The damaging effects of plastic waste on the environment have been a major global concern, and this has perhaps prompted the need to transform our kitchens into sustainable spaces. Imagine a kitchen that is both convenient and eco-friendly, where you can prepare meals for friends and families that are not just uncompromising to their health but also to the planet at large. Sounds great, right? I thought so.

In this article, I’ll be introducing you to six essential and innovative compostable products that will not only elevate your cooking and dining experience but also be non-toxic to the environment.

The Case for Change

Plastic wastes are a lot like that overly clingy friend that just wouldn’t let you be, no matter how many times you try to evade them. They are always in your space at every turn. This analogy illustrates the non-biodegradable nature of plastic wastes, how they fill up our homes and environs, and how they are difficult to dispose of. They remain a permanent source of pollution, ruining our ecosystem.

Moreover, they lack durability. We’ve all had to do away with our plastic utensils at some point because of deformities or warping from constant exposure to heat. This, amongst many other problems, is another problem with plastic waste in kitchens: its lack of durability and vulnerability to heat. This problem not only leads to frequent replacements but also contributes to the already overwhelming growth of plastic waste.

Another significant problem is their susceptibility to food safety. When plastic utensils warp or melt, they leach harmful chemicals into our food, posing health risks, which can lead to complications like cancer, infertility, respiratory issues, etc. This signals the need for safer, more cleaner alternatives. Fortunately, compostable products offer that solution.

Why choose compostable products for your kitchen?

Why not? They are safer, cleaner, and more beneficial to our environment.

Environmental Benefits

*Waste Reduction: Due to their compostable and organic nature, compostable products help significantly reduce the accumulation of waste in landfills. They are naturally designed to decompose over time, further extending landfill life. They also help in the production of methane through aerobic decomposition.

*Sustainability Impact: Their impact on the environment, specifically agriculture, cannot be overemphasized. Their support for soil health, regenerative agriculture, and overall protection of the ecosystem is pivotal to the survival of plant life. This is evident in the compost, fertilized, nutrient-rich soil they create, leading to more healthy and organic food.

*Biodegradability: These occur in five stages: fragmentation (where they break down into smaller particles), hydrolysis (further breakdown to chemical bonds), oxidation (breaking down of molecules by bacteria and fungi using oxygen, providing carbon dioxide, water and energy), humification (conversion of organic waste are into humus), and finally mineralization (conversion of organic matter into inorganic minerals, ensuring the release of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus).

Health and Safety

*Non-toxic Materials: Unlike plastic wastes that contain toxic and harmful chemicals like Doxin, Bisphenol A, Polyvinyl Chloride, etc., Compostable products are made from natural and organic materials that are non-toxic to the environment and human/animal life. Examples of such organic materials are plant-based bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PBAT) and animal waste. Natural materials include natural fibers, starch, cellulose, etc.

*Family-friendly: The use of compostable products helps to promote an organic lifestyle, teaching children the importance of environmental responsibility. They are also safe for little hands as they contain non-toxic materials.

*Allergen-Free: Compostable materials made from natural sources like fiber, starch, and other plant-based composites (excluding nuts) are non-irritable. They contain low chemical emissions and have a pH balance suitable for physical contact (skin) and environmental pH. They are free from common plastic-based allergens like latex, phthalates, and fragrances. By using hypoallergenic compostable materials, you reduce the risks of allergic reactions by a significant ratio compared to plastic-based products.

Essential Compostable Products for a Sustainable Kitchen

You can transform your kitchen into a renewable haven with these compostable products:

Compostable Trash Bags

These bags are ideal for every sustainable kitchen because they:

*Waste Collection Ability: These bags are important in the separation of organic waste from inorganic waste, preventing contamination that can disrupt proper disposal and create poor-quality compost.

*Strength and Capacity: Composite trash bags come in different sizes, depending on individual needs. Made from different bioplastics like PLA, PBAT, or PHA, they are designed to withstand moisture and humidity, weight, elasticity, and temperature, making them very durable.

*Composting Process: The process begins after the trash bags are collected; they are then shredded into smaller pieces to aid quicker decomposition and, thereafter, mixed with other organic materials and allowed to aerate through constant exposure to oxygen. Afterward, they are carefully monitored for factors like moisture, temperature, odor and pests, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, oxygen, and pH levels. And afterward, left to break down naturally, microbes aid this natural process and take weeks to months to decompose fully. When they are finally decomposed, the compost is then cured, which helps in its maturity and stability.

Compostable Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags are gradually becoming popular go-to bags and are known for their:

*Versatility: Perhaps, one notable feature that draws people to compostable Ziploc bags is their multi-purpose nature. They are designed to solve practical problems both indoors and outdoors, depending on individual needs and circumstances. Whether you’re looking to manage food waste in your kitchen, store small gardening supplies, or dispose of your pet’s waste. Personally, I use it for the latter whenever I’m walking my dog. What do you use yours for?

*Storage Solutions: Those lunch breaks at offices and schools would be nothing without compostable Ziploc bags. They are flexible and easy to carry, making them convenient to use. The natural composition and breathability of their materials help prevent moisture buildup, thereby keeping the food fresh. Unlike traditional plastic food storage, compostable Ziploc bags can be easily disposed of after use, with no environmental side effects.

*Durability: Their durability is a testament to their multipurpose nature. Compostable Ziploc bags are expertly designed to be indispensable across various settings, whether at school, office, or home. Their materials are flexible and, as such, can adapt to various shapes and sizes, either bulk, small, or irregular. They are also resistant to temperature fluctuations, meaning they can be used in both hot or cold situations, like the microwave and freezer, without losing their integrity. Another testament to its durability is its resealability. It has a reliable zip-seal closure that ensures a tight seal upon every use, preventing leaks and spills.

Compostable Containers

*Food Storage: Compostable containers are effective for storing a variety of food products, including fruits, vegetables, leftovers, snacks, cooked meals, sauces, oils, and dressings. They’re made from non-toxic, eco-friendly materials (plant-based) and don’t pose any health risks. They’re not vulnerable to temperature and can withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal food storage containers.

*Microwave and Freezer Safe: The invulnerability of compostable containers to extreme temperatures makes them ideal food storage products. They can withstand incredible heat from microwaves and freezers at temperatures 200°F (93°C) to 250°C (121°C) and -20°C (-4°F) to -40°C (-40°F), respectively, without losing their integrity, warping, or bristling. This ensures that food stored in them doesn’t lose its flavors, as they are designed to be non-porous.

*Disposal: As previously discussed, they should be disposed of in compostable trash bags to avoid contamination with inorganic wastes so they can properly compost. Also, labels should be taken off before disposal as these labels may not be compostable. Lastly, they should be shredded and torn to pieces to add a quicker decomposition process.

Compostable Plates

*Durability and Design: Compostable Plates, like other Compostable kitchen products, are designed to be durable. Made from plant-based materials, they are rigid and strong, able to withstand heavy pressure without breaking or bending. They’re also resistant to moisture and humidity, preventing them from becoming soggy and weak. Lastly, they’re tolerant to high temperatures of 90°C for hot meals and -4°F for hot meals. Compostable Plates usually have an earthy aesthetic, perhaps symbolic of their composite material (plant-based). They also come in different sizes and colors to meet and serve whatever requirements.

*Versatility: They can be used at a variety of functions or occasions, such as birthday parties, weddings, and outdoor or indoor activities(e.g., picnics, camping, etc.). Another versatile aspect is the flexibility. Some Compostable Plates are designed for single use, specifically for flexible situations, like travels, drive-throughs, hiking, and boat rides. This is convenient and further demonstrates their versatility.

*Disposal: Compostable Plates, unlike other compostable products, are not recyclable and shouldn’t be sent for recycling. It also is designed to break down naturally and should not be sent to landfills where contaminations or other factors could rather slow this process. However, only if home composting is not possible should you be required to use a landfill. Avoid contamination, as this would slow the decomposition process. To avoid this, compostable plates should be disposed of in compostable trash bags or designated trash bins for only organic waste.

Compostable Cutlery

*Quality and Usability: They’re made from high-quality plant-based materials like cornstarch, sugarcane, and potato starch. These are designed to be strong and durable, with properties like high tensile strength, moisture resistance, temperature resistance, and flexibility. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as scooping, cutting, and piercing, without losing their compatibility.

*Convenience: Like all compostable kitchen products, compostable kitchen products are designed for convenience and flexibility. Since they’re portable and disposable, they can be used for both outdoor and indoor activities without the inconvenience of transportation. They also save time, as most don’t require washing and serve single-use purposes.

*Eco-friendly Packaging: Compostable cutleries are intentionally designed for decomposition, biodegradation, and recycling. These sustainable packages ensure they break down into nutritional components for the soil when disposed of. Also, their biodegradability (made from plants) ensures they aren’t toxic, encouraging an eco-friendly environment. Its recyclability prevents the accumulation of waste, ensuring the reduction of landfill wastes and the conservation of natural resources.

Compostable Food Packaging

*Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of compostable food packaging can be seen and felt on a global scale. Moving from traditional plastic food packaging, a notorious pollutant, to compostable packaging has significantly reduced plastic waste. Decreasing the amount of plastics in our landfills and oceans, this transformation has also impacted agriculture, as the decomposition of these compostable materials turns into humus that is nutritional and enriching to the soil.

*Versatility: There are a variety of Compostable food packaging types, each with its unique characteristics and benefits; here are a few examples of their properties:

PLA (Polylactic Acid): Made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, PLA is biodegradable and compostable. — PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate-co-Butylene Terephthalate): Derived from renewable resources, PBAT is also biodegradable and compostable.

Starch-based packaging: It is made from plant starches like corn, potato, or tapioca and is also biodegradable and compostable.

Molded fiber packaging: This is extracted from plant fibers like bamboo, sugarcane, or wheat straw and tends to be very durable. Etc.,

These are some of the most common food packaging available.

*Safety and Health Benefits: Like all Compostable products, their safety and health benefits revolve around their non-toxicity, compostability, degradability, and hypoallergenicity. Compostable packaging is made from natural materials, ensuring that no harmful chemicals are released during production or decomposition. This non-toxic nature eliminates the risk of chemical contamination in food and soil, providing a safer environment for human consumption and agricultural growth.

Tips for Integrating Compostable Products into Your Kitchen

Plan Your Purchases

Effective planning is the springboard for success in any endeavor. This also applies to integrating compostable products into kitchens.

Firstly, you have to identify your needs. Nobody wants to buy what they don’t need. To do this, you need to apply the two ‘Ws’—what? and why. What do I want this product to do for me? Why do I need this product and not another? If you can satisfiably answer these questions, then you move to the next stage of the plan.

This involves brand research. As quality is everything, certain brands are tied to a certain quality. Know the brands and go for them. Consider buying in bulk. This is a smart way to curb wastage and continuous replacement and to encourage manufacturers to produce more.

Educate Your Family

“Knowledge is Power.” There are a few ways you can educate your family and friends on the need for Compostable kitchen products, you can talk to them directly and explain why compostable products are the way to go or exemplary teaching where you make yourself a role model by buying these products, using them, and effectively disposing of them.

Conclusion

We owe it to ourselves to make our world a better place. If it isn’t compostable, it shouldn’t be usable. Embracing compostable products in our homes and kitchens is a powerful step toward freeing our planet from plastic waste’s polluting grip and fostering a more sustainable lifestyle. As you incorporate these compostable solutions into your daily routine, remember that every small change contributes to a larger movement for a healthier planet.