We are committed to providing the facts and are transparent about the materials we use. We stand by our No Greenwashing Pledge and are happy to answer any questions you have. If you don't find the answer to your question here, please email info@fabri-kal.com.

Materials

What is PLA?
PLA stands for polylactic acid, or Polylactide. Lactic acid is made from dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch, and starch is produced from plant sources, such as corn, sugarcane or beets. PLA is clear and strong like petroleum-based plastic, and is commercially compostable.
What is post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic?
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is material that has been recycled after it has been used and collected following its intended use by consumers. PCR plastics may be generated by households or commercial establishments. Be sure to look for a minimum percentage of recycled content in marketing claims.
How is PCR plastic beneficial?
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) material is created from bottles and other plastics that have been diverted from the solid waste stream. PCR plastics provide an additional use for products that have completed their intended life, strengthening the circular economy. Using PCR material reduces both fossil fuel-based material usage and greenhouse gas generation. This conserves resources, prevents pollution and reduces the overall environmental impact of a product.
What is post-industrial recycled plastic?
Post-industrial (pre-consumer) recycled material is waste generated and reused in the manufacturing process. It is a normal part of most manufacturing processes. It is important to look for the distinction between pre-consumer and post-consumer in recycled content marketing claims.
What does annually renewable mean?
The term annually renewable refers to products made from resources that can be replenished naturally within one year.
Greenware Cups are marked with the #7 code. Does this mean that Greenware Cups contain BPA?
No. Greenware Cups are made with PLA. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is not used, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of any Fabri-Kal products.
What does the number inside the triangular symbol on plastic products mean?
Serving the needs of manufacturers, recyclers and other stakeholders, ASTM D7611-13 governs the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, a foundational tool for managing the end-of-life of plastics materials. The RIC identifies the plastic resin used in a manufactured product. The RIC symbol now utilizes a solid equilateral triangle symbol surrounding a numeral from 1 to 7 that defines the resin type used in a product. The RIC is not to be confused with the recyclability of a product.
Are Greenware Plant Fiber Blend products gluten free?
Yes. Greenware Plant Fiber Blend Containers do not contain gluten as we use the stalk of the wheat straw to make our product. Protein is not stored in the stalk of the wheat straw plant.
Do Greenware products have special usage or storage requirements?
Yes. Greenware products made from PLA should be shipped, stored and used under 105º F. Greenware products made from PLA should also be used and stored out of direct sunlight.
What are the recommended temperature guidelines for Fabri-Kal products?
The recommended temperature guidelines for Fabri-Kal products can be found here.

Composting

Why compost?
Compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, promotes higher yield of agricultural crops, reduces pollution, and diverts organic waste from landfills.
What does compostable mean?
Compostable is a material’s ability to biodegrade within a sufficiently short amount of time in the conditions of a composting operation.
What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
Biodegradable means something is capable of breaking down by microbes over time. It is a generic and unqualified term that does not address how a product will break down in a specific environment. Compostable, on the other hand, is a material’s ability to biodegrade within a sufficiently short amount of time in the specific conditions of a composting operation. Many biodegradable products are not compostable, and the terms are not equal.

For more information, please see our Compostable Foodservice Quick Guide.
Are all Greenware products compostable?
Greenware products made from PLA are BPI certified to meet international standard ASTM D6400 for compostability and are Cedar Grove approved. Greenware Plant Fiber Blend products meet international standard ASTM D6868 for compostability. These products are compostable in actively managed municipal or industrial facilities, which may not be available in your area. Not suitable for backyard composting.
Can Greenware products be composted in my home composter?
Due to the variability in conditions, we do not recommend our products for use in backyard or home composting.
Does printing on a Greenware Cup affect the compostability of the product?
No. All Greenware PLA products (printed and unprinted) are BPI certified to meet international standard ASTM D6400. Printing does not impact the compostability of the product.
If I don’t have access to a commercial composter, what should I do with my Greenware product?
Fabri-Kal recommends composting Greenware products in a commercial facility, when available. If a commercial composting facility is not available, please dispose responsibly in a trash receptacle.

Recycling

Why recycle foodservice packaging?
There are many reasons why recycling is important and beneficial.

Save resources: When materials are tossed in the trash it can be a waste of valuable resources. Recycling conserves resources and prevents pollution by reducing the need for extracting, refining and processing raw materials. Recycling gives items a second life when they’re used to produce new products.

Reduce environmental impact: Recycling saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and diverts waste from landfills.

Reduce costs: You may save money in disposal costs by recycling. In many cases, recycling services cost less than trash services.

Comply with laws: Recycling of foodservice packaging may be required in your state or municipality. Using recyclable foodservice packaging and implementing in-store recycling programs can help you become compliant.

Gain customer appreciation: Increasingly, consumers support businesses with “environmentally-friendly” practices. Demonstrate your commitment to the environment and increase brand loyalty by using recyclable foodservice packaging. Giving customers the opportunity to recycle their waste in your establishment can increase customer appreciation and satisfaction.
What does the term “recyclable” mean?
Per the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), an item is considered widely recyclable when: a) Recycling facilities for a product are available to at least 60% of consumers or communities; b) It can be sorted and cleaned by the existing recycling infrastructure; and c) It can be manufactured into a new product.

For more information, please visit APR.
Are PLA products recyclable?
Most U.S. based recyclers do not currently recycle PLA-based products.
Are all products made with PCR recyclable?
Products made with post-consumer recycled content are recyclable in the communities that accept these products. Check with your local recycling program to determine if an item is accepted before recycling it.

For more information, please see our Recycling Foodserviceware Quick Guide.
What Fabri-Kal products are recyclable?
Fabri-Kal foodservice packaging is recyclable in the communities that have appropriate recycling programs. Please visit Our Products to learn more about our product lines and their respective recyclability.

Landfill

What is a landfill?
A landfill is a highly engineered burial site for the disposal of waste materials. Capped landfills are the most common type of landfill in the US.
Do compostable products breakdown in landfills?
The sealed anaerobic environment of a common landfill severely limits the ability for compostable materials to break down. Oxygen and microbial activity are necessary for the breakdown of all compostable items and unfortunately is not present in most landfills. Fabri-Kal recommends composting Greenware products in a commercial facility, when available, where the appropriate conditions for composting are present.

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