best compostable containers?

August 24, 2019 12:20 PM

I know compostability is a complex question, but for the short-term (though with an eye to changing behaviors): what is the best source for compostable containers that one might recommend in lobbying a local restaurant to go compostable? If it matters, this is in western Virginia.
posted by mmiddle to Grab Bag (3 answers total)

Best answer: Does the town pick up compost including packaging? If not, I think it may be better not to use compostable containers. The options right now seem a little limited- definitely avoid molded fiber packaging, since it's made with PFAS at the moment. Compostable plastic isn't a good option unless the city has the right facilities to process it.
posted by pinochiette at 2:28 PM on August 24, 2019 [2 favorites]

Best answer: P.S. Whole Foods has compostable chipboard containers at their salad bar and supposedly they switched to something PFAS-free late last year...I just looked at one that I had in the trash and it's the Bio-Plus Terra II. I would doublecheck that it is PFAS-free, though.
posted by pinochiette at 2:43 PM on August 24, 2019

For relatively dry food items, could containers made out of sugarcane be an option? I mean the kind which feels like cardboard and is home compostable.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 11:35 PM on August 24, 2019