FAQs
Q. What is EarthShell?
A. EarthShell plates and bowls are made from a revolutionary composite material, designed with the environment in mind. This patented technology combines abundantly available natural resources such as limestone, renewable starches from potatoes and corn, water, small amounts of recycled fiber and protective coatings. The result is high-quality, high-performance plates and bowls that serve your meals as well as the environment.
Q. How is EarthShell manufactured?
A. The manufacturing process is very much like making waffles. The ingredients (primarily crushed limestone, starch from potatoes and corn, water and fiber) are mixed together, resulting in a "batter" which is placed between two heated molds. The water in the batter turns to steam, raising the pressure in the molds, which forms and sets the products. The micro-thin biodegradable laminate is then applied for premium strength and performance.
Q. What makes EarthShell different from paper, plastic or Styrofoam?
A. Unlike plastic or foam, EarthShell is microwavable; and unlike paper, it won’t get soggy while heating liquids and greasy foods. However, what really differentiates EarthShell from traditional disposables are its environmental benefits. From the sourcing of natural raw materials, through the eco-efficient manufacturing process, to its disposal through biodegradation – every lifecycle stage of EarthShell is designed with environment in mind.
Q. Is EarthShell biodegradable or recyclable?
A. Yes. EarthShell will quickly break down in a commercial compost environment, and then completely biodegrade in compost or soil within a two-year period.
Q. What happens if EarthShell ends up in a landfill or, worse, as litter?
A. Studies prove EarthShell occupies significantly less space in a landfill environment than traditional disposable dinnerware. Even better, EarthShell biodegrades completely in water (oceans) and its by-products are not toxic to marine animals.
Q. What is composting? What is compost?
A. Composting is the process of controlled decomposition of organic matter. The resulting material, compost, has many beneficial uses such as soil amendment, potting mix supplement and mulch. Yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 23% of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. That’s a lot of waste to send to landfills when it could become environmentally beneficial compost instead. For more information about composting please visit: www.epa.gov/compost/
Q. Where can I find municipal composting facilities?
A. Check in your local phone book or call your local government office.
Q. How long does it take EarthShell to biodegrade?
A. Depending on compost conditions, EarthShell biodegrades completely within a two-year period into Class 1 compost. Class 1 compost is approved by the EPA for unrestricted use, including use for food crops.
Q. What is a Life Cycle Inventory or LCI?
A. LCI is the first step in a multi-staged process called Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). LCA is a method used to estimate the environmental performance of a product or process over its entire life cycle, including raw material extraction from the earth, production, use and end-of-life disposal. EarthShell’s environmental benefits are not restricted to its disposal properties. For example, EarthShell manufacturing uses less energy and generates fewer greenhouse gasses compared to traditional paper, plastic or foam disposables. Click here to learn more about EarthShell’s total product life cycle.
Q. Do any environmental organizations support EarthShell?
A. Yes. Many organizations support the unique technology that goes into EarthShell. These groups include Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Earth, American Oceans Campaign and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Q. Can I serve any type of food on EarthShell, including meat or hot soup?
A. Yes, EarthShell’s protective laminate is heat-, moisture- and cut-resistant, and will safely biodegrade in compost, along with the rest of EarthsShell. Because the laminate breaks down slower than the rest of EarthShell’s substrate, your bowl of soup won’t leak, but it’s still fully biodegradable.
Q. Can I heat any type of food on EarthShell in the microwave?
A. Yes, you can safely heat wet or dry foods in the microwave on EarthShell without melting or moisture saturation. Follow microwave cooking directions on food packages. EarthShell does not become hot to the touch, so you can remove plates or bowls from the microwave immediately without burning your hands, and EarthShell’s natural insulating properties help keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold.
Q. Is EarthShell safe for my family to use?
A. All EarthShell products are safe for food applications meeting FDA requirements.
Q. Can I store foods in the refrigerator and freezer on EarthShell?
A. You can temporarily store moist foods on EarthShell in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. You can store dry foods on EarthShell for any length of time. Extended freezer storage is not recommended.
Q. Will EarthShell dinnerware start to biodegrade during use?
A. No. The natural protective laminate maintains EarthShell’s high performance during use.
Q. Can I use EarthShell in the oven, on a stove top or grill?
A. No, EarthShell is not designed to be used near an open flame or extremely hot heat source.
Q. Is EarthShell dishwasher-safe?
A. Because EarthShell is biodegradable, it is not recommended for dishwasher use.
Q. Is EarthShell more expensive than traditional packaging?
A. EarthShell is competitively priced with other quality brands, which means that you can choose it as a premium food service packaging option without having to pay more – and its unique environmental benefits offer added value.