If you distribute compostable or PFAS-free foodservice packaging, your customers are coming to you with questions you need to be ready for. Is this straw PFAS-free? What certifications does this plate have? Will it hold up in a commercial kitchen? Can we legally sell this in California?
We put together this FAQ so you have ready-to-use answers for all of them. Copy what you need directly into your catalog, website, or product sheets. Wherever you see [CUSTOMIZE], replace it with your product details.
Questions are grouped by topic so your customers can find answers fast.
About Compostable Products
Below are common questions buyers ask about what compostable packaging actually means.
Q: What Does “Compostable” Mean?
A compostable product breaks down into natural elements under the right conditions, typically heat, moisture, and microbial activity.
Some products need an industrial composting facility to achieve those higher temperatures, unlike a backyard compost pile ever could. Others are certified for home composting and break down at regular outdoor temperatures.
Check which one your product is certified for, since that determines where it can actually go.
Q: Are Your Compostable Products Certified?
Yes. Our products and raw materials have been tested and verified by independent third parties. Our certifications include:
- BPI Certified Compostable: Meets North American industrial composting standards.
- TÜV Austria: Meets European industrial composting standards.
- USDA Biobased: Made from renewable plant-based materials, verified by the US Department of Agriculture.
Q: What Are These Products Made From?
Our main ingredient is Ocean Calcium Sand. It’s 96 to 98% pure calcium carbonate, forms naturally in the ocean, and is a certified renewable resource. No fossil fuels, no mining.
It comes from aragonite, tiny grains that form in shallow tropical seas. The bacteria that create them absorb CO₂ from the air as they grow. That makes the material carbon negative before it ever reaches a factory.
We combine Ocean Calcium Sand with resins to create BioCal, the core material in our products. Depending on the product and application, we also use BioCal, cellulose diacetate, PLA, and polypropylene. All are PFAS-free.
Q: Will Compostable Products Perform as Well as Plastic?
For most foodservice applications, yes. Premium certified compostable products are designed to be leakproof, soakproof, and cut-resistant under normal use. Performance does vary by material and application.
Q: Are Compostable Products Safe for Food Contact?
Yes, when certified. Products sold for food contact must comply with FDA regulations for food contact materials. BPI-certified products, for example, require compliance with FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) standards as part of the certification process.
We provide full FDA compliance documentation whenever a customer requests it. Email [email protected] for more information.
PFAS & Compliance
Here are the questions your customers are most likely to ask about “forever chemicals” and what proof they need.
Q: What Is PFAS and Why Does It Matter for Foodservice Packaging?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals added to food packaging to prevent grease and moisture from soaking through. They do that job well, but the issue is they don’t stay put.
PFAS can migrate from the packaging into the food your customers eat, and once they’re in the body, they don’t leave. That’s why they’re infamously called “forever chemicals”.
Health researchers have linked PFAS to kidney, testicular, and liver cancers. A 2025 study published by scientists at the Keck School of Medicine at USC found that PFAS in drinking water is connected to around 6,864 cancer cases per year in the US alone.
That’s why regulators are cracking down on foodservice packaging. The FDA phased out PFAS in food contact paper in February 2024, and 14 states now ban them in food packaging.
If you sell into any of those states, you need documentation to prove your products are compliant, and your restaurant and operator customers need that documentation from you.
Q: Are These Products PFAS-Free?
Yes. Every product we make is PFAS-free, and we have the paperwork to prove it. If you need lab test reports or certificates of compliance for your records or your customers, just ask.
Q: Which States Require PFAS-Free Packaging?
The following states have active or upcoming bans on intentionally added PFAS in food packaging (as of the time of writing):
More states have proposed legislation in progress. For the full picture, including pending bills, BCLP’s state-by-state PFAS food packaging tracker is one of the more thorough resources available.
Q: How Do I Prove PFAS-Free Compliance to a Health Inspector or Auditor?
Four documents will cover you in almost every situation:
- Certificate of Compliance (COC): A signed statement from your supplier confirming no PFAS were added to the product. Most states accept this as the starting point for compliance.
- Third-party lab test report: A test result showing the total fluorine level in the product. California requires this to come in below 100 ppm (parts per million). The lower the number, the stronger your position.
- Supplier declaration: A written confirmation that no PFAS were used anywhere in the manufacturing process, including in mold-release agents and equipment lubricants.
- Spec sheet or TDS: Your product’s data sheet should clearly state that no PFAS were intentionally added and show the test result to back that up.
Keep these on file. If a health inspector or auditor asks, you’ll have everything ready to go.
Q: What Happens if I Sell Packaging With PFAS in a Ban State?
Consequences vary by state. In California, the Attorney General has enforcement authority under the state’s consumer protection laws, with civil penalties up to $2,500 per product per violation.
Connecticut sets penalties at up to $10,000 per violation, with potential criminal fines up to $50,000. Minnesota has no cap on fines at all.
Beyond legal penalties, major QSR chains, including Panera, Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s, have public PFAS-free packaging commitments. That means a non-compliant product can cost you the contract.
Product recalls and retailer delisting are real operational risks, too.
Product Performance
Performance questions come up at every stage of the sales cycle. Here are the answers buyers need.
Q: Do Compostable Straws Get Soggy in Drinks?
Our compostable straws hold up for the full duration of a normal drink without going soggy. They’re compostable plastic, so they look and feel like a regular plastic straw, but they break down under the right composting conditions instead of sticking around for centuries.
The bad reputation around soggy straws comes from paper-based straws, which soften quickly in liquid. Paper straws are a separate category, and that experience doesn’t apply to our products.
It’s also worth knowing that a 2023 study in Food Additives & Contaminants tested 39 straw brands and found PFAS in 90% of paper straw brands and 80% of bamboo brands. Ours are third-party verified PFAS-free.
Q: Can Compostable Plates and Bowls Handle Hot and Greasy Foods?
Our plates, trays, and bowls handle warm, greasy foods without warping, leaking, or softening. They’re soakproof, leakproof, cut-resistant, and microwarmable, so warm leftovers or a greasy meal are no problem. They’re designed for cold and warm food, not for food straight out of a hot oven or stovetop.
The strength comes from Ocean Calcium Sand and cellulose acetate, which gives the products their rigidity. When composted, it breaks down into soil-friendly calcium that enriches the earth.
Every plate and bowl is PFAS-free and BPA-free. Plates and bowls made from BioCal are commercially compostable, while those made from cellulose diacetate are home compostable.
Browse our compostable plates and compostable bowls to see the full range of sizes and materials, or request a sample to test them in your operation before ordering.
Q: Will Compostable Products Work in Our Existing Dispensers and Equipment?
In most cases, yes. Certified compostable straws, lids, and cutlery are manufactured to standard foodservice dimensions, so they fit existing dispensers and packaging equipment without modification.
Q: How Should We Store Compostable Products?
You should keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and humidity. The temperature should stay below 95°F (35°C).
You should also leave them in their original packaging until you’re ready to use them, since that’s what protects them from moisture and temperature swings.
Indoor storage is best, especially if you’re in a region with hot summers or cold winters.
Q: What Is the Shelf Life of Compostable Products?
Most of our products have a 12-month shelf life from the production date, as long as you store them properly. Heat and humidity can affect the product’s performance during that time, so your warehouse conditions matter more than you might think.
[CUSTOMIZE: Insert the specific shelf life stated on your product’s TDS here.]
Composting & End-of-Life
These are the questions your customers will have about what actually happens after the product is used.
Q: Can Customers Compost These Products at Home?
It depends on the certification. Products certified BPI Commercial Compostable or TÜV OK Compost INDUSTRIAL require an industrial composting facility.
Products with TÜV OK Compost HOME certification or BPI’s newer Home Compostability certification (launched 2025) can break down in a backyard compost pile, typically within 180 days at 20 to 40°C.
If your product is only industrially compostable, the home-compostable label requires a separate certification to support it.
The FTC Green Guides (16 CFR Part 260) require a qualified disclosure if the composting claim cannot be met in facilities available to a substantial majority of consumers.
An unqualified “compostable” claim on a product that only breaks down in a 140°F industrial facility is an FTC enforcement risk.
Q: Where Can Customers Take Compostable Products to Be Composted?
You can take them to any industrial composting facility that accepts certified compostable foodservice products. Your customers can use the CMA Partner Facility Locator to find facilities near them or check their municipal waste program.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of full-scale food waste composting facilities in the US grew from 185 to 200, and 71% of them now accept compostable food-contact packaging, up from 58% in 2018.
Of those, 62% accept certified compostable foodservice ware like trays, plates, bowls, and straws.
That said, access is still uneven. Nearly half of all facilities are concentrated in just seven states: California, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington, Texas, and North Carolina.
Ten states, including Alabama, Delaware, and Mississippi, have no full-scale composting operations at all.
[CUSTOMIZE: If you have a composting partner or drop-off program, add those details here.]
Q: What if We’re in an Area Without Composting Infrastructure?
If there’s no composting facility nearby, the product will end up in a landfill. In a landfill, compostable materials break down very slowly, similar to conventional plastic, because the heat and oxygen needed for composting aren’t there.
The PFAS-free and food-safety benefits still stand either way. But if you’re selling in an area without composting access, be careful about the claims you make on your packaging.
Unqualified composting claims in areas where facilities don’t exist can put you on the wrong side of FTC guidelines.
Q: Do Compostable Products Break Down in a Landfill?
Certified compostable products are designed for specific composting conditions, either commercial or home, depending on the product.
Commercially compostable products need sustained heat, oxygen, and microbial activity that only an industrial facility provides. Home compostable products break down at regular outdoor temperatures instead. Check the product label to see which one applies.
A landfill doesn’t provide either. Waste gets buried and compacted, which cuts off the oxygen both composting processes depend on. So, the breakdown slows down compared to a proper composting environment.
Pricing & Ordering
Sustainability credentials matter, but at some point, you need to talk numbers. These are the questions buyers typically ask before committing to an order.
Q: Are Compostable Products More Expensive Than Conventional Plastic?
Generally, yes. Compostable packaging typically costs 10 to 40% more upfront than conventional plastic. That gap comes from the materials themselves, certification testing, and the cost of manufacturing in the US.
For buyers in ban states, the cost comparison shifts when you factor in non-compliance risk.
A product that violates California AB 1200 can generate $2,500 per product per violation in civil penalties. For buyers with ESG reporting requirements, the compliance value is part of the total cost calculation too.
Q: Do You Offer Bulk Discounts?
Yes, we offer volume pricing on full-case and full-pallet orders. Contact your account manager at [contact details] to discuss options.
[CUSTOMIZE: Yes/No, with volume tier details or a contact to discuss pricing.]
Q: What Are Typical Lead Times?
Our products are manufactured in Gadsden, Alabama. Standard lead times run 2 to 4 weeks from order to delivery. For custom-made products, the lead time can be up to 6-8 weeks.
If you’re sourcing from overseas suppliers, factor in at least 10 to 12 weeks of transit time. A product with a 12-month shelf life that spends 12 weeks in transit has already used about 23% of its shelf life before it reaches your warehouse.
With US manufacturing, that clock doesn’t start until the product is on its way to you.
Q: Can I Get Samples Before Placing an Order?
Yes. Samples let you verify performance, confirm equipment compatibility, and review certification documentation before committing to a full order.
Request a sample by emailing [email protected].
Sustainability & Brand
Questions your customers will ask when they want to use your products in their sustainability communications.
Q: Can We Use These Products in Our Sustainability Marketing?
Yes, with qualifications tied to what is actually certified. You can use certification logos (BPI, TÜV, USDA Certified Biobased) according to each certifier’s brand guidelines.
You can accurately claim that the products are certified compostable and PFAS-free if the documentation supports it. Claims like “home compostable”, “commercially compostable” or “marine biodegradable” require a specific certification to back them up.
The FTC Green Guides require that environmental claims be truthful, non-deceptive, and substantiated. Terms like “eco-friendly” or “green” without a specific certification behind them are harder to defend in an enforcement action.
Q: Are These Products Carbon-Neutral?
Better than neutral. Our core ingredient, Ocean Calcium Sand, is carbon negative at the source. The cyanobacteria that form it actively pull CO₂ from the atmosphere during growth, meaning the material offsets carbon before it ever reaches a factory.
“Carbon neutral” as a formal claim requires a full lifecycle assessment (LCA). Our products carry ISO 14067:2018 certification, which means the carbon footprint has been independently measured and verified across the full product lifecycle.
Q: Do Compostable Products Release Microplastics?
Certified compostable products made from plant-based materials do not contain petroleum-derived plastic polymers, so they don’t produce conventional microplastics when they break down.
Most conventional paper plates and containers, on the other hand, have a plastic film lining inside that cannot be composted and does release microplastics over time.
Q: How Do Compostable Products Support Our ESG Goals?
Quite a few ways. Our certifications give your procurement team ready-made documentation for ESG reporting.
Here’s what you can point to:
- Waste reduction: Certified compostable products divert packaging from landfill
- Scope 3 emissions: ISO 14067:2018 covers the full product lifecycle carbon footprint
- Supply chain sustainability: BPI, CMA, and TÜV certifications show verified third-party oversight
- PFAS-free procurement: All products are PFAS-free, which satisfies a growing number of corporate and institutional procurement policies
[CUSTOMIZE: If you have specific ESG documentation or reporting templates, add them here.]
Technical Specifications
These questions come from procurement teams and compliance managers who need documentation.
Q: What Certifications Do Your Products Carry?
We carry several certifications, though they vary by product:
- BPI Certified Compostable (Meets North American industrial composting standards; requires ≤100 ppm total fluorine and a no-intentionally-added PFAS attestation)
- TÜV AUSTRIA OK Compost HOME (Certified for home composting at ambient temperature; valid through January 2031)
- USDA Certified Biobased (Made from renewable plant-based materials, verified by the US Department of Agriculture)
Q: Where Are These Products Manufactured?
All products are manufactured in Gadsden, Alabama. US manufacturing means shorter lead times, no overseas transit eating into shelf life, and a more reliable supply chain month to month. We manufacture locally and can deliver every month.
Q: Can You Provide Documentation for Our Records?
Yes. [CUSTOMIZE: List what you can provide.] Standard documentation for compliance-conscious buyers includes:
- Certificate of Compliance (COC) for PFAS.
- Third-party total organic fluorine (TOF) lab test report with method and result.
- Signed manufacturer declaration of no intentionally added PFAS.
- Current certification documentation (BPI, TÜV, USDA Biobased, etc.) with cert numbers and expiry dates.
- Product spec sheet / Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with storage, shelf life, and materials info.
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Make Compliance Easy for Your Customers
PFAS bans are active in 12+ states, composting requirements vary by product, and procurement teams now want documentation before they sign off on anything. The distributors winning these accounts are the ones who can answer on the spot and hand over a compliance file without scrambling.
NantBioRenewables is built for exactly that.
Their Wave Ware products are manufactured in Gadsden, Alabama. They carry BPI, TÜV Austria, and USDA Biobased certifications; certifications vary by product. They’re carbon negative at the source and perform on par with conventional plastic.
See the full range at Wave Ware straws and tableware, or email [email protected] for free samples before you commit to an order.