How to Start Using Compostable Products in Dining Establishments?

Looking for more sustainable alternatives to plastic tableware? Here’s a guide on everything you need to know about compostable products in restaurants.

Temperatures have started to reach record highs across the globe. According to NASA, the past 9 years have been the hottest since scientists recorded global temperatures in 1880, almost 150 years ago. And as businesses understand their responsibility to reduce the rate of global warming, compostable products are becoming a viable solution.

Throughout this guide, we’ll go over how your business can incorporate compostable products into everyday use. We’ll also be covering some of the advantages of these products and how they differ from recyclable products, giving you all of the information you need to make an educated decision. 

What is a Compostable Product?

Let’s start off with the basics, what are compostable products? These can include cups, trays, plates, or containers made from organic materials that can fully break down into organic materials. Composting itself is the natural process of converting organic waste into a soil conditioner. 
Now you might be wondering, what’s the difference between compostable products and biodegradable or recyclable products? Let’s discuss:

A. Recyclable 

If a product can be recycled, it means that a waste management facility can break it down into raw materials. It will then send those raw materials to a manufacturing company, which will then use those raw materials to usually make the same product.

The best example is a soda can. The recycling facility will break down those cans into sheets of metal, which another facility can then use to manufacture more soda cans. However, it’s worth considering that recycling isn’t natural, and if something doesn’t make it to a recycling center, it ends up in a landfill. 

B. Biodegradable

Next, you have biodegradable tableware. These products will also require a specific treatment facility to ensure they break down into their natural components. While they can decompose naturally, the process can take years, and they may still leave behind residue. It’s crucial to understand the compostable vs biodegradable difference—compostable items fully break down in a compost environment, turning into non-toxic materials, whereas biodegradable products decompose over time but may not entirely disappear or may leave harmful remnants if not processed correctly.
 

C. Compostable 

Finally, compostable products can fully break down into their natural components in as little as 90 days. They’re made in a unique way to make sure that the composting process occurs naturally and happens as quickly as possible. Even if they require the right conditions to break down, the process is fast and reliable. We have also prepared a detailed comparison of recyclable and compostable.

Here’s a quick comparison:

 

Feature	Compostable	Biodegradable	Recyclable
Breakdown Time	~90 days	Years	Varies
Final Result	Non-toxic organic matter	May leave residues	Raw materials
Processing Needed	Composting facility	Specific treatment facility	Recycling facility
Environmental Impact	Positive for soil health	Reduces waste, but not fully safe	Reduces raw material usage
Examples	Bamboo plates, compostable cups	Some plastic cutlery	Aluminum cans, PET bottles

 

Types of Compostable Products

Now that you have a better understanding of what compostable products are, we can look into the different types of compostable products that a business could use to make a difference. They can be made from wood, sugarcane/bagasse, paper/cardboard, and bamboo. All of these materials can break down easily, but not all of them are the most durable.
Bagasse, bamboo, and disposable wooden cutlery are naturally resistant to water and oil and can be much more durable for restaurants compared to paper and cardboard. Paper and cardboard cutlery will often require a plastic film to become water and oil-resistant, compromising its ability to become compost. 

When comparing bamboo tableware vs wooden tableware, bamboo is often preferred for its quick growth and sustainability, while wooden tableware is known for its sturdiness and classic appeal.

Advantages of Using Compostable Products in the Restaurant Industry

Compared to using regular plastic and styrofoam packaging, compostable products can offer a lot more advantages. Let’s look at some of these benefits to make sure you’re making the right decision. 
 

1. Reduces Carbon Footprint

Plastics and styrofoam containers or cutlery can take decades to decompose, and even then it is likely to leave behind harmful residue. According to Our World in Data, as much as 3% of global emissions come from plastic production and disposal. By using more sustainable alternatives, restaurants can greatly reduce their overall carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment.

More importantly, recycling plastic is also a lot more expensive than just manufacturing it outright. With the higher cost and lower commercial value, recycling facilities rarely make a profit, and have a hard time convincing manufacturers to use recycled plastic. The Yale Climate Connections estimates that only 2% of all plastic is actually recycled into the same product.

By using compostable products, you actively move away from this cycle of climate waste. 
 

2. Saves Money 

Using compostable products can also help your business save money in unexpected ways. For instance, with a well-developed composting plan, both cutlery and food waste can go into better waste management systems, which would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Along with saving money, sustainable cutlery can also bring in more environmentally conscious customers. According to recent research, 90% of consumers say that sustainability is important to them and that they are willing to support companies with more sustainable practices. 
 

3. Versatility and Regulatory Compliance

Compostable packaging is highly versatile compared to regular plastic packaging. A single provider can offer a variety of products such as containers, utensils, plates, cups, and more. Compostable tableware enhances the cafe experience by providing an eco-friendly option that sets your company apart from competitors.

Furthermore, many cities and counties are starting to put harsher restrictions on restaurants using plastic as a disposable product. Making the shift early will put your company ahead of the curb, while giving you the opportunity to better manage and optimize your business’s operations with this unique type of packaging.

 

4. Increasing Brand Awareness

 

Using compostable products in your restaurant can significantly boost brand awareness. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they tend to favor businesses that reflect their values. By adopting sustainable practices, your restaurant can stand out in a crowded market, drawing attention from eco-minded customers, influencers, and media. 

Custom compostable tableware offers a unique branding opportunity. By incorporating your logo, brand colors, or specific designs on compostable items, you create a memorable dining experience that reinforces your commitment to sustainability. This personalized touch not only sets your business apart but also turns your customers into brand ambassadors, as they are more likely to share their experiences on social media.

 

6 Steps to Start Using Compostable Restaurant Supplies Correctly

Now that you have a better understanding of all the advantages that come with using compostable restaurant supplies, let’s look at some actionable steps on how you can start using them. Compostable supplies are only as effective as your overall waste management system. So along with changing out utensils and cutlery, training and partnering up with local composing companies will also be necessary. With that being said, let’s begin. 

Step1: Assess Your Business

 
The first step to implementing sustainable packaging is assessing your business’s needs and capabilities.

●Can you set up a compost heap on the premises without it interfering with your business? 
●How many packaging materials will you need on a daily basis? 
●Can you make the drastic shift to compostable restaurant supplies or will you have to slowly phase out plastic supplies with more sustainable alternatives? 
●Do you have a local composting company that can reliably process your waste?

All of these are important questions to ask before you can make the switch. More importantly, critically assessing your business can also make the transition much smoother. 

Step 2: Find the Right Provider

Next, you want to find the right disposable tableware provider. Find a company that offers a variety of containers, plates, trays, cups, and cutlery, ensuring that they can provide you with all of your relevant kitchen supplies. You should also check if they have the capacity to meet your required volume while having the capacity to provide packaging at short notice.  
 

Step 3: Train Staff About the New System 

After you’ve sourced disposable cutlery in bulk, it’s time to train your employees on how they should use these sustainable supplies. Inform them about what can go into the composting bin and what can’t. More importantly, set clear guidelines that employees can refer to after their initial training. This training is especially important if you will be composting both your food and packaging materials at your premises. 
 

Step 4: Set Up Bins for Collecting Waste 

Next, you want to make sure that your business premises have adequate bins specifically for collecting compostable waste. Marking these bins is especially important if you still use some plastic throughout your business operations. It’s important to understand that composting companies expect their customers to at least sort all of their relevant waste themselves. If you don’t properly sort your waste, the waste processing company could refuse to collect your compost. 

 

Step 5: Partner Up with a Local Composting Company

Speaking of composting companies, you will likely need one if you don’t want to go through the hassle of composting your packaging and food waste at the business premises. Remember, it takes at least 90 days for your compost to turn into a natural soil conditioner. And that is only if you keep it in the right environment.
Local composting companies can manage all of these aspects for you for a set fee. More importantly, they also have similar timings to other waste management services. Therefore, other than sorting your waste, you will not have to take any drastic steps. 

Step 6: Analyze and Optimize Your Process 

Finally, when you’ve put everything in place, it’s important that you monitor your composting process. While you're at it, watch how customers react to your change to new cutlery and always make adjustments. Look for any inefficiencies and see if there are any ways that you can optimize it. The first few weeks can be a little difficult as you adjust to the new system, but it can slowly become a part of your business’s everyday process.

How to Dispose of Compostable Disposable Products?

Properly disposing of compostable restaurant supplies isn’t as simple as throwing them in the trash. Remember, these supplies will only break down in the right environment. Therefore, to make sure that you’re doing your part as a business, you can either make a compost heap yourself or outsource it to a different company. 
While small-scale operations can get away with using regular tubs and bins to reliably process their compost, bigger companies will likely have to install additional equipment. 
Fortunately, local composting companies are available, that can effectively dispose of and repurpose your supplies. Along with having the right environment for composting to take place, they also have relevant connections with other companies to then transport and repurpose the compost.

 

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of using compostable products in my restaurant?
Using compostable products reduces your environmental impact by minimizing waste that ends up in landfills and decreasing your carbon footprint. Additionally, it appeals to environmentally conscious customers and can differentiate your restaurant from competitors.
2. How do I know if a product is truly compostable?
Look for certifications such as the BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards, which indicate that the product meets specific compostability criteria. 
3. Can compostable products be disposed of in regular trash bins?
No, compostable products require specific conditions to break down properly. They should be disposed of in a compost bin, which is then processed at a commercial composting facility. 
4. Are compostable products more expensive than traditional plastic or foam options?
While compostable products may have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional plastic or foam options, they can lead to long-term savings through reduced waste management costs and potential tax incentives. 

Wrapping Up 

Using more sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging and utensils is a win-win solution for businesses and the environment. Along with making sure that you’re not contributing to landfills, you’re also becoming a more environmentally conscious brand that customers will prefer over your competition. And if you’re looking for a reliable supplier who can meet all of your necessary cutlery needs, then Ancheng is just what you need. 

 

Partner With Ancheng for Quality Compostable Products for Your Dining Establishment!

Transitioning to compostable products is a fantastic way to show your customers that your restaurant cares about the planet. At Ancheng, we specialize in high-quality sustainable tableware made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo and wood. Our commitment to using top-notch materials and industry-certified processes means you can trust that you’re getting the best for your establishment.
With over 20 years of experience and a presence in more than 100 countries, we’re proud to provide businesses worldwide with reliable worldwide shipping. This means you can effortlessly integrate our compostable products into your operations, enhancing both your menu and your brand's sustainability efforts.
Are you ready to make a meaningful change? Browse our diverse collection of wood and bamboo tableware, and let’s transform your dining experience together.
Join us in taking the first step toward a greener future. Get in touch with us to learn more about how Ancheng can support your restaurant's sustainability journey!