TaterWare FAQ
1. What is TaterWare made from and how is manufactured?
2. Can TaterWare be used in a microwave or oven?
3. Is TaterWare dishwasher safe?
4. How does TaterWare degrade?
5. What does TaterWare’s claim to biodegradable mean?
6. Does TaterWare go into a recycle container?
1. What is TaterWare made from and how is manufactured?
TaterWare is a biodegradable food service tableware line made with potato starch, an annually renewable and GM-free (genetically-modified-free) material. TaterWare is made with a B-grade potato that is typically used for cattle and hog feed or the manufacturing of commercial products such as paper. Since we do not use human food-grade starch, the manufacturing of our product does not affect the human food supply.
All TaterWare products are either thermo-formed or injection-moulded in a manufacturing process that is very similar to the formation of most plastics, except that we use only bio-based resins.
2. Can TaterWare be used in a microwave or oven?
While we would not recommend heating TaterWare products in the oven for any length of time, our products are certainly microwarmable for reheating purposes.
3. Is TaterWare dishwasher safe?
Yes, it is.
4. How does TaterWare degrade?
TaterWare products are biodegradable, meaning they break down into water and carbon dioxide at a rate determined by heat, moisture, and microbes. Even if TaterWare products do not get composted and instead end up in a landfill, they will not leach harmful chemicals.
5. What does TaterWare’s claim to biodegradable mean?
Biodegradable, as referenced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), refers to the fact that this product will break down and return to nature within a reasonably short time after customary disposal. Current proposed FTC guidelines are considering qualifying this statement to define a reasonably short time to mean less than one year. It should be noted that commercial composters set their own standards for the biodegradable materials they will accept. In addition, not only do municipalities have different compost facility requirements, but an appropriate commercial composting facility may not exist in your area. Contact your local city environmental department to learn more. If you do have a commercial composting facility in your area, contact them to inquire which grade of biodegradables they will accept.
6. Does TaterWare go into a recycle container?
TaterWare is not a recyclable for normal curb-side pick-up. It's recyclable category is #7.
7. Is TaterWare compostable?
Using the FTC's proposed guidelines on the word and meaning of compostable (based on ASTM D6400 composting standards), some TaterWare products are compostable and some are not.
All of the TaterWare products will break down into water and carbon dioxide, given heat, moisture and microbes. Cutlery degrades differently than plates, bowls, clamshells, and other disposable containers because the pressure used to compound the resin into a sturdy piece of useful cutlery makes it much more dense than the other products. For this reason, all cutlery must be shredded into smaller pieces in order to degrade more quickly and to meet most compost facility degradation timelines.
The TaterWare resin used to create all of our product lines is made with bio-based, GM-free potato starch and FDA-approved ingredients. Our Standard TaterWare products are proven to be landfill-degradable, imposing no adverse effects on the surrounding atmosphere, soil, or water. This capability is due to its high level of bio-based content and a proprietary additive. It should be noted that this product line is not compostable, as it will not adhere to the ASTM D-6400 180-day requirement for degradation.
Contact your local city environmental department to learn more. Remember, appropriate compost facilities may not exist in your locale. If you do have a commercial composting facility in your area, contact them to inquire which grade of biodegradables they will accept.
