Which one is better, Paper plates or Compostable plates?

Disposable plates are always easy to use when it comes to hosting a party to avoid washing up. Everyone is switching to sustainable disposable plates to have minimal effect on the environment. People began to use biodegradable paper plates because they believed it was the most environmentally friendly alternative available. The issue is that paper plates may not be as environmentally beneficial as they appear.

Here are some facts about disposable paper plates.

Are they biodegradable?

Paper plates are biodegradable in the majority of circumstances. The issue is that some paper plates have wax and plastic lining on them, which isn't ideal. The other issue is that, in the wrong conditions, they might take a long time to degrade.

The paper plates might take up to five years to degrade if thrown away in a landfill. This period can be shortened, but it is dependent on the amount of moisture and heat received. It also depends on the plate thickness. As you can expect, the thicker the plates are, the longer they will take to degrade.

Are biodegradable paper plates safe for the environment?

Our jungles all over the world are being severely harmed by the paper industry. The issue is that most paper plates necessitate virgin wood because of the stronger fibres. As a result, trees are being felled unnecessarily.

Tree farming has indeed improved in terms of sustainability, yet it still has flaws. For example, the carbon impact it leaves behind or the animals who are displaced. It gets worse.

To get the artificial white colour, the wood pulp must be bleached, which causes significant environmental damage. Chlorine can be one of the most harmful elements utilised in major companies when used in high volumes. It has been linked to cancer, as well as harm to the reproductive and immunological systems.

The chemical waste from bleaching the paper frequently ends up being discarded or spilt into a neighbouring water source. The water and food we need to survive are contaminated as a result of this.

The difficulty is that they become oily and stained with food, preventing them from being recycled owing to contamination concerns. At the end of the day, they're no better than plastic.

Is it possible to compost dirty paper plates?

It all comes down to the oil left on the plate, which is why composting your used paper plates is the best alternative. Composting is also not that difficult, which is amazing.

It's as simple as tearing the soiled plates into small pieces and placing them in your compost bin; it's that simple. You may either send it to a commercial composting facility or make your compost heap from there.

One thing to keep in mind is that wax-coated plates will not degrade, but plastic-lined plates will. You'll be able to feel the covering when you shred it into small pieces.

What are the alternatives?

If you're starting to feel bad about using paper plates, don't worry; I've got lots of biodegradable plates to choose from.

There are a few possibilities if you're looking for a biodegradable plate with a bit more sustainability.

People have sought to get more innovative with the materials they use when plastic began to be attacked. The following are some of the best biodegradable plates:

• Sugarcane plates This is a terrific material to utilise since it is abundantly gathered, and the greatest part is that the leftovers are used after the sugar is produced. Sugarcane is incredibly sustainable and biodegradable due to all of these qualities.

• Palm leaf plates The palm leaves are picked from the tree in such a way that they are not harmed. The leaves are then crushed into plates using tremendous heat (picture a giant iron). They have a wooden appearance when completed.

• Bamboo plates Bamboo is one of the world's fastest-growing plants, with some varieties reaching heights of 36 inches in a single day. The finest part is that the bamboo may be taken without endangering or stunting the plant's growth.

• Plant fibre plates Hemp and flax shive are two forms of plant fibre that may be used to make plates. Both plant waste products can be found in large quantities.

All of the components mentioned above, as well as a few others, are employed in the production of biodegradable plates. But it's the fact that they're biodegradable and sustainable that sets them apart.