f.a.q.

  • How to dispose of Ecozema® tableware?

    After their use, our compostable tableware may be disposed of together with food scraps in the organic waste bin. The waste will subsequently be sent to an industrial composting facility in order to obtain a fertilizing compost in 90 days. All of our products are biobased, biodegradable and compostable according to norm EN13234.

  • How long do Ecozema® products take to complete degradation?

    Ecozema® products are not subject to any degradation until they are not treated in a composting mass. Once that they are inserted in a composting cycle, they will complete the degradation within the maximum time outlined by the normative (EN13432 or ASTM 6400) that is 90 days (if treated in an industrial aerobic composting facility).

  • How long can Ecozema® products last and how must they be stored?

    Ecozema® products can last for years if correctly stored. They should be kept away from high temperature and direct light. Heat and UV rays can affect the mechanical performances of materials. This is true for both biopolymers and conventional plastics derived from petrochemical synthesis.

  • What is the maximum use temperature?

    The temperature resistance depends on the material used to manufacture the product and in our range we have at least four different materials. To get more information about every single material, please the Materials section.

  • Are Ecozema® products safe for food contact?

    All Ecozema® products are manufactured, distributed and tested to be safe for food contact according to various normatives: Italian (es. D.M.21Marzo1973), European (es. 1935/2004) and North American (cfr. FDA). To know more about it, please visit the FOCUS section, on the menu navigation bar.

  • Is it true that biopolymers are one of the main causes for the price increase of some agricultural food stuff such as corn?

    This is not true at all. We have to consider that in a global scale no more than 0,04% of corn is used to obtain biopolymers. As things stand it is easy to understand that this low consumption cannot affect the price. Moreover, the area used to cultivate corn for bioplastics are often set-aside areas, not designated to food stuff cultivation.

  • What does it mean biodegradable and compostable?

    For more information on biodegradability and compostability, please visit the dedicated page where you can find exhaustive information.

  • What is composting?

    The composting is a natural process that can be used to treat organic waste. For more information, please visit this page.

  • How can I be sure that Ecozema® products are really suitable for composting?

    The European normative EN13432 or American ASTM6400 outline the characteristics that an object must have to be declared compostable. There are third-party institutes that release certificates that assure that the listed products are in accordance with the normative. The most well known institutes are AIB-Vincotte (trade mark OK-Compost) and DIN-Certco (in Europe) and B.P.I. for North America. Of course, certificates issued by any other institute are as valid as any other, as long as they comply with the abovementioned normative.

  • Can I dispose of Ecozema® products in my home composting system?

    The is no problem in doing this but the products will require much more than 90 days to reach the complete degradation. Our products have been developed to be treated in industrial composting facilities where temperature, humidity and enzymes are under control and can accelerate the process.

  • Can I collect the Ecozema® products together with other waste to be treated in landfill or incinerator?

    This can be done without any problem but at this point, it would make no sense to use biodegradable and compostable foodservice ware. The maximum effect on environmental impact reduction can be reached only if you compost our products so that you close the loop from nature to nature.

  • Can I leave Ecozema® products in the environment without harming it?

    We don’t want to encourage this kind of behaviour since Ecozema® products have been developed to be collected and treated in composting facilities. In case you leave Ecozema® products in the environment, they will not pollute it but it will take years to biodegrade since their degradation is complete and fast only if treated in industrial composting facilities.

  • Some Ecozema® products are made of Ingeo (P.L.A.), does this mean that they are made from conventional plastics?

    No, Ingeo (P.L.A.) is the trade mark of a biopolymer base of polylactic acid, a natural substance coming from vegetable resources. This material is mostly used to manufacture cups for cold drinks. To read more about Ingeo (P.L.A.), please visit the Materials page.

  • Do standard pulp products contain PFAS?

    Yes, additives are used that contain substances belonging to the PFAS macro family but not included in the 4 categories with limits set by EFSA.

  • Are products containing PFAS safe for food contact?

    Yes, all products are specifically tested also in relation to the potential transfer of PFAS. In reality, by their very nature, PFAS hardly migrate towards water or food. To be sure of this aspect, screening is performed on hot aqueous extracts that simulate the transfer.

  • Are PFAS prohibited in the EU?

    A ban on the use of PFAS in Europe does not currently exist, just as it does not exist in the individual states belonging to the union with the exception of Denmark and Belgium. For certain sub-categories, EFSA has specified maximum daily intake limits (further info following the F.A.Q.).

  • What kind of substances do products with PFAS contain?

    Short-chain substances are used, which are much less persistent and dangerous than those monitored by regulatory bodies.

  • Do products without PFAS have the same performance as those with PFAS?

    Unfortunately, not, especially with oils and fats the barrier capacity is significantly affected by the absence of PFAS. For those who need an excellent barrier and do not want PFAS, the ideal solution are the cardboard plates of the Charta line.

  • Will all pulp products be PFAS-free in the future?

    Already during 2023 numerous cellulose pulp codes will no longer be restocked in the version containing PFAS, at the moment it will remain only for a part of the catalogue, mostly the take-away where the reduced fat retention could be a big problem and for which there is not yet a ready alternative. The company goal is to completely remove PFAS from the range, currently the target is to do so in 2024.

  • How do I recognize a standard pulp product from a PFAS-free one?

    The PFAS-free products will all fall within the Natural range, furthermore the product code will have the letter “Z” to identify the PFAS-free version of a given item.

  • Apart from the pulp, are there any other products in the range that contain PFAS?

    No, no other item in the Ecozema range is produced using raw materials containing PFAS.

  • Do you have PFAS-free dishes in your range that guarantee an excellent barrier to oils and fats?

    The plates of the new Charta line are the ideal solution when an excellent barrier to fats, absence of PFAS and the possibility of composting at the end of their life are required.