The replacement of traditional plastic with MATER-BI in the catering and hospitality sector can greatly simplify the waste management and maximise recycling.

According to WRAP, in the UK, over 3 million tonnes of waste (1.3MT of packaging, 0.92 MT of food waste and 0.66MT of non-food waste such as napkins) is produced by the Hospitality and Food Service Sector each year. A further 130,000T tonnes of food waste is created at off-site preparation centres.

Bioplastic products made of MATER-BI® for catering (cutlery, cups, straws etc) are 100% biodegradable and compostable. The consumer can now be provided with a solution for all their tableware and plastic packaging which is in contact with food which can be collected in a single bin ready for organic recycling rather than sent for disposal.

Using MATER-BI bioplastics can also mean a reduction in costs for waste management, since the transfer of food waste to organic recycling, especially when it is not contaminated with conventional plastics, normally has a lower cost than that of unsorted waste at disposal facilities.

Thanks to a peer reviewed and published LCA (Life Cycle Assessment and Evaluation of Life Cycle) study conducted by the laboratories of Novamont, using compostable tableware for a sample of 1000 meals served in a school canteen can save 90 kg of CO2 and 555 kWh of renewable energy, compared to the same sample served with traditional disposable plastic tableware.

 

Products

MATER-BI resins are used in the production of a wide range of items which help make biowaste from events, the hospitality sector and commercial food outlets completely compostable. EN13432 certified MATER-BI and food contact approved products include knives, forks, spoons, straws, hot and cold cups and even reusable dishes.

Tableware made from MATER-BI is not only certified as biodegradable and compostable, but is also designed to give the consumer the optimal performance. In the case of cups which are lined with our own patented technology and utilising vegetable oils, this means the same sealing and protection as a non-compostable or wax lined cup. Our cutlery, is neither too flexible or too stiff meaning the consumer will always be able to trust their knife, fork or spoon to do what it’s meant to do and then be able to confidently dispose of it with their food waste.