. The company specializes in plastic-free and tree-free products. It not only discourages the use of single-use plastic but also condemns paper products, as they are linked to deforestation.
The company transforms plant waste into biodegradable utensils and uses renewable resources with a minimal environmental impact. Unlike wood, bamboo, sugarcane, and palm leaves are easy to grow and have a shorter maturation period.
With over two million products sold worldwide, EcoSoul has now expanded its operation to other countries. It now imports renewable materials from India, Vietnam, and China.
EcoSoul has a monthly subscription program that enables customers to get significant discounts on all products. However, the prices are less attractive without the subscription.
Pros
Extensive Loyalty Program
Diverse Range of Products
Durable Cutlery
Transparent Business Practices
Cons
Higher Costs
Heavy Promotion of Subscription Bundles
Choosing a manufacturer of biodegradable utensils requires thorough knowledge of the company, its reputation, product quality, and reliability.
Here are three factors to help you easily identify the right manufacturer for your business.
Quality is key when it comes to biodegradable utensils and cutlery. For them to be commercially viable, sustainable products should match the reliability and strength of traditional plastic goods. No one wants to pay extra for a lower-quality product.
Luckily, many manufacturers offer free product samples. Request a sample and thoroughly test it before committing to a large purchase.
Also, don't forget that the choice of materials for disposable products is also important. We've put together some articles for you to compare common biodegradable materials in detail: Bamboo vs. Sugarcane, bamboo vs. palm leaf plates, bamboo vs. plastic, bagasse vs paper products, bagasse vs cornstarch, bioplastics vs. bagasse, and bagasse vs. plastic.
Biodegradable utensils, especially single-use cutlery, are high-volume items. A thriving business generally requires thousands of single-use spoons/forks each month. Choose a manufacturer with the necessary production capacity to meet your demands.
Additionally, look for suppliers that have shorter lead times.
Sustainable business practices refer to the organizational policies that a manufacturer follows. Poor manufacturing techniques can result in unnecessary energy and material waste and a negative overall environmental impact.
Look for companies that source materials locally and use paper packaging for their biodegradable utensils.
The biodegradable utensils industry has advanced significantly in the past few years. As consumers have become more environmentally conscious, the demand for such products has also increased. Today, food service businesses can choose from hundreds of potential suppliers. The best thing about compostable cutlery is its price. It offers a sustainable solution to single-use plastic for roughly the same price.
Ancheng is a leader in the biodegradable utensils industry. With more than 20 years of manufacturing expertise, we have developed sustainable production practices that ensure minimal environmental impact.
Our wood and bamboo cutlery are made from ethically sourced materials and are long-lasting. Take advantage of our customization solutions and get the best compostable utensils on the market.
Contact Us Now!
Hello, I'm Sven Wang, the Manager of Ancheng. With extensive expertise in raw materials and production processes, I'm dedicated to advancing sustainable tableware and constantly improving eco-friendly options for the modern catering industry. You can trust that Ancheng is committed to providing the highest quality. Welcome!
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