What are biodegradable bowls made of?

Biodegradable bowls can be manufactured from bagasse, sugar cane, wood, PLA, bamboo or corn starch. But corn starch has more advantages.

The importance of polymer applications in our daily life is ignorable. They are easy to use and they are suitable properties in their production progress. The Global production of plastics, including all types, was 367 million metric tons in 2020. China was the largest plastic producer in the same year that accounted for 32% of global plastic materials production. India is the second most plastic users. During the years 2018 and 2019, Polyethylene (PE) was mainly used in India that covers more than 15 million tonnes of total plastic production. 

On the other side, plastic pollution is found everywhere. From the ocean to the mountains, waste can be found. These wastes that cannot be broken down easily in the environment cause many environmental issues. The landfills have limited capacity. High capital investment is required to increase the incineration capacity for the wastes. Both of the above factors may increase the risk of environmental hazards.

These issues have led to innovate the new biodegradable materials as substitutes for traditional non-biodegradable materials. Hence, to reduce the dependency on petroleum products, a wide range of studies had been contributed. As a result, the biodegradable packaging industry uses biopolymers. Biopolymers are molecules often found in living organisms, like cellulose and proteins. Biopolymers that are made from those renewable sources can be safely consumed, and degrade much quicker than plastics.

Starch-based tableware

Starch-based bioplastics have become a great alternative to common plastic packaging. Starch is a storage polysaccharide of plants that is cheap and biodegradable and can be converted into different chemicals such as PLA and TPS.

Starch, which is a polymer of glucose, is a storage polysaccharide of plants. It is the second most essential renewable source after cellulose and is the key component of the biopolymer structure. Starch is cheap and biodegradable. This material is adaptable and can be converted into different chemicals such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Thermoplastic Starch (TPS).

Why Starch?

Starched-based bioplastics are the most commonly sourced materials. This is because the production of these bioplastics is simple. Starch is white and its powder is odourless and tasteless. Starch is not poisonous and can be absorbed biologically. Starch contains two molecules: linear and helical amylose and branched amylopectin. Starch with high amylose is a great part or full alternative to plastic polymers. The percentage share of amylose and amylopectin content are different in starches.

The high amylose content in a starch leads to an increase in the tensile strength of bioplastic. The high amylose content can be seen in rice and corn starches. Considering the high capacity for producing starch in the world, a study recorded that corn starch is most produced and widely used in packaging materials such as biodegradable tableware and bags. Developing countries use this technology and this renewable source to replace common plastic products and reduce their environmental concerns. Many companies use bioplastics produced from corn starch and rice starch that are comparable to the existing commercial packaging materials in terms of mechanical features and durability. Bioplastics are also soluble in water. They can furthermore, degrade in the soil leaving no toxic materials. This is why they are environmentally friendly.

Benefits of using Starch

The starched-based bioplastics help reduce environmental damage while having a significant impact on the economy. They help businesses to be green and become eco-friendly brands. Customers are also supportive of green businesses that are switching to technologies or products that are harmless to the environment. Eco Clicky helps green businesses to be well recognized by customers through their products that significantly reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Biodegradable bowls

Biodegradable bowls are usually made from corn starch. Unlike styrene bowls, plastic bowls and paper bowls, biodegradable bowls can break down in nature post 6 months. Since biodegradable bowls are made from renewable sources such as corn starch, they are considered an environmentally friendly product.

This product is produced in many countries. The technology of manufacturing biodegradable bowls is almost the same as plastic bowls but the formula is different. Biodegradable bowls can decompose in nature under suitable conditions (temperature, humidity and the presence of microbes), for up to 6 months.

Biodegradable bowls advantages

Below are some advantages of using biodegradable bowls made from corn starch.

The benefits of using biodegradable cups are:

1- They are more durable than paper bowls

Biodegradable bowls are stronger than paper products. These bowls are not breakable. They do not leak. No other harmful substances enter when they contact with a hot drink. They have the same strength or are even stronger compared with plastic bowls.

2- Reducing the volume of waste in landfills

Using biodegradable bowls instead of plastic bowls can reduce plastic waste in landfills. Because biodegradable bowls can decompose in nature. You can throw them away without worrying about plastic pollution in the environment.

3- Reducing pollution of the oceans

Using biodegradable bowls can reduce plastic pollution in the oceans. 18 billion pounds of plastic are thrown away in oceans every year. All marine animals are threatened by this pollution. But biodegradable bowls reduce the volume of plastics entering the oceans. It is worth mentioning that any waste should be disposed of in the right place. Not in nature nor in the oceans !! So this means that even if you use biodegradable bowls, you are not allowed to throw their waste in the ocean.

4 – Biodegradable bowls are safe to use in the microwave

Biodegradable bowls are microwavable. Biodegradable bowls have good strength and are unbreakable. They also have good resistance to heat.

5 – High energy consumption

To make biodegradable bowls, less energy is used compared to common plastic bowls. Also, making these bowls will not cause any environmental pollution (industrial and water effluent).

6 – Biodegradable bowls are Toxic Free

No chemicals, bleaches or extra dyes are used in the process of making biodegradable bowls. That is why this product is not poisonous. Even the ivory colour of this product is derived from the natural colour of corn starch.

7- Ideal for big parties

Since these biodegradable bowls are eco-friendly, they have become an ideal choice for parties, weddings, and other ceremonies. The biodegradable bowls are now being widely used for parties and picnics. That is why their demand has increased.

8- No washing after consumption

Since biodegradable bowls have the same application as foam and paper plastic bowls, you can throw them away post-use. Rest easy! These containers are not harmful to the earth and their waste can be decomposed into the environment. You also save water and energy.

With growing concern about plastic, biodegradable tableware manufacturers all around the world are now offering amazing alternatives to plastic, foam and paper containers.